Saigon Street Food: 20+ Must-Try Dishes | Expatolife

What to eat and where to find delicious Saigon street food dishes?

I received that question many times when my friends visited this city. It can be challenging to pick one, as many choices are available.

As a Saigonese, I loved going out and trying different dishes at food vendors. 

In this article, I’d like to share 20+ must-eat street food dishes in Saigon and my favorite places to try them.  

 

1. Seafood

Saigon is famous for its seafood. 

Seafood in Saigon is usually transferred from nearby provinces on the same day, so it stills maintains freshness and nutritiousness. 

Sitting on the street, eating seafood while chatting with friends, is a seafood culture in Saigon.

Where to eat seafood in Saigon?

You can find seafood vendors on many corners, but I recommend trying oysters and different dishes at Oc Nho in Tan Phu District or the seafood street in District 4.

Address

• Oc Nho: 136 Trịnh Đình Trọng, Quận Tân Phú
• Oc Oanh (seafood street): 383 Vĩnh Khánh, Phường 8, Quận 4

2. Com Tam

If Pho is the signature dish of Hanoi, Com tam is the soul of Saigon. 

Com Tam, known as broken rice, started as a dish for the poor class.

However, it gradually became a typical dish in society, and now it’s a popular choice of Saigonese.

A combination of rice and grilled ribs with a fish sauce, along with vegetables, will make you fall in love with the cuisine. 

When eating broken rice, you have to add fish sauce even though the meat is savory, but the dish will lack the appeal without this sauce.

Where to eat Com Tam in Saigon?

Com Tam is easily found in every alley, ranging from cheap to expensive. My favorite one is Com Tam Cha Cua on 36 Binh Thoi Street, District 11. 

Price: 25,000 – 55,000 VND per dish.

3. Banh Xeo

The sizzling cake is a harmonious combination of crispy crust, raw vegetables, and spicy sauce.

Where to eat Banh Xeo in Saigon?

I love trying Banh Xeo at 335/11 Điện Biên Phủ street, District 3.

Banh xeo here is Southern-style, so they’re big, crunchy, and thin. Each has shrimp, bean sprouts, green been, enoki mushrooms, and eggs.

Price: 45,000 ~ 50,000 VND

4. Banh Khot

Banh Khot is like a mini version of Banh xeo. It usually has green beans, pork meat, and shrimp.

Like Banh Xeo, it’s usually served with fresh vegetables and fish sauce. 

Usually, the Banh Xeo store also serves Banh khot, so you can try both at the same time.

5. Bo La Lot

Bo la lot is a combination of carefully marinated beef and laksa leaves. Each roll brings you a refreshing and stimulating taste.

The best way to enjoy Bo la lot is to put beef rolls in rice paper, vegetables, and rice noodles. Wrap it well and dip it in the fish sauce. 

Where to eat Bo la lot in Saigon?

Although Bo la lot Co Lieng is more expensive than other stores, it’s famous for its quality and deliciousness.

Address: 321 Võ Văn Tần, Quận 3

Opening hours: 8:30 am – 9:30 pm

Price: 50,000 – 70,000 VN

6. Bo Kho

Bread with stew beef is a familiar street food dish in Saigon.

The unique thing is the broth, which is thick and dark. Beef used in this dish must have both lean and ribbed fat and is cut into cubes rather than sliced.

A full beef meal must include vegetables and a cup of chili salt mixed with lemon.

Where to eat Bo Kho in Saigon

I loved trying Bo Kho at Bo Kho Ganh in District 10. The restaurant opened in 1975, and it also serves delicious coconut ice cream as a dessert.

Address: 29 Ngo Gia Tu apartment, Su Van Hanh street, District 10 

Price: 35,000 VND per dish

7. Bun Bo Hue

Bun bo Hue, or the common name is “Bun bo,” which is one of the specialties of Hue, but nowadays, you can easily find this dish in any province in Vietnam.

The main ingredients to make the broth are meat, bones, and fish sauce.

In addition to the noodles, a bowl of Hue beef noodles is full of nutrients, including beef, pork, crab, shrimp, and accompanying vegetables.

You can eat it with chili powder, fish sauce, and thinly sliced banana.

The dish has a unique flavor. You’ll love it after one try!

Where to eat Bun Bo Hue

We tried Bun Bo Hue at Han Thi at 59 An Binh street, District 5, and loved it. The broth was delicious, and the price was affordable. 

Price: 37,000 VND

8. Banh Canh Cua

Crab noodle soup is a delicious and easy-to-eat Saigon dish.

When you have Saigon dinner with crab soup, you will experience the rich flavor with delicious chewy noodles that make you unable to resist the attraction of this delightful Saigon dish.

The combination of pork broth,  shrimp, or crab creates delicious, nutritious, cheap dishes.

Where to eat Banh Canh Cua?

