11 Amazing Local Food of Ho Chi Minh City
During my whole trip through Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City, I decided to stray away from my comfort zone to try out different sort of Vietnamese Food, so here are my favorite authentic local dishes that took my breath away!
*(approx pricing included)
*(approx pricing included)
Pho Ga (45.000VND)
I start my adventure with the well known “Pho”.
Seated at one of the heartwarming family restaurants in district 7, I had my first soupy Pho Ga. “Ga” which meant chicken, “Pho Ga” is loosely translated to be Chicken Noodles.
Love this soupy cuisine and it goes really well with Ban Cuon that'll come right up next!
Details:
Name: Hà Nội Quán Phú Mỹ Hưng
Address: 6 đường số 6 khu Hưng Vượng 2 Phú Mỹ Hưng, phường Tân Phong, Quận 7, Hồ Chí Minh, 700000, Vietnam
Opening Hours: 6AM - 9.30AM
Banh Cuon (40.000VND)
Known as the “Chee Cheong Fun” of Vietnam, this tasty appetiser usually comes with a slice of 2 of Cha la as well, which is basically Vietnamese version of SPAM (luncheon meat).
Served together with their fish sauce, I like how thin the wrapping is and how flavourful the filling is.
Though the thin filling might mean that the meat crumbs might fall during consumption, so you should be extra careful while eating.
Details:
Name: Hà Nội Quán Phú Mỹ Hưng
Address: 6 đường số 6 khu Hưng Vượng 2 Phú Mỹ Hưng, phường Tân Phong, Quận 7, Hồ Chí Minh, 700000, Vietnam
Opening Hours: 6AM - 9.30AM
Banh Mi Op La (50.000VND)
I was bought to this amazing Ban mi area in Ho Chi Minh on my first day out.
Despite a little commercialized due to the media’s attention, I still love how they kept their establishment humble by the streets. I love how the Banh Mi goes really well with Op La, a very "westernized" style of breakfast which comes with runny eggs and meat. And the runny eggs actually reminds me of the "Kopitiam (Coffee Shop)" Eggs in Singapore.
Mini tables and stools, it’s an amazing place to people watch while the candid white noise from the school blared on.
Details
Name: Banh Mi Hoa Ma
Address: 53 Cao Thắng, Phường 3, Quận 3, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Opening Hours: 6AM - 11AM
*Please go early as they may be sold out quick :D
Buncha (55.000VND)
I wasn’t a very adventurous eater, but I decided to take a leap to try out Buncha 145 when we're just around the area 10 minutes before opening time.
Buncha is white noodles served alongside with some vegetables and a bowl of sauce and meal. So you’re supposed to dip the noodles inside and eat it together with the meat/vegetables.
The vibrant flavors colored the white noodles as if the noodles are the perfect canvas for the sauce.
Buncha is white noodles served alongside with some vegetables and a bowl of sauce and meal. So you’re supposed to dip the noodles inside and eat it together with the meat/vegetables.
The vibrant flavors colored the white noodles as if the noodles are the perfect canvas for the sauce.
And the tender meat taste hits you as you chew them.
Details:
Name: Bún Chả 145
Address: 145 Bùi Viện, Phường Phạm Ngũ Lão, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Opening Hours: 12:30PM - 8PM
*Please go early if you want to avoid long queues
*Please go early if you want to avoid long queues
Com Tam (40.000VND)
Also known as broken rice, Com Tam came along way from the war times as they carry a rich history of being the staple food that fed people through poverty.
Since it's famous now, the rice grains are actually broken deliberately to be prepared and served. The grilled chicken that came alongside with it was probably one of the best chicken meat that I'd tasted throughout the whole trip.
The photo definitely didn't do this justice but this would be my must go if I'm ever staying at district 7 again.
Details
*Alongside District 7, across Lotte Mart.
Hu Tieu/Pork Noodles (50.000VND)
We started our day differently with this amazing flavourful soupy Hu Tieu.
