Ho Chi Minh City travel guide
Best Street Food in Ho Chi Minh City: Where & What to Eat
Ho Chi Minh City is famous for banh mi baguettes, com tam broken-rice plates with grilled pork, hu tieu noodle soup and bo la lot (betel-wrapped beef). Street stalls around Ben Thanh and District 4’s seafood row are the classic first-night crawls.
Eating in Ho Chi Minh City: what you need to know
Southern Vietnamese food is bolder, sweeter and herbier than the north’s. Saigon’s rule: eat where the scooters stop — a crowded kerbside stall is a Michelin guide of its own.
Must-try dishes in Ho Chi Minh City
| Dish | What it is | Where to try it | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banh mi | The Vietnamese baguette — pate, pickles, herbs and chilli in crackling bread | Banh Mi Huynh Hoa (the famous, hefty one) | ₫40,000–65,000 |
| Hu tieu | The south’s answer to pho — pork-and-seafood noodle soup, sweet and clear | Hu Tieu Nam Vang stalls in District 5 | ₫45,000–70,000 |
| Com tam | Broken rice with grilled pork chop, pickles and fish sauce — the worker’s lunch | Com Tam Ba Ghien | ₫60,000–90,000 |
The best food spots in Ho Chi Minh City
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Banh Mi Huynh Hoa · District 1
Cuisine: Banh mi · Expect to pay: ₫60,000
Must order: Banh mi thap cam (everything)
26 Le Thi Rieng, District 1, HCMC
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Com Tam Ba Ghien · Phu Nhuan
Cuisine: Broken rice · Expect to pay: ₫90,000
Must order: Com tam suon (pork chop) with fried egg
84 Dang Van Ngu, Phu Nhuan, HCMC
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The Lunch Lady · District 1
Cuisine: Rotating noodle soups · Expect to pay: ₫70,000
Must order: Whatever soup day it is — the Bourdain-approved ritual
23 Hoang Sa, District 1, HCMC
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best street food in Ho Chi Minh City — FAQs
What food is Ho Chi Minh City famous for?
Ho Chi Minh City is famous for banh mi baguettes, com tam broken-rice plates with grilled pork, hu tieu noodle soup and bo la lot (betel-wrapped beef). Street stalls around Ben Thanh and District 4’s seafood row are the classic first-night crawls.
Is street food safe in Ho Chi Minh City?
Yes — Saigon street food is generally safe when you pick busy stalls cooking to order over high heat with fast turnover. Look for crowds of locals, avoid pre-cut fruit and lukewarm buffets, and drink bottled or boiled drinks. Ice at established stalls is factory-made and safe.
Last reviewed and updated: by the AmazingAsia editorial team. See our editorial policy.