You can find some delicious eateries of crab soup in Saigon, such as Thu Hong crab soup, crab soup 14, or Crab soup at 320 Vo Van Tan street.

Price: 35,000 VND per dish

9. Bot Chien 

Bot Chien, or fried rice cake, is a familiar dish of Saigon people.

The dish is made with rice flour, with dough cut into long rectangles and fried with onions and eggs.

You can eat together with papaya salad, soy sauce, and a bit of chili.

Where to eat Bot Chien in Saigon?

We loved our Bot Chien at Đạt Thành on Vo Van Tan street, District 3.

The restaurant was a bit small but crowded and easy to find. The staff was friendly, and we got our food quickly.

Price: 32,000 VND

10. Bun Rieu

Bun Rieu is a popular Vietnamese dish.

The soup’s main ingredient is crab, made from minced crab bricks mixed with eggs. Others are tofu, tomatoes.

The dish is made from shrimp sauce, which helps enhance the broth’s rich taste. 

Where to eat Bun Rieu?

Bun Rieu Ganh at Benh Thanh market offers delicious soup at a reasonable price. You can find it at 4 Phan Boi Chau street, District 1. 

Price: 38,000 VND 

11. Banh mi

If you are looking for a quick bite, Banh mi is a great option. It’s a unique combination between Asian flavors (coriander, pickles, chili, fish sauce) and the French baguette.

The taste of the ingredients in a loaf of Banh Mi blends like a symphony.

Where to try Banh Mi in Saigon

There are several places to try Banh Mi in this city. Huynh Hoa is the most famous Banh mi store in Ho Chi Minh city.

• Address: 26 Le Thi Rieng, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1.
• Opening hours: The shop opens from 3 pm to 10 pm.

Another place that I love is Bánh mì Tám Ba. You can find it at 253 Nguyễn Thiện Thuật, District 5. 

12. Grilled banana cake

Saigon street food is diverse and rich with a variety of cakes.

Another must-try on this list is sticky banana cake, a sweet but rustic snack that clings to customers’ taste buds.

Each banana is covered by sticky rice, baked on the spot with a delicate aroma thanks to the banana leaf wrap.

The sticky banana cake is usually served with roasted peanuts and thick coconut water that spreads in each taste.

Where to eat sticky banana cake in Saigon

Chuối nếp nướng Nam Bộ – Út Lúa is a great place to try this dish. 

Address: 115 Phan Đăng Lưu, Phú Nhuận District

Price: 15,000 ~ 20,000 VND

13. Stir-fried noodles

Mi Tron Ten Lua offers great stir-fried noodles with different toppings.

If you try it for the first time, you can look at the following three dishes: garlic chicken noodles, crispy bacon noodles, and specially mixed noodles.

I usually order the special mixed one with different toppings: chicken, char siu, beef balls, crispy bacon, and fried onion.

The mixture is delicious, and the price is only 50,000 VND. 

Address: 22 Nguyễn Văn Cừ street, district 5.

14. Pho 

Pho is a must-eat when visiting Vietnam.

People still argue where it has the best Pho, Hanoi, or Saigon, but I think each region has its own taste.

Where to eat Pho

Among the famous Pho shops in Saigon, Pho Le and Pho Hoa Pasteur are outstanding. 

Address

• Pho Le: 415 Nguyen Trai, District 5 
• Pho Hoa: 260C Pasteur, District 3

Price: 70,000 VND – 80,000 VND per dish

15. Hu Tieu

Saigon is like the capital of Hu Tieu as you can find it everywhere, on many street corners.

Although not originating in Vietnam, this dish is still well received and familiar.

Walking along the roads in Saigon, you can come across many street vendors with aromatic smells from noodle soup.

Where to eat Hu Tieu?

I enjoy the noodle soup from Hủ Tiếu Thành Đạt. You can find it at 34 Cô Bắc, District 1.

16. Sup Cua

Crab soup is a popular street food dish in Ho Chi Minh city.

From morning to midnight, you can eat this dish at any time because the soup is easy to digest and rich in nutrients. 

Where to eat crab soup in Saigon

Hanh’s Hanh’s 517 Su Van Hanh, District 10. The shop is open from 6 am until 11 pm.

A cup of crab soup full of crab sauce is about 20,000 VND.

17. Com ga xoi mo (Fried chicken with rice)

In addition to broken rice, Saigon also has delicious fried chicken rice.

The rice is fried but still soft and not dry, and delicious fried chicken rice is served with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber. 

Price: 25,000 – 35,000 VND per dish

18. Bo Ne

Bo Ne, or Sizzling Beef Steak, is one of the most popular street food among Vietnamese people.

The beef is cooked on a cast iron pan with potatoes, pâté, omelet, salad, and served with bread.

Where to eat Bo Ne?

