When you think of Korean food, you probably think of fried chicken. Maybe bibimbap. But definitely not pizza and pasta. That belongs to the Italians, right? Well, not at SanSan House. This Korean restaurant on Xuân Thủy street in Thảo Điền does chicken, pizza, pasta and craft beer all under one roof, and somehow it works really well. Here’s what happened when we went for dinner.
Born in Seoul, Now in Saigon
SanSan started as a Korean BBQ chicken brand in Sinchon, Seoul, and this is their first location in Vietnam. The concept is simple but the execution behind it is anything but. Before opening their doors here, the team spent three years in Korea refining every single detail of their recipe. From brining methods, to seasoning blends, roasting temperature, and humidity levels. The goal was one thing: chicken that is beautifully golden on the outside and irresistibly juicy on the inside.
They cook using a premium German oven, and the chicken is seasoned with a dry rub, slow steam-roasted for juiciness, and finished with SanSan’s signature K-Sauce. That sauce alone went through hundreds of adjustments, balancing sweetness, spice, umami and acidity until it became the flavour that now defines the brand.
The SanSan Chicken
Let’s start with what SanSan is really known for. The menu has plenty of options but we went with the original chicken, because when I saw the sauce spread, I knew I needed a clean slate to work with. The chicken arrives crispy, wrapped in foil, served with corn and potatoes. It’s fun, it’s hands-on, and the sauce selection is genuinely exciting. There’s something for every preference, from creamy to spicy to something in between. And for those who don’t like to get their hands dirty, there are plastic gloves available so you can properly dig in.
My advice: try all the sauces. That’s kind of the point. And the most fun.
The Pizza, Unexpected and Actually Really Good
Pizza at a Korean restaurant was not something I was prepared to take seriously. But SanSan’s pizza deserves its own mention, because they clearly put as much thought into it as the chicken.
Everything is made in-house from scratch. The dough is mixed and fermented daily on-site. The tomato sauce is slow-simmered in-house for depth of flavour. The cream sauce is handcrafted. They even brought a premium conveyor pizza oven directly from Korea to make sure the result here matches what they perfected back in Seoul. Hundreds of rounds of testing went into getting the dough weight, sauce ratio, cheese balance and baking time right.
We went for the Bulgogi pizza, because if you’re at a Korean restaurant, you go for the Korean flavours. Did a little slice test: not soggy, holds its shape, finished embarrassingly quickly. They also have classics like Margherita if that’s more your speed, but the Bulgogi is the one worth ordering in our humble opinion.
A Spicy Surprise: The Pasta
This one genuinely caught me off guard. We asked for a recommendation and ended up with a pasta that had no business being that good in a chicken and beer restaurant. Saucy, a little spicy, exactly the kind of thing you don’t plan to order but end up loving.
If you see it on the menu, order it.
The Craft Beer Situation
Ever since moving to Vietnam I’ve been properly into craft beer, and SanSan delivers on this front. We ordered tasting glasses to try a few. Highly recommend doing this rather than committing to one straight away. Although, if you’re here for a good time, might as well order a big one.
The highlight for darker beer fans is the ‘Dark Chocolate Theory’, which is genuinely delicious. If you prefer something lighter, there’s a lager-pilsner hybrid that’s crisp and works really well with the food. All the beers on tap are from iBiero, which feels like a fitting tribute to the space’s previous life.
Guinness in Vietnam. Yes, Really.
For anyone who has ever typed “Guinness near me” or “where to find Guinness in Vietnam” into Google, I see you, and I have good news. SanSan House has Guinness on the menu. Real Guinness. In Thảo Điền. This alone might be worth the visit for certain people, and you know who you are.
The Space
Driving past on Xuân Thủy, the first thing you notice is the big glowing sign and the long tables spilling out onto the street. It reads immediately as a group dining spot, and that’s exactly what it is. The food is made for sharing, the tables can be pushed together for larger groups, and the energy is social and fun.
Inside there are bigger group tables as well as smaller options if you’re coming as a two. The lights are dimmed; it’s a vibe. The menu is large enough that everyone will find something, which when you’re eating with a mixed crowd, matters more than people admit.
The Bottom Line
SanSan House is the kind of place that surprises you. You go in expecting basic Korean chicken and come out having eaten a bulgogi pizza, an unexpectedly great pasta, and worked your way through a tasting flight of craft beers. It’s fun, it’s social, it’s well priced for what you get, and it’s the perfect spot for a group dinner in Thảo Điền when you want something a little different.
Copy Our Order
SanSan Signature Seoul Rosé (Pasta)
SanSan’s signature pasta featuring a bold, spicy rosé cream sauce topped with a silky poached egg.
SanSan Seoul Bulgogi (Pizza)
A Korean-inspired pizza topped with sweet and savory bulgogi, onions, and melted cheese.
SanSan Original BBQ Chicken
Juicy chicken roasted until golden and coated in SanSan’s signature savory BBQ sauce, layered with over 20 herbs and spices for a deep, aromatic flavour.
Hanoi Afterglow (Beer)
A smooth and balanced beer with gentle malt character, subtle sweetness, and a clean, mellow finish.
Dark Chocolate Theory (Beer)
A rich, dark brown ale with roasted malt, deep cacoa notes, and a smooth, lingering finish.
Where To Find SanSan House
📍 SanSan House, 65 Xuân Thủy street, Thảo Điền, Ho Chi Minh City
Instagram: @sansan__house
Facebook: @sansanbbqhouse
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