20 Must-try dishes in Ho Chi Minh City
Exploring Ho Chi Minh City’s street food scene is an exhilarating culinary journey. With delicious options available on nearly every corner, at all hours of the day, it’s easy to dive headfirst into the local food culture. Here are our top recommendations for an authentic taste of Saigon:
1. Cơm Tấm (Broken rice)
A classic Vietnamese dish featuring broken rice served with grilled pork, egg, and pickled vegetables.
Where to try:
- Cơm Tấm Mộc – 85 Ly Tu Trong, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1
- Cơm Tấm Ba Ghiền – 84 Dang Van Ngu, Ward 10, Phu Nhuan District
- Cơm Tấm Nguyễn Văn Cừ – 74 Nguyễn Văn Cừ, Phường Nguyễn Cư Trinh, District 1
- Cơm Tấm Sà Bì Chưởng – 179 Trần Bình Trọng, Phường 3, District 5
- Cơm Tấm An Dương Vương – 502 An Dương Vương, Phường 4, District 5
2. Phở (Noodle Soup)
Vietnam’s iconic noodle soup with a rich broth, fresh herbs, and tender beef or chicken.
Where to try:
- Phở Việt Nam – 14 Phạm Hồng Thái, Phường Bến Thành, District 1
- Phở Minh – 63/6 Pasteur, Bến Nghé, District 1
- Phở Hòa Pasteur – 260c Pasteur, Phường 8, District 3
- Phở Lệ – 415 Nguyễn Trãi, Phường 7, District 5
- Phở Tàu Bay – 433 – 435 Ly Thai To, Ward 9, District 1
3. Bánh Mì (Vietnamese Baguette)
A crusty baguette stuffed with meats, pate, pickled veggies, and fresh herbs.
Recommended places to enjoy:
- Bánh Mì Hồng Hoa – 54 Nguyễn Văn Tráng, Phường Phạm Ngũ Lão, District 1 1
- Banh Mi Huynh Hoa: 26 Le Thi Rieng, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1
- Bánh Mì Như Lan: 68 Ham Nghi, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
4. Bún Bò (Beef noodle soup)
A spicy and flavorful beef noodle soup originating from central Vietnam.
Where to try:
- Nam Giao Restaurant – 136/15 Đ. Lê Thánh Tôn, Phường Bến Thành, District 1
- Bún Bò Huế Cô Như – 274/29 Vo Van Tan Street, Ward 5, District 3
- Bún Bò Gánh – 110 Lý Chính Thắng, Phường 8, District 3
- Bún Bò Xưa: 48 Cach Mang Thang 8, Vo Thi Sau Ward, District 3
5. Hủ Tiếu (Rice noodles soup)
A light yet savory noodle soup with pork, seafood, and herbs.
Where to try:
- Hu Tieu Nam Vang Thanh Dat – 34 Co Bac, Cau Ong Lanh Ward, District 1
- Hu Tieu Nam Vang Lien Hua – 381 Vo Van Tan, Ward 5, District 3
6. Bánh Xèo (Crispy Pancakes)
Vietnamese savory crepes filled with shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts.
