I head just around the corner from Saigon Podcast Studio for one of my most-repeated favorites on this whole series: bún chả Hà Nội. Before I even get to the food, I go down another Google Street View rabbit hole, tracing this block back through the years to see how much has changed — including a brand-new bank building that wasn't even there two years ago, sitting right next to faded Chinese characters marking what I think used to be a Cantonese laundry service. At the table, I finally get the real history from the shop's owner, whose mother started the business all the way back in 1994, and I get a proper answer on what's actually in that addictively good dipping broth I've been eating for years without really understanding.

I also talk a bit about Adria and our eating habits, my monthly trips up to Hanoi for VTV's Vietnam Explained, and the very relatable mistake of buying a bottle of this shop's sauce, getting way too excited about it, and then letting it go bad in the fridge for six months.

5 Key Takeaways

1. This bún chả shop has been run by the same family since 1994.
2. The dipping broth isn't just fish sauce — it's nước chấm.
3. Google Street View only goes back to around 2017 in Vietnam.
4. Even people who don't eat much meat make an exception for good chả.
5. You really don't need to take Vietnamese condiments home with you. I

Timestamps

• [00:00:00] Intro from Saigon Podcast Studio, plus a shoutout for free trial sessions for anyone watching in Saigon
• [00:02:00] Going down the Google Street View rabbit hole — tracing the block back to 2017 and spotting the new bank building next door
• [00:04:00] Ordering at the counter and walking through what's on the plate — chả, rib meat, rice vermicelli, and the herb plate
• [00:11:00] Talking to the shop owner, confirming the 1994 history, and finally breaking down what's actually in the nước chấm
• [00:13:00] Mentioning the Hanoi trips for Vietnam Explained and teasing future lunch walks filmed up north

"Send me a message!"

Support the show

🎙️ Recorded at Saigon Podcast Studio!

👉 www.saigonpodcaststudio.com

🎙️ Start Your Podcast Today!

👉 Book a FREE Discovery Call with me and let’s bring your idea to life!

🎥 Edit Videos Like a Pro with Descript!

👉 I use Descript to create my content—try it for FREE here:

🔒 Protect Your Privacy with NordVPN!

👉 Get 70% OFF their 2-year plan and enjoy a secure, ad-free internet!

These are affiliate links, and I’ll earn a small commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you.

✅ Subscribe for More!

If you enjoy content about life in Vietnam, food adventures, and great conversations, hit that subscribe button.

📸 Follow Me on Instagram 🌐 Visit My Website 🎉 Join Our Community!