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.

33 DE THAM RESTAURANT

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

BRIX WINEBAR KITCHEN

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 CAFE

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

LUNCH LADY

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

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

MAM BAC

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

NHU LAN BAKERY

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

NHU LAN BANH MI

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!

PHO HA

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

PHO HAI TRIEU

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

PHO PHUONG 25

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

PHUC LONG COFFEE & TEA

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)

THE RUNNING BEAN

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.

After a full day of eating Pho and Bahn Mi, we were feeling guilty after gorging ourselves with that much delicious and hearty street food, so we knew we had to cleanse ourselves with something a little healthier. Just a stone’s throw away from Ho Chi Minh City’s very own “Stark Tower”, the Bitexco Financial Tower, sits one of the trendiest and most modern-looking cafés in District 1, The Running Bean.

We were first drawn to the chic architecture of the single-story building, reminiscent of South Korean-style cafés with geometric patterns lining the exterior of the building. The Running Bean is popular amongst a younger demographic and the entire compound is filled with Instagram-worthy backdrops for you to snap the perfect “OOTD”.

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.

After trying out a bunch of really great Vietnamese coffee, we had to take a break from the caffeine for fear of a sleepless night. Hence, we went for the Smoothie Bowls, something we were very much intrigued by on their menu.

It comes in 3 variations—Dragon Fruit (95,000VND | S$5.60), Mango and Green (90,000VND each | S$5.30).

We were surprised by the huge and generous portions but we were immediately sold on one thing—the vivid colours! We went right for the Dragon Fruit and Green Smoothie Bowls and they were both a hit.

The Green is a blend of banana, avocado spinach and almonds. It reminded us of regular green smoothies but elevated. The bowl is topped off with even more bananas, almond flakes, raspberries and chia seeds. If we were feeling anything but healthy before, the thought was certainly long gone. We especially liked the rich texture of this smoothie bowl from the bananas and avocados blended in.

The Dragon Fruit smoothie bowl is vivid purple and topped with strawberries, chia seeds, walnuts and honey. The actual smoothie was sweet and slightly tart but we love the chunks of fruit still unblended in the smoothie bowls to give it a nice bite.

Refreshing and extremely pleasant, it was a good palate cleanser before we went on to more street food!

If you’re an avid café hopper visiting Ho Chi Minh City, you must add The Running Bean onto your list!

The Running Bean
115 Ho Tung Mau
Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Tel: +84 28 3915 0055
Daily: 8am – 10.30pm

For more recommendations, read our Ho Chi Minh City Guide to discover the best places to visit in the city.

Just a stone’s throw away from the hotel we were staying at in Ho Chi Minh City, sits cosy little pho joint, Mama Pho Restaurant. The seemingly cafe-style establishment serves up pho as well as other local delights but how it differs from those you get from the streets is a massive variety of pho types, as well as sides.

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 here’s why we think that Mama Pho is worth a visit regardless.

Stepping into the cosy little joint, you’ll be greeted by gorgeous floor tiles and comfortable seating. The wait staff was attentive and their strong air-conditioning really relaxed us after a long day of walking in the heat.

We went right for the unique Pho Sate Bo (78,000 VND, S$4.61) which is essentially beef pho but served in a rich peanut-based broth instead.

The pho broth was incredibly unique and we liked that it wasn’t overly rich, complementing the springy rice noodles and tender beef slices to perfection. After trying so many bowls of pho, we were glad to dig into something a little different.

We were torn between the Wok-Fried Pho and Crispy Pan-Fried Pho but we settled for the latter.

The Pho Ap Chau Tom & Rau Cu (Sautéed Shrimp & Vegetables over Crispy Pan-Fried Pho, 78,000 VND, SS$4.61) was, unfortunately, a little too tough to bite through.

For a light nibble before your meal, order up the Cahn Ga Chien Sa Nghe (Fried Lemongrass & Turmeric Chicken, 48,000VND, S$2.84). This deep-fried chicken wing delight comes served with a sweet chilli sauce on the side but truly, it stood up well on its own.

The chicken wings were marinated well and who can dislike the combination of turmeric and chicken, fried to golden perfection?

There were a few hits and misses during our visit but despite that, Mama Pho certainly deserves praise for their unique pho creations. Which one will you be trying?

Mama Pho Restaurant
111, Hem so 9, Ben Nghé
Quan 1, Ho Chí Minh, Vietnam
Daily: 8am – 10pm
Tel: +84 28 3915 1009

Phuc Long Coffee & Tea is essentially the Starbucks of Vietnam, with outlets sprawling all over Ho Chi Minh City at literally every corner.

This Vietnamese-born chain is best known for their tea and their iced teas are a big hit with many people of all ages. The outlet we visited was rather spacious and it took up 3 levels of a stretch of shophouses, and although it might resemble the look and feel of a commercial coffee and tea chain, it was far from it.

