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Bebop, District 1

Paul
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Bebop, District 1

HO CHI MINH CITY | Named for the 1940s jazz movement that was a global phenomenon in cities across the world back in the day, including in Saigon, is Bebop. Opening early this year, Bebop is a jazz club, wine bar, and Asian fusion restaurant located in a late 19th-century colonial French building.

Whether enjoying a drink or a meal downstairs to the sounds of jazz and jazz house, or a live jazz show upstairs, the beautifully restored old building adds to the vibe created by the moody lighting and plush furnishings.

The wine list features over 365 bottles from around the world, with a different “pour of the day” on offer each day. There’s a fun and inspired cocktail list, featuring house and classic spirit-based, and wine-based cocktails. Be sure to try Bebop’s signature sangria cocktail, especially during the bar’s generous happy hour.

For food, it’s a blend of Asian and European dishes, along with creations that fuse the two. Think cheese and charcuterie, beef tartare flavoured with Asian spices, and Vietnamese Bò Kho, served as Italian Caramelle pasta.

Upstairs, its a curated program of some of the best local and international jazz talent, along with things like cabaret and burlesque performances.

Bebop

38 Lý Tự Trọng
District 1
Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam

Telephone: +84 287 771 2689
E-mail: n/a
Website

Open
Mon – Sun: 5:00pm to 12:00am

7 Bridges Brewing Co (Lê Thánh Tôn), District 1

Paul
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0
7 Bridges Brewing Co (Lê Thánh Tôn), District 1

HO CHI MINH CITY | 7 Bridges Brewing Co was founded in Da Nang in 2017, named for the (at the time) seven bridges that connected the city’s Hàn and Cẩm Lệ rivers. Since then, 7 Bridges have cemented themselves as one of of Vietnam’s best craft breweries, and have four taprooms across the country, two of which can be found in Ho Chi Minh City.

The Lê Thánh Tôn location is a small venue, located alongside a charming city side street. A small courtyard at the front leads to a long, narrow interior space. To one side, there’s the bar and custom-built pizza oven, and on the other side, high tables that look out to the street.

You’ll find the full range of 7 Bridges beers on tap, including the core range and limited seasonal offerings. I’m a big fan of “Game On”, a 6.0% ABV, piney, tropical, guava-forward IPA; and “Mekong Dragon”, a light and refreshing 3.7% ABV dragonfruit and passionfruit sour. If you’re undecided, go for a DIY tasting paddle. There’s also guest taps, featuring some of the team’s favourite beers from other Vietnamese craft breweries.

For food, the 50cm New York-style pizzas, which lean into 7 Bridges’ zero-waste philosophy, are a highlight. Unused pizza dough is converted into UPcycle, a Juicy Pale Ale, and spent grain from the beer-making process is used to make their Dragon Chili Sauce. There’s also an assortment of snacks, along with things like burgers, wings, and nachos.

7 Bridges Brewing Co (Lê Thánh Tôn)

15B/12 Lê Thánh Tôn
District 1
Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam

Telephone: +84 397 181 512
E-mail: [email protected]
Website

Open
Sun – Wed: 11:00am to 12:00am
Thu – Sat: 11:00am to 1:00am

Nora Thai, Melbourne CBD

Paul
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0
Nora Thai, Melbourne CBD

MELBOURNE | I visited the original location of Nora Thai, in South Yarra, almost two years ago. I was struck by the warmth of owners and friends Thunyaluk “Palmmy” Aninpukkanuntin and Duangdao “Kana” Bannakornthe, and their passion for showcasing regional specialities not often seen in Melbourne. Palmmy and Kana have been planning to open a CBD location of Nora Thai since at least that time, and finally, at the start of this year, they made that dream a reality. I popped in for What’s On Melbourne to check it out.

The CBD location is much larger than the 20-seat South Yarra spot, and with that, comes an expanded menu. All of the favourites from the original are here, but now Palmmy and Kana are diving deeper into the cuisine of Thailand’s Surat Thani province, where they are both from.

