Ambassador Gary
Google
Fantastic restaurant in the heart of District 1 that completely exceeded my expectations for Vietnamese dining. The pork skewers were absolutely outstanding - perfectly charred, well-seasoned, and served with fresh vegetables and herbs.
The real adventure began when our server brought the rice paper wraps. The concept seemed simple enough: dip the rice paper in water, add your ingredients, roll it up, and eat. Watched a Vietnamese family at the next table execute this with effortless grace, making it look as easy as folding a napkin.
My first attempt resulted in what can only be described as a rice paper explosion. Too much water, everything stuck together, and when I tried to roll it, the whole thing disintegrated like wet tissue paper. Pork skewer ended up on the table, vegetables everywhere, complete disaster.
Second attempt I used less water, but rolled it so tightly that biting into it was like trying to eat a rubber band wrapped around meat. The young couple at the neighboring table were clearly trying not to laugh at my struggles.
By my fifth attempt, I'd finally achieved something vaguely cylindrical that held together long enough to get into my mouth. Not pretty, but functional. The Vietnamese grandmother sitting nearby gave me an encouraging nod that felt more pitying than congratulatory.
But the real revelation was the pickled pear drink - tangy, sweet, refreshing, and unlike anything I'd tasted before. Inspired me to write this short poem while waiting for dessert:
Pickled pear in glass so clear,
Sweet and sour, brings good cheer,
After rice paper defeat,
This drink makes the meal complete.
Sarah would be mortified if she knew I was writing poetry in restaurants, but something about that pickled pear deserved documentation beyond a simple review. The balance of flavors was genuinely inspiring - tart enough to cut through the rich pork, sweet enough to be refreshing, and the pear chunks added texture that elevated it beyond typical restaurant beverages.
The staff were incredibly patient with my rice paper incompetence, even offering helpful demonstrations when my frustration became obvious. Never once made me feel like the clumsy tourist I clearly was.
Atmosphere is lively without being overwhelming - open-air courtyard where I could smoke my cigarette without feeling ashamed.
Highly recommend for anyone visiting HCMC. Just maybe watch a YouTube tutorial on rice paper rolling before you go, unlike certain stubborn Canadians who assumed it would be intuitive.
The pickled pear alone is worth the trip. Sometimes the simplest things inspire the most appreciation - even if it's terrible poetry written by a 69-year-old insurance adjuster.
