The must-try foods in Ho Chi Minh City are more than a menu; they are a vibrant journey into the soul of Southern Vietnam. Exploring the must-try foods in Ho Chi Minh City is a sensory adventure, from fragrant street-corner soups to sizzling market pancakes. This city, lovingly called Saigon, is a food paradise, and knowing the essential must-try foods in Ho Chi Minh City is your ticket to culinary nirvana.

Our guide compiles the definitive list of must-try foods in Ho Chi Minh City to ensure you don’t miss a single delicious moment. This isn’t just about what to eat; it’s about experiencing the local culture. From breakfast to late-night snacks, these are the must-try foods in Ho Chi Minh City that locals love and travellers dream about. Prepare your appetite, as this guide to the must-try foods in Ho Chi Minh City is your essential companion on a delicious expedition.

A Culinary Map to the Best Must-Try Foods in Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City’s culinary scene is a dynamic, delicious whirlwind. It’s a melting pot where Southern Vietnamese sweetness mingles with French colonial legacies, Chinese flavours from Cholon, and influences from neighbouring Cambodia. The result is a unique and incredibly diverse food landscape. The city’s energy is fueled by its food, served with a characteristic friendliness on small plastic stools that line every pavement.

Why These Are the Essential Must-Try Foods in Ho Chi Minh City

This list goes beyond the world-famous dishes. It’s a carefully curated collection that represents the true taste of Saigon. We’ve included iconic noodle soups, legendary street food snacks, and refreshing local drinks that define the city’s palate. Each item is a cornerstone of the local diet, a dish perfected over generations and served with pride. To skip these would be to miss the very essence of Saigon.

The Icons: Noodle Soups & Rice Dishes

The foundation of any Vietnamese food journey starts with its legendary noodle soups and rice dishes. These are not just meals; they are daily rituals and the comfort food of millions.

 1. Phở (Southern Style)

The Great Pho Debate: Northern Versus Southern Pho | Asian Inspirations

While Phở is famous worldwide, the southern-style version you’ll find here is a unique must-try food in Ho Chi Minh City. It’s distinguished by a slightly sweeter broth and a lavish garnish plate of fresh herbs like Thai basil, bean sprouts, and cilantro, which you add yourself. Served with thin slices of beef or chicken, it’s the perfect, soul-warming breakfast or lunch.

  • Why You Must Try: To taste the regional difference of Vietnam’s most famous dish, customized with fresh herbs to your liking.
  • Where to Find: Street stalls and dedicated Phở restaurants in every district.

2. Cơm Tấm (Broken Rice)

Cách làm cơm tấm sườn bì chả Sài Gòn

Literally “broken rice,” this Saigon classic was once a humble farmer’s meal. Today, it’s a beloved dish served all day long. The fractured rice grains are topped with a holy trinity of ingredients: sườn (grilled pork chop marinated in lemongrass), bì (shredded pork skin), and chả (a savoury steamed pork and egg meatloaf). It’s all brought together with a drizzle of sweet and savoury fish sauce (nước chấm).

  • Why You Must Try: It’s the definitive Saigon rice dish, offering a perfect harmony of smoky, savoury, and sweet flavours.
  • Where to Find: Look for signs saying Cơm Tấm Sườn Bì Chả, especially popular in District 1 and Phu Nhuan.

3. Bún Thịt Nướng (Grilled Pork with Vermicelli Noodles)

Top những quán bún thịt nướng ngon nhất Đồng Hới – Hương vị khó quên

This is a flavour and texture explosion in a bowl. It features cool vermicelli rice noodles topped with smoky, charcoal-grilled pork, fresh lettuce and herbs, pickled carrots, crushed peanuts, and crispy fried spring rolls (chả giò). It’s served without broth; instead, you pour a generous amount of nước chấm over the top and mix it all together for a refreshing yet satisfying meal.

  • Why You Must Try: A perfect meal for Saigon’s warm weather, balancing fresh greens, savoury meat, and a zesty sauce.
  • Where to Find: Abundant at street food stalls and casual local eateries.

4. Hủ Tiếu Nam Vang

Quán hủ tiếu Nam Vang chính gốc được Michelin hết lời khen ngợi

A testament to Saigon’s multicultural history, this noodle soup has Cambodian and Chinese roots. The clear, savoury pork-based broth is filled with thin rice noodles, minced pork, tender pork slices, liver, shrimp, and quail eggs. It can be served with soup (nước) or dry (khô) with a bowl of broth on the side. The complexity of flavours makes it a local favourite.

