Must-Try Dish at Songdo Seafood Pub
We recently discovered a gem in Thảo Điền, Thủ Đức, called Songdo Seafood Pub, and it's definitely worth checking out. Here's a rundown of what we loved:
The Food Highlights
- The banchan might be few, but each one is packed with quality.
- The raw octopus is arguably the signature dish. While the beef was plentiful, a wasabi-infused tako-style preparation would elevate it further.
- The jellyfish salad (mú) comes with a generous portion of dressing that's a tad too rich for some tastes.
- The restaurant generously provides a lot of seaweed. Ordering extra sushi rice to wrap with the fish or octopus is a great idea.
- The prices are very reasonable considering the substantial portions.
- The seafood is incredibly fresh, sourced directly from the filtration tanks and prepared on the spot (we unfortunately forgot to take pictures of this!).
Things to Note
- The intimate space can get noisy, especially with the K-pop fans in the private rooms chatting away loudly.
Planning Your Visit
The opening hours are a bit peculiar, as they're closed on Sundays, so be sure to plan your visit accordingly. Reservations are an absolute must! We learned this the hard way, arriving at 7:30 PM only to be told the next available table was at 9 PM. The place can get incredibly busy without warning, so booking ahead is your best bet.
The Ambiance and Service
The pub features several small private rooms, offering a sense of seclusion and a comfortable dining experience. The staff are attentive; a simple glance is all it takes for them to come over and assist you.
More on the Banchan and Starters
The banchan, though only three items, were exceptionally well-made. The dish served in a stone bowl with ice on top was a delightful surprise, offering a tangy flavor profile reminiscent of cold noodles, yet not quite the same. It was delicious, though the jelly cubes made it feel more like a dessert, which felt a bit out of place. The pancake, made from a fantastic batter, had a subtle hint of seaweed but was slightly on the salty side.
Seafood Focus
This establishment primarily serves seafood, and the presence of live tanks immediately signals their commitment to freshness. The spicy squid stir-fry (tobokki) was excellent, featuring fish cakes and the usual sauce found in a typical tobokki dish. The tobokki itself was soft and chewy, not doughy, and thoroughly enjoyable. The squid was the real star – its crispy yet tender casing, achieved through the restaurant's unique batter, was amazing. Even after an hour, the thin batter remained crisp and didn't become soggy. It's delicious on its own, but we highly recommend ordering white rice to complement it.
Other Must-Tries
The pork jowl was also quite enjoyable, offering a rich, savory pork flavor and a melt-in-your-mouth tenderness. While a few pieces were a bit chewy, most simply dissolved with each bite. Dipping it in their signature sauce was particularly tasty.
Overall, the pricing was standard – neither cheap nor expensive.
Restaurant Details
Name: 송도 요리 주점 Songdo Seafood Pub
Address: 7 Nguyễn Cừ Street, Thảo Điền, Thủ Đức, Ho Chi Minh City 70000, Vietnam
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