Here’s what’s actually worth ordering at Phuc Long Coffee & Tea.

We went for a Cappuccino Blast (49,000VND, S$2.89) and a Vitamin C Relaxing Fruit Smoothie (49,000VND, S$2.89) as we were craving for something refreshing.

The former was a quick kick and we instantly felt a lot more awake after a few sips. The caffeine content was pretty high but the strong roasted taste was actually really pleasant.

The latter was a nice refreshing and healthy drink that made for a good pick-me-up after our heavy pho lunch but it was nothing to shout about. Stick to their coffee and tea and you’re set.

We also picked up a croissant that we saw in their glass display but it was disappointing. We like our croissants buttery and flaky but this was the complete opposite of that.

A word of advice is to just stick to their drinks and skip the food. Just pop by and grab a quick iced coffee or tea and go about the rest of your day in the city.

Phuc Long Coffee & Tea
29 Ngo Duc Ke Q 1
Ho Chi Minh City 70000, Vietnam
Tel: +84 1800 6779

(Multiple outlets located within District 1)

For more recommendations, read our Ho Chi Minh City’s guides to discover the best places to visit in the city.

]]> https://www.ladyironchef.com/2018/10/phuc-long-coffee-tea/feed/ 0 https://www.ladyironchef.com/2018/10/lamant-cafe-hcmc/ https://www.ladyironchef.com/2018/10/lamant-cafe-hcmc/#comments Mon, 22 Oct 2018 01:51:52 +0000 Cheryl Chong http://www.ladyironchef.com/?p=167966 Continue reading →]]>

L’amant Café impresses with both their 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.

Upon stepping into L’amant Café, you will be amazed by the huge and spacious interior and the massive range of instant coffee in their retail section. From the food, the coffee and even the service, here is what we loved about L’amant Café in Ho Chi Minh City.

Craving a taste of Vietnamese coffee (after so long), we went right for the most unique item on their coffee menu—L’amant Egg Café (65,000VND, S$3.82).

Floating above strong, black Vietnamese coffee is a sweet egg custard. The frothy custardy layer was sweet, eggy and creamy and it complemented the bitter coffee exceptionally well. Having egg in coffee was something that we had never tried before and we were pleasantly surprised.

The café doesn’t have many food items on their menu since they specialise in coffee, but we went for a breakfast item that seemed (to us) like a deconstructed banh mi sandwich

Costing us 90,000VND (S$5.30), this platter consisting of fried eggs, Vietnamese pork sausages, hams, luncheon meat, cilantro and pickled vegetables arrived at our table on a sizzling hot griddle. It is then accompanied by (you guessed it) a baguette.

The dish was tasty and made for a pretty decent breakfast (and picture), but it was truly nothing exciting. We could have easily gotten a version that boasted similar flavour profiles on the streets for a fraction of the price.

It certainly is a must to pop in for a nice warm cuppa before continuing on the rest of your trip in Ho Chi Minh City, or some cafe food too if you fancy it.

L’amant Café
12 Nguyên Huê, Ben Nghé
Ho Chí Minh, Vietnam
Tel: +84 28 3827 7978
Sun to Mon: 7.30am – 11pm
Sat: 7.30am – 10.30pm

For more recommendations, read our Ho Chi Minh City’s guides to discover the best places to visit in the city.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City, we found a cosy little wine bar in the heart of District 1—BRIX Winebar Kitchen. This cosy little bar stood out amongst the other bars in the vicinity with its sleek design and modern furniture—and considerably less dodgy appeal.

BRIX also 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.

If you’re looking for a nice and comfortable retreat in Ho Chi Minh City, you will fall in love with BRIX Winebar Kitchen.

Before we even saw the wine list, we were sold by their impressive range of cheeses and cold cuts. You can have them in 2 sizes—Platter of 3 (270,000VND, S$15.80) or Platter of 6 (540,000VND, S$31.71).

Their cold cuts selection include Honey Glazed Ham, German Beer Sausage, Parma Ham, Salami Milano and so much more. We decided on the Salami Milano.

Their cheese selection is even more impressive. Their range features cheeses such as Gruyère, Camembert, Gorgonzola and Pecorino.

The platter has a very generous serving of each cheese and cold cut we chose and it went exceptionally well with their house white wine.

Their House bottle of Sauvignon Blanc (560,000VND, S$32.90) was smooth and crisp and the wine tasted even better when enjoyed together with the salty, creamy nuggets of cheese.

If you’re looking for a bar with great vibes and wines, look no further than to BRIX Winebar Kitchen.