  • Why You Must Try: To taste a complex, multicultural soup that is beloved by Saigonese locals.
  • Where to Find: Specialized Hủ Tiếu shops, particularly in District 5.

5. Bún Bò Huế

Hé lộ công thức nấu bún bò Huế Đông Ba ngon nhất nhì Sài Gòn mà ít ai biết

Though it originates from the central city of Huế, Saigon has adopted and perfected its own version of this spicy beef noodle soup. The broth is a masterpiece of lemongrass, chilli, and fermented shrimp paste, giving it a deep, robust, and spicy flavour. Thick vermicelli noodles are topped with slices of beef shank, pork, and cubes of congealed pig’s blood (optional but authentic).

  • Why You Must Try: For those who love bold, spicy flavours, this is a powerful and addictive noodle soup experience.
  • Where to Find: Numerous dedicated Bún Bò Huế restaurants across the city.

The Street Food Hall of Fame

To truly connect with the city, you must dive into its street food scene. These snacks are cooked fresh to order and are an integral part of daily life.

6. Bánh Mì

Nét hồn ẩm thực Sài Gòn trong chiếc bánh mì giòn rụm

The Saigon Bánh Mì is the king of sandwiches. A light and airy French baguette with a crispy crust is sliced open and packed with a symphony of ingredients: pâté, mayonnaise, pickled vegetables, fresh cilantro, cucumber, and a choice of protein like grilled pork (thịt nướng), cold cuts (thịt nguội), or meatballs (xíu mại). It’s savory, fresh, tangy, and utterly delicious.

  • Why You Must Try: It’s a perfect fusion of French and Vietnamese cuisines and arguably the best sandwich in the world.
  • Where to Find: On nearly every street corner from mobile carts.

7. Bánh Xèo (Crispy Vietnamese Pancake)

Bánh Xèo: Hương vị quê nhà vẹn nguyên trong từng miếng bánh

 

Named for the sizzling sound (xèo) it makes when the rice batter hits the hot skillet, this giant, crispy pancake is a delight to eat. The golden crepe is stuffed with pork, shrimp, and bean sprouts. To eat it, you break off a piece, wrap it in lettuce and fresh herbs, and dip it in nước chấm. It’s a fun, interactive, and incredibly satisfying meal.

  • Why You Must Try: For the amazing contrast of the hot, crispy pancake with the cool, fresh greens.
  • Where to Find: Specialised restaurants and street food stalls, often found in Districts 3 and 4.

8. Gỏi Cuốn (Fresh Spring Rolls)

Gỏi cuốn thập cẩm

The healthier, fresher cousin of the fried spring roll. Translucent rice paper is packed with vermicelli noodles, fresh herbs, pork, and shrimp, served at room temperature. The magic is in the dipping sauce—a rich and savoury hoisin-peanut sauce topped with crushed peanuts and chilli.

  • Why You Must Try: It’s light, healthy, and incredibly refreshing—the perfect appetizer or light snack.
  • Where to Find: Available at most local restaurants and street food vendors.

9. Bò Lá Lốt (Grilled Beef in Wild Betel Leaves)

Bò nướng lá lốt kiểu Nam Bộ

This is a street food star. Minced beef, seasoned with garlic and spices, is wrapped in fragrant wild betel leaves and grilled over charcoal. The leaves impart a unique, peppery, and slightly smoky flavour to the juicy beef inside. They are often served with rice paper, fresh herbs, and a dipping sauce for you to wrap your own rolls.

  • Why You Must Try: The intoxicating aroma and unique flavour of the grilled betel leaves are unforgettable.
  • Where to Find: A common sight at evening street food stalls, especially on Vinh Khanh Street in District 4.

10. Ốc (Snails and Shellfish)

Hàng ốc nóng gia truyền 20 năm đắt khách trong phố cổ Hà Nội

 

Eating ốc is a quintessential Saigon social activity. It’s not just one dish but a whole culinary experience. You’ll find restaurants with tubs of fresh snails, clams, scallops, and shrimp. You choose your favourite and how you want it cooked: grilled with scallion oil, sautéed in tamarind sauce, or steamed with lemongrass. Paired with a cold beer, it’s the perfect evening out.

  • Why You Must Try: It’s a fun, social, and delicious way to sample a huge variety of fresh local seafood.
  • Where to Find: Vinh Khanh Street in District 4 is famously known as “Seafood Street.”

Savory Snacks & Local Favorites

These are the dishes that locals grab on the go, showcasing the creativity and diversity of Saigon’s everyday cuisine.

