Known for her rich history, friendly town folks and incredibly cheap and delectable eats, Ho Chi Minh City is the best place for foodies to embark on an all-you-can-eat extravaganza.
Sure we all know what a good pho or banh mi should taste like, or so we believe we do. Prepare to have your perceptions completely flipped on its head. Though, it’s only fair that we warn you that having your favourite Vietnamese treats in Singapore won’t be the same anymore.
If that doesn’t deter you at all, dive into true-blue Vietnamese food starting from the back alley streets of Ho Chi Minh to some of the poshest looking bars. To help guide you along, here’s our Ho Chi Minh City District 1 food guide.
While pho, spring rolls and banh mi are great, they aren’t all that Vietnam is good for. Tucked away along a quiet street in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1, lies 33 De Tham Restaurant.
Specialising in zi char-style cooking, their menu boasts a wide range of delights ranging from the usual to the exotic, and not only is the quality topnotch, but the price is also unbelievably affordable as well.
Cau Ong Lanh Ward, District 1
Ho Chi Minh City 700000
Daily: 11am – 1.30am
If you’re looking for a bar with great vibes and wines, look no further than to BRIX Winebar Kitchen. BRIX serves a great range of charcuterie, cold cuts and cheeses on their menu that pair excellently with their wines.
You can mix and match a few of your favourites to enjoy while you drink the night away.
42 Pasteur Street
Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh 700000, Vietnam
Mon to Sat: 11am – 12am
Sun: 1pm – 12am
L’amant Café impresses with both its gorgeous decor and a sensational medley of tasty treats. Conveniently located in District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City, the elaborate yet cosy café is best known for their range of Vietnamese coffee and contemporary Vietnamese dishes.
It certainly is a must to pop in for a nice warm cuppa or some cafe food too if you fancy it.
12 Nguyên Huê, Ben Nghé
Ho Chí Minh, Vietnam
Sun to Mon: 7.30am – 11pm
Sat: 7.30am – 10.30pm
When visiting Ho Chi Minh City, no one ever leaves without paying the acclaimed Lunch Lady a visit. This internationally-renowned street food stall—located just a few steps away from popular pho joint, Pho Phuong 25—is famous for their down-to-Earth, rustic charm and menu that rotates daily.
Until today, Lunch Lady is still highly patronised by locals, tourists, as well as food bloggers from around the world.
23 Hoang Sa Street
Phuong Da Kao, District 1 (Quan 1)
Daily: 9am – 3pm
Mama Pho has a stellar pho-centric menu, featuring not only different flavours of the classic soup-based pho. Here is where you’ll find unique pho-based creations such as their Crispy Pan-Fried Pho, Rolled Pho and even Wok-Fried Pho.
You won’t find many locals dining here given its higher price point, but Mama Pho is worth a visit regardless.
111, Hem So 9,
Ben Nghé Quan 1,
Ho Chí Minh, Vietnam
Daily: 8am – 10pm
Specialising in a variety of Vietnamese dishes from the classic pho, grilled meat dishes to some pretty exotic items as well, Mâm Bac is a 2-storey eatery in Ho Chi Minh’s District 1 that is worth visiting for a pleasant introduction to local flavours in a modern and comfortable setting.
94 Ho Tung Mau, Quan 1
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Tel: +84 90 130 15 08
Daily: 7am – 11pm
A popular pit stop among the Vietnamese locals, Nhu Lan Bakery houses a banh mi kiosk, a proper sit-down Vietnamese eatery as well as a delicatessen and meat grocer.
They serve everything under the sun, from bowls of pho bo to a massive selection of banh mi toppings and even some other local delicacies not commonly found elsewhere.
50 Ham Nghi,
Ben Nghé, Quan 1
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Daily: 4am – 11pm
Like Pho, Bahn Mi is found in every street corner, available in fancy food joints and street stalls anywhere in Ho Chi Minh City, and definitely here at Nhu Lan Bakery too.
While Banh Mi usually features pork paté, a variety of cooked meats, Vietnamese hams and sausages and more, you can also customise your own Bahn Mi from their wide variety of toppings here too!
50 Ham Nghi,
Ben Nghé, Quan 1,
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Daily: 4am – 11pm
STREET FOOD – MULTI-COLOURED GLUTINOUS RICE
While strolling through Ho Chi Minh City, you’ll inevitably come across a street cart or two selling gorgeous colourful glutinous rice desserts topped with coconut cream and desiccated coconuts, making for that perfect Instagram shot.
We do recommend asking locals for the best recommendations and asking for the price before ordering though.
STREET FOOD – RICE PAPER CRISPY PANCAKE
Known as Banh Trang Nuong, it’s a type of rice cracker more commonly found in Ho Chi Minh City. A rice paper sheet is toasted over a charcoal fire to a nice crisp before being topped up with ingredients such as diced vegetables, cream cheese, quail eggs, minced meat and a variety of sauces.
If you see a stall like this around Ho Chi Minh City, do not hesitate!
Having been around for the past 20 years, these folks know how to serve up a proper bowl of pho, so skip your McDonald’s and head over to Pho Ha for a delicious late-night bite instead.
Meaty and straightforward yet brimming with heady notes of spices, there really is no questioning why the locals here can have this every single day.
19 Hai Trieu, District 1,
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Daily: 4pm – 2am
Specialising in an assortment of chicken dishes, pho and hearty soups, this humble eatery may not seem like much at first, but it really does impress with its wide array of menu offerings. Also great if you’re in a hurry—because service here is lightning quick while packing a substantial arsenal of yummy delights with their chicken dishes standing out the most.
Ben Nghe, District 1,
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
For a truly authentic and out-of-this-world beef pho experience when in Ho Chi Minh City, you really have to drop by Pho Phuong 25.
Besides offering tasty bowls of pho, they feature both indoor and open-air seating, you could easily bask in the aroma of simmering beef broth and freshly plucked herbs surrounding the entire eatery.
25 Hoàng Sa, District 1,
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Tue to Sun: 5.30am – 9pm
Mon: 5.30am – 1pm
Essentially the Starbucks of Vietnam, this Vietnamese-born chain is best known for their tea and their iced teas are a big hit with many people of all ages, and although it might resemble the look and feel of a commercial coffee and tea chain, it was far from it.
It’s the perfect place to pop by and grab a quick iced coffee or tea and go about the rest of your day in the city.
29 Ngo Duc Ke Q 1
Ho Chi Minh City 70000, Vietnam (
Multiple outlets located within District 1)
If you’re planning to take a short break before embarking on more adventures in HCMC, take a break at The Running Bean and lounge in one of their comfortable seats inside or al fresco. This gorgeous cafe boasts a boho-theme, similar to the ones you’d typically expect to find in Bali.
They serve up ice cold smoothie bowls that are nothing short of perfect to cleanse and detoxify all the Vietnamese coffee and street food you’ve probably had by now.
115 Ho Tung Mau Dist.1,
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Daily: 8am – 10.30pm
For more recommendations, read our Ho Chi Minh City’s guides to discover the best places to visit in the city.