Ho Chi Minh City is a vibrant blend of cultures, and nowhere is that more evident than in its food. From street-side snacks to time-honored traditional dishes, the city offers a feast for every palate. In this guide, HoaBinh Tourist brings you 15+ of the best foods in Ho Chi Minh City that no traveler should miss.
1. Cơm Tấm – Broken Rice
No trip to Ho Chi Minh City is complete without trying cơm tấm, a beloved street food often enjoyed for breakfast or lunch. This dish features fragrant broken rice topped with juicy grilled pork chops (sườn nướng), a fried egg, shredded pork skin (bì), and a drizzle of sweet-savory fish sauce. Served with pickled vegetables and a side of cucumber, cơm tấm offers a perfect balance of flavor and texture, soft, crispy, tangy, and umami-rich. It’s simple, satisfying, and deeply rooted in the city’s everyday culinary culture.
Cơm Tấm – Broken Rice
2. Phở – Noodle Soup
Phở is Vietnam’s most iconic dish, and in Ho Chi Minh City, it takes on a unique southern twist. Unlike its northern counterpart, phở Sài Gòn often comes with a slightly sweeter broth, a generous mix of fresh herbs, and a wider variety of toppings like beef brisket, rare steak, beef balls, or even chicken. Served piping hot with lime, chili, bean sprouts, and basil on the side, phở is more than just a soup; it’s a deeply comforting experience that warms both body and soul.
Phở – Noodle Soup
3. Bánh Mì – Vietnamese Sandwich
A symbol of Vietnam’s culinary creativity, bánh mì is the perfect fusion of French and Vietnamese flavors. This crusty baguette is typically filled with a flavorful mix of pâté, cold cuts, pickled carrots and daikon, cucumber, coriander, chili, and a touch of soy or Maggi sauce. In Ho Chi Minh City, you’ll find countless variations, from grilled pork and shredded chicken to vegan-friendly tofu options. Whether grabbed from a street cart or a boutique bánh mì shop, this sandwich is the ultimate on-the-go bite.
Bánh Mì – Vietnamese Sandwich
4. Bò Lá Lốt – Grilled Beef and Betel Leaves
Smoky, juicy, and packed with aroma, bò lá lốt is a Southern Vietnamese favorite that’s both street-style and shareable. This dish features minced beef seasoned with garlic, shallots, and lemongrass, then wrapped in fresh betel leaves and grilled over charcoal. The leaves impart a peppery fragrance while keeping the meat tender and flavorful. Often served with rice noodles, fresh herbs, pickles, and a savory dipping sauce (nước mắm chua ngọt), bò lá lốt is a delicious harmony of taste and texture.
Bò Lá Lốt – Grilled Beef and Betel Leaves
5. Bún Riêu – Crab and Tomato Noodle Soup
Bún riêu is a bold and flavorful noodle soup that captures the heart of Southern home-style cooking. Its rich broth is made from freshwater crab paste, simmered with tomatoes to create a tangy, savory base. The dish is typically topped with tofu, congealed pig’s blood, ground pork, and fresh herbs, then served with a side of shredded morning glory, banana blossom, and a squeeze of lime. Light yet deeply satisfying, bún riêu is a must-try for anyone seeking a taste of Saigon’s traditional flavors.
Bún Riêu – Crab and Tomato Noodle Soup
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6. Bún Chả – Grilled Pork and Noodles
While bún chả is originally from Hanoi, it has found a beloved place in the hearts – and stomachs – of Saigon locals. The dish features smoky grilled pork (both patties and thin slices) served in a bowl of tangy-sweet fish sauce broth, accompanied by a plate of rice vermicelli, fresh herbs, and pickled vegetables. The Southern version often comes with extra herbs and a slightly sweeter dipping sauce, reflecting the city’s signature flavor profile. Light, fresh, and full of character, bún chả is a delicious blend of grill and garden.
Bún Chả – Grilled Pork and Noodles
7. Bún Thịt Nướng – Grilled Pork with Vermicelli
A Southern Vietnamese staple, bún thịt nướng is the perfect harmony of flavors and textures. This refreshing dish combines tender slices of grilled pork, soft rice vermicelli, crunchy pickled carrots and daikon, fresh herbs, roasted peanuts, and crispy shallots, all brought together with a generous pour of sweet and tangy fish sauce (nước mắm). Served at room temperature, it’s light yet satisfying, making it a popular choice for lunch or dinner on a warm Saigon day.
Bún Thịt Nướng – Grilled Pork with Vermicelli
8. Bún Bò – Beef noodle soup
Often associated with Hue, bún bò has been warmly embraced by Saigon’s food scene, where it’s adapted with regional flair. This hearty soup features thick rice noodles in a flavorful broth made from beef bones, lemongrass, and chili oil. It’s commonly topped with tender beef slices, beef shank, pork knuckle, and sometimes congealed blood, all accompanied by fresh herbs, lime, and shredded banana blossom. Rich, aromatic, and slightly spicy, bún bò is a bold alternative to the more delicate phở, perfect for those craving depth and heat.
Bún Bò – Beef noodle soup
9. Bún Mắm – Fermented fish noodle soup
Bún mắm is not for the faint of heart, but for adventurous eaters, it’s a flavorful treasure. Originating from the Mekong Delta, this noodle soup is known for its bold, umami-rich broth made from fermented fish sauce (mắm cá linh or mắm cá sặc). Served with thick rice noodles, it’s loaded with toppings like crispy pork belly, shrimp, squid, and eggplant, then garnished with fresh herbs and chili. Pungent yet deeply satisfying, bún mắm offers a uniquely Southern Vietnamese taste that lingers long after the last bite.
