Tender chicken surrounded by crispy fried rice makes for a perfect lunch in Da Kao

Hours 8:00-22:00 | Address: 5 Nguyễn Văn Giai, Đa Kao, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh

Although it shouldn’t take more than a few blocks of walking to find delicious chicken in Ho Chi Minh, a corner spot in Đa Kao offers a unique dish that is well worth seeking out. Look beyond Com Ga and chicken pho to find Quán Gà Thu Hiền’s signature plate: Ga Bo Xoi.

Ga Bo Xoi in all its glory

It’s a beautiful thing. An inventive variation of Xoi Ga, the Vietnamese lunch and late night staple of sticky rice and chicken, Ga Bo Xoi puts it all on one plate, but with a twist. When the dish arrives, it looks like a massive fried rice ball, crispy and golden on the outside. This is enticing as is, but a closer look reveals a whole chicken packed inside (!). At Quán Gà Thu Hiền, the chicken is tender and full of flavor while the sticky, deep fried rice acts as a delicious, albeit incredibly filling, vessel for delivery.  A simple dish well suited for lunch with a group, it is most commonly served with citrus, mixed salt-and-pepper seasoning, and hot sauce.

Quán Gà Thu Hiền

Come prepared with a small army to take down this dish or, at the very least, block out some time for a nap afterward. The perfect mix of crispy rice and juicy chicken, Quán Gà Thu Hiền’s Ga Bo Xoi has quickly become one of our new favorite spots in district 1.

Gà Bó Xôi: 300K (enough for 3 people, or 2 very hungry people)