Saigon Street Food – All you need to know…

A brief introduction to Saigon Street food

Saigon is a food lover’s paradise. The city is known for its vibrant street food scene, offering a diverse range of dishes that are sure to satisfy any palate. From traditional Vietnamese favourites to fusion creations, the street food in Saigon is a must-try for any traveller visiting the city.

The history of the food in Saigon is long and rich. Vietnamese cuisine has been evolving since the 11th century when the country was under Chinese rule.

Saigon street food is a world-renowned part of the city’s history and culture. The dishes, which are based on French cuisine, have been influenced by Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese flavours over the years.

In this blog post, we will be highlighting some of the best-hidden street food gems that Saigon has to offer.

Below is our curated list of favourite Vietnamese dishes and some places you should visit.

Remember: Learn more about the local scene here in Saigon; we partner with some of the best local independents around town. Find out more.

A true classic, the Banh Mi

If you’ve ever been to Saigon, you know that Banh Mi is a staple. It’s the perfect combination of fresh ingredients and savoury flavours, and it’s like nothing you’ve ever tried before.

Banh Mi is a Vietnamese sandwich with a crusty baguette filled with meat, pickled vegetables, cilantro and other garnishes. The banh mi Hanoi version is different from its Saigon counterpart in one fundamental way: Instead of using pork belly or beef meatballs as the primary protein component, they use chicken thighs instead.

The history of banh mi is long and storied—it first appeared at the beginning of the 20th century as a simple street food made from French bread stuffed with various meats and vegetables. As time went on, it became more widespread throughout Vietnam until it became one of the most popular sandwiches in all of Southeast Asia.

Our favourite Banh Mi Spots across Saigon

Banh Mi 37 Nguyen Trai: This traditional Banh Mi shop has been serving delicious sandwiches for over 40 years and is considered one of the best in the city.

Location: Click here

Banh Mi Huynh Hoa: This famous spot is known for its crispy baguette, flavorful fillings, and generous portions. We loved the pork belly banh mi here.

Location: Click here

Banh Mi Hoa Ma: Serving up tasty sandwiches for over 20 years and is a favourite among locals and tourists alike. We tried the chicken and loved it!

Location: Click here

Banh Mi Queen: This small Banh Mi shop is run by a woman famous for great service and very fresh and flavoursome sandwiches.  

Location: Click here

Banh Mi Hong Hoa: This Banh Mi shop is known for its creative fillings and its use of high-quality ingredients. Be careful of the chillis, though!

Location: Click here

Bún chả

Bun cha is a Vietnamese dish that consists of grilled pork belly, noodles, and a light broth made with fish sauce. It’s served with fresh herbs and vegetables like cilantro, mint, and basil.

Bun cha originated in Hanoi, but Saigon offers a good range of restaurants offering this dish. It’s often served at the beginning of a large meal, so it’s like an appetizer or starter. The name “bun cha” comes from the French word for pork belly: “rond de porc.” Pork belly is typically marinated overnight before being grilled until it’s crispy on the outside but still tender on the inside.

Some of the most delicious Bún Chả that can’t be missed:

Bún Chả 145: A Small and cosy restaurant just off Bui Vien, a must-try if you’re around this area.

Location: 145 Đ. Bùi Viện, Phường Phạm Ngũ Lão, Quận 1 – Click here

Bún chả Hà Nội – Bún chả Hồ Gươm: This traditional bun cha restaurant has been serving up delicious noodle bowls for over 50 years and is a favourite among locals.

Location: Click here

Hải Hội Quán: Situated on Xuan Thuy, the restaurant is known for its quick and efficient service, and its reasonable prices make it a popular spot for both locals and residents of Thao dien alike.

Location: 51 Xuân Thủy, Thảo Điền, Quận 2 – Click here:

A Vietnamese staple, Phở

Phở is another popular street food item in Saigon. This traditional Vietnamese noodle soup is made with rice noodles, meat, and a flavorful broth. One of the best places to try Phở in Saigon is at Phở Le. This small shop is located on a busy street in the city and is known for its delicious pho. The pho here is made with a rich, flavorful broth and is served with various types of meat, including beef and chicken. More recently, the latest addition to Thao Dien, Phở Hàng Đậu.

Some Phở spots that are worth visiting:

Phở Le – 11 Đ. Số 44, Thảo Điền, Quận 2, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh

Location: Click here

Phở Hàng Đậu – A new favourite of ours which has just opened, nestled amongst the heart of Thao Dien. Rich Northern flavours with a delicious broth. The menu boasts various beef cuts, from rare sliced beef, brisket and a side dish of Quẩy (fried bread stick). 

Location: 11 Đ. Số 44, Thảo Điền, Quận 2, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh – Click here

A Southern Special – Cơm tấm

Another must-try street food item in Saigon is Cơm tấm. The dish is typically made with rice that is broken during the milling process, resulting in small, uniform rice grains with a slightly chewy texture. It is usually served with grilled pork, shredded pork skin, steamed egg meatloaf, and pickled vegetables. Other popular toppings may include fried eggs, Chinese sausage, and grilled shrimp.

