Saigon Food List
Saigon Food List was born from my passion for authentic Vietnamese cuisine and the challenge of finding truly local food spots in Ho Chi Minh City. As an expat living in Vietnam, I spent considerable time exploring beyond the tourist restaurants to discover where locals actually eat.
The project started as a personal collection but grew into a comprehensive guide that helped both locals and expats discover authentic Vietnamese cuisine. The focus was always on quality, authenticity, and the stories behind the food.
What made Saigon Food List special was its emphasis on the human element - not just what to eat, but understanding the culture and context behind each dish and location.
Key features included:
- Carefully curated list of authentic local restaurants
- Street food vendor recommendations with exact locations
- Interactive mapping with Vietnamese and English descriptions
- Reviews and ratings from locals and long-term expats
- Price range indicators for budget planning
- Photos of dishes and restaurant atmospheres
- Cultural context and eating etiquette tips
- Seasonal recommendations and specialties
- Hidden gems known only to locals
- Transportation tips for reaching each location
The project used Vue.js for the frontend with Google Maps integration for location services. All content was bilingual (Vietnamese and English) to serve both communities.
Saigon Food List became a trusted resource for food lovers and helped preserve knowledge about traditional food culture in a rapidly changing city.