Street Food in Ho Chi Minh City: A Flavorful Journey

Ho Chi Minh City ranked 4th in 2024 on the list of the world's 20 best food cities, as announced by Time Out. The city offers a dynamic blend of flavors, aromas, and textures that reflect its rich cultural heritage. Whether you are a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, immersing yourself in the city’s street food scene is an essential experience.

1. Must-Try Street Food Dishes in Ho Chi Minh City

Banh Mi

“Banh mi” is one of the best street food in Ho Chi Minh, known for its crispy baguette-style bread filled with a variety of savory ingredients. This Vietnamese sandwich typically includes pâté, cold cuts, grilled meats, or shredded chicken, combined with fresh herbs, pickled vegetables, cucumber, chili, and special sauces.

• Best place to try:
• Banh mi Huynh Hoa: No. 26 Le Thi Rieng Street, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1
• Banh mi Hoa Ma: No. 53 Cao Thang Street, Ward 3, District 3

The mix of savory, tangy and spicy, makes banh mi a must-try dish for both locals and tourists

For a real treat, you cannot miss the best banh mi Ho Chi Minh City to explore top places which sell this delicious food. This Vietnamese sandwich, with its crispy baguette stuffed with flavorful ingredients, is a must-try.

Pho

This is Vietnam’s most iconic noodle soup, featuring a flavorful broth, flat rice noodles, and tender slices of beef or chicken. The broth is simmered for hours with bones, star anise, cinnamon, ginger, and other aromatic spices, creating a rich and comforting taste.

• Best place to try:
• Pho Le: No. 415 Nguyen Trai Street, Ward 7, District 5
• Pho Phu Vuong: No. 120 Nguyen Thai Binh Street, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1
• For more places, check out Best pho in Ho Chi Minh City.

Pho is typically served with fresh herbs, bean sprouts, lime, chili, and sauces like hoisin or sriracha for added flavor

Com Tam (Broken Rice)

Originally a dish for farmers using broken rice grains, “com tam” has become a street food favorite, especially in Ho Chi Minh City. As one of the must-try dishes when exploring street food Ho Chi Minh, it is often served with grilled pork chops, shredded pork skin, steamed egg cake, and a fried egg. Typically, it’s topped with scallion oil, pickled vegetables, and served with a side of fish sauce.

• Best place to try:
• Com Tam Ba Ghien: No.84 Dang Van Ngu Street, Ward 10, Phu Nhuan District

Com tam has become a beloved dish thanks to its unique texture and flavorful accompaniments

Goi Cuon (Fresh Spring Rolls)

“Goi cuon” is a light, refreshing dish made with rice paper wrapped around shrimp, pork, vermicelli noodles, fresh herbs, and lettuce. Unlike fried spring rolls, gỏi cuốn is served fresh and usually paired with a flavorful dipping sauce like peanut hoisin sauce or fish sauce-based dip.

• Best place to try:
• Goi Cuon Tom Nhay: No. 424 Lac Long Quan Street, Ward 5, District 11
• Goi Cuon Minh Khai: No. 17 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1

Goi cuon offers a refreshing taste and a mix of textures

Bun Thit Nuong

“Bun thit nuong” is a classic Vietnamese dish featuring grilled pork served over vermicelli noodles, fresh herbs, lettuce, pickled vegetables, and crushed peanuts. It's typically drizzled with sweet and tangy fish sauce dressing, giving it a perfect balance of flavors: Savory, smoky, fresh, and slightly sweet.

• Best place to try:
• Bun Thit Nuong Chi Tuyen: No. 175c Co Giang Street, Co Giang Ward, District 1

Bun Thit Nuong is served dry, making it a refreshing yet satisfying meal.

Banh Cuon (Steamed rice rolls)

Steamed rice rolls filled with minced pork and mushrooms, topped with crispy shallots, make for a delicate yet flavorful dish. The rolls are served with fried shallots, fresh herbs, bean sprouts, and a side of sweet and tangy fish sauce dip.

• Best place to try:
• Banh Cuon Hai Nam: No. 11A Cao Thang Street, Ward 2, District 3

Besides banh cuon thit (with meet), you can choose whether banh cuon trung (with egg) or banh cuon chay (vegetarian version)

Hu Tieu

The dish typically includes rice or egg noodles, pork, shrimp, quail eggs, and sometimes seafood. It’s topped with fresh herbs, fried garlic, and crispy shallots, served with lime and chili for extra flavor.

• Best place to try:
• Hu Tieu Nam Vang Thanh Dat: No. 740/2 Su Van Hanh Street, Ward 12, District 10

Hu tieu can be served in two styles: With broth and dry

Oc (Snails & Seafood)

Snails are stir-fried with a variety of sauces and seasonings, creating bold and flavorful dishes. Some of the most famous versions include:

• Oc xao bo toi: Stir-fried snails with butter and garlic, rich and aromatic.
• Oc xao me: Snails stir-fried with tamarind sauce, offering a sweet and tangy taste.
• Oc xao sa ot: Spicy stir-fried snails with lemongrass and chili, a favorite for spice lovers.
• Best place to try:
• Oc Dao: No. 212B/D48 Nguyen Trai Street, Nguyen Cu Trinh Ward, District 1

Oc xao is best enjoyed with a cold beer and fresh herbs, often dipped in a zesty lime-salt-pepper sauce (Source:Internet)

Banh Xeo

This crispy Vietnamese pancake, a staple of street food Ho Chi Minh, is made from a rice flour batter mixed with turmeric and coconut milk. It is pan-fried until golden and filled with shrimp, pork, bean sprouts, and sometimes mushrooms.

