You cannot splurge every day. In Saigon Center, Ho Chi Minh City, there is a sushi restaurant to keep in mind for a cheap but yet quality sushi meal.
The visit
The restaurant is located in the second basement of Saigon Centre, in the heart of Saigon and its full name is Ryoshi Sushi Ikeikemaru. It is a conveyor belt sushi restaurant (I reviewed a similar restaurant in Tokyo). From what I understand it is originally from Singapore.
They have two types of seating arrangements: counter and booths for groups.
Rules of the house.
What is notable is that they serve a lot of different types if sushi, like this gizzard shard known for its strong flavor.
Another very unusual sushi in Saigon, with a fluffy egg custard.
A shrimp croquette.
Another sushi with a strong flavor: mackerel, seared with vinegar.
I also ordered from the menu (they have reduced the number of dishes on the conveyor belt, but the number is still significant). The menu, by the way, comprises also many other Japanese food classics, such as ramen.
The first trio of sushi included tuna, tuna belly and negitoro (minced tuna). The second one included snapper, hamachi, and tuna again.
Finally I had some tuna sashimi. Not the best tuna in town, but very good value.
They serve over 100 types of sushi.
The check
Total check was 376,300 VND (or 16.20 USD). A single sushi dish from the conveyor belt was 27,500 VND (1.18 USD).
Ikeikemaru is good value for money and at the same time it provides a nice assortment of sushi that is difficult to come by even in higher end restaurants in Saigon.
Where in Ho Chi Minh City:65 Le Loi, B2 Floor, Saigon Center.
Update 2020: After the March lockdown the restaurant did not re-open. Keep an eye on their FB page to see if they re-open.