A Food Lover's Guide to Street Food in Ho Chi Minh City

Must-Try Dishes and Where to Find Them

Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City, a vibrant metropolis where the streets come alive with the sizzling sounds and irresistible aromas of Vietnamese street food. The city's culinary scene is a delightful chaos of flavors, textures, and aromas that reflect its rich cultural heritage and French colonial influences.

From bustling street corners to hidden alleyways, Ho Chi Minh City offers an incredible array of dishes that will tantalize your taste buds without breaking the bank. This guide will take you through four must-try Vietnamese dishes and reveal the best spots to savor them like a local.

Bánh Mì

Bánh mì is Vietnam's iconic sandwich that perfectly showcases the country's French colonial influence. A crusty baguette is sliced open and filled with layers of savory ingredients like pâté, cured meats, pickled vegetables, fresh herbs, and chili sauce. The result is a harmonious blend of textures and flavors – crispy, soft, tangy, and spicy all at once.

Bánh Mì Huỳnh Hoa

26 Lê Thị Riêng, District 1

3:30 pm – midnight daily

30,000 VND ($1.40)

Known as the most famous bánh mì spot in Saigon, this place is famous for its sandwich overflowing with layers of different luncheon meats, pâté, and mayonnaise. It's a meat lover's dream come true!

Bánh Mì Hồng Hoa

62 Nguyễn Văn Tráng, District 1

Morning (peak at 8 am)

17,000 VND ($0.80)

This local favorite stands out for being heavy on fresh herbs and vegetables. Their standard bánh mì features slices of pork, luncheon meat, pâté, mayonnaise, flavorful chilies, cucumber, and fragrant cilantro.

Bánh Mì Hoa Ma

53 Cao Thắng, District 3

6-11 am daily

Varies

Famous for bánh mì ốp la – a baguette served with fried eggs, pâté, an assortment of meats, and a side of pickled vegetables. The open-air alleyway dining experience adds to its charm.

Phở

Phở is Vietnam's most famous culinary export – a fragrant noodle soup consisting of broth, rice noodles, herbs, and meat (usually beef or chicken). The broth, simmered for hours with bones, charred onions, and ginger, is the soul of the dish. In Ho Chi Minh City, you'll find the Southern style of phở, characterized by its sweeter broth and abundance of fresh herbs and garnishes.

Phở Hàng Đậu

11 Tran Van Sac, Thao Dien, District 2

Varies

A newer beef phở shop that serves Northern-style phở in Saigon. Their rare beef topping is highly recommended. They also offer excellent bún chả and fried spring rolls. All seating is outdoor.

Phở Hà

19 Hai Trieu, Ben Nghe, District 1

Varies (busy in evenings)

Varies

A long-standing establishment opposite Bitexco Tower specializing in Northern-style chicken phở. Despite its Northern roots, they still serve a basket of fresh herbs and beansprouts with their phở, catering to Southern preferences.

Anan Saigon

District 1

Varies

Premium pricing

For an elevated version of phở, Anan incorporates premium ingredients like wagyu beef and truffles into this humble dish. Be prepared to pay a higher price, but it's worth it for the luxurious experience.

Bún Thịt Nướng

Bún thịt nướng is a delightful Vietnamese dish featuring rice vermicelli noodles topped with grilled pork, fresh herbs, Vietnamese pickles, scallions, crushed peanuts, and a sweet fish sauce dressing. The version with a fried spring roll on top is called bún thịt nướng chả giò, adding an extra layer of flavor and texture to this already delicious dish.

Bún Thịt Nướng Chị Thông

195 Cô Giang, District 1

7 am – 10 pm daily

40,000 VND ($1.85)

Recognizable by its purple paint job and stainless steel tables, this restaurant serves a delicious bowl of bún thịt nướng chả giò. The sweet and smoky grilled pork, combined with fresh herbs and a crispy spring roll, creates an unforgettable meal.

Bún Thịt Nướng Hoàng Văn

District 1 (exact address varies)

Varies

Featured in the Michelin Guide, this restaurant offers only one item on the menu – rice noodles in a tangy sweet dressing with a spring roll, grilled pork, lettuce, bean sprouts, cucumber, carrot, and peanuts. Simple yet incredibly flavorful.

Cơm Tấm Sườn Nướng

Cơm tấm sườn nướng, or broken rice with grilled pork chop, is a quintessential Southern Vietnamese dish. The "broken rice" refers to fractured rice grains that were once considered inferior but have become a beloved staple. The dish features a grilled marinated pork chop served over the rice, accompanied by pickled vegetables, a slice of Vietnamese meatloaf, shredded pork skin, and a fish sauce dressing.

Cơm Tấm Ba Ghiền

84 Dang Van Ngu Street, Ward 10, Phu Nhuan District

Varies

One of the most famous restaurants in Saigon for cơm tấm. Their grilled pork chops are tender and flavorful, perfectly complemented by the broken rice and traditional accompaniments. Often crowded with locals, which is always a good sign!

Cơm Tấm Nguyễn Văn Cư

Nguyen Van Cu Street (exact number varies)

Varies

Known for serving some of the best cơm tấm in Saigon, with soft and tender pork chops, moist rice, excellent chả (Vietnamese pork loaf), and well-balanced sauces. A favorite among locals and visitors alike.

Tips for Exploring Ho Chi Minh City's Street Food Scene

Eat when locals do – Vietnamese people typically eat early, and many street food stalls close by mid-afternoon or sell out by early evening.
Cash is king – most street food vendors only accept Vietnamese Dong, so make sure to have enough small bills.
Follow the crowds – busy stalls with lots of local customers usually indicate fresh and delicious food.
Learn a few Vietnamese phrases – simple greetings and food-related words will go a long way with vendors.
Stay hydrated – the climate in Ho Chi Minh City is hot and humid, so drink plenty of water between meals.
Be adventurous – don't be afraid to try new dishes and explore different neighborhoods beyond the tourist areas.

A Food Lover's Guide to Street Food in Ho Chi Minh City

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