Foods To Try in Saigon, Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City Food and Restaurants Guide
Trip Stops
- 1
Banh Mi is a beloved Vietnamese street food classic — a crispy baguette filled with savory meats, pickled vegetables, fresh herbs, and zesty sauces, reflecting the unique fusion of Vietnamese and French culinary traditions. A quick, affordable, and deeply satisfying bite that is impossible to resist.
📍 Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- 2
Pho is Vietnam's most iconic dish and a cornerstone of the country's culinary identity. A deeply fragrant broth — slow-simmered for hours with charred ginger, onion, and warming spices such as star anise and cinnamon — is ladled over silky rice noodles and topped with tender slices of beef or chicken. Finished tableside with fresh bean sprouts, basil, lime, and chili, every bowl is a personalized experience. Whether enjoyed at dawn at a roadside stall or late into the night, Pho is the ultimate Vietnamese comfort food
📍 Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- 3
Egg Coffee is one of Vietnam's most inventive drinks — a velvety whipped mixture of egg yolks, sugar, and condensed milk spooned over a strong Vietnamese coffee. The result is somewhere between a dessert and a beverage, with a rich, creamy texture reminiscent of a warm tiramisu in a cup.
📍 Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- 4
Fresh & Fried Spring Rolls offer two equally irresistible experiences. Fresh spring rolls are light rice paper rolls packed with shrimp, pork, herbs, and vermicelli, while their fried counterparts deliver a golden, crackling crunch. Both are served with classic dipping sauces and make for a perfect introduction to Vietnamese cuisine.
📍 Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- 5
Banh Xeo (Sizzling Crêpes) are golden, turmeric-infused crispy crêpes filled with shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts. Best enjoyed wrapped in fresh herbs and rice paper and dipped in sauce, they are a hands-on, communal dining experience that captures the bold, vibrant spirit of southern Vietnamese cooking.
📍 Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- 6
Salt Coffee is Vietnam's latest cult beverage, originating from the ancient imperial city of Hue before captivating coffee lovers across the country. A creamy, lightly salted foam — typically made with salted cream or condensed milk — is layered over a bold Vietnamese coffee, creating a surprising and addictive interplay of sweet, bitter, and savory. The salt does not overpower but rather deepens and rounds out the flavors, elevating the entire cup. A must-try for the adventurous coffee enthusiast.
📍 Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- 7
Com Tam (Broken Rice) is the soul of Saigon's street food scene. Originally made from broken grains left over from rice milling, this beloved staple is now served morning, noon, and night across the city. A classic plate arrives with fragrant broken rice, a caramelized grilled pork chop, steamed egg meatloaf, and shredded pork skin, finished with scallion oil and a light dipping sauce. Simple, satisfying, and unmistakably Saigon.
📍 Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- 8
Oc (Snails) are a quintessential part of Saigon's vibrant night food scene. Served at lively open-air eateries known as quan oc, these mollusks come in a remarkable variety of preparations — steamed with lemongrass, stir-fried in butter and garlic, or tossed in a fiery tamarind sauce. Paired with cold beer and good company, a night out feasting on snails is as much a social ritual as it is a culinary one — and an experience that is uniquely, unmistakably Saigon.
📍 Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- 9
Bun Cha is a quintessential Vietnamese dish featuring tender grilled pork patties and smoky barbecued pork belly, served alongside a light tangy broth, fresh rice vermicelli, and a generous plate of herbs. A deeply flavorful taste of Vietnamese street food culture that is not to be missed.
📍 Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- 10
Banh Cuon (Steamed Rice Rolls) are a delicate and elegant dish that showcase the subtler side of Vietnamese cuisine. Paper-thin sheets of steamed rice batter are gently rolled around a fragrant filling of seasoned minced pork and wood ear mushrooms, then topped with crispy fried shallots and fresh herbs. Served alongside slices of Vietnamese pork sausage and a light, sweet dipping sauce, Banh Cuon is a dish of quiet, refined flavors — and a wonderful contrast to the bolder street food offerings of Saigon.
📍 Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- 11
Bo Ne (Sizzling Beef Steak) is Saigon's beloved breakfast indulgence, arriving at the table on a scorching cast-iron skillet with a dramatic sizzle. A tender, pan-seared beef steak shares the plate with fried eggs, pate, and a rich, savory gravy, accompanied by a warm, crispy baguette perfect for mopping up every last drop. Hearty, satisfying, and full of bold flavors, Bo Ne is a uniquely Vietnamese take on a Western classic — and one of the most exciting ways to start a morning in the city.
📍 Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
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