Taste of Japan: Take tastebuds on trip to Vietnam near Tokyo’s old fish market

(Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi)

Tsukiji is known for fresh catches and restaurants serving mouthwatering sushi. The district was once a busy area for fishmongers and locals looking to buy impressive tuna, salmon and other sea delicacies.

In 2018, Tsukiji Market closed after 83 years and all wholesale fish operations moved to Toyosu, about a 20-minute train ride away. Although the market is gone, it is still a popular area for sushi, street food and more.

Tsujiki is also home to Tsukiji Honganji, a Buddhist temple, and Tsukiji Namiyoke Jinja, a Shinto shrine, which are popular attractions in the area.

During a recent visit with my wife, we fought off temptations for sushi and stopped in at Viet Quan, a small food stall serving up tasty pho.

My wife and I are big fans of Vietnamese food and love the gentle and chewy texture of the noodles in pho, which are made from rice not flour.

Viet Quan, known for its genuine and authentic traditional tastes of South Vietnam, can accommodate only 18 diners at a time.

We snagged a seat and ordered our dishes from a machine at the entrance. My wife ordered the shop’s signature chicken pho, while I chose a cold noodle “bun” with seasoned chicken grilled with shredded lime leaves, both for 980 yen ($7) each.

If you’re not in the mood for pho, Viet Quan’s menu also offers a variety of bahn mi sandwiches consisting of soft French baguettes stuffed with pork, ham, radish, carrot, onion butter and pork liver paste. Vietnamese sweets and drinks are also available.

When our bowls arrived, the flavor of the delicate broth was smooth and full-bodied thanks to the various fragrant herbs and spices used to make the dish. The smooth noodles and tender chicken completed this delicious trip to the southern coast of Vietnam.

After a long walk around Tsukiji District, this was the perfect way to refresh and reenergize us for the long trip back home. If your tastebuds are craving a trip to Vietnam, add Viet Quan to your list!