Signature dishes that are all worth trying include Kaeng Bai Cha Plu, a creamy crab meat curry with betel leaf; bai leang pad kai, a wonderful stir-fry of Malindjo Southern Thai green leaves, with egg and garlic; and Gaeng Khua Prik Si Krong Moo. The latter dish is a fiery soft pork-rib curry cooked with shrimp paste and kaffir lime leaves.

New dishes that you’d be well advised to check out are the creamy Panang curry with coconut cream, fresh chilli, snake bean, kaffir lime leaf, and your choice of protein and heat level; and the sticky sweet and savoury Moo Wan braised caramelised pork belly with onion.

The mush expanded drinks menu now contains an assortment of cocktails, wines, and spirits, along with South-East Asian lagers, and non-alcoholic Thai drinks. I highly recommend the mango sticky rice cocktail, which combines mango rum, mango purée, lime juice, and coconut cream.

Nora Thai (CBD)

111 Lonsdale Street
Melbourne
Victoria 3000
Australia

Telephone: (03) 7073 3582
E-mail: n/a
Website

Open
Mon – Sun: 11:30am to 10:00pm

Ta-ke Don, Melbourne CBD

Paul
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0
Ta-ke Don, Melbourne CBD

MELBOURNE | Ta-ke Don opened late last year in the CBD, and has fast become a hit with local workers, and students at nearby RMIT, looking for a tasty, affordable lunch option. I made a visit the other day to grab some shots for What’s On Melbourne, and to find out more.

The space is small and bright, with a consistent orange and white colour palate. It’s focused on fast, take-away service, with orders and payment made either at the counter, or using the large touch screen in front of the entrance. There’s a constant line, but things move fast so you’re never waiting too long.

On the menu you’ll find an assorted selection of Japanese donburi (rice bowls with toppings). There’s traditional Japanese flavours, and Thai-inspired options. All dishes are halal.

First, choose your protein. There’s chicken katsu, karaage, Thai-style fried chicken, sliced beef, grilled chicken, tempura prawn, tempura soft shell crab, and crispy tofu. Next, choose your sauce. You can opt for Thai chilli and basil sauce, Japanese curry, green curry, teriyaki sauce, and a sweet vegan umami sauce.

Most bowls are priced at $10 for small and $15 for large. The seafood protein options can be had for an extra $2. The most popular options to-date are the Japanese curry and Thai chilli and basil sauce. It’s all tasty stuff, and a great option at this price point.

There’s a few snacks like crispy lotus root, potato chips, and takoyaki. You can also add on extra sauce, and things like an onsen egg and miso soup. Speaking to the owner, I learned that the plan is to introduce a few more sauce options in the coming months, inspired by other Asian cuisines, based on customer feedback.

To drink, there’s sodas, along with Thai milk tea, Thai milk tea slushie, and Thai pink milk.

Ta-ke Don

4/265 Little Lonsdale Street
Melbourne
Victoria 3000
Australia

Telephone: 0490 935 344
E-mail: [email protected]
Website

Open
Mon – Sun: 11:00am to 11:00pm

Mikasa Fusion, Kensington

Paul
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0
Mikasa Fusion, Kensington

MELBOURNE | Mikasa Fusion is new restaurant in Kensington that’s unashamedly proud to call itself a fusion restaurant. The word “fusion” when it comes to food is one that still arouses suspicion. Sometimes justifiably so, and sometimes not. Curious, I recently popped in to Mikasa Fusion to find out more for What’s on Melbourne.

Head chef Alejandro Rivera and his friend Manuel came up with the idea for Mikasa Fusion almost two years ago, when discussing opening a South American restaurant in Kensington. The duo hail from Colombia, and both have a particular fondness for Nikkei (Peruvian-Japanese) and Chifa (Peruvian-Chinese) cuisine.

The kitchen team has experience working in kitchens across Asia and Latin America, including Mexican-Japanese chef Yuko Suzuki Chiquito. When they put their heads together, they decided that not only did they want to showcase the Asian-Latin American fusion that exists in Latin America, but also to create their own fusion dishes based on the dishes of their cultures.

