Saigon, the Pearl of the Far East, captivates visitors not only with its skyscrapers and bustling markets but also with a treasure trove of diverse and unique street food. Strolling along the bustling streets, you’ll be easily drawn in by countless enticing flavors, from steaming bowls of pho and crispy banh mi to savory seafood dishes. Saigon street food is more than just a meal; it’s a cultural experience, a must-do when visiting this vibrant city. Join “Travel Around the World” as we explore the famous street food delights and the best places to enjoy them in Saigon!
Com Tam (Broken Rice)
Com Tam, a dish that seems simple, tells a story of resilience and the optimistic spirit of Saigon people. From broken rice grains that were once considered waste, Com Tam has risen to become a familiar dish, closely associated with the city’s bustling rhythm. Streetside Com Tam stalls, with the smoky aroma from grilling ribs, are always a favorite spot for locals and tourists alike.
To savor authentic Saigon Com Tam, you don’t need to look for fancy restaurants. Immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere at Com Tam Co Hong (128 Doan Van Bo, District 4), open from evening until late at night, serving fragrant grilled pork chop Com Tam with pickled vegetables and rich fish sauce. Another equally appealing option is Com Tam Bai Rac (73 Le Van Linh, District 4), a restaurant with a unique name but definitely not “trashy” in quality. If you want to experience Com Tam at a higher level, visit Com Tam Nguyen Van Cu (74 Nguyen Van Cu, District 1). Although the price is slightly higher, the quality and flavor here will surely satisfy you, especially the tender and flavorful grilled ribs. Be prepared to wait as the restaurant is quite crowded, especially during peak hours.
Aromatic grilled pork chop broken rice, a familiar Saigon street food
Bun Rieu (Crab Noodle Soup)
Bun Rieu, a dish with a strong countryside flavor, is also an indispensable part of Saigon’s street food scene. The rich and fragrant crab-based broth, combined with fatty crab roe, golden fried tofu, soft pig blood, and fresh herbs, creates an irresistible bowl of Bun Rieu.
If you want to enjoy Bun Rieu in a clean and airy space, head to Bun rieu cua oc Phan Rang (66 Nguyen Thai Binh, District 1). This place is famous for its flavorful broth, quality crab paste, and especially the delicious snails that come with the dish. The Nguyen Thai Binh area is also an interesting destination for you to explore more street food and experience the vibrant life of Saigon.
Oc (Snails/Shellfish)
Saigon is known as a snail paradise, and it’s no exaggeration to say that snails are a signature dish of this city. From humble sidewalk snail stalls to luxurious snail restaurants, you can easily find countless snail dishes prepared in various styles. Grilled snails with scallion oil, stir-fried snails with garlic, salt and chili roasted snails, coconut stir-fried sweet snails… each dish has a unique flavor, but they all share the common ground of being delicious, flavorful, and extremely appealing.
To experience Saigon-style snail eating, go to Vinh Khanh Street (District 4), the most famous “snail street” in the city. Here, you’ll be overwhelmed by hundreds of snail stalls lined up next to each other, offering all kinds of fresh snails and diverse cooking methods. Oc Oanh (534 Vinh Khanh, District 4) is one of the most popular snail stalls in Vinh Khanh, with a diverse menu, reasonable prices, and a bustling, lively atmosphere. Try the rich and creamy butter-garlic snails, the sweet and sour tamarind stir-fried snails, or the spicy Thai-style steamed clams, and you certainly won’t be disappointed.
Vinh Khanh Street, Saigon's snail paradise
Bun Thit Nuong (Grilled Pork Vermicelli)
Bun Thit Nuong is a familiar and popular dish throughout Vietnam, but Saigon’s Bun Thit Nuong has its own unique flavor. The grilled pork is richly marinated, grilled over charcoal until golden brown and fragrant. Soft fresh vermicelli, fresh green vegetables, crispy roasted peanuts, all blended with sweet and sour fish sauce, create a refreshing, delicious, and nutritious dish.
In the heart of bustling Saigon, Bun thit nuong – Nguyen Trung Truc (1 Nguyen Trung Truc, District 1) still quietly exists and conquers diners with its famous grilled pork vermicelli flavor. The restaurant is located near Ben Thanh Market, very convenient for tourists to stop by and enjoy. Another highly-rated address is Bun Thit Nuong Kieu Bao (139 De Tham, District 1), famous for its flavorful grilled pork and special fish sauce.
Pho (Vietnamese Noodle Soup)
Pho, Vietnam’s national dish, is always a topic of endless debate about flavor and cooking style. Hanoi Pho is light, Nam Dinh Pho is rich, and Saigon Pho has its own unique, liberal, and diverse style. In Saigon, you can easily find chicken pho, beef pho, dry pho, pho rolls… each type offers a different flavor and experience.
If you are a fan of chicken pho, go to Pho Mien Ga Ky Dong (14/5 Bis Ky Dong, District 3). This place is like a “chicken pho factory,” always bustling with customers from early morning to late at night. The chicken pho here has a strong Southern flavor, with a sweet broth, delicious chewy free-range chicken, and soft glass noodles. If you love beef pho, Pho Phuong (25 Hoang Sa, District 1) is a great choice. The beef pho here is highly rated for its rich broth, fresh beef, and a variety of beef cuts such as rare, flank, brisket, tendon, and cartilage. The menu is also very tourist-friendly, making it easy for you to choose and enjoy the famous beef pho.