Where to try:
- Bếp Mẹ Ỉn – 136/9 Đ. Lê Thánh Tôn, Phường Bến Thành, District 1
- Bánh Xèo 46A – 46 Dinh Cong Trang, Tan Dinh Ward, District 1
7. Bún Thịt Nướng (rice noodles with grilled pork)
Recommended places to enjoy:
- Bún Thịt Nướng Chị Tuyền – 175c Cô Giang, Phường Cô Giang, District 1
- Bún Thịt Nướng Kiều Bảo – 139 Đề Thám, Phường Cô Giang, District 1
- Bún Thịt Nướng Vỉa Hè – 1 Nguyễn Trung Trực, Phường Bến Thành, District 1
8. Cơm Gà Xối Mỡ (waterfall fried chicken rice)
Recommended places to enjoy:
- Cơm Gà Xối Mỡ Su Su – 117/1D Cống Quỳnh, Nguyễn Cư Trinh Ward, District 1
8.1 Xôi (Sticky rice)
Recommended places to enjoy:
- Xôi Gà Number One – 15 Nguyen Trung Truc, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1
- Xôi Chè Bùi Thị Xuân – 111 Bùi Thị Xuân, Phường Phạm Ngũ Lão, District 1
- Xôi Tôn Đản – 232 Ton Dan, Ward 15, District 4
9. Bún Mắm (fermented fish noodle soup)
Recommended places to enjoy:
- Bún Mắm 144 – 144 Khanh Hoi, Ward 6, District 4
- Bún Mắm Dì Sáu – 25/22 Đ. Tôn Thất Tùng, Phường Phạm Ngũ Lão, District 1
- Chị Yến 7 Ngày 7 Món – 61 Phan Văn Hân, Phường 17, Bình Thạnh District
10. Bánh Khọt (little pancake sliders)
Recommended places to enjoy:
- Bánh khọt Cô Ba Vũng Tàu – 40B Trần Cao Vân, Phường 6, Quận 3
11. Ốc (Snails)
Recommended places to enjoy:
- Vĩnh Khánh Seafood Street – Vĩnh Khánh, Ward 8, District 4
- Ốc Tô – 224 Xom Chieu, Ward 15, District 4
- Ốc Đào – Alley 212B Nguyen Trai, Nguyen Cu Trinh Ward, District 1
12. Bún Riêu Cua (tomato crab noodle soup)
Recommended places to enjoy:
- Bún Riêu Gánh – 163 Lê Thánh Tôn, Bến Thành, District 1
- Bún Riêu Yến – 1348 Truong Sa, Ward 3, Tan Binh District
13. Gỏi Cuốn (spring rolls)
Recommended places to enjoy:
- Tôn Thất Đạm Market – Tôn Thất Đạm, Bến Nghé, Quận 1
- Goi Cuon Tom Nhay – 424 Lac Long Quan, Ward 5, District 11
- Goi Cuon Ngon Ngon – 322/13 An Duong Vuong, Ward 4, District 5
14. Bò Kho (beef stew)
Recommended places to enjoy:
- Bò Kho Hẻm Tre – 101 Đề Thám, Ward Cô Giang, District 1
- Bò Kho Gánh – Lô H/029 Sư Vạn Hạnh, Ward 2, District 10
15. Phá Lấu (offal stew)
Recommended places to enjoy:
- Phá Lấu Bò Cô Thảo – 234/29G Ton Dan, Ward 15, District 4
- Pha Lau Bo Ba Hat – 533 Ba Hat, Ward 8, District 10
16. Bún Đậu Mắm Tôm (rice vermicelli with fried tofu and shrimp paste)
Recommended places to enjoy:
- Bún Đậu A Chảnh – 200 Cống Quỳnh, Ward Phạm Ngũ Lão, District 1
- Bún Đậu Homemade – 1 Nguyễn Văn Tráng, Ward Phạm Ngũ Lão, District 1
17. Bánh Tráng Trộn (Mixed rice paper)
Recommended places to enjoy:
- Banh Trang Chi Huong: 146/27 Nguyen Che Nghia, Ward 12, District 8
- Banh Trang Nhat Quynh: 78/10 Ho Thi Ky, Ward 1, District 10
18. Grilled Rice Cake (Banh Trang Nuong)
In Saigon, this dish is changed a little bit in the taste: thinner outer layer, butter used instead of sergestidae paste… It does not contain a lot of picky ingredients; just a few quail egg (or chicken eggs), crushed meat, fried onion …make this aromatic crispy grilled dish the choice of many young people, especially in the afternoon when it suddenly rains.
19. Crab Soup (Sup Cua)
As one of the common breakfast which are very popular in Saigon. With the main ingredients including crabmeat, mushrooms, bamboo shoot flour, and quail egg, plus spices, such as cilantro, pepper powder…People who enjoy the dish at the first time will feel a little bit strange due to the taste of the crab soup, but will be quickly “addicted” to this nutritious and delicious dish. In Saigon after rainy afternoons, the crab soup diners in the alleys attract even the busiest person with its special and delicious taste.
20. Chè (Sweet soup)
Recommended places to enjoy:
- Che Mam: 32 Su Van Hanh, Ward 2, District 10
- Che Ha Ky: 138 Chau Van Liem, Ward 11, District 5
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