STREET FOOD IN HO CHI MINH CITY: HEAVEN OF CUISINE

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is an ideal place for food enthusiasts. This city is a culinary intersection between regions, so the dishes here are very diverse and rich. From noodles, rice dishes or delectable snacks, Ho Chi Minh City street food will not disappoint you.

1. TOP 10 FAMOUS HO CHI MINH CITY STREET FOODS YOU MUST TRY

1.1.  Banh trang tron – quintessence of Ho Chi Minh City street food

Included in the list of the most attractive Ho Chi Minh City street food, banh trang tron (mixed rice paper) is a dish with the simplest preparation but extremely attractive and unique flavor. Sai Gon mixed rice paper is a combination of many different ingredients that brings an impressive feeling and stimulates the taste buds. A portion of traditional mixed rice paper is made from rice paper cut into small strips mixed with mango, laksa leaves and adding attractive “toppings” such as dried beef, fried onions, peanuts, and dried chicken… creates a rich flavor that you will never forget once you eat it.

Sitting on the sidewalk, sipping mixed rice paper while watching the vibrant city of Saigon is an unforgettable experience. Today, although this dish is transformed in many different ways, Saigon mixed rice paper is still a great dish that you must try when exploring Ho Chi Minh City street food.

1.2. Sai Gon broken rice – one of the best dish in HCMC’s cuisine

Broken rice (com tam) is the most traditional and popular dish in Ho Chi Minh City. This dish has a special flavor that is a combination of diverse spices, balanced between sour, sweet, salty and spicy flavors. In the past, Sai Gon broken rice was considered a dish of poor workers. This dish is almost only for workers, poor farmers or students with no economic conditions. But now, broken rice has become a symbol of Ho Chi Minh street food. Broken rice can be found all over the eateries and streets of Saigon, from large restaurants to small eateries. With an attractive flavor, Saigon broken rice is a dish that you must try when exploring Ho Chi Minh street food.

1.3. Banh mi – must try dishes in Ho Chi Minh City street food

In 2013, Banh Mi was voted by National Geographic magazine as one of the 11 best street foods in the world and topped the list of 12 street foods voted by American travel magazine Conde’ Nast Traveler. Banh mi is not only a Ho Chi Minh City street food but also the pride of Vietnamese cuisine. Each loaf of bread carries unique and new flavors, giving visitors unforgettable experiences. Today, banh mi is constantly changing to become more delicious and more attractive in the eyes of foreign diners.

1.4. Banh xeo – one of the best street food in Sai Gon cuisine 

Banh xeo (crispy Vietnamese pancake) is a dish that brings visitors wonderful experiences. This dish not only impresses at first sight with its crispy exterior but also brings an unforgettable flavor. The filling is changed depending on each person’s taste, but a traditional banh xeo has minced pork, bean sprouts, shrimp,… The ingredients are different but combined to create a very special flavor. From a simple dish, banh xeo has gradually become familiar to international tourists. It’s not surprising that banh xeo has become one of the most attractive dishes in Ho Chi Minh City street food.

1.5. Hu tieu – an explosion of flavors in Ho Chi Minh City street food

Hu Tieu (noodle soup) is a dish originating from Cambodia. Over the years, noodles have become a familiar dish in Ho Chi Minh City street food. Making this dish is not too difficult but requires meticulousness and care from the chef. Today, visitors can enjoy this dish all over the streets of Saigon. This is a simple dish but contains a unique culinary cultural identity, making visitors unable to be disappointed.

1.6. Bun rieu cua – one of the signature of street food 

Bun rieu cua (Crab rice noodle) is a traditional dish with long-standing origins in Vietnam. This dish is made from many attractive ingredients, attracting diners from the first time they enjoy it. A full bowl of bun rieu cua includes vermicelli, crab vermicelli, spring rolls, dried onions, tofu and fresh vegetables. This dish is both light and refreshing, suitable to enjoy on cool days. In the list of the most attractive Ho Chi Minh City street food, bun rieu is a dish that tourists must definitely try during their trip to Vietnam.

1.7. Mi tron – the best street food you must try 

Mi tron (mixed noodle) is a popular dish loved by both adults and children because it is simple to make but brings a rich, delicious flavor. Mixed noodles are a unique combination of salty, sweet, sour and spicy. The main ingredients of this dish are noodles, meats, shredded mango, fried onions and especially the perfect sauce. Unique flavor and affordable price are the factors that make mixed noodles increasingly famous and popular among Ho Chi Minh City street food.