Chicken pho, a familiar breakfast for Saigon people
Banh Trang Tron (Mixed Rice Paper)
Banh Trang Tron, the “divine” snack of Saigon youth, is a harmonious combination of many flavors and ingredients. Chewy rice paper, sweet and sour green mango, flavorful dried beef, fatty quail eggs, fragrant Vietnamese coriander, all mixed with sweet and sour tamarind sauce, spicy satay, and crunchy roasted peanuts. Banh Trang Tron is not just a snack, but also a fascinating and unforgettable street food experience.
To enjoy delicious and convenient Banh Trang Tron, you can visit Banh Trang Tre Tron Co Du (26 Ly Tu Trong, District 1), located right opposite Vincom Dong Khoi, very easy to find. Co Du has been selling Banh Trang Tron here for many years, and the stall is always crowded, especially in the late afternoon and evening. Another popular spot is Banh Trang Tron 24 (34 Nguyen Thuong Hien), located on the newly renovated Nguyen Thuong Hien food street. This street is closed to cars in the evening, creating a comfortable space for you to enjoy Banh Trang Tron and other street snacks.
Bun Bo Hue (Hue Beef Noodle Soup)
Bun Bo Hue, a specialty of Central Vietnam, is also loved and popular in Saigon. The broth of Bun Bo Hue is rich, spicy, and fragrant with lemongrass and fermented shrimp paste, combined with thick vermicelli noodles, beef shank, pork hock, and pig blood, creating a hearty and appealing bowl of Bun Bo Hue.
If you want to enjoy authentic Bun Bo Hue, go to Bun bo Hue Huynh Thuc Khang (62 Huynh Thuc Khang, District 1). The restaurant is famous for its rich broth, tender beef, and especially for being open 24/7. Although the restaurant is always crowded and a bit noisy, the quality of Bun Bo Hue here is undeniable.
Bo Kho (Beef Stew)
Bo Kho, a familiar dish in Vietnamese family meals, is also a popular street food in Saigon. Bo Kho is stewed until tender, flavorful, and served with crispy banh mi or white rice, perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack.
Pho Quynh (323 Pham Ngu Lao, District 1), a famous pho restaurant in the Western Quarter, is even more well-known for its rich and delicious Bo Kho. The Bo Kho here is cooked according to a family recipe, with a thick broth and beef that melts in your mouth.
Mi Quang (Quang Noodles)
Mi Quang, a specialty of Quang Nam province, is also present on Saigon’s street food map. Mi Quang has yellow noodles, a thick, flavorful broth, and is served with chicken, shrimp, quail eggs, roasted peanuts, and fresh herbs.
Mi Quang An La Ghien (15A Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, District 1) is a familiar address for Mi Quang lovers in Saigon. The restaurant is famous for its chicken Mi Quang and rib Mi Quang, with a rich, authentic Central Vietnamese flavor.
Banh Mi (Vietnamese Sandwich)
Banh Mi, a famous Vietnamese street food, is indispensable on the list of must-try dishes in Saigon. Saigon Banh Mi is famous for its crispy crust, soft crumb, and diverse fillings, from cold cuts, Vietnamese sausage, pate, to shumai, shredded chicken, sardines…
Banh Mi Huynh Hoa (26 Le Thi Rieng, District 1), also known as Banh Mi O Moi, is one of the most famous Banh Mi shops in Saigon. The shop is always crowded with customers queuing to buy, especially during peak hours. The Banh Mi here is highly rated for its generous, quality fillings and rich flavor. Another popular option is Banh Mi Chim Chay (147 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, District 1), a newly emerged Banh Mi shop that has quickly won the hearts of diners with its delicious grilled pork filling and enthusiastic service.
Bun Cha (Vermicelli Noodles with Grilled Pork)
Bun Cha, a specialty of Hanoi, is also found in Saigon, although the flavor may be slightly different. Saigon Bun Cha often has more flavorful grilled pork, and the sweet and sour dipping sauce is also adjusted to Southern tastes.
If you crave Bun Cha while in Saigon, visit Bun Cha Nem Hoang De or Tia To Do – Bun Cha (10 Ly Tu Trong, District 1). Tia To Do is tucked away behind Lush Bar, with a quiet, airy space, perfect for enjoying delicious Bun Cha and crab spring rolls. Quan Nem (15E Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, District 1) is also a worthy option, having been featured by CNN in 2012, affirming the quality and flavor of its fried spring rolls and Bun Cha. In addition, the Japan Town area also has Bun cha Ha Noi 26 (8A/9C2 Thai Van Lung, District 1), a Bun Cha restaurant highly rated by many.
Bun Cha, an irresistible delicious dish
Banh Trang Nuong (Grilled Rice Paper)
Banh Trang Nuong, a familiar snack from Da Lat, has also been introduced and loved in Saigon. Saigon Banh Trang Nuong is often varied with many different fillings, such as chicken eggs, sausages, cheese, dried beef, dried shrimp…
Co Map (54 Ngo Duc Ke, District 1) is a famous Banh Trang Nuong address in Saigon. The stall is located on Ngo Duc Ke Street, near Nguyen Hue pedestrian street, very convenient for tourists to stop by and enjoy. The Banh Trang Nuong here is highly rated for its generous fillings, delicious flavor, and reasonable prices.
Saigon street food is a colorful world where you can discover countless unique flavors and experience the distinctive cultural features of the city. Take time to stroll along the streets, explore sidewalk eateries, and savor the famous street food delights, and you will surely have unforgettable culinary memories in Saigon.