If you opt to explore local cuisine, try traditional Vietnamese food in Saigon. With culinary delights from all parts of the country, this food journey is guaranteed to urge you to crave more.
Traditional Vietnamese Food in Saigon – Local Diners and Food Stalls
Once you start discovering traditional Vietnamese food in Saigon, put street food on top. While gliding through the city, you will bump into numerous diners and food stalls that offer these finely crafted dishes.
Pho
Pho Anh
Address: 08 Ky Dong Street, Ward 9, District 3
Opening hours: 6 AM – 12 AM
It would be incomplete to talk about Vietnamese cuisine without mentioning Pho. Pho is a combination of fresh rice noodles, herbs, chicken or beef, and the salty broth that makes it stand out.
Banh Beo, Nam, Loc, It
Banh Beo, Nam, Loc, and It are four types of rice cake originating from Hue, Vietnam’s former capital. Despite having different making processes, they are all made of rice flour and usually served together with sweet and sour fish sauce as well as Vietnamese cold cuts.
Me Vui
Address: 29 Tran Quoc Toan Street, Ward 8, District 3
Opening hours: 7 AM – 10 PM
Goc Hue
Address: 41 Ky Dong Street, District 3
Opening hours: 6:30 AM – 9 PM
Bot Chien (Fried Dough)
On our list of traditional Vietnamese food in Saigon, Bot Chien is the cheapest one since it uses common ingredients. After frying eggs and chunks of rice flour in a large pan, the seller garnishes it with sliced papaya and serves it with soya sauce.
Bot Chien Dat Thanh
Address: 277 Vo Van Tan Street, District 3
Opening hours: 2 PM – 11 PM
Banh Canh (Vietnamese Udon)
Banh Canh Cua 87
Address: 87 Tran Khac Chan Street, Tan Dinh Ward, District 1
Opening hours: 2 PM – 10 PM
Price: VND 40,000 – VND 45,000
Want to slurp noodles, but Pho is too familiar? Go for a bowl of Banh Canh. Banh Canh is thick, sticky, and made from tapioca or rice flour. With this dish, you can choose many proteins like crab, shrimp, fish, quail eggs, pork rolls, etc. Some eateries even provide a side of Vietnamese herbs and fried sticks.
Banh Xeo
This “Vietnamese pancake” consists of flour, shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts. In the Central Region, Banh Xeo is usually smaller than in the South, and you can roll it in rice paper or lettuce. Also, don’t forget to dip it into either fish sauce or peanut butter fish sauce.
Banh Xeo 46A
Address: 46A Dinh Cong Trang Street, Tan Dinh Ward, District 1
Opening hours: 10 AM – 2 PM; 4 PM – 9 PM
Banh Xeo Ngoc Son
Address: 103 Ngo Quyen Street, District 5
Opening hours: 9 AM – 10 PM
Traditional Vietnamese Food in Saigon – Fancy Restaurants
Secret Garden – Vietnamese Family Meal
Address: Rooftop, 158 Pasteur Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
Opening hours: 8 AM – 10 PM
Price: VND 65,000 – VND 395,000
Embellished with rustic plants and classic ornaments, Secret Garden brings you ancient Vietnam. Since it offers quintessences from all parts of the country rather than regional dishes, it is suitable as an introduction of traditional Vietnamese food in Saigon.
Bun Dau Homemade – Northern Cuisine
Address: 52 Le Lai Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1
Opening hours: 9 AM – 10 PM
For a sense of Northern Vietnam’s cuisine, come to discover the diverse menu of Bun Dau Homemade. This place offers everything from main courses like Bun Dau Mam Tom, Bun Cha, Nem Cua Be to fermented fruit beverages like Nuoc Mo, Nuoc Sau, etc. Besides, the restaurant offers free water puppetry performances at the Le Lai store every Sunday.
Bep Hue – Central Vietnam Cuisine
Address: 89 Thach Thi Thanh Street, Tan Dinh Ward, District 1
Opening hours: 7:30 AM – 9 PM
Price: VND 40,000 – VND 110,000
Bep Hue is a cozy restaurant specializing in the Central Region’s cuisine. Some must-try dishes here include Hen Xao, Bun Bo Hue, Mi Quang, and Banh Beo. If you are used to the strong smell of shrimp paste, you can also give Bun Mam Nem a try.
Lau Mam Ba Du – Southern Cuisine
Address:
- 19 Tran Khac Chan Street, Tan Dinh Ward, District 1
- 94AB, Cao Thang Street, Ward 4, District 3
Opening hours: 10 AM – 10:30 PM
Price: VND 50,000 – VND 385,000
Famous for Southern specialties, Lau Mam Ba Du appears in many shopping malls around Saigon. Apart from the signature Lau Mam, it also provides crab hotpot and grilled dishes. With many big tables, it is an ideal choice for a big get-together.
Summary of Traditional Vietnamese Food in Saigon
Saigon is one of the biggest cities in Vietnam, so traditional Vietnamese food in Saigon is abundant. In case you don’t know where to start, we suggest going with a knowledgeable local tour guide. With their support, you can visit prominent diners to learn about Vietnamese delicacies.
Check out more fun things to do in Saigon:
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