中文 (香港)
The Saigon food scene might not be as exciting for the average tourists as Hanoi, Danang, or Hoi An has been for me. But having been to Ho Chi Minh City several times now, I’d like to say that the city has become kind of an acquired taste for me.
Admittedly, I mostly go to Ho Chi Minh City for some shopping and cafe, but as a foodie I have uncover some top (and some hidden) spots that hopefully would be helpful to you!
Table of Contents
Vespa street food tour at night
Ho Chi Minh City has over 25 million motorcycles, so it seems only fitting to explore it on the back fo a Vespa in style. We booked a Saigon by night tour to sample the street food as well as experience the nightlife of Saigon!
We each get our own Vespa Driver, hilariously, mine is called Viet and I’m Nam – so we are Vietnam!
The Vespa has a spacious back seat for the passenger, as well as a helmet so it’s all very safe. There are 5 stops in total:
Beer and snack
We first stopped at a cute little bar and restaurant for a snack and beer. We were greeted by our guide, Tri, who introduced himself and explained the tour to us. I tried the local Saigon beer which was very nice and easy to drink, and we had some lovely corn chips to go with it.
Seafood stop
After the beer, we got back on our Vespa and went off to sample some seafood in district 4. We drove on bridges across the canal, and it was a lovely experience for me since I personally don’t drive a motorbike. The restaurant is in a local neighbourhood, and our guide has already beaten us to the restaurant. A feast was soon laid out before us with salty crab, clams in broth, razor clams, and frog legs as well as stir-fried noodles.
Tri showed me how to eat the clams properly by adding some fish sauce before slurping it off, which really adds the flavour.
Banh Xeo (Vietnamese pancake)
Our next stop is close to the famous pink church. Banh Xeo is a Vietnamese pancake that looks like an oversized taco. The Banh Xeo is cooked using wood and charcoal on an iron plate, and they expertly add in ingredients such as shrimps, pork, and bean sprouts.
If you think you’re just going to eat the whole thing, you are wrong! Tri showed us how to wrap the Banh Xeo as part of a rice paper roll along with young banana, star fruit, and other veggies. The Banh Xeo adds a nice crunch to the roll and tastes a little like sweet corn to me.
Acoustic live music
My favourite stop of the night is this acoustic live music cafe. Tri had taken our drink order – you can choose tea, coffee, beer or wine, prior to our arrival. We have ushered down an inconspicuous alley and up a flight of stairs into a cosy little cafe. The live music had already started and a man was singing Vietnamese opera. We sat through 3 singers and 6 songs, and it was all so magical and surreal that I didn’t want to leave.
Name: Vung Oi Mo Ra Cafe
Rock and Roll bar
Despite being reluctant to leave, we left the live music bar and hopped on over to our last stop – a rock and roll live music bar. The bar was crowded when we got there, but Tri found me a seat and got me a margarita. The singers rotate as it did at the last place, and the highlight was a Vietnamese old man saying ‘all by myself’.
Tri then said goodbye to us outside, but not before giving us a photo with him and the driver. Our Vespa Driver then dropped us off at our hotel, and thus ended a great night!
Cost: 97 USD with Vespa Adventures
Here is an alternative if you prefer tours with female vespa drivers which is also cheaper
Top Recommendations on Saigon food spots
I’ll leave the street food and Vietnamese restaurant below and keep this one here for my top favourite dining spots in Ho Chi Minh City – which is really not what you expect!
Pizza 4P
If you have read my Hanoi foodie guide, then you are no stranger to my love for Pizza 4P. Honestly the best pizza I’ve had in Asia, their burrata Parma ham pizza and four cheese pizza is sure to induce foodgasm.
Booking in advance is highly encouraged, but I managed to snag a bar table by turning up alone and shocking the staff by eating a whole pizza by myself.
Even then, I hadn’t spent more than 13 USD!
There are multiple Pizza 4P in Ho Chi Minh City, the most central one is near the Ben Thanh Market. Check here for a full list of location, you can also book online there, too.
For their locations and online booking
Vietnamese Street Food in Saigon
Fancy some street food? There’s definitely no end of delicious Saigon Street food, but I’d recommend easing yourself in if you have a delicate stomach or if this is one of your first ventures into Southeast Asia street food!
In general, it’s a bad idea to drink anything with ice, and it’s better to get cooked food rather than try anything that might be raw.
