Ho Chi Minh City Food Guide: Where & What to Eat in Saigon

Southern Vietnamese Flavors at a Glance

Compare to the Northern, Southern Vietnamese cuisine is:

• Sweeter (thanks to coconut milk and palm sugar)

• More herbaceous (tons of fresh greens on every table)

• Balanced with spice (but less fiery than central cuisine)

• Heavily street-based (the best eats often come in bowls on plastic stools)

Now, let’s dig into the best food in Ho Chi Minh City, and where to find it.

1. Cơm Tấm - Broken Rice with Grilled Pork

A breakfast-to-dinner staple made of “broken” rice grains, served with grilled pork chop, egg, and fish sauce.

Where to try:

• Com Tam Ba Ghien - 84 Dang Van Ngu St, Phu Nhuan (legendary for big portions and smoky meat)

• Com Tam Cali - 222 Hai Ba Trung St, District 1 (clean, air-conditioned, consistent)

• Com Tam Moc - 85 Ly Tu Trong St, District 1 (good for groups, authentic flavors)

Com tam is a must in Ho Chi Minh City

2. Banh Xeo - Vietnamese Crispy Pancake

Crispy rice flour crepes stuffed with pork, shrimp, and bean sprouts - rolled in herbs and dipped in sweet fish sauce.

Where to try:

• Banh Xeo 46A - 46 Dinh Cong Trang St, District 1 (popular with locals and tourists)

• Banh Xeo An La Ghien - 74 Suong Nguyet Anh St, District 1 (modern setting, traditional flavor)

• Banh Xeo Muoi Xiem - 204 Nguyen Trai St, District 1 (southern-style with coconut milk)

Banh xeo in Saigon

3. Hu Tieu - Southern Noodle Soup

A lighter and clearer alternative to pho, made with pork, seafood, or beef, served dry or with broth.

Where to try:

• Hu Tieu Nam Vang Nhan Quan - 488 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St (great broth, Phnom Penh-style)

• Hu Tieu Thanh Xuan - 62 Ton That Thiep St, District 1 (local favorite since the 1940s)

• Hu Tieu Tieu Nam - 7 Suong Nguyet Anh St (dry style with soy and garlic oil)

Hu tieu in Ho Chi Minh City

4. Banh Mi - Saigon’s Take on the Vietnamese Sandwich

Crispy, light baguette filled with everything from pate and grilled meat to pickled veggies and herbs.

Where to try:

• Banh Mi Huynh Hoa - 26 Le Thi Rieng St, District 1 (huge portions, cult following)

• Banh Mi Hong Hoa - 62 Nguyen Van Trang St (crusty bread, balanced flavors)

• Banh Mi Bay Ho - 19 Huynh Khuong Ninh St, District 1 (family-run since the 1930s)

Banh mi in Saigon

5. Goi Cuon - Fresh Spring Rolls

Light, refreshing rolls of pork, shrimp, vermicelli, and herbs in rice paper, dipped in peanut-hoisin sauce.

Where to try:

• Ben Thanh Market food court - Le Loi St, District 1 (a variety of fresh rolls)

• Nha Hang Ngon - 160 Pasteur St, District 1 (perfect for clean, tourist-friendly eats)

• Wrap & Roll - 62 Hai Ba Trung St (modern chain with solid flavor)

Goi cuon - Fresh spring rolls

6. Sweet Treats & Desserts

Che (Vietnamese sweet soup):

• Che Mam Khanh Vy - 242B Su Van Hanh St (dozens of che choices on a silver tray)

• Che 3 Mien - 23 Nguyen Phi Khanh St (popular with locals for takeaway or dine-in)

Flan & Milk Tea:

• Cafe Flan - 210B Vo Van Tan St (homey and nostalgic)

• The Alley - 187 Hai Ba Trung St (for boba fans looking to chill)

Sweet soup in Saigon

Street Food Areas to Explore

• Ho Thi Ky Night Market – District 10: Street food heaven at night, with snails, grilled skewers, avocado ice cream, and more.

• Nguyen Thuong Hien St – District 3: Locals call it the "snail street" for its seafood stalls and beer spots.

• Ben Thanh Street Food Market – District 1: A curated, tourist-friendly food hall just beside Ben Thanh Market.

Ho Thi Ky night market

Suggested 1-Day Foodie Itinerary in Ho Chi Minh City

Tips for First-Time Foodies in Saigon

• Follow the crowd: Choose busy food stalls. A steady stream of locals usually means the food is fresh and trusted.

• Come prepared: Bring small cash (especially VND 10k–50k notes) and a pack of tissues — most street vendors don’t take cards and may not offer napkins.

• Low stools, big flavors: Don’t be shy about sitting on those tiny plastic stools — it’s where you’ll find some of the best meals in the city.

• Ask politely, eat fearlessly: Even if there’s a language barrier, a smile and some basic Vietnamese like “cảm ơn” (thank you) go a long way. Be adventurous, but trust your nose and eyes.

This Ho Chi Minh City Food Guide is your starting point to dive into Vietnam’s most vibrant flavors. From smoky broken rice to silky noodle soup, Saigon’s culinary landscape is bold, fast, and full of soul.

Want a smoother food adventure? Book a Vietnam tour with New Asia Tours and let local experts show you hidden eats, back-alley stalls, and the best bites the city has to offer.