I love having a job because it allows me to interact with the locals. And my officemates are just awesome.

So yesterday, Thao brought me to Nam Giao for some authentic Vietnamese cuisine.

It was lunch time so the place was teeming with people. Nam Giao is quite popular so it occupies two units along within Hem 136 just along Le Thanh Ton street behind Cho Ben Thanh in District 1.

It has an open and closed area. We ate at the open area which thankfully wasn’t hot.

Thao underestimated my eating prowess and ordered two sets of  Phuongthao:  bánh bèo tôm tươi (no. 3 in the menu):

This was actually pretty good.

And we shared in this rolled rice called bánh cuốn tôm chấy (no. 6 in the menu):

The Vietnamese have invented creative ways how to server glutinous rice. 😉  I didn’t know that what we ordered were already filling that’s why I still ordered a bowl of bun bo hue:

How do you know if you’re at the right place? Hem 136 is the pampering alley — where you can have a manicure or pedicure at a very low price. Just take a seat and voila you’ll have prettified nails in no time!

So you’re in for two treats at Hem 136: authentic Vietnamese cuisine and some pampering! 😉

Thanks Thao for showing me this place!