Best Cơm tấm spots:

Cơm tấm An Dương Vương: This restaurant is famous for its juicy and tender grilled pork chop, which is one of the most popular cơm tấm toppings in Vietnam.

Location: 502 Đ. An D. Vương, Phường 4, Quận 5 – Click here

Cơm Tấm Ba Ghẹ: This is one of the oldest and most famous cơm tấm restaurants in Saigon, known for its flavorful broken rice dishes and friendly service. 

Location: 84 Đặng Văn Ngữ, Phú Nhuận – Click here

Cơm Tấm Minh Ký: This is another well-known cơm tấm restaurant in Saigon, serving a range of toppings such as grilled pork, fried egg, and Chinese-style sausage. 

Location: 274 Bùi Viện, District 1 – Click here

Bún Bò Huế

Bún Bò Huế is a spicy beef noodle soup that’s very popular in Vietnam. It’s made with a rich, beefy broth, beef tendons and meatballs, and a variety of vegetables.

It’s traditionally served with fresh herbs like mint, cilantro and basil, chilli peppers, and lime wedges for seasoning. You can also add sliced banana blossoms or lemongrass stalks to the bowl if you want to add more depth of flavour.

Bún Bò Huế has its origins in Hue and is very much available in Saigon. It was first served by street vendors who would make their own versions at home before selling them on the streets. Nowadays, many different versions of this dish are available across Vietnam—from simple bowls to those topped with everything from crispy pork belly to braised duck eggs!

Some of our favourite Bún bò Huế:

Bún bò Huế Yến Hương Giang: Here, they serve the noodles, which are thin and delicate, but they hold together well enough to be eaten as you dive in with your chopsticks. The meat is tender and flavorful, and the veggies add texture and crunch to this classic dish.

Location: 325 Võ Văn Tần, Phường 5, Quận 3 – Click here

Bún bò Huế 209 219 Đề Thám: A 24/7: A hole in the wall where the broth is incredibly flavourful and has a nice balance of herbs and spices to create a rich flavour without overpowering your palate. Excellent if you’re out and about in the late hours.

Location: 219 Đ. Đề Thám, Phường Phạm Ngũ Lão, Quận 1- Click here

Other Street Food

In addition to traditional Vietnamese street food, Saigon also offers a wide range of fusion street food. One of the most popular fusion street foods in Saigon is banh xeo. This dish is a fusion of Vietnamese and French cuisine and is made with a crispy crepe filled with meat and vegetables. One of the best places to try banh xeo in Saigon is at Banh Xeo 46A. This small shop is located on a busy street in the city and is known for its delicious banh xeo. The banh xeo here is made with a crispy crepe and filled with a variety of meats and vegetables. However, more recently, there are claims this place is now closed – please let us know if you’ve been there recently.

Some of our favourite Bánh Xèo:

Banh Xeo An La Ghien – 74 Suong Nguyet Anh, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1

Google Maps – Click here

Banh Xeo Muoi Xiem – 204 Nguyen Trai, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1:

Google Maps – Click here

Bánh Xèo Bánh Khọt Phương Nga – 32 Đặng Dung, Tân Định, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh

Google Maps – Click here

Vegetarian options

Vietnamese vegetarian cuisine places emphasis on fresh ingredients and bold flavours, utilising a wide range of herbs, spices, and sauces to create delicious dishes.

Popular Vietnamese Vegetarian dishes include:

• Chay: a vegetarian version of traditional Vietnamese dishes, such as pho, bun, and spring rolls.
• Banh xeo: This can also be a vegetarian option at the right restaurants, a crispy savoury pancake filled with vegetables.
• Goi cuon: fresh summer rolls with rice noodles, vegetables, and sometimes tofu.
• Com tam: broken rice dishes served with vegetables and tofu.
• Pho chay: vegetarian pho noodle soup with tofu and mushrooms.

Feeling tired? Well, we have the recipe for you

Lastly, no street food tour in Saigon is complete without trying the famous Vietnamese coffee. One of the best places to try Vietnamese coffee in Saigon is at Cafe Apartment. This small shop is located on a quiet street in the city and is known for its delicious coffee. The coffee here is made with a traditional Vietnamese coffee filter and is served with sweetened condensed milk.

In conclusion, Saigon is a food lover’s paradise, offering diverse street food that will satisfy any palate. From traditional Vietnamese favourites to fusion creations, the street food in Saigon is a must-try for any traveller visiting the city.

It’s important to note that while these are some of the best-hidden street food gems in Saigon, there are many other delicious street food options to try throughout the city. Therefore, exploring different neighbourhoods and trying various street food vendors to get an authentic taste of Saigon’s street food scene is a good idea. Additionally, it’s always a good idea to be cautious when eating street food and to ensure the food is cooked properly and served in a clean environment.
If you’re a food lover visiting Saigon, be sure to explore the city’s vibrant street food scene and try some of the delicious hidden gems the city offers. From traditional Vietnamese favourites to fusion creations, the street food in Saigon is sure to leave a lasting impression on your taste buds. Happy eating!