The space is long and narrow, with an open kitchen and bar running along the side. Like the food and drinks, décor and artworks take inspiration from Asia and Latin America. It’s exemplified by a vibrant mural at the rear of the restaurant, painted by Melbourne-based, Colombian artist, Katherine Gailer.

The menu is more hit than miss, and you’ll be delighted if you order right. Most dishes come with a traditional option, and a fusion option. Spring rolls are filled with plantain and halloumi, Colombian suero costeño (fermented cream cheese), and chili jam. Argentinian-style empanadas, meanwhile, are filled with kimchi and mozzarella.

Fluffy, hoisin beef brisket arepas area a great option. The arepas, like the tortillas and most of the menu, are made on site, from scratch, each day. Also delicious are the sweet and sour confit pork carnitas tacos. The chifa classic, lomo saltado, is served with chips, condiments, and tortillas on the side. Enjoy it traditionally, or as DIY burritos.

For something sweet, you have to try the dish that the kitchen is most proud of, as they feel that it best represents the story that Mikasa Fusion is trying to tell. Crispy wontons are filled with mozzarella cheese, sweet Colombian guava paste and dulce de leche. Served with a side of berry dipping sauce, they’re a flavour and textural delight.

To drink, try one of the fusion house cocktails. “South American Kung Fu” is a tropical blend of white rum, pisco, passion fruit liqueur, fresh pandan, and lemon. For something less sweet, the signature “East Asian Side Of Frida”,” combines mezcal, white rum, yuzu, and chili.

Mikasa Fusion

520 Macaulay Road
Kensington
Victoria 3031
Australia

Telephone: (03) 7073 3436
E-mail: n/a
Website

Open
Tue – Thu: 11:00am to 9:30pm
Fri: 11:00am to 10:00pm
Sat: 9:00am to 9:30pm

Dua Bakehouse, Collingwood

Paul
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0
Dua Bakehouse, Collingwood

MELBOURNE | Dua Bakehouse is a new bakery/cafe in Collingwood yards, by baker, Raymond Tan. It’s an evolution of his CBD bakery and patisserie, Raya, which he opened in the middle of 2020’s lockdowns.

You’ll find many of the creative treats that you know and love from Raya, here plus a whole lot more. Ray was inspired to open Dua while visiting Stockholm, and learning about Sweden’s baking culture. Dua is the Malay word for “two”, and reflects the notion that the new spot is a Scandinavian-inspired bakery with a South East Asian twist. Or, as Ray calls it, “Scandinasian”.

Bread is a big part of Dua, and all bread is baked on site daily, with Raya’s kitchen now dedicated to cakes. Japanese shokupan and melonpan, Filipino pandesal, and French brioche are just some of the styles of bread that form the basis for many of Dua’s treats.

It’s things like Swedish semla (“fat Tuesday”) buns, with melonpan and cookie crumb replacing the traditional sweet bun, slices of matcha and blueberry tart, and my favourite, a riff on Swedish princess cake. Ray’s version tweaks the classic recipe by using pandan chiffon, pandan pastry cream, and pandan-infused marzipan. It’s brilliant.

If you’re in the mood for something savoury, you can find sandwiches and breakfast plates, and an inspired take on the sausage roll. Thick, flaky pastry encases a dense pork and prawn siu mai filling, to create a delight that combines the best of both worlds.

To drink, it’s excellent coffee, and alt-lattes like cherry mocha, strawberry matcha, and malted milk (my favourite). There’s also a selection of locally sourced juices and canned drinks in the fridge, which is next to a small pantry section filled with items for home.

The space itself is also inspired by Sweden. Mid-century minimalist design, light and airy, with lots of light timber, white, and natural sunlight streaming through the large windows.