Ben Thanh Street Food Market
Not far from Ben Thanh Market is the Ben Thanh Street Food Market. With a plethora of food stalls offering a variety of cuisine, you are sure to find something you like here. Though it is a bit touristy and pricier than Vietnamese street food, I enjoy the vibe and convenience of ordering from several stalls.
They also have a nice clean bathroom and plenty of seatings. Some of my personal favourite there are the mango lassi, boa, and bbq pull pork Banh Mi. There is even live music by a local band during certain evenings.
Address: 26-28-30 Thủ Khoa Huân, Phường Bến Thành, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam
Opening times: daily 9:00 – 24:00
Phở Hòa Pasteur
A little north of the heart of the city center but not too far from the pink church, this pho place is Michelin recommended and open just late enough to satisfy any pho cravings.
The portion is quite generous too and the drink options cover the entire spectrum from local drinks like Cintrenella juice and coconut to soft drinks and beer. While I personally don’t find the pho particularly good – because Hanoi is unbeatable, it is good value for money.
Opening times: 6:00 – 22:30
Address: https://maps.app.goo.gl/AwpjvNXdcyHWDK5j6?g_st=ipc
Phở Minh – Saigon
For a pho fix right in the heart of the city, Pho Minh is hidden in an alleyway near the Ben Thanh Market and frequented by locals. I went for a quick breakfast before my flight and I was one of the only tourists at 7am!
There is a choice between Tendeloin Beef (rare), beef brisket, or mix, and prices are all the same.
I prefer Pho Minh not just because of its location but that you can choose between a small or large size – so you can still get one to yourself if you are not too hungry or generally eat less.
Opening times: 6:30 – 22:00
Address: https://maps.app.goo.gl/1cvHNS7LSMNddV9N8?g_st=ipc
Xôi Gà Number One (Chính Gốc)
A must-try Saigon food item is Xoi Ga, which means sticky rice chicken. It’s served with abundant fried shallot and some pickles, with the option to add toppings, and I went for a few slices of Chinese sausage. Although there are quite a few pieces of hand-pulled chicken strands but I’d say that this probably won’t be a filling meal on its own.
I also got a cup of sugarcane juice as well to wash it all down. It’s open from early morning until night time so it really can be eaten at any time. Plus, it’s also near Ben Thanh Market.
Opening times: 6:30 – 20:30
Bánh Mì Huynh Hoa
The best and by far the most popular Bánh Mì place in Ho Chi Minh City is Bánh Mì Huynh Hoa. It’s located on Nguyen Street which is actually a great place to go shopping, but if you want to skip the queue then I suggest you arrive there before 9am or order a grab takeaway.
The only serve one option with no seating but at at 73,000 dong (22 HKD 3 USD) per piece that is the length of my entire forearm, you really can’t complain.
The pate and cold cuts are put inside the baguette but the vegetables and pickles are store in a separate bag for you to assemble yourself. I walked to the nearest park and ate it there – but couldn’t actually finish it!
Opening times: 6:00 – 22:00
Address: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Y4yEPVRvUt7BWX3G6?g_st=ipc
Vietnamese Restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City
Sometimes you want to sit down at a nicer place and enjoy a Vietnamese meal, especially with Saigon becoming hotter and hotter than you thought possible. Here are some of my top recommendations:
Quan Bui
Want to get some good Vietnamese food? Quan Bui is a great chain in Ho Chi Minh City that offers a comprehensive Vietnamese menu with good vegetarian options. Their restaurants are also beautifully decorated, ideal for any kind of occasions. Sara from the Life of a Solivagant suggested it for a meetup and the clay pot chicken is so delicious.
Secret Garden Restaurant
If you want to enjoy Vietnamese food at a pretty rooftop restaurant, the Secret Garden Restaurant is recommended by my friend who has live in Saigon for over a decade now! You do need to book in advance if you are aiming to go there during weekend or dinner, but it’s worth it!
They have all the Vietnamese food you can think of and more on their menu with a nice view of the city’s skyline surrounded by fairy lights and greenery. We managed to get seated at a sharing long table despite not having book, and you do have to follow the sign and walk up to the restaurant floor so it’s not disable or those who have challenges with stairs.
Opening times: 11:00 – 22:00
Cafe Apartment
The coffee and tea culture in Vietnam is huge, but Cafe Apartments are unique to Ho Chi Minh City. if you want to see more cafe recommendations in Ho Chi Minh City, then see my Ho Chi Minh City Cafe guide here (coming soon).
Disclaimer: I was hosted for the Vespa Street food tour but all opinions are my own. Also, thanks Lola from Miss Filatelista for taking the photo of me on the back of Vespa!
