It is Sunday and you want a haircut, go shopping and hungry for something amazing. Take the M8 and your journey will lead you to a somewhat urban and yet wilder reality. At the Dông Xuân Center, placed in a former decrepit industrial field, you won’t be looking romantically at the Ha Long Bay but rather participate in the life of an inner Vietnamese market with its people, sound and scent. In the four generous (in size and in content) hangers, you can get your nails done in contemporary baroque style with tigers and swans facing a snowy landscape, buy a small ashtray cat or enjoy a plastic dream in the fake flower heaven. If you want something even wilder, you can go for a big “animal inspired” design (shower curtains, horse printed suitcase, bear statues, amongst others) or get pink fruits, neon mint gello and snacks that have unpronounceable names and indescribable textures. Otherwise simply eat an authentic Phở soup (I thought my mom was the only person who made it so good) or a Bun Thit Nuong (charcoal grilled pork with rice noodles and fresh herbs, typical dish from the beautiful Hanoi) and Bánh Cuôn (Vietnamese steamed rice rolls). My favorite grocery store is located in Hall 3 to the right by the entrance and to the left is my favorite restaurant!
Dông Xuân Center, Herzbergstraße 128-139, 10365 Berlin-Lichtenberg; map
Open daily execept Tue, 11-20h
Tutia Schaad is one half of the Berlin-based fashion label Perret Schaad.
Published in Cee Cee #56 on 10.5.2012
