TOP EATS
On the table at Gardenstadt
The schnitzel and sausages at BMV
W
ith the world-famous German festival Oktoberfest around the corner, there are a number of establishments dotted around Ho Chi Minh City serving up authentic German fare, where locals and expats alike can join the festivities.
Gartenstadt Restaurant With this 25-year-old institution on Dong Khoi, there is a distinct sense of walking into old-fashioned Germany. The wooden panels, long bar and the staff uniform draw in the local crowd on a weeknight. There is no modernist take on German food here, it delivers exactly what you expect. The bratwurst with sauerkraut and fried potatoes (VND220,000) is tasty, with a little kick of spice in the wurst. To finish with a apfelstrudel with ice cream
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and whipped cream (VND190,000) was a real treat. Gartenstadt Restaurant is at 34 Dong Khoi, Q1, HCMC and is open daily from 10.30am to midnight. For more info, go to facebook.com/ GartenstadtRestaurant
BMV Beer Bar & Restaurant Nestled in the heart of Thao Dien and popular with the German community, BMV (Berlin, Munich, Vietnam) is owned and run by Willi, who is hugely passionate about his native food. “All the meat is imported from Germany,” he says, “and the ketchup is made in-house.” Only he gets to try it before it is released to the public. The result is a delicious curry wurst and french fries (VND105,000) with the in-house sauce, which manages to balance the flavours well. What makes this place
stand out is the variety of sausages (and beer) on offer. The German sausage schenke with mustard (VND125,000) is yet another highlight. BMV Beer Bar & Restaurant is at 38 Quoc Huong, Thao Dien, Q2, HCMC and is open daily from 10am till late. For more info, go to facebook.com/bmv.pubgrill
Deutsches Eck (German Corner) Situated on Nguyen Van Linh in District 7, this is a friendly German bar and restaurant with a regular crowd of both Vietnamese and expats. Michael is one half of the husband-and-wife team running the show, with their establishment approaching its fourth anniversary later this month, just two weeks before Oktoberfest. The German meatballs (VND159,000) are more like small burgers, and are all the