1.8. Banh khot – one of the most Ho Chi Minh City street food 

Banh Khot is a famous dish in the list of street foods in Ho Chi Minh City. These beautiful little cakes are made from a mixture of rice flour, turmeric and coconut milk. The fillings of banh khot are usually shrimp, pork and green onions. Served with this dish are fresh vegetables and sweet and sour fish sauce. This will be a dish that brings visitors new flavors, the perfect dish to satisfy your appetite.

1.9. Banh canh – a famous dish in Vietnamese cuisine 

Banh canh is a famous dish originating from the Southeast, then became a popular dish on the streets of Saigon. This dish is meticulously prepared and the ingredients are carefully selected. Depending on the place, there will be different ways to prepare banh canh, but they all satisfy visitors with the sweet water simmered from bones, crab meat, and shrimp. Visitors can also try its variations such as crab noodle soup, snakehead fish noodle soup, shrimp noodle soup,…

1.10. Goi cuon – must try dish in Ho Chi Minh City 

Fresh spring roll has surpassed hundreds of other dishes to become one of the 15 record-breaking delicacies in Asia. There is a theory that fresh spring roll originated from the Chinese dish Popiah, but Vietnamese Fresh spring roll is more appreciated because the way of preparation retains the flavor of the dish. The filling for this dish is usually fish, meat, vegetables, shrimp, cucumbers, carrots, etc served with sweet and sour fish sauce or sauce. International newspapers have compared spring rolls to a Vietnamese salad, bringing a fresher, richer flavor than fried dishes. In particular, its ingredients create elegance in the hot weather of the South.

2. WHERE IS THE BEST STREET FOOD IN HO CHI MINH CITY?

2.1. Ho Thi Ky Market

• Address: Ho Thi Ky Street, Ward 1, District 10

Ho Thi Ky Market is known as the largest flower market in Saigon but is also famous as a “food paradise” for young people. Coming to Ho Thi Ky market, visitors will be surprised by the attractive foods such as grilled meat, mixed noodles, spicy grilled squid, grilled eggs,… If you are passionate about food, this will be the place that you definitely have to come on your journey to discover street food in Ho Chi Minh City.

2.2. Turtle Lake

• Address: Intersection between 3 streets Pham Ngoc Thach, Vo Van Tan, Tran Cao Van

Turtle Lake is one of the places that attracts tourists because of its bustling atmosphere and abundance of restaurants. With a perfect location, Turtle Lake has become an ideal sightseeing, relaxing and dining spot in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City. Every evening, this place becomes more vibrant with small restaurants full of attractive dishes such as stir-fried corn, mixed rice paper, grilled meat, etc. to satisfy the taste of the most demanding diners.

2.3. Alley 76 Hai Ba Trung

• Address: District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Alley 76 Hai Ba Trung is a culinary paradise for tourists when coming to explore street food in Ho Chi Minh City. Although it was not established long ago, this alley is very famous for its delicious food and affordable prices. Coming here, you must definitely try mixed rice paper, fried rice with grilled meat, rice dumpling cake, Thai vermicelli,… The variety of dishes and the friendliness of the vendors help make this alley become more famous in the eyes of foreign tourists.

2.4. Alley 51 Cao Thang

• Address: District 3, Ho Chi Minh City

Alley 51 Cao Thang is famous for tourists who are passionate about Ho Chi Minh City street food. This alley attracts many tourists because of the diversity and abundance of snacks from traditional to modern, from Vietnamese to foreign. This alley has all kinds of dishes from mixed rice paper, spring rolls, mixed noodles, porridge,…. it will not disappoint visitors. Alley 51 Cao Thang not only brings you interesting experiences but also helps you understand more deeply about the history, culture, and people of Saigon.

2.5. Bui Vien Walking Street

• Address: Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

In your journey to discover Ho Chi Minh City street food, Bui Vien Walking Street is an ideal destination for you to explore cuisine and bustling life at night. Coming here, you can easily find culinary paradise at many popular restaurants and eateries. The rich cuisine will bring you many attractive choices for an interesting dinner. In addition, you can participate in exciting activities held weekly here.

Ho Chi Minh City street food is the pride of Vietnamese cuisine. Even if you are the most picky person, this will definitely not disappoint you. So, start planning your trip today to enjoy Ho Chi Minh City street food.