In search of a top 3 of the best broken rice - cơm tấm Bà Hạt

One of my friends suggests me to review the top 3 (or even top 5) of the best street food in various categories such as top 3 of best "broken rice", best "Saigon bread", "beef noodles". And he's willing to do that for me. It's a good idea but - thousand people, thousand taste, so it could be challenging to select which one is the best. Anyway I just give it a try for a very first selection - "Top 3 of the best broken rice" - one of the most favorite street foods in Saigon. Early morning, late at night, everywhere - in a small quiet alley or right in the corner of busy streets, we always can find this fabulous dish. 

We have quite popular brands as Kiều Giang, Mộc, Cali, Thuận Kiều, An Dương Vương...but according to many foodies, including my friends, these brands already go too far with their fantasies by creating unusual things with broken rice, like rice burger at Cali or too much side dishes which, to me, destroyed the original flavor of "broken rice" at An Duong Vuong eatery. 

                    Grilled pork rib - one of most favorite side dishes to go with broken rice.

               Most traditional broken rice with "pork skin" and "egg cake", simply we call "bì chả" 

Last dinner at "Grandma" - Quán Bà Ngoại!

The family business is everywhere in Vietnam! Easy to see many houses, either on a big street or in a small alley, turning to business premises! It could be either a tiny coffee house or simply breakfast stall, but it's a huge benefit when the owners never worry about the rent!

"Grandma" is the same! It's the name of a simple family restaurant in a big house, located in one of the most prestigious areas in Saigon, district 3! Many rumors about that house, about the people living there. It's probably true because of its very good location, unbelievable huge area (nearly 2000 m2, right in the center of district 3!) and the stories about the ups and downs of that family are always a hot topic among us - curious customers!

Despite the efforts to keep the house, the"Grandma" finally gave up, the family business is closing down, all will be moving out in the next few weeks, as the house was already sold for millions US dollars!  

We were there last week, it could be our last dinner at "Grandma" or "Quán Bà Ngoại" (literally means an eatery of Grandma on Mother side!") so we decided to order only the signature dishes. The best from their menu probably is the grilled pork ribs! Tender, very well marinated, juicy, very tasty! Strange that they serve grilled ribs not with rice but sticky rice!

          Sườn nướng or roasted pork ribs - signature dish from Bà Ngoại!

           Deep fried young tofu topped with pork floss! Crispy on the outside, soft and rich on the inside!