THE BEST NOODLE HOUSE IN DISTRICT 3: MÌ QUẢNG 85

When you visit Vietnam, you must eat Mì Quảng, which is Vietnamese turmeric noodles or Quang Noodle. What makes this dish so extraordinary that it amazes customers? Let’s take a closer look.

Central Vietnam is a delightful place for foodies to visit because of its diverse cuisine. Among the many famous meals from Hoi An and Da Nang, Mì Quảng stands out. Indulge in this visually stunning and flavourful specialty while you’re in Vietnam; it will not disappoint. I will show Mì Quảng 85 in District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, this is the best noodle that attracts locals and tourists.

Mì Quảng – Vietnamese Turmeric Noodle that you must try when you visit Ho Chi Minh City.

1. What is Mì Quảng?

The popular noodle dish Mì Quảng comes from the central Vietnamese province of Quảng Nam.

This dish consists of a modest amount of intensely flavorful broth served with flat yellow rice noodles, along with a variety of fresh vegetables and herbs. Hard-boiled quail eggs, whole shrimp, toasted peanuts, sesame rice crackers, and pork belly slices are some of the most common toppings for Mì Quảng.

The distinctive combination of flavors and textures from the many toppings makes Mì Quảng stand out. It’s particularly refreshing in the summer, when a light noodle soup is more appealing than a heavier traditional option and when the garden is bursting with fresh Vietnamese herbs.

Mì Quảng is aesthetically pleasing, with diverse hues derived from distinct components.

One essential element is meat. The chefs use whatever meat they have on hand, including fish, eels, poultry, beef, and hog. The meat and bones are boiled along with a variety of seasonings to create a thicker, saltier broth. Lastly, add greens like lettuce and sliced banana blossoms. Garnish with crunchy grilled rice crackers and a large handful of roasted peanuts.

2. Why Mì Quảng 85 is special in Saigon?

An excellent bowl of Mì Quảng, in my opinion, can be identified first by its noodles and then by its broth, regardless of regional variations. I love Mì Quảng 85 in Saigon because they have the best noodles, and the broth is different and tasty compared to another noodle houses.

Mì Quảng 85 merits a spot on the list of delicious Mì Quảng eateries in Saigon. The restaurant is meticulously maintained and cleaned on a regular basis to guarantee that each patron enjoys a pleasant dining experience.

Mì Quảng 85, located in District 3

Ms. Y has been operating Mì Quảng 85 Noodle House for 20 years. She is originally from Vinh Long in the Mekong Delta. She has a conical-hatted staff of committed workers helping her serve a range of noodle soups, but the most popular meal is the mì quảng. Over time, this well-liked location has changed dramatically.

Mì Quảng 85 is always crowded especially in the early morning hours and lunch time.

It used to be characterized by plastic tables and chairs that spilt out onto the sidewalk and into the street, but nowadays it has an open-front shop with wooden tables and stools inside, and a small number of metal tables outside.

You can not wait too long, even during rush hour

Mi Quang 85 serves thick, chewy, golden-yellow Quang noodles adorned with raw veggies like peanuts, banana blossoms, star fruit, and basil. There are several toppings on a full bowl of noodles, such as firm meat, two giant shrimp buds, and a few slices of spring rolls. Furthermore, the crispy-fried rice paper offered here has a distinct taste of coconut and sesame.

Lunch at Mì Quảng 85 is a bowl of noodles topped with a big sesame seed rice cracker.

Big sesame seed rice crackers, which is Bánh Đa, or Bánh Tráng Mè, are crispy, thin sheets made from rice or tapioca flour combined with black sesame seeds. They become light and crunchy crackers when toasted over an open flame or in the microwave, and they can be consumed as a snack or as a garnish for Mì Quảng and other Vietnamese cuisines.

Squeeze the lime juice into the dish, crumble the rice cracker, and combine everything together with the noodles and broth (the broth is more like a sauce, so stir everything to coat everything in the bowl). Then, you can enjoy Mì Quảng with chopsticks.

Mì Quảng has a delightfully varied texture, with parts that are crunchy, chewy, crispy, slippery, and slimy, making it a playground for your tongue and teeth.

While the vegetables, peanuts, and rice crackers give a crisp, fresh aspect that makes this dish feel more like a salad than a typical noodle dish, the noodles themselves are thick and delicious to bite into.

The mint in this meal is one of its best features; it gives it a lovely, energizing touch, and I can’t help but wonder why more Vietnamese cuisines don’t use this cool plant.

In addition, the restaurant also serves other dishes such as Bún Mắm (Fermented Fish Noodle Soup), Hủ Tiếu Nam Vang (Vietnamese Pork and Prawn Clear Noodle Soup), Bún Bò (Beef Noodle Soup), Bánh Canh (Vietnamese Thick Noodle Soup), Bò Kho (Poached Beef).

Hủ Tiếu Nam Vang (Vietnamese Pork and Prawn Clear Noodle Soup) and Bún Bò (Beef Noodle Soup) at Mì Quảng 85

Since all of the food at the restaurant is made with fresh, carefully chosen ingredients, the flavors are never altered. The restaurant’s big asset that consistently results in happy customers is that everything is thoroughly and carefully prepared, whether you choose to dine there or take it to go.

3. Location and opening hours

Address: No. 85, Tran Quang Dieu Street, District 3.

Opening Hours: 6:00 AM to 12:30 PM daily.

Prices: 45.000 to 60.000 VND (1.8 to 2.4 USD)

How to go:

-Motorbike: If you’re renting a motorbike or scooter, head towards Tran Quang Dieu Street in District 3. You can use Google Map to get directions. It takes about 10 – 15 minutes from District 1 to 3, depending on traffic jam.

-Taxi: You can use a taxi or ride-hailing app like Grab. Simply input “Mì Quảng 85” or 85 Tran Quang Dieu, District 3” as your destination, and the app will show your prices depending on your location.

4. Conclusion

Personally, I find the overall experience of enjoying Mì Quảng to be immensely satisfying. The dish offers a remarkable blend of textures and flavors that work together harmoniously. The noodles are thick and hearty, providing a substantial bite that feels deeply gratifying.

Even though the dish has a slight sweetness to it, which may seem unusual to some, it only enhances the complexity of the flavor profile. This balance makes each bite interesting and enjoyable, engaging your taste buds in a way that’s both intriguing and comforting.

Mì Quảng 85 is one of the best noodle houses in Saigon, this attracts locals every day. If you have a chance to visit Saigon, let’s enjoy this meal.