BRIX Winebar Kitchen
42 Pasteur Street
Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh 700000, Vietnam
Tel: +84 8 3825 6300
Mon to Sat: 11am – 12am
Sun: 1pm – 12am
Website: brixsaigon.com

A popular pit stop among the Vietnamese locals, Nhu Lan Bakery houses several food stalls in one. The establishment functions as a banh mi kiosk, a proper sit-down Vietnamese eatery as well as a delicatessen and meat grocer.

Every morning from as early as 5am, throngs of locals park their scooters right outside the eatery, grabbing themselves a quick bite before going about their day. Curious, and pining for a taste of what locals deem delicious, we decided to pay the humble eatery a visit.

They serve everything under the sun, from tasty, proper bowls of pho bo, to a massive selection of banh mi toppings and even some other local delicacies not commonly found elsewhere.

Outside is where you can get your hands on some freshly-made banh mi. Inside, however, they serve a pretty impressive variety of noodle and rice dishes from the classic pho, dry rice noodles to some pretty interesting, rarely heard of items as well.

Having read so much more about Vietnam’s many varieties of noodle dishes, we decided to wing it with their Rice Noodles with Fried Spring Rolls and Barbecued Pork (40,000 VND).

The dish features a colossal portion of rice noodles along with some pickled vegetables, spring rolls, barbecued pork, ground peanuts and a lime wedge. Like most Vietnamese dishes, it also comes with a platter of fresh herbs.

To get the ultimate combination of flavours and textures, you really have to mix everything together. We went with a dash of fish sauce, lime juice, chillis, garlic, fresh herbs simply torn in and sriracha for ours.

The result? A vibrant and addictive mix of fresh flavours that encompassed sweet, sour, salty and spicy.

Unsure of what else to get, we decided to go with our gut and randomly pointed towards one of the lesser intimidating items on the menu. Thankfully, what was served to us was the Rice with Fried Roast Pork, Braised Pork, Pickled Cabbage & Egg (40,000 VND).

Laced with a tangy, salty kick from the pickled cabbage, coupled with the fresh taste of coriander along with the smoky, meaty taste of the barbecued pork, this was honestly one of the most delightful we had—that isn’t pho.

The flavours reminded us of pig’s organ soup, especially with the heavy emphasis on pickled vegetables to counter the porky taste, just that this was much drier.

Stuffed from edge to edge with thin rice noodles, fresh vegetables and slivers of shrimp, we absolutely couldn’t get enough of their Pork & Shrimp Spring Roll (15,000 VND). The rice paper was a little stiff and tricky to nibble through, but besides that, everything was perfect.

We’re not fully sure what went into the dipping sauce, except that it was a mixture of sweet, tangy, savoury and nutty qualities. Come to think of it, hoisin definitely made up a majority of its flavour.

Nhu Lan Bakery
50 Ham Nghi, Ben Nghé, Quan 1,
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Tel: +84 28 3914 1338
Daily: 4am – 11pm
SGD to VND: S$1 : 16981.22 VND (aprox)

For more recommendations, read our Ho Chi Minh City’s guides to discover the best places to visit in the city.

]]> https://www.ladyironchef.com/2018/09/nhu-lan-bakery-hcmc/feed/ 0 https://www.ladyironchef.com/2018/09/phan-boi-chau-night-market/ https://www.ladyironchef.com/2018/09/phan-boi-chau-night-market/#comments Fri, 21 Sep 2018 01:00:39 +0000 Cheryl Chong http://www.ladyironchef.com/?p=167591 Continue reading →]]>

Visiting night markets in any country is one of the best things to do to truly soak up a country’s culture, largely due to the amount of local street food, people and shops present. In Saigon, the popular Phan Boi Chau Night Market is a hit among tourists.

In the day, Ben Thanh Market is bustling with locals and tourists buying fresh produce and knick-knacks. When night falls, the area surrounding Ben Thanh Market comes to life and the Phan Boi Chau Night Market emerges. In District 1, Phan Boi Chau Night Market is the most populated night market as they open daily from 7pm.

When we arrived, we were slightly disappointed by the size and crowd of the night market. However, that didn’t stop us from exploring it in its entirety. Should you visit the Phan Boi Chau Night Market? Let’s break it down for you.

PRODUCE AND PRODUCTS

There were a number of stalls around the market offering Vietnamese products, produce and snacks in the night market. However, we did realise that they were priced slightly higher than the exact same ones we saw in the day at another street stall.

While the price difference wasn’t a huge issue for us as it was not significant, we were thoroughly underwhelmed by the variety of items sold at the stalls.

Tip: Check the prices of the items you want in the day before purchasing anything here. It’s harder to bargain for snacks and produce compared to fashion items such as bags, clothing and accessories.

FOOD & DRINKS

There were roughly only 2 to 3 stalls here that offer full sit-down meals and dishes. The majority of the stalls offer seafood and a number of standard Vietnamese dishes priced higher than regular street stalls.

