By John Stone
As the warmer weather arrives, there is one dish (or combination of dishes) that leaps to the top of the list for my wife and me: Saiguette’s Bun noodle with grilled chicken together with steamed “moon” dumplings (shrimp filling). The menu lists the bun thus: “Room temperature rice vermicelli w. julienne cucumber, lettuce, bean sprout, scallion oil, crush peanut, fresh herbs, nuoc cham sauce” and while there are quite a few choices of accompaniment, we always go with the chicken, which is grilled to perfection: tender, juicy, slightly crispy but ever succulent.
There’s something magical about the subtle, sweet and savory flavor of the whole dish that doesn’t call attention to itself with loud spices or extremes of any kind: each bite is so pleasant, and it’s largely the subtlety – the way the wholesome ingredients are allowed to speak for themselves – that make this room-temperature wonder a perfect antidote to any heat and humidity the city might throw at you.
The dumplings complement everything with their own lightness and airiness: in this case, their hotter temperature provides your tastebuds with a needed jolt. The quality is extremely consistent (we order these dishes once a week without fail) and extremely high. The fair cost and generous portions (just one of each dish mentioned here is plenty for the two of us) make this an even more toothsome and welcome bargain. As another reader (reviewing the flank steak banh mi) wrote back in September of 2021, it is so good to have Saiguette back in operation after their very long pandemic hiatus. Well, that’s an understatement on my part: it is an absolute blessing to have this local treasure serving again.
The Restaurant: Saiguette (935 Columbus Avenue at 106th street). Currently open for pick-up only. For your convenience and fast service please use our online ordering system !
The Dish(es): Bun noodle with grilled chicken; side of shrimp dumplings
Lo and behold, John Stone has resurrected Here’s the Dish, an occasional column, featuring a reader’s favorite dish, served in a local restaurant. It’s good for the restaurant and for other readers. Send your favorite UWS dish to info@westsiderag.com. Don’t forget to include a photograph of the dish.
Saiguette is a gem. I have not had a bad meal there in the 5+ years I’ve been a customer. So glad they managed to reopen after the long pandemic closure!
Oh, how I love Saiguette! I wish they would start to deliver again soon. It’s hard to do pick up most of the time!
First. That looks delicious. Second. It made me think of Saigon Grill, back when they were on 88th and Broadway. It was still great when they moved to 91st and Amsterdam, but alas, not the same. I think I will give them a shot.
Totally forgot Saigon Grill used to be on Broadway. Was it on the corner? What’s in its place now?
Saiguette is so good. Keep hoping they’ll bring back delivery!
Thanks for the recommendation—I’m definitely putting this on the list!
man oh man do I miss Saiguette. particularly, their Lemongrass Pork Shoulder Bahn Mi, also known as 39A. it’s fresh bread, the right balance between spiciness and acidity, tangy carrot and flavorful jalapenos, and most of all – char-grilled lemongrass pork shoulder, and a lot of it. I even learned to love the cucumbers (initially I was asking to remove them). I was always full after eating a half but always had to finish the entire thing it was so good. now, I never eat pork, except when it’s inside of their bahn mi.
when the pandemic hit, it was a disaster. staying at home was bad enough but not as bad as staying at home without Lemongrass Pork Shoulder Bahn Mi. I didn’t believe it was over. I travelled around the city looking for an alternative. I tried dozens of places in Manhattan. Two Wheels has bahn mi for hipsters. Bahn, a rising star in the area failed to deliver a good bahn mi. I went to Flushing, Queens. nothing was even close to Lemongrass Pork Shoulder Bahn Mi from Saiguette.
Once, I was on UES for work and saw a place called Vietnaam. they were doing takeout only. I called and who answered me? It was the same voice from Saiguette. apparently, Vietnaam was their sister restaurant and it was open during the pandemic. their Lemongrass Pork Shoulder Bahn Mi was great, it was almost identical to Saiguette’s. I was finding any imaginable reason to travel to 2nd Ave.
then the news came that Saiguette was reopening in June. I was counting days. it didn’t happen for a while. but when it did it was the best day in my life. I think I was one of their first customers when it reopened. 39A was the two digits and one letter I dreamed to say again.
their Bahn Mi remains the best in class. I haven’t been to NYC since January but I refuse to try any other bahn mis anymore. I know want to remember the last bite of Lemongrass Pork Shoulder Bahn Mi I had at Saiguette.
I hope that soon, I will come to W 106 and say – 39A.
Bun noodles with Lemongrass pork is the best imho! And summer rolls!
My family is crazy about Saiguette. Their fish bahn mi is a favorite. I wish they would offer some form of delivery… even for a fee would be fine as we are more than a mile away.