What do I usually think of when Vietnamese cuisine is mentioned? Pho. But what do they eat other than Pho? Harmonie d”Asie is not the typical Vietnamese restaurant where they served Pho or Nuong. To be honest, I am not so sure how authentic their cuisine is…but what really matters is that I really enjoy their food!
It has been about 4 years since I last visited Harmonie d’Asie. I was hoping the quality remained the same.
Bo Tai Chanh
Raw beef with squashed peanuts, onions and chili pepper.
This used to be my favorite dish. I love raw meat! But it has to be fresh but this time, the meat was not. It was endless chewing… But somehow, I was still able to enjoy it, probably because of the delightful taste!
Ga Bo Tom Nuong
Skewers of chicken, beef and shrimps.
Forget about the beef and shrimps. The chicken skewers were delicious, well marinated in ginger sauce. As for the beef, again, endless chewing… For the shrimps, I wasn’t interested in eating some that night, so I left them for others.
Co Kho To
This cameralized fish is a MUST order! It’s incredibly tasty. I would mix the sauce with my rice and can simply eat 2 bowls if I could! I usually don’t eat rice (in the exception of sushi…) and when I do, there is a really good reason. I really doubt the authenticity of this dish…but whatever, I love it. The sauce just makes the fish incredible.
Canh Chua Ca Bong Lau
Another MUST order. This pot of sour soup has a very unique taste to it. I couldn’t put my finger in it. It has the sourness of tomatoes, but the sweetness of oka, onions, bean spouts and saltiness of fish. This soup is really appetizing. However, it fills you up very quickly because it is a soup!
Ca Chien Nuroc Mam Toi Ot
Look at this perfection! so nicely fried! I really like pomfret fish. They are non expensive fish yet they are so easily and deliciously cooked! The pairing with the spicy fish sauce was great. Making the fish meat slightly less dry and the taste more interesting.
I am so glad that most of the dishes maintained the quality of 4 years ago. However, I have to admit that after the supper, I had the MSG effect… meaning I felt the dryness in my throat… But you know what. I could let this one go just because I sincerely enjoyed the food and unlike Chinese food, I didn’t feel like I drank a lake of oil.
Harmonie d’Asie? I approve!
Sara says: Wow this looks like a must-try place! The caramelized fish pot looks awesome, and so does the fried fish!
Speaking of vietnamese food, you should also try Caravelle. I know the owner, and don’t try the one in the Place Ville Marie, it really sucks. The owner now has a restaurant on Crescent street between St-Catherine and René-Levesque. His specialty is the fried spring rolls (veggie or pork I think), his nuoc mam is soooo good and so inexpensive. But don’t try anything else cause his pho and skewers aren’t good. He’s known for his fried spring rolls!
Hi sarah! Yes, the caramelized fish is a must!
I actually never heard of Caravelle and after your mention, I went to do a bit of research. There really isn’t much reviews about them, but when there is, it’s all about what you said, spring rolls! I’m always down for some good spring rolls. I’ll have it on my list whenever I drop nearby. Thanks for the suggestion!
Sara says: Back in the 90s, his restaurant was all the rage (he had a spot in the 2020 building food court downtown). Business went down when most shops closed. I am in LOVE with the fried spring rolls he makes!
And on a side note, that raw beef looks yummy too!
How is it special compared to other spring rolls?
Yes! The beef was good too, but wish it was more fresh!
Sara says: I don’t know how to explain! But it’s so good I used to daydream about it!
just to set the record straight, I also daydream of large green mussels with nuoc mam! Love nuoc mam lol an Caravelle’s nuoc mam is pretty amazing.
As long as you don’t go the Place Ville-Marie one. the owner told me he sold his concept to someone which did it their way, and truthfully it’s really bad compared to the owner’s version. And he’s a sweetie pie too!
Sara’s right. I used to eat at Caravelle in the 20/20 building and it was the best viet “fast food” i ever had… It was a long time ago though! I don’t know who the owner is, but the man who was always serving in front is so nice and smiley! Ü
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