Tip: Ask for the prices before ordering anything as most of the seafood items do not have a specific price on the menu and you might be conned into paying way more than what it’s worth.

CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES

If you compare the retail stalls at other night markets to Phan Boi Chau Night Market, you’ll be sorely disappointed. Most stalls offer only touristy t-shirts and every single bag stall here sells the exact same thing. There are a ton of fake luxury goods here, from branded bags to even sneakers.

Tip: You can bargain easily, especially if you purchase more than one item, as long as you don’t quote too ridiculous a price to annoy the stall owners.

VERDICT: HIT OR MISS?

Phan Boi Chau Night Market was just immensely underwhelming for us and it lacked the fun and exciting atmosphere of most of the markets we’ve visited in Asia. Many of the shops sell similar items and there really isn’t much variety with regards to street snacks and apparel.

Phan Boi Chau Night Market
32-30, 36-34-32-30 Phan Boi Châu
Phuoung Ben Thành, Quan 1
Ho Chí Minh, Vietnam
Daily: 7pm – 11.30pm

For more recommendations, read our Ho Chi Minh City guides to discover the best places to visit in the city.

Hardly anyone can say no to a good bowl of pho, essentially a simple bowl of bone broth with a swirl of rice noodles topped with beef slices, Thai basil leaves, coriander and raw bean sprouts, this bowl spells total comfort—especially so on a cold, rainy day or after a boozy night out. Despite its unclear origins, it can be considered Vietnam’s treasured national dish.

Since the days of the Vietnam War, Pho has spread far and wide across the globe to be enjoyed by many, but there’s definitely something about having it in its home country that makes it so much better than at anywhere else.

CHEAP

Regardless of what kind of dish it is, it is always the cheapest in its land of origin. Being located right at the source means getting fresh ingredients as soon as possible and as cheaply as possible. For as little as 20,000 VND (approx. S$1.20) you can get the cheapest, freshest and tastiest bowl of pho you’ll ever have.

EMOTIONALLY GROUNDING

For most locals, not only is pho breakfast food, but it is also comfort food. There’s something about how the noodles and broth combine in a bowl of pho that grounds you in the moment. It’s the way the locals start every day proper, and it’s the way that it gets you into the groove of this vibrant morning country.

POT MASTERS

It goes without saying that the Vietnamese really know how to make the perfect soup stock. Every chef has their own carefully formulated spice mix using ingredients such as cardamom, fennel, anise, cinnamon, cloves, roasted onions and sliced gingers. They really do take the time to meticulously clean the bones to impart that full body flavour without being overwhelming.

Every bowl of soup is a labour of love — clean, refreshing, savoury and satisfying.

RUSTIC CHARM

There’s something undeniably homey about huddling over a bowl of soup by the roadside at 7am before the sun fully rises and watching the quiet streets come alive. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Cast aside your worries about unclean food and sit in front of a squat table or milk crates with the rest of the locals and immerse yourself in the experience.

STORY IN A BOWL

As the nation’s unofficial national dish, it’s no surprise that Vietnam’s rich history is reflected in this simple bowl of noodles. The two distinctive pho variations came about as a result of Vietnam’s turbulent history — in Hanoi’s variation, pho retains its original traditional rustic purity, while in Saigon’s variation, it is much more colourful and much more polished, very much like the cities themselves.

ZERO WASTE

These street vendors are also proficient in nose-to-tail dining, meaning little to no food waste is generated. All the parts of the animal (usually cow or chicken) are utilised, be it in the broth or as a topping itself. Certain vendors also allow you to pick the particular cut of meat you’d like, making it perfect for the adventurous eaters who’d like to try more unusual cuts of meat.

For more recommendations, read our Ho Chi Minh City guides to discover the best places to visit.

The bustling and vibrant city of Ho Chi Minh City is the busiest and most populated area in the whole of Vietnam. Named after the late leader of Vietnam, people flock to this colourful city for its friendly people, incredible street food and rich history. For foodies like ourselves, our quest for the best food in Ho Chi Minh City started from the streets.

It is in the streets that you find the best of their street food with the most authentic flavours. Everywhere you stroll in Ho Chi Minh City, you will see a variety of road-side vendors dishing out tasty street food and passing them on to busy motorists or see groups of people sitting on tiny plastic stools enjoying their street food by the sidewalk.

We’ve tasted some of the best street food in Ho Chi Minh City but in our adventures, we also stumbled upon pretty disappointing ones. Here’s our Ho Chi Minh City Street Food Guide to help you find the best street food.

THE CLASSIC PHO BÒ (BEEF NOODLE SOUP)

When you think of Vietnamese food, most people will have pho on their minds. It is the country’s national dish after all.

You can find Pho in just about every street corner in Vietnam. The most common Pho is Pho Bo, or Beef Pