Saigon, the Pearl of the Far East, captivates visitors not only with its skyscrapers and modern entertainment venues but also with a unique and diverse street food culture. From small alleys to bustling markets, the enticing aroma of countless delicious dishes fills the air throughout Saigon. If you are a food lover and want to fully explore the flavors of Saigon, let “Du lịch khắp thế gian” guide you through a list of the most famous street foods you must try when visiting this vibrant city.
Broken Rice (Cơm Tấm)
Broken rice, seemingly a simple dish, carries a story of transformation and the optimistic spirit of Saigon people. From broken rice grains, once thought to be discarded, cơm tấm has risen to become a culinary icon, a familiar and beloved dish by people of all walks of life.
More than just a filling meal, cơm tấm is a journey to discover rich flavors, from the savory sweetness of grilled pork chop, the creamy richness of fried egg, the refreshing sourness of pickled vegetables, to the savory depth of fish sauce. All combine to create an irresistible culinary symphony. You can easily find cơm tấm everywhere in Saigon, from simple roadside eateries to luxurious restaurants. However, to fully experience the characteristic flavor of Saigon cơm tấm, seek out long-standing cơm tấm establishments, where family secrets and love for the dish are passed down through generations.
Some famous and delicious cơm tấm addresses you can refer to:
- Cơm Tấm Cô Hồng (128 Doan Van Bo, District 4): This eatery opens from late afternoon to late night, an ideal spot for those who want to enjoy cơm tấm late in the evening. The cơm tấm here is famous for its tender, flavorful grilled pork chop and fresh pickled vegetables.
- Cơm Tấm Bãi Rác (73 Le Van Linh, District 4): The name might sound strange (“Garbage Dump Rice”), but this place is loved by many diners for its fragrant, flavorful cơm tấm. It also opens from afternoon to night.
- Cơm Tấm Nguyễn Văn Cừ (74 Nguyen Van Cu, District 1): This cơm tấm restaurant is famous for its excellent quality, from the fragrant, sticky rice grains to the meticulously prepared grilled pork chop and side dishes. However, it is often very crowded, especially during peak hours, so be prepared to wait. Prices here are also slightly higher than other places, but the quality is well worth it.
Delicious and attractive grilled pork chop rice
Crab Noodle Soup (Bún Riêu)
Bún riêu, a dish imbued with rural flavors, is a harmonious combination of the clear sweetness of the broth, the mild sourness of tomatoes, the rich fattiness of crab roe, and the chewy deliciousness of vermicelli noodles. A hot, fragrant bowl of bún riêu is a great choice for breakfast, lunch, or even dinner.
The uniqueness of Saigon bún riêu lies in the diversity of its preparation and variations. You can enjoy traditional crab bún riêu, snail bún riêu, pork rib bún riêu, or even vegetarian bún riêu. Each type offers a distinct flavor, catering to the preferences of many diners.
If you want to find a delicious bún riêu restaurant with a clean, airy space in the central District 1, visit Bún riêu cua ốc Phan Rang (66 Nguyen Thai Binh, District 1). This restaurant is highly rated for the quality of its food and professional service style. A bowl of bún riêu here is full of crab roe, snails, tofu, congealed pig blood, and fresh raw vegetables.
Snails (Ốc)
Saigon is known as a “snail paradise” with countless snail eateries ranging from budget-friendly to luxurious. Snails are not just a snack but also a distinctive culinary culture of Saigon people. Saigon people can gather with friends and family around a snail table to chat, relax, and enjoy delicious, diverse snail dishes.
Saigon snails are prepared in many different styles, from grilling, stir-frying, steaming, boiling to salt roasting, tamarind roasting, scallion oil grilling… Each cooking method brings its own unique flavor, making diners never feel bored.
Vinh Khanh area (District 4) is known as a famous “snail street” of Saigon. Along this street, you will easily find dozens of snail restaurants with all kinds and prices. One of the most popular snail restaurants in Vinh Khanh is Ốc Oanh (534 Vinh Khanh, District 4). This restaurant is famous for its diverse, fresh, and affordable snail menu. The space is spacious and airy, suitable for gatherings with friends and family.
Busy Oc Oanh snail restaurant in Vinh Khanh
Grilled Pork Vermicelli (Bún Thịt Nướng)
Bún thịt nướng is a familiar and popular dish in the South, especially Saigon. This dish is a harmonious combination of soft fresh vermicelli noodles, fragrant grilled pork, crispy spring rolls, fresh raw vegetables, and savory sweet and sour fish sauce.
The highlight of bún thịt nướng is the pork marinated in rich spices, grilled over charcoal until golden brown and fragrant. When enjoying, you will feel the sweetness of the meat, the crispiness of the spring rolls, the freshness of the raw vegetables, and the sweet and sour taste of the fish sauce, all combined to create a delicious and attractive dish.
If you want to enjoy delicious bún thịt nướng in the central area, visit Bún thịt nướng – Nguyễn Trung Trực (1 Nguyen Trung Truc, District 1). This eatery is located near Ben Thanh Market, very convenient for tourists to visit. The bún thịt nướng here is highly rated for the quality of grilled pork, fish sauce, and raw vegetables. Another well-known address is Bún Thịt Nướng Kiều Bào (139 De Tham, District 1). This restaurant is famous for its rich, special dipping sauce.
Pho
Pho, Vietnam’s national dish, also holds a special place in the hearts of Saigon people. Saigon pho has its own characteristics, different from Hanoi pho. Saigon pho broth is often sweeter and more richly seasoned. The pho noodles are also softer and thinner.
Saigon pho is also diverse in meat types, from rare beef pho, brisket, tendon, flank, to chicken pho, pork offal pho, seafood pho… Each type offers a different flavor experience.
To enjoy authentic Saigon chicken pho, you can visit Phở Miến Gà Kỳ Đồng (14/5 Bis Ky Dong, District 3). This pho restaurant has been around for a long time and is always crowded, especially in the morning. The chicken pho here is famous for its clear sweet broth, delicious chewy free-range chicken, and soft pho noodles. If you are a beef pho lover, try Phở Phượng (25 Hoang Sa, District 1). The beef pho bowl here is highly rated for the quality of beef, rich broth, and soft noodles. The restaurant also has many different types of beef for you to choose from, from rare, brisket, tendon, to flank, and fatty brisket…
Delicious chicken pho at Ky Dong restaurant
Mixed Rice Paper (Bánh Tráng Trộn)
Bánh tráng trộn, the “divine” snack of Saigon youth, is a unique combination of chewy rice paper, sweet and sour green mango, savory dried beef, creamy quail eggs, fragrant Vietnamese coriander, and sweet, sour, spicy, and salty sauce. This dish is not only delicious but also very convenient, easy to take away and enjoy anywhere.
You can easily find bánh tráng trộn everywhere in Saigon, from school gates, sidewalks, parks to markets and entertainment areas. Each bánh tráng trộn vendor has its own secret sauce recipe, creating a unique flavor.
One of the famous bánh tráng trộn places in the central area is Bánh Tráng Tré Trộn Cô Dư (26 Ly Tu Trong, District 1). This stall is located right opposite Vincom Center, very easy to find. The bánh tráng trộn here is highly rated for the quality of ingredients and rich flavor. Another place you can refer to is Bánh Tráng Trộn 24 (34 Nguyen Thuong Hien) on Nguyen Thuong Hien street, a newly emerging food street in Saigon.
Hue Style Beef Noodle Soup (Bún Bò Huế)
Bún bò Huế, a specialty of Central Vietnam, is also very popular in Saigon. Saigon bún bò Huế still retains the characteristic spiciness of chili and fermented shrimp paste, but also has adjustments to suit the taste of Southern people.
A full bowl of bún bò Huế usually includes vermicelli noodles, beef, crab sausage, congealed pig blood, pork knuckle, raw vegetables, and rich, fragrant broth. When enjoying, you will feel the spiciness of chili, the saltiness of fermented shrimp paste, the clear sweetness of the broth, and the chewy deliciousness of the toppings.
If you want to enjoy delicious bún bò Huế that is open 24/7, go to Bún bò Huế Huỳnh Thúc Kháng (62 Huynh Thuc Khang, District 1). This bún bò restaurant is famous for its rich, spicy broth and serves continuously day and night. However, it is often very crowded and quite noisy.
Beef Stew (Bò Kho)
Bò kho, a familiar dish in Vietnamese family meals, is also a popular street food in Saigon. Saigon bò kho is usually cooked in the Southern style, with a sweeter taste than Northern bò kho.
Bò kho is usually served with bread, white rice, or hủ tiếu noodles. A hot, fragrant bowl of bò kho, with tender beef, thick broth, and fresh herbs is a great choice for breakfast or lunch.
Phở Quỳnh (323 Pham Ngu Lao, District 1) is a famous place to enjoy bò kho in Saigon. Although this pho restaurant is named pho, its bò kho dish is loved by many people more. The bò kho here is cooked tender, flavorful, and delicious.
Quang Noodles (Mì Quảng)
Mì Quảng, a specialty of Quang Nam province, is also loved by many Saigon people. Saigon mì Quảng has golden, soft, chewy noodles, rich broth, seasoned to taste. This dish is usually served with chicken, shrimp, quail eggs, roasted peanuts, and grilled rice crackers.
Mì Quảng Ăn Là Ghiền (15A Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, District 1) is a famous mì Quảng restaurant in Saigon. This restaurant is highly rated for the quality of noodles, broth, and toppings. Although the space is small, it is cozy and clean.
Vietnamese Sandwich (Bánh Mì)
Bánh mì, Vietnam’s “national” street food, is indispensable in the list of famous street foods in Saigon. Saigon bánh mì has a crispy crust, soft and airy inside, diverse and rich fillings, from cold cuts, Vietnamese sausage, pate, shumai, to shredded chicken, canned fish, fried eggs…
You can easily find bánh mì everywhere in Saigon, from roadside bánh mì carts, small eateries to famous bánh mì shops. Each place has its own bánh mì and filling recipe, creating diversity and richness for this dish.
Bánh Mì Huỳnh Hoa (26 Le Thi Rieng, District 1) is one of the most famous bánh mì shops in Saigon. The bánh mì here is highly rated for the quality of the crust, generous filling, and delicious flavor. However, it is often very crowded and the price is also higher than other bánh mì shops. Another option is Bánh Mì Chim Chạy (147 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, District 1). This bánh mì shop is loved for its delicious and flavorful grilled pork and grilled chicken bánh mì fillings.
Grilled Pork with Vermicelli (Bún Chả)
Bún chả, a specialty of Hanoi, is also loved by many Saigon people. Saigon bún chả still retains the characteristic flavor of vermicelli noodles, grilled pork patties, minced pork patties, and sweet and sour dipping sauce, but also has adjustments to suit the taste of Southern people.
If you want to enjoy delicious bún chả in the central area, visit Tía Tô Đỏ – Bún Chả (10 Ly Tu Trong, District 1) or Bún Chả Nem Hoàng Đệ. Both of these restaurants are highly rated for the quality of bún chả and crab spring rolls. Another place you can refer to is Quán Nem (15E Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, District 1), this spring roll restaurant also serves bún chả and is loved by many diners. If you are in the Japan Town area, try Bún chả Hà Nội 26 (8A/9C2 Thai Van Lung, District 1), this bún chả restaurant is also highly rated by many people.
Appetizing bun cha with crab spring rolls
Grilled Rice Paper (Bánh Tráng Nướng)
Bánh tráng nướng, a popular street snack among young people, is a unique combination of crispy grilled rice paper, creamy eggs, savory dried shrimp, fragrant scallions, and spicy chili sauce. This dish is usually grilled over charcoal until golden brown and fragrant.
Cô Mập (54 Ngo Duc Ke, District 1) is a famous place to enjoy bánh tráng nướng in Saigon. The bánh tráng nướng here is highly rated for the quality of the rice paper, generous filling, and rich flavor. This stall is located near Nguyen Hue street, very convenient for tourists to visit after walking around the pedestrian street.
Conclusion
Saigon street food is a world of incredible richness and diversity, with countless delicious and attractive dishes. Hopefully, the list of famous street foods that “Du lịch khắp thế gian” has just introduced will give you more interesting suggestions for your Saigon culinary exploration journey. Do not hesitate to experiment and discover new flavors, because Saigon street food always holds surprises and interesting things waiting for you to explore!