Ba Ngon is a familiar name in Saigon because the steak is affordable but still ensures quality.

Price: 25,000 ~ 30,000 VND

19. Xoi (Sticky rice)

Sticky rice is a familiar breakfast dish in Vietnam. Only from 12,000 to 25,000 VND,  you’ll have a full breakfast.

Where to eat Xoi in Saigon

In the morning, you can visit some locations: Xôi Lá Chuối or Xôi chè Bùi Thị Xuân.

Address:

• Xoi la chuoi: 83A, 3 Tháng 2 street, District 11
• Xoi che Bui Thi Xuan: 111 Bùi Thị Xuân, District 1

Price: 15,000 VND – 30,000 VND per dish

20. Banh Cuon

The soft, richly flavored rolling rice-flour cake is a favorite dish of many Vietnamese.

Banh Cuon is made from delicious, finely ground rice mixed with water.

After the cake has been cooked by steam, it will be rolled with meat and wood-ear mushroom. It’s seIt’s with fish sauce and fried onion.

Where to eat Banh cuon in Saigon?

Hai Nam is one of the oldest rice roll shops in Ho Chi Minh City.

The rolls have thin layers of fine dough wrapped over two types of filling: cassava roots with pork or shrimp with pork.

Address: 11A Cao Thắng, District 3

Price: 40,000 VND. Nem, spring rolls, or shrimp cake is priced separately.

21. Sui Cao

Chinese cuisine strongly influences Vietnamese street food, and Sui Cao, or wonton, is a popular dish to try.

The dumplings are made of minced pork, finely finned fish, and shrimp-wrapped dumpling paper.

You can try wonton soup or fried wonton. The deliciousness of the sweet broth is made from bone, squid, and seafood.

Where to eat Wonton or Sui Cao in Saigon?

Whenever it comes to dumplings, the locals will think about Ha Ton Quyen street in District 11.

Although the road is small and short, about 50m, you can find nearly a dozen dumplings shops.

It is always bustling with people coming and leaving till the end of midnight. The more prominent shops in this area are the dumpling shop Thien Thien and Ngoc Y.

• Thien Thien: 193 – 195 Ha Ton Quyen, District 11
• Ngoc Y: 187 Ha Ton Quyen, District 11

Price: 50,000 – 60,000 VND per dish

22. Ha Cao & Dimsum

Ha Cao is a Chinese dish that has become a favorite breakfast in Saigon because of its quickness and compactness.

This dish is suitable for you who often do not have much time for breakfast. 

Dimsum is made with a soft, warm, thin powder coat. Inside, you can find meat, seafood, and vegetables. You can eat it with dipping sauces and chili sauce.

Where to eat Dimsum in Saigon

If you want to eat delicious Dimsum properly, you should stop by District 5, where many Chinese people live.

23. Fruit bowl

Visiting Vietnam without trying tropical fruit is a huge miss. 

Where to find fruit bowl in Saigon

District 10 is considered the capital for this dish, especially on To Hien Thanh street, because this road has different vendors for fruit buckets.

Trái Cây Tô BuBu at 247 Tô Hiến Thành, District 10 is my favorite!

The fruit is served in a large bow, and underneath has shaved ice with yogurt. Most of the fruit is fresh and seasonal, with a refreshing taste.

The price is affordable, only 25,000 VND ~ 30,000 VND per bowl.

24. Banh Trang Tron

If you’re looking for snacks, try Banh Trang Tron, a mixed rice paper with ingredients. 

This mixed rice paper has different ingredients such as beef jerky, rice paper, dried squid with extra laksa leaves, mango, satay chili, special beef sauce, and some quail eggs.

All mixed with seasoning.

Where to eat Banh Trang Tron in Saigon

District 3 is famous for a road of less than 200m Nguyen Thuong Hien. This street is known as “Mix rice paper street in Saigon,” with dozens of rice paper shops close together.

Banh Trang Tron Chu Vien is an excellent choice. 

Price: 15,000 VND – 25,000 VND per dish

25. Coconut ice-cream

After trying all the dishes above, what’s better than ice cream?

Saigon is fortunate to have many famous ice cream brands and homemade ice cream shops.

You can try the coconut ice cream at Bo Kho Ganh in District 10. 

My thoughts about Saigon cuisine

Saigon is a melting pot between different cultures.

Pearl of the Far East is a continuation of the culinary culture of China, India, France, America, Japan, and many, many national regions and territories from the 18th century to the present.

Saigon is dubbed as the city that never sleeps. You can find street vendors open from early morning to the late evening, with some shops open 24 hours. 

I must admit it’s challenging to choose the best place because the city has many street vendors that offer delicious and affordable meals.

If it’s your first time in Saigon, I suggest joining a Saigon food tour for a local experience. Sitting on the back of the bike and exploring the food scene will be a fantastic experience on your trip.