 

11. Bột Chiên: A dish with Chinese origins, this consists of chewy rice flour cakes that are pan-fried with egg until crispy, then topped with shredded green papaya and a sweet soy-vinegar sauce. A beloved after-school snack and late-night bite.

bánh bột chiên Tiếng Anh là gì

12. Bánh Tráng Nướng: Often called “Vietnamese Pizza,” this popular snack involves grilling a thin sheet of rice paper over charcoal, then topping it with a cracked quail egg, minced pork, scallions, and shrimp, all held together with a smear of chili sauce.

2 cách làm bánh tráng nướng bằng chảo chống dính cực dễ mà ngon mê ly

13. Xôi Mặn: A savoury sticky rice that is a popular and filling breakfast. The rice is topped with a variety of ingredients like Chinese sausage, pork floss, chicken, and a drizzle of soy sauce, making for a hearty and flavorful start to the day.

Cách nấu xôi mặn thập cẩm

14. Phá Lấu: This rich, flavorful stew is made from pork offal (organs) cooked in a coconut water and five-spice broth. It’s served with bread (Bánh Mì) for dipping or with instant noodles. It’s an adventurous but incredibly rewarding dish.

Phá lấu là gì? Hướng dẫn cách nấu phá lấu bò và heo - Nhà Hàng Maison Mận Đỏ

 

15. Bánh Cuốn: Delicate, steamed fermented rice noodle sheets are filled with seasoned ground pork and wood ear mushrooms. They are served topped with crispy fried shallots, fresh herbs, and a side of nước chấm. A light yet savory delight.

Bánh cuốn ngon Sài Gòn - 13 quán đông khách, nên thử

16. Nem Nướng: Grilled pork sausages or meatballs that are smoky, slightly sweet, and incredibly flavorful. They are often served as part of a platter with rice paper, fresh greens, and a dipping sauce for you to make your own rolls.

Nem ba miền - Mang nét ẩm thực truyền thống của người Việt Nam

Must-Try Drinks & Desserts

No food tour is complete without sampling the local drinks and sweets that help beat the tropical heat.

17. Cà Phê Sữa Đá (Iced Milk Coffee): The lifeblood of the city. Strong, dark-roast Robusta coffee is brewed through a small metal phin filter, then mixed with sweet condensed milk and poured over a mountain of ice. It’s strong, sweet, and the perfect jolt of energy.

Bốn món cà phê Việt trong top ngon thế giới - Báo VnExpress Du lịch

18. Chè (Sweet Soup): Not just one dessert, but a whole category. chè refers to any traditional sweet beverage, soup, or pudding. You can find dozens of varieties, from the three-color dessert (chè ba màu) with layers of beans and jellies to sweet soups with taro, lotus seeds, or tapioca pearls in coconut cream.

Khám phá những món chè đặc sản ngon nức tiếng miền Tây Nam Bộ - Hương Việt Mart

19. Nước Mía (Sugarcane Juice): The ultimate thirst quencher on a hot day. Fresh sugarcane stalks are squeezed through a press, often with a small kumquat to add a zesty tang. The resulting sweet, fresh juice is served over ice.

Nước mía không những có thể giải nhiệt mà còn tốt cho sức khỏe

20. Sinh Tố (Fruit Smoothie): With an abundance of fresh tropical fruits, Vietnam excels at smoothies. Made with fruits like mango, avocado (sinh tố bơ), or sapodilla, they are blended with condensed milk and ice for a thick, creamy, and refreshing treat.

Tổng hợp 16 cách làm các loại sinh tố bằng máy sinh tố ngon nhất

Final Tips for Your Culinary Adventure

  • Eat Where the Locals Eat: A crowd of locals is the best sign of good, safe, and authentic food. Don’t be shy about joining them on the small plastic stools.
  • Embrace the Condiments: Every table comes with a caddy of condiments like chilli, soy sauce, fish sauce, and pickled garlic. Use them to customize your meal to your liking.
  • Be Adventurous: Don’t be afraid to point at something that looks interesting, even if you don’t know what it is. The best food discoveries often happen by chance.

Your Next Step: Taste It All!

The culinary landscape of Ho Chi Minh City is a journey of a lifetime, packed into one vibrant city. The flavours, textures, and aromas you’ll experience are a direct reflection of its incredible history and warm, welcoming people.

The vibrant street food stalls and incredible restaurants of Ho Chi Minh City are waiting. Turn your culinary dreams into reality. Contact Wigo Tourist to design your custom food-focused journey through Vietnam now!

Book your Ho Chi Minh City trip with Wigo Tourist today!