Located on the narrow and quiet Huynh Khuong Ninh Street, Hoa Dang vegetarian restaurant seems to isolate itself from the bustle of Saigon life, characterizing itself an ideal place for those seeking for tranquility and resifi1lness with pure vegetarian food.
Vegetarian food customs have gradually and unconsciously become popular in Ho Chi Minh City. More and more people, young and nonBuddhist, habituate themselves to vegetarian food as a way of enriching the simple pleasure of eating and living.
"Going on a vegetarian diet is not merely purification, not only delicious and nutritious but also brings a complete relaxation in the spirits to its practician," said Ms. Trang Dai, the manager of Hoa Dang Restaurant.
Hoa Dang is decorated in a luxurious Western manner, with ornamental bamboos symbolizing the gentle Eastern manner and numerous elegant Buddhist-oriented lamps. The seating area is spacious in a well-aired atmosphere as if to reserve itself for those loving tranquility and peacefulness. The most prominent place is a bar in the center, where customers can order fresh delicious drinks.
Customers can enjoy over 100 vegetarian dishes at the restaurant, from Hoa Dang sliced chicken with shredded cabbage, duck cooked in soybean cheese to such common dishes as Chinese soup, beef rice noodle, especially vegetarian pho (rice noodles), quite unusual and strange... All are made from plants - its flowers, leaves, bulbs and tofu (soy) cooked in the hospitable Buddhist fashion of making it seem like meat, even though it isn't-an old traditional Buddhist way of making weary meat-eating travelers and strangers feel at home when visiting as guests.
In the bustle and rhythm of city life, Hoa Dang is perfect little place to share time with friends or family and experience a slice of interesting culture. It also provides good chances to reflect upon yourself beside pure dishes.
