If you’re a food enthusiast, Ho Chi Minh City will definitely impress you with its culinary delights. The city’s bustling streets are a paradise for food lovers, with every corner offering a unique and delicious dish. Below, we’ve listed 10 must-try Vietnamese dishes in Saigon, Vietnam.
1. Phở – Noodle Soup
Pho is a type of rice noodle served in a flavorful soup with beef, bean sprouts, lime wedges, and various greens like basil, mint, cilantro, and onions. It’s typically accompanied by chili sauce on the side for those who want to add extra spice.
The broth is the highlight of Pho. It’s made by boiling bones, fire-roasted shallots, and other flavorsome ingredients for a long time, usually overnight. Beef Pho (Phở Bò) and Chicken Pho (Phở Gà) broths are cooked separately using bones from each animal. The result is a clear, light broth with a rich and delicious flavor. This tasty broth is then poured over flat rice noodles.
Some recommended places to enjoy bun bo:
Pho bo Phu Gia: 146E Ly Chinh Thang, Ward 7, District 3
Pho Thin: 170 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Ward 6, District 3
2. Cơm Tấm – Broken Rice
Cơm Tấm, also known as broken rice, is a popular dish in Ho Chi Minh City. Originally created by peasant farmers using rice that couldn’t be sold, it’s now a beloved urban favorite.
Cơm Tấm is a famous dish in Ho Chi Minh City. This traditional Vietnamese meal includes broken rice, grilled pork, fried eggs, pickled vegetables, and a tangy fish sauce.
Some recommended places to enjoy com tam:
Com tam Phuc Loc Tho: 236 Dinh Tien Hoang, Da Kao Ward, District 1
Com tam Ba Ghien: 84 Dang Van Ngu, Ward 10, Phu Nhuan District
3. Bánh Mì – Vietnamese Sandwich
Banh mi is a popular street food in Ho Chi Minh City that’s enjoyed by locals and tourists alike for its delicious blend of flavors.
This baguette sandwich is filled with pickled vegetables, pate, butter, soy sauce, cilantro, chillies, and hot peppers, making it both quick and tasty. You can also choose from a variety of meat fillings, such as roasted pork belly, fried fish with turmeric and dill, boiled sausages, meatballs, boiled chicken, fried egg, grilled pork loin, and Chinese barbecued pork. All these ingredients are sandwiched between two slices of freshly baked golden-brown baguette.
Some recommended places to enjoy banh mi:
Banh mi Huynh Hoa: 26 Le Thi Rieng, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1
Banh mi Phuong Lien: 12 Nguyen Huy Tu, Da Kao Ward, District 1
4. Goi Cuon – Fresh Spring Rolls
Fresh spring rolls, also known as goi cuon, are a must-try in Ho Chi Minh City. These traditional treats are made with soft rice paper filled with a variety of ingredients like pork, shrimp, vermicelli noodles, herbs, and vegetables. The combination of these ingredients creates a burst of flavors and textures in your mouth, making it one of the most memorable dishes you’ll try during your trip.
The history of goi cuon dates back to the early 20th century when Chinese immigrants settled in Vietnam, bringing their customs and food recipes. Over time, Vietnamese people added local ingredients like fresh mint leaves, herbs, and dipping sauce to the dish, creating what we now know as goi cuon.
Some recommended places to enjoy goi cuon:
Goi cuon Tom Nhay: 424 Lac Long Quan, Ward 5, District 11
Goi cuon Le Van Sy: 359/1/9A Le Van Sy, District 3
5. Bun Rieu Cua – Crab Paste Vermicelli Soup
Bun rieu cua is a beloved local delicacy in Ho Chi Minh City. This savory noodle soup features a flavorful broth made from crab paste and pork stock, served with thin rice noodles and topped with ingredients like tomatoes, tofu, and herbs. The result is a comforting and delicious soup that is sure to please even the pickiest eaters.
The origins of this iconic dish can be traced back to Chinese immigrants who arrived in Vietnam during the early 20th century. They incorporated Vietnamese herbs and other local ingredients into their traditional recipes. As a result, bun rieu cua, along with other imported dishes, combines traditional Chinese cooking methods with local Vietnamese flavors.
Some recommended places to enjoy bun rieu cua:
Bun rieu ganh: 4 Phan Boi Chau, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1
Bun rieu 7: 183 Hau Giang, Ward 5, District 6
6. Bun Thit Nuong – Grilled Pork and Rice Vermicelli
Grilled pork and rice vermicelli (bun thit nuong) is a classic Vietnamese dish made with grilled pork, fresh vegetables, and vermicelli noodles. The pork is marinated in a flavorful blend of garlic, fish sauce, sugar, and spices before being grilled to perfection.
Once cooked, the pork, vegetables, and noodles are combined in a bowl and garnished with fresh herbs like cilantro, mint, and basil leaves. The flavorful pork, paired with the crunchy vegetables and mild vermicelli noodles, creates a delicious and satisfying meal.
Some recommended places to enjoy bun thit nuong:
Bun thit nuong Chi Tuyen: 175C Co Giang, Co Giang Ward, District 1
Bun thit nuong Hai Dang: 149 Chan Hung, Ward 6, Tan Binh District
7. Pha Lau – Beef Offal Stew
Beef offal stew, known as pha lau, is a long-standing specialty in Ho Chi Minh City, beloved for generations. This hearty stew features beef offal, pork belly, and vegetables, slow-cooked until all the flavors meld together, creating a rich and unique taste. The dish is served with Vietnamese rice paper rolls and fresh herbs as toppings, adding freshness and texture to the creamy soup-like stew.
Some recommended places to enjoy pha lau:
Pha Lau Luat: 1A Suong Nguyet Anh, District 1
Pha Lau – Gia Dinh High School: 195/29 Xo Viet Nghe Tinh, Binh Thanh District
8. Banh Xeo – Pancake
Ban xeo is a savory pancake made from rice flour, coconut milk, and turmeric, filled with ingredients like pork slices, shrimp, onions, bean sprouts, and mushrooms. In Ho Chi Minh City, ban xeo is typically smaller in portion, often enjoyed as a snack or appetizer. To eat ban xeo, wrap it in mustard or lettuce leaves or rice wrappers along with mint, basil, and herbs, and dip it in sweet fermented peanut butter sauce and sweet and sour fish sauce for extra flavor.
9. Oc – Snails
Oc, or snails, may seem unfamiliar to foreigners, but they’re a beloved local delicacy in Ho Chi Minh City. These snails are freshly caught daily and remain alive until they’re cooked. Diners can select their preferred snails, and restaurants will prepare them accordingly.
Each variety of snails is paired with specific cooking methods, such as stir-frying with butter and garlic, grilling with sea salt and chili, or stewing in coconut milk, resulting in a diverse range of delicious dishes.
10. Cà Phê Sữa – Vietnamese Iced Milk Coffee
If you haven’t tasted Vietnamese Iced Milk Coffee, also known as Cà Phê Sữa, a popular type of Vietnamese coffee, you’re in for a delightful surprise.
The coffee beans used are medium to dark roast, offering a rich, buttery flavor with hints of dark chocolate and a distinct bitter note. Cà Phê Sữa can be served hot or cold, but the iced version is preferred in the hot and humid climate of Ho Chi Minh City. It’s typically served with a generous portion of thick, sweet condensed milk at the bottom of the cup. Mix it well to enjoy a sweet and energizing coffee experience.