Xoi Ga Number One – Saigon’s Top Spot for Chicken Sticky Rice

Food & Beverage
District 1
Mrs. Thinh serving sticky rice at Xoi Ga Number One in Saigon

Updated · original article published 1 April 2025

Xoi Ga Number One – Saigon’s Must-Try Sticky Rice Spot

Xoi ga is one of Vietnam’s most beloved breakfast dishes, and few spots do it better than Xoi Ga Number One in District 1. For a quick, comforting, and flavour-packed start to the day, this humble shop has built a loyal following around one dish done right.

Tucked next to the bustling Ben Thanh Market, Xoi Ga Number One is a favourite among locals and tourists. With nearly 70 years of history and a recent Michelin Guide nod, this is more than just a typical street food vendor.


What Is Xoi Ga?

Simply put, xoi ga is sticky rice topped with shredded chicken, pâté, crispy shallots, and more. At Xoi Ga Number One, this street food classic gets a major upgrade. You’ll enjoy soft, fragrant rice layered with house-made pâté, golden shallots, hard-boiled quail eggs, and a splash of soy sauce. Each bite brings the perfect mix of savoury, crunchy, and creamy textures.

And it’s not just xoi ga on the menu. You’ll also find xoi bap (corn sticky rice), xoi ga trung non (sticky rice with chicken and young egg), and even xoi pha lau (sticky rice with offal). Prices range from just 20,000–40,000 VND, making it one of the best-value meals in District 1.


Why Locals Love Xoi Ga Number One

Though this dish can be found all over Saigon, this place stands out for its consistency. The rice is always fresh and perfectly cooked, not too mushy or dry. The chicken is shredded and seasoned just right, while the crispy shallots add a satisfying crunch.

Owner Nguyen Hieu Trung shares that customers have been coming since the days of his grandmother’s street cart. Some regulars have eaten here before they had kids and now bring their families along. It’s this consistency and warmth that keep people coming back.


A Family Story That Spans Generations

The story of Xoi Ga Number One began as a humble street cart in the 1950s, run by Mr. Trung’s grandmother, Do Thi Tinh, who sold xoi bap on the streets of Nguyen An Ninh. Over time, her daughter took over, and eventually, her grandson, Nguyen Hieu Trung, introduced the now-famous sticky rice dish to the menu, turning a simple cart into one of Saigon’s most iconic breakfast spots.

Today, Trung and his wife run the shop with help from other family members. Though the location has changed and the menu has expanded, the family’s commitment to tradition, quality, and fair pricing has never wavered. As Trung says: “We feed our customers, and they feed us.”


Street Food With Michelin Recognition

In 2024, Xoi Ga Number One was recognised by the Michelin Guide with a Bib Gourmand, celebrating its delicious, well-priced offerings. It’s one of only a handful of local spots in Ho Chi Minh City to earn the honour.

Despite the fame, Trung has no plans to upscale the shop or raise prices drastically. “Whether you’re a tourist or a local worker, everyone should be able to afford a good meal,” he says.


Final Thoughts

With just 100,000 VND, you can easily enjoy three to four dishes here—enough for two to three people. And if you’re wandering around District 1 and craving authentic street food, you won’t find better value or flavour than at Xoi Ga Number One.

📍 Address: 15 Nguyen Trung Truc, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
🕒 Opening Hours: 6:30 AM – 8:30 PM
💸 Price Range: VND 20,000–40,000
📌 What3Words: ///decompose.excusing.cubic

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