You won’t find a better French dip than at Bonjour Saigon

Vietnam and France have a long, complex history. So it should be no surprise the two national cuisines have influenced each other. And what better way to sample this fusion than at a lovely little northwest Calgary strip-mall restaurant named Bonjour Saigon.

Big taste in a small space

Yes, it hits all the Vietnamese standards like pho, banh mi and coffee. But what catches my eye are collaborative dishes like bo ham ($17), named after the chef’s grandmother, Mama Hoa. It’s a Vietnamese twist on traditional French beef stew, with braised brisket and flank steak in a slightly spicy coconut tomato broth, served with a baguette for dipping or a boatload of rice noodles.

Bo Ham stew

Another fusion plate is the best, most affordable ($16) beef dip I’ve ever eaten: copious amounts of braised, tender house brisket stuffed into a baguette with cheese sauce and then dunked into a crispy shallot dip fortified with mama’s stew. Oh, and it comes with a fine papaya salad.

Interesting twists on appetizers

Even appetizers like the crispy spring rolls are delightfully different, as are the Saigon fries, dipped into a butter and sugar sauce.

In all, a lovely change of pace from the ubiquitous Vietnamese pho. But you might want a reservation to grab one of about four tables.

Bonjour Saigon
3616 52 Avenue NW
Weekends 9 am-6 pm, Weekdays 10 am-8 pm, except closed Tuesday
403-732-6072