Bún Chả 145 — Restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City

I really enjoy coming to this restaurant, and my trip last night was the catalyst for this review… I recently moved to a (slightly) more remote part of Ho Chi Minh and the drive to Bun Cha is about 30mins. I had a strong craving last night and made the trip over, with a friend, arriving at about 825pm. Upon arriving I noticed that there was only one table of people still in the restaurant causing my level of concern to sky-rocket… My immediate suspicions were confirmed by the sign on the door that said closed. I shrieked out “NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO”. I asked what time they closed and they said 8pm. Thinking they were open until 9pm, I had mis-calculated. Very sad indeed (#sadboys #djjustinjames.) The man, who I later find out is the owner, is sympathetic to my plight and invites us in to eat. Fires the grill back up and allows us to order a feast… And I’ll tell you; Nothing is better than wanting Bun Cha, then thinking the you wont get Bun Cha, but then being rewarded with Bun Cha. Complete satisfaction :))))

The reason this is important, is because in Vietnam, it is rare that you will find a restaurant who will allow you to come in to eat after closing time, especially almost 1/2 hour late. What the owner didn’t know is that I am a customer that comes in to his restaurant all of the time. Bun Cha closes at 5pm on Fri/Sat... 5pm on the busiest tourist street in all of Vietnam!!! I asked the owner why/how! and he stated that he uses those nights to spend with his sons… And this is why I’ve written this review. This is a business with a fantastic (delicious) product that closes early on the busiest nights of the week, in spite of the possibility (definite) of more profits and allows customers (sometimes) to come in even after they have closed up shop. I love supporting businesses that act...

Highly recommended and beyond! It’s so good. I never queue for food, but I’m so glad I queued. Usually, when there’s a long queue waiting, I’d be too self-conscious and would rush to finish my food and get out of the way of others. This time was different... time stopped...I didn’t care... the rice noodles dipped in the flavorful gravy-sauce-soup thingie, was wonderfully balanced off by the generous serving of vegetables. The chargrilled pork soaked within retained its burned fatty caramelized goodness. I thought it could not get better, then they served the grilled pork and beef skewers... and I was in heaven. Everything can be dipped in that bowl of gravy-sauce-soup thingie! I was a bit sad when the meal was about to end, then i was served the grilled okra and fried fish tofu (that I forgot that I ordered)... and I was brought back to heaven again. After I washed down the aftertaste flavors with my last mouthful of beer, I received my ultimate surprise. The meal only amounted to $8 sgd! I was overwhelmed with gratitude for the owner who blessed me with flavors that money didn’t buy. I only paid for my space in the restaurant... the food and the experience was a...

We have eaten different styles of Bun Cha across Vietnam. The best type is Hanoi Bun Cha, which is the style here.

We arrived in a party of 6 and through the moving of some chairs and tables around we managed to get seated.

The menu is simple, with pictures and in Viet and English.

We all throughly enjoyed the meal here. The soup base is excellent, the rice noodles cooked to perfection, the meatballs amazing and the pork devine.

We also had the Fruit Nem. Hot on the outside and cold within.

The portions are good and in line with others we have eaten.

This is not a tourist trap, it is not small portions. It is good quality food served in a lovely environment with friendly and helpful staff.

I highly recommend a visit if you want to try the authentic and tasty...