The meat is amazing, which comes in thin slices for easy chewing, the noodles are handmade and amazing and the broth is one of a kind. The taste is probably what makes it so famous right now and I'm glad I get to try out this unique Hu Tieu. Though the staff isn't too friendly (probably due to commercialization)
Details
Name: Quán Mì Cật
Address: 62 Trương Định, Phường Phạm Ngũ Lão, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Opening Hours:6:45PM - 9PM
Opening Hours:6:45PM - 9PM
Chao Ga (40.000VND)
This is a totally amazing soothing breakfast for those who wanted to start their day right.
Directly translated to Porridge Chicken, tucked at Chao An Dong, this gem is one of my favorite breakfast to go as I love the smooth texture of the porridge that runs right down your throat.
The richness in flavors comes from the numerous ingredients from spring onions, ginger, and their deliciously sliced chicken.
Details
Red Signage "BUN" Store in An Dong Market
Red Signage "BUN" Store in An Dong Market
Pho Tai Vien (40.000VND)
I had this soupy Pho Tai Vien during one of the afternoons, this soapy perk me up is what you need if you're feeling tired and in need of something that doesn't taste too bland or light.
The handmade noodles are amazing and they come with a basket of vegetables where you could dip it into the hot soup to go with!
It's also a great place to escape to after a heaty afternoon walking around the streets of Cholon (Chinatown)
Details
Name: Pho Le
Name: Pho Le
Address: 415 Nguyễn Trãi, Phường 7, Quận 5, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Opening Hours: 6AM - 1AM
Banh Beo Hue (20.000VND)
Standing right after the entrance of Ben Tanh Market, this would be the ultimate hidden gem and challenge for me as it doesn’t look appetizing at all to me.
I decided to dive in into it anyway, and this changed my life, totally. It can get a little spicy, the sauce tastes like something I had never tried and it goes really well with the meat.This certainly can't be missed!
Please try out their sugar cane too if you're ever there.
Please try out their sugar cane too if you're ever there.
Details
2G Hub’s Banh Mi (35.000VND)
2G Hub is revered as the Vietnamese fast food, so I figured I ought to give it a try.
I decided to go for the Tuna Mayo Ban Minh for a change, and it actually tastes a little like subway, but with crispier bread. It's still an interesting fast food concept overall. The watermelon juice goes really well with the weather, giving your throat a nice refuge from the heat.
Name: 2G Hub Nguyen Du
Name: 2G Hub Nguyen Du
Address: 159 Nguyen Du | Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam
Opening Hours: 6AM - 9AM
Bun Mang Vit/Duck Noodles (45.000VND)
We end the trip with my last meal with the boys at district 7 before my morning flight. I decided to try out another type of noodles with Duck Meat instead.
The duck noodles are really good, I love the tenderness of the meat, served together with noodles and soup. They are really generous with the portion of meat and ingredients too.
If I'm not wrong this is known as Bun Mang Vit, but please let me know if there's any mistake!
If I'm not wrong this is known as Bun Mang Vit, but please let me know if there's any mistake!
Details:
Name: Hà Nội Quán Phú Mỹ Hưng
Address: 6 đường số 6 khu Hưng Vượng 2 Phú Mỹ Hưng, phường Tân Phong, Quận 7, Hồ Chí Minh, 700000, Vietnam
Opening Hours: 6AM - 9.30AM
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All in all, as a person who eats to live, I’m surprised at the range of the taste spectrum of Vietnamese Cuisine. Because, I always thought I’m a picky eater and only Western, Chinese and Japanese lies within my comfort zone, and after deciding to be a little adventurous, this trip certainly changed the way I look at food, especially Vietnamese food.
And I'll be looking forward to trying out, writing and experiencing different food and culture when I travel. Even if it's out of my comfort zone!
It doesn't hurt to try... right?
So what's your favorite local food from Saigon?
It doesn't hurt to try... right?
So what's your favorite local food from Saigon?
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1 comment
Wow! Thank you for writing this article, I went to Vietnam last year and now you make me miss Vietnam food!