Dua Bakehouse

Collingwood Yards
35 Johnston Street
Collingwood
Victoria 3066
Australia

Telephone: n/a
E-mail: n/a
Website

Open
Mon – Sun: 8:00am to 3:00pm

1914 Bar, District 1

Paul
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0
1914 Bar, District 1

HO CHI MINH CITY | There’s a new hidden cocktail bar in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City. It’s called 1914 Bar, and it’s specialising in cocktails that tell the story of Vietnam’s culinary and cultural history.

1914 might be centrally located, adjacent to Ben Thanh market, but it’s an easy place to miss. You’ll find it through an unassuming door, up several sets of stairs located at the back of the building. Grab a seat inside the low-lit, atmospheric bar, or head out to the small balcony, where you can observe the hum of the lively city below.

On the menu, you’ll find classic and house cocktails, and a tidy selection of wine and beer. The house cocktails are the speciality here, made using Vietnamese ingredients and flavours, and house made spirits.

Each cocktail tells a story, explained by the bar staff when theatrically served at your table. “Lunar New Year”, features the five symbolic new year fruits as the main ingredients, paired with Go Den rice wine; while “Mid Year Festival” is a blend of black sticky rice wine with refreshing fruity notes and delicate floral aromas.

Keep an eye out for guest bartender takeovers, where you’ll find some of Vietnam’s best bartenders putting their own spin on Vietnamese flavours and ingredients.

1914 Bar

196 Lê Thánh Tôn
District 1
Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam

Telephone: +84 888 169 277
E-mail: n/a
Website

Open
Mon – Sun: 5:00pm to 2:00am

Bosgaurus Coffee Roasters (Opera House), District 1

Paul
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0
Bosgaurus Coffee Roasters (Opera House), District 1

HO CHI MINH CITY | Ho Chi Minh City’s speciality coffee scene has gone from strength to strength since I first visited the city in 2013. There are several roasteries and coffee spots dedicated to excellent coffee in the city these days, and one of these is Bosgaurus Coffee Roasters.

Founded in 2016 by owner and head roaster Nguyen Canh Hung, Bosgaurus now has four locations in Ho Chi Minh City. I visited the Opera House location, which is a sleek, modern space, with light, white furnishings, and lots of natural sunlight. It’s representative of their farm-to-cup ethos, with transparency around the roasting and brewing process.

The focus at Bosgaurus is on showcasing the best of Vietnamese coffee. Vietnam might be known for its tasty robusta bean traditional Vietnamese coffee, but it’s also home to growers producing excellent quality arabica coffee.

There are many different coffee beans and brew styles on offers. Coffee is typically brewed light, to showcase each bean’s characteristics, but there are also dark roasts for those who want a bolder, espresso-based drink. Cold brew and V60 are outstanding, as is the Arabica iced milk, which perfects the traditional Vietnamese-style coffee.

There’s also a variety of alt lattes, teas, juices, pastries, and brunch dishes. Beyond coffee, Bosgaurus is particularly popular for their waffles, available with an assortment of sweet and savoury toppings.

Bosgaurus Coffee Roasters (Opera House)

12 Nguyễn Siêu
District 1
Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam

Telephone: +84 901 826 823
E-mail: [email protected]
Website

Open
Mon – Sun: 7:00am to 7:00pm

Esta, District 1

Paul
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0
Esta, District 1

HO CHI MINH CITY | One of the many reasons that I enjoy eating in Ho Chi Minh City, is because of the diversity of food on offer. From classic dishes being sold by street vendors, through to high end, modern cuisine, the city captures the excitement of Vietnamese cuisine at all levels. On my recent trip, I visited Esta. It’s tucked away in the quiet but central Tân Định neighbourhood, and is where you’ll find some of Vietnam’s most innovative food.

The kitchen is headed up by chef Tow Prong Hàn Ni “Nhi”, Esta’s former Chef de Partie who took over the reigns at the top just a few weeks ago. Nhi is continuing the restaurant’s ethos of using exceptional local (where possible) produce to showcase Vietnam’s terroir, seasons, and flavours.

There’s a focus on fermentation and things cooked over fire, on a selection of custom built charcoal and wood fired grills, the results are exceptional. Bookings aren’t essential but are highly recommended, especially if you want to nab one of the eight seats at the bar and open kitchen, and watch all the action unfold in front of you.