Bún Mắm – Fermented fish noodle soup
10. Bún Đậu Mắm Tôm – Vermicelli with Tofu and Fermented Shrimp Paste
Simple yet full of character, bún đậu mắm tôm is a rustic Vietnamese dish that has become a cult favorite in Ho Chi Minh City. It features a vibrant platter of rice vermicelli, golden fried tofu, boiled pork slices, crispy spring rolls, and fresh herbs – served with a small bowl of fermented shrimp paste (mắm tôm) that’s often mixed with lime, sugar, and chili for balance. The contrast of crispy, soft, savory, and herbal notes makes every bite memorable. For those who dare to try, this dish delivers a truly authentic and addictive flavor experience.
Bún Đậu Mắm Tôm – Vermicelli with Tofu and Fermented Shrimp Paste
11. Hủ Tiếu – Rice noodles soup
A beloved breakfast favorite in Ho Chi Minh City, hủ tiếu is a clear and subtly sweet noodle soup that reflects the culinary richness of the Mekong Delta. The broth, simmered from pork bones and dried squid, is light yet flavorful.
It’s typically served with a mix of toppings such as minced pork, sliced pork, shrimp, quail eggs, and chives, accompanied by thin rice noodles or chewy tapioca noodles. Whether served with soup (hủ tiếu nước) or dry with a separate bowl of broth (hủ tiếu khô), this dish is a local comfort food at its finest.
Hủ Tiếu – Rice noodles soup
12. Bánh Nậm – Steamed Rice Cake in Banana Leaf
Delicate and flavorful, bánh nậm is a Central Vietnamese specialty that has found a loyal following in Ho Chi Minh City. Made from a silky mixture of rice flour and tapioca starch, this steamed cake is filled with minced shrimp and pork, then wrapped in banana leaf and steamed to perfection.
The result is a soft, savory bite that melts in your mouth, often enjoyed with a dash of nước mắm (fish sauce) for extra flavor. Light and comforting, bánh nậm is a hidden gem for those seeking something beyond the usual noodle fare.
Bánh Nậm – Steamed Rice Cake in Banana Leaf
13. Bánh Xèo – Crispy pancakes
Named after the sizzling sound it makes when hitting the hot pan, bánh xèo is a crispy, savory pancake that’s as fun to eat as it is to watch being made. The batter – made from rice flour, turmeric, and coconut milk – is poured thin and filled with pork, shrimp, and bean sprouts before being folded in half and pan-fried until golden.
Served with a basket of fresh herbs, lettuce, and sweet-sour fish sauce (nước chấm), each bite is a delightful mix of crunch, freshness, and bold southern flavor. A true street food classic in Ho Chi Minh City.
Bánh Xèo – Crispy pancakes
14. Phá Lấu – Offal stew
Phá lấu is a bold and flavorful dish that showcases the Vietnamese talent for turning humble ingredients into something extraordinary. Made from pork or beef offal (such as stomach, intestines, and tongue), the meat is slow-cooked in a fragrant broth of five-spice powder, coconut milk, garlic, and star anise until tender and deeply infused with flavor.
Often served with crusty bánh mì for dipping or enjoyed with rice or noodles, phá lấu is a beloved street food in Ho Chi Minh City – rich, aromatic, and comfortingly savory for those who dare to try.
Phá Lấu – Offal stew
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15. Bánh Tráng Trộn – Mixed rice paper
Bánh tráng trộn is the ultimate Vietnamese street snack – colorful, tangy, spicy, and irresistibly fun to eat. This inventive salad starts with thin strips of rice paper, then gets tossed with dried shrimp, shredded green mango, quail eggs, Vietnamese coriander (rau răm), chili, fried shallots, and a mix of flavorful sauces including tamarind and chili oil. It’s often mixed fresh right in front of you by street vendors, creating a bold, chewy, and crunchy treat that perfectly captures the playful spirit of Saigon’s youth culture.
Bánh Tráng Trộn – Mixed rice paper
16. Gỏi Cuốn – Fresh Spring Rolls
Light, healthy, and full of flavor, gỏi cuốn (also known as Vietnamese fresh spring rolls) are a refreshing contrast to the city’s many rich, savory dishes. These translucent rolls are packed with rice vermicelli, shrimp, pork slices, fresh herbs, and lettuce, all wrapped in soft rice paper.
Typically served cold with a side of hoisin-peanut dipping sauce or tangy fish sauce, gỏi cuốn is the perfect appetizer or midday snack – clean, balanced, and deliciously satisfying. It’s a staple in Saigon’s street food culture and a must-try for first-time visitors.
Gỏi Cuốn – Fresh Spring Rolls
From sizzling street food to time-honored family recipes, Ho Chi Minh City is a paradise for every food lover. Each dish tells a story – of culture, of community, and of the vibrant spirit that makes Saigon unforgettable.
Want to experience all these flavors like a local? Join one of our Ho Chi Minh City tours with HoaBinh Tourist. We’ll take you beyond the guidebooks, through hidden alleys, local markets, and authentic eateries, to discover the real taste of Vietnam.
Book your tour today and let your appetite lead the way!
