No longer just a nightlife street, Bui Vien in 2023 has transformed into an incredibly diverse culinary destination with a wide variety of delicious and fresh seafood dishes.
What's hot on Bui Vien in 2023?
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the global economy, including Vietnam. The pandemic left behind many difficulties and challenges in various sectors of the economy, especially in the tourism and F&B industries. However, in 2023, the world, including Vietnam, seems to be recovering.
As of June 2023, trade, transportation, and tourism activities continue to thrive, maintaining a positive growth rate. According to the General Statistics Office of Vietnam, the estimated number of international visitors to Vietnam in the first six months of 2023 reached nearly 5.6 million, a 9.3-fold increase compared to the same period last year.
A well-known spot in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, Bui Vien Street, has also seen positive changes in 2023. The nightlife on Bui Vien is gradually coming back to life. While there are not as many lively bars as before the 2019 pandemic, this famous street has undergone some exciting transformations.
Unique seafood restaurants have now made their presence felt here, becoming the highlights of Bui Vien Street in 2023. Seafood dishes made from fresh ocean specialties are served like the most common street food in this bustling area. The renowned dining destination has added exceptional cuisine, making it an attractive place to visit when in Saigon.
Bui Vien Street's cuisine: a paradise for seafood enthusiasts
Being a melting pot of various cultures, the cuisine in Ho Chi Minh City is incredibly diverse and rich. Just in Saigon, you can savor different dishes prepared in various regional styles from all over the country. Fresh seafood is carefully selected, not only of high quality but also diverse in variety.
In the Bui Vien Street area, the seafood dishes are just as tempting as anywhere else. Explore delicious and mouthwatering fresh seafood with us right away!
Delicious Dishes You'll Love When Visiting Bui Vien:
Lobster with Butter, Lime, and Lemongrass Sauce
Lobster with butter, lime, and lemongrass sauce is a delightful dish featuring lobster found in the coastal waters of Central Vietnam, known for its firm and succulent meat. With high economic value and being an export seafood product, lobster is raised and prepared in Bui Vien. Seafood restaurants in this area offer various lobster dishes, but the most enticing one is lobster with butter, lime, and lemongrass sauce.
The lobster is caught fresh, cleaned, and then grilled over charcoal until cooked to perfection. It's then generously coated with an exclusive, creamy sauce. When you take a bite, you'll experience the sweet, tender lobster paired with the rich and fragrant flavors of butter, lime, and the spiciness of lemongrass and chili, creating an unforgettable culinary experience.
Salted Hong Kong-style Ca Mau Crab
Ca Mau is the southernmost province in Vietnam, and it's known for having the most delicious crabs in the country. Along Bui Vien Street, this type of crab is served in seafood restaurants as fresh, nutritious, and delectable meals. At the lively nightspots here, the salted Hong Kong-style Ca Mau crab is one of the must-try dishes.
The crab meat, sweet and firm, combines perfectly with the Hong Kong-style chili salt, delivering a savory and delightful taste. This Vietnamese dish with a Hong Kong twist promises to delight your taste buds.
Steamed Grouper with Soy Sauce
Grouper has long been a favorite among seafood enthusiasts. What makes it even more special is that this sea creature, which resides at the ocean floor, is now cultivated in modern oxygenated tanks at reputable seafood restaurants, ensuring not only its healthiness but also preserving its inherent nutritional value.
Steamed grouper with soy sauce is perhaps the dish you should definitely try when exploring Bui Vien. The meat of the grouper is so exceptionally delicious that a simple steaming allows you to fully savor its unique flavor. When prepared, the chef must carefully time and season it just right to conquer even the most discerning of palates!
Stir-Fried Triton's trumpet with Cinnamon Leaves
The name already speaks to the quality and prestige of this type of conch. It's hailed as the queen of all conch species, and its flavor mesmerizes anyone who has tasted it.
The triton's trumpet is thick, pleasantly chewy, and packed with high nutritional content. In the seafood restaurants along Bui Vien Street, the best way to prepare queen conch is by stir-frying it with cinnamon leaves. This is a must-try dish because of its exceptionally delightful taste.
Red Giant Murex and Banana Blossom Salad
Red giant murex, found in the Vietnamese sea, are only located deep underwater. Catching them requires considerable effort. Red giant murex and banana blossom salad, also known as banana blossom salad, is one of the most unique variations featuring these large red murex.
The giant murex are boiled to perfection, mixed with banana blossoms, a hint of chili, and cilantro, resulting in a harmonious blend of flavors. The crispness of the red turret shells paired with the mildly spicy and tangy salad makes it an ideal appetizer for any feast.
Reputable Seafood Dining Spots on Bui Vien Street:
Lua Dai Viet Restaurant (189 De Tham, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City)
Sen Dai Viet Restaurant (226-228 Bui Vien, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City)
Bien Dai Viet Restaurant (207 Bui Vien, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City)
Oc Dai Viet Restaurant (191-193 Bui Vien, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City)
Nong Thon Dai Viet Restaurant (131 Bui Vien, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City)