You can choose from an eight course tasting menu, or go a la carte. I opted for the tasting menu, which features some of the most interesting things that are happening in the kitchen at any point in time. Richly marbled ICON XB Wagyu MB7 is paired with charred Hokkaido scallops, Koshihikari rice and Central Vietnamese flat-leaf chives for a herbacous surf and turf; while the classic Nha Trang lobster with peanuts and scallion oil is levelled up with a kimchi bisque and the pea-like sweetness of điên điển flower.

H’Mong black chicken thigh is fermented then grilled, and served with a citrusy sauce and Vietnamese mắe kKhén mountain peppers for one of the meal’s most interesting dishes. It’s an intoxicating harmony of tangy flavours that sticks in your mind.

The drink list is focused primarily on French wines, and wines from independent Asian winemakers. There’s also a selection of beer, cocktails, and mocktails. I chose the set menu pairing, which took me on a tour of France with a selection of Coravin pours that paired exceptionally well with my meal.

Esta

27 Trần Quý Khoách
District 1
Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam

Telephone: +84 886 623 782
E-mail: [email protected]
Website

Open
Mon – Sat: 6:00pm to 11:00pm

Flying Vietnam Airlines Economy Class From Ho Chi Minh City To Nha Trang

Paul
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0
Flying Vietnam Airlines Economy Class From Ho Chi Minh City To Nha Trang

TRAVEL | Vietnam Airlines (“VN”) operate between two to five flights daily between Ho Chi Minh City and Nha Trang (Cam Ranh International Airport). The Airbus A321 (“A321”) and Airbus A320 NEO (“A320”) is currently used on the route, and travellers can choose between Economy, Premium Economy, and Business Class. I flew Economy Class on the A320. The average flight time on this route is 1 hour and 5 minutes.

Check In

Check in is very straight forward. You can check in online, or using VN’s app. You can enter in all relevant information before your flight, and receive an pdf or Passbook boarding pass that you can add to your Apple Wallet. There’s also the option of checking in at the airport using a kiosk or at a staffed counter.

Unfortunately, if you have luggage to check in, there aren’t any bag drop stations, so you’ll have to line up at the traditional staffed check in counters. Do keep this in mind when planning how long before your flight you need to get to the airport.

Loyalty

VN’s loyalty program is LotusMiles, which is free to join. VN are also part of the SkyTeam Alliance, which offers the option of points transfers and certain reciprocal privileges.

Ho Chi Minh Airport is VN’s home base, and home to both the the Lotus Lounge and the flagship business lounge, Le Saigonnais.

Luggage

Checked luggage is included with all VN Economy tickets when flying domestic. You can check-in one bag up to 23kg (50lb), and a carry-on bag up to 10kg (22lb). You can also carry on a small item that can fit under your seat.

Service

I couldn’t fault the service on the flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Nha Trang. Staff were polite, and professional.

Cabin

The VN Economy cabin on the A321 that flies from Ho Chi Minh City to Nha Trang features 162 seats, in a 3-3 layout. It’s a clean, well-maintained cabin, with a blue and white colour scheme.

Seat

The cushioned fabric seat has dimensions of about 81cm x 46cm (32in x 18in). It’s a small seat, so you don’t have much in the way of leg room, but it is comfortable.

Like any economy seat, the seat doesn’t recline that far back, and not at all if you’re in the rear row. There’s a small pocket that you can fit a book or a few small items in.

There’s no in-seat power or connectivity.

Entertainment

There’s no in-flight entertainment on this route, and no seat-back screens.

Food

My Economy light ticket did not include any food. On a flight this short, I have no need to eat on the plane. Water is provided, with more water available on request.

Amenities

There are no amenities on this flight.

Verdict

I was satisfied with flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Nha Trang. When flying on a route as short as this, all that I’m looking for is a simple check in process, a comfortable seat, and a smooth flight. This flight delivered on all three.

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