Saigon or Ho Chi Minh city is one of the best cities in the world for street food. When you’re traveling here, don’t miss out the opportunity to try some of the tastiest and healthiest food. Here’s a quick guide to the 5 most popular street food dishes in Ho Chi Minh City and suggested addresses.
1. Banh Mi
Vietnamese sandwiches or Banh Mi are one of the reasons many tourists come to Saigon. The baguette came to Vietnam during the French colonial period and spread through the southern cities. One Banh mi an excellent example of a harmonized combination of various ingredients. Usually, a Banh mi will be stuffed with pâté, slices of pork pie, mayonnaise, coriander, cucumber, and pickled carrots and daikon. But there also many other choices of shredded chicken, grilled pork or omelet. A great choice for all breakfast, lunch, dinner and all other meal time.
Famous Banh Mi spots:
- Banh Mi Huynh Hoa – 26 Le Thi Rieng, District 1
- Banh Mi Hong Hoa – 62 Nguyen Van Trang
- Banh Mi 37 Nguyen Trai – 37 Nguyen Trai
2. Com Tam
Com Tam is a top list Saigon street food. Literally means Broken Rice – it’s essentially broken grains of rice left over from the traditional drying and milling process. A plate of com tam comes with various ingredients placed on top, such as grilled pork chops, shredded pork skin, and a delicious steamed pork and egg loaf, and fried egg. The dish is usually garnished with some lightly fried spring onions and pickled vegetables. The grilled pork chops or suon nuong is the star of the dish. It is finely marinated with fish sauce and sugar to caramelized with a little smoky taste that goes really well the rice. Other choice can be grilled chicken, fish or crispy pork.
Find the best Com Tam at:
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- Com Tam 352 – 352 Chu Van An, Binh Thanh District
- Com Tam Ba Ghien – 84 Đang Van Ngu, Phu Nhuan District
- Com Tam An Duong Vuong – 500-502 An Duong Vuong, District 5
- Com Tam Thanh Nien – 570 Truong Sa, Phu Nhuan District
3. Bun Bo Hue
A lot of people may argue that this dish is supposed to be the most featured food of Vietnam instead of Pho. And they’ve got their reasons. Originate from the City of Hue, Bun Bo Hue is another splendid cuisine creation with the base of meaty broth and hot chili oil, thick slippery vermicelli noodles, tender slices of beef and pork, cha lua and blood cubes served with tons of fresh herbs and sprouts. This dish is admired for its balance of spicy, sour, salty and sweet flavors and the predominant flavor of lemongrass. You can find this flavorful Saigon street food almost everywhere in this city.
Places to eat Bun Bo Hue:
- Bun Bo Hue 31 – 31 Mac Dinh Chi Street, District 1
- Bun Bo Hue Nam Giao – 189 Bui Vien, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1
- Bun Bo Hue Gia Dinh – 469 Bach Đang, District Binh Thanh
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Bun Bo Dong Ba – 110A Nguyen Du, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1
4. Goi Cuon
Goi Cuon (Spring roll) is a popular Saigon street food and is a common appetizer in Vietnamese restaurants. The rolls mainly consists of pork, prawn, vegetables, Bun (rice noodles) wrapped in Vietnamese rice paper. The fresh Goi Cuon is then rolled up and can be eaten right away. Goi Cuon can be served with Tuong Xao, some places use peanut sauce or other nuoc mam, a condiment based on fish sauce.
Find Goi Cuon at:
- Restaurant Wap and Roll – 62 Hai Ba Trung Street, District 1
- Goi Cuon Tom Nhay – 424 Lac Long Quan, District 11
- Local markets like Ben Thanh Market, Tan Dinh Market or Ba Chieu Market
5. Banh Xeo
Banh xeo, or Vietnamese pancake, is full of pork, shrimp, and bean sprouts. It’s usually garnished with fresh herbs that are characteristic of most authentic Vietnamese dishes. The batter from rice flour and turmeric is savory and crispy. As you might know, there are two most popular shapes of Banh Xeo. The Central style looks like a taco and more crunchy while the Saigon style is much larger and thinner, and fully stuffed. You can take a piece of rice paper, wipe it with damp lettuce, then pack it with herbs, greens, and a hunk of the pancake, then roll it and dip it in the nuoc mam. If there is no rice paper, just wrap it in the lettuce instead.
Where to eat Banh Xeo?
- Banh Xeo 46A – 46A D Dinh Cong Trang, Tan Dinh, District 1
- Banh Xeo Muoi Xiem – 190 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, District 3
- An La Ghien Restaurant – 74 Suong Nguyet Anh, Ben Thanh, District 1
Travel to this amazing city to try these authentic Saigon street food by yourself. To find more about other Vietnam’s great destinations and tours, discover here and planing your next memorable trip.