• Best place to try:
• Banh Xeo 46A Dinh Cong Trang: No. 46A Dinh Cong Trang Street, Tan Dinh Ward, District 1

Banh xeo is typically served with fresh herbs, lettuce, and rice paper for wrapping, then dipped in sweet and tangy fish sauce

Che

Sweet soups made with coconut milk, beans, jellies, and fruits offer a refreshing end to any meal.

• Best place to try:
• Che Ky Dong: No. 16C Ky Dong Street, Ward 9, District 3

Che comes in many varieties, including: Three-color sweet soup, Pomelo sweet soup, sticky rice balls sweet soup,...

Banh Flan (Vietnamese Caramel Flan)

Vietnamese Flan is made from eggs, milk (often with condensed milk for extra richness), and caramelized sugar, then steamed or baked until smooth and silky. It is commonly served chilled with a layer of caramel sauce and sometimes topped with crushed ice, coffee, or coconut milk for added flavor

• Best place to try:
• Banh Flan Caramen Thuong Tho: No. 10 Co Giang Street, Ward 2, Phu Nhuan District

Flan is a popular street food and café dessert, enjoyed for its creamy texture and light sweetness

Ca Phe Sua Da (Vietnamese Iced Coffee)

This drink is especially popular in Ho Chi Minh City, where locals enjoy it as a refreshing boost in Vietnam’s tropical climate. It's made by brewing robusta coffee using a traditional phin filter, then mixing it with sweetened condensed milk and serving it over ice.

• Best place to try:
• Ca Phe Vot Phan Dinh Phung: No. 330/2 Phan Dinh Phung Street, Ward 1, Phu Nhuan District

A must-try for coffee lovers, with a perfect balance of bitterness and sweetness

2. Best Street Food Spots in Ho Chi Minh City

2.1. Famous Markets & Food Hubs

If you're looking to explore the heart of Saigon's shopping and culinary scene, its bustling markets are the perfect place to start. Let’s dive into these must-visit markets and fully enjoy food street saigon!

• Ben Thanh Market: The most famous market in Saigon, ideal for both shopping and street food. Inside, you’ll find stalls selling fresh produce, souvenirs, and delicious Vietnamese dishes.
• Ben Thanh Night Market: Located just outside the famous Ben Thanh Market, this night market offers a mix of delicious Vietnamese street food, local handicrafts, and souvenirs. It's a must-visit for tourists looking to experience authentic Saigon flavors in a lively atmosphere.
• Cho Lon (Chinatown): The largest Chinatown in Vietnam. It is a vibrant area rich in Chinese-Vietnamese culture, famous for its bustling markets, historic temples, and delicious street food.
• Landmark 81 Ho Chi Minh: Luxury, Leisure & Entertainment: For those seeking a touch of luxury and entertainment, Landmark 81 is the tallest building in Vietnam and a remarkable spot in Ho Chi Minh City. Located in Binh Thanh District, this iconic skyscraper features not only high-end shopping and fine dining but also a stunning observation deck with panoramic views of the city.

Markets are the place you can shopping and trying sampling local street food

2.2. Popular Streets for Food Lovers

For food lovers, Saigon’s streets are a paradise waiting to be explored. Whether you're craving fresh seafood, trendy drinks, or sizzling BBQ, the city's bustling food streets offer something for every palate.

• Vinh Khanh Street (Seafood Street, District 4): This is a must-visit for seafood lovers, packed with lively seafood restaurants and street stalls offering fresh, flavorful dishes at affordable prices.
• Nguyen Hue Walking Street (Distric 1): A famous pedestrian boulevard, known for its vibrant atmosphere, modern skyline views, cultural events, street snacks and trendy drinks.
• Pham Van Dong Street (Binh Thanh District): The street is packed with seafood restaurants, BBQ spots, and street food stalls.

The plenty of dishes can be found in street foods

3. Tips for Enjoying Street Food Safely

Enjoying street food Ho Chi Minh is one of the best ways to experience local flavors, but food safety is essential. Here are some tips:

• Look for busy stalls: A high turnover of customers usually means fresher ingredients and better food quality.
• Observe cleanliness: Observe if the vendor maintains hygiene - clean hands, gloves, and separate utensils for raw and cooked food..
• Drink bottled water: Avoid tap water and choose sealed drinks. Be cautious with ice unless you're sure it's made from purified water.
• Learn basic Vietnamese phrases: Simple expressions like “bao nhieu tien?” (How much?) can make your experience smoother and more enjoyable.

Stay safe eating street food is very important

4. How to Get Around and Explore

Here’s how to navigate and make the most of your street food adventure:

• Walking: The best way to immerse yourself in the city’s food scene, lets you discover hidden street food gems at your own pace.
• Renting a motorbike: Ideal for exploring off-the-beaten-path locations.
• Using Grab: A convenient way to travel between different food hotspots.
• Joining a street food tour: We recommend guided food tours for a deeper regional flavors and cultural experience.

Trying street food in Ho Chi Minh is an unforgettable experience that brings together tradition, flavor, and culture. Let us help you embark on this culinary journey, where every bite tells a story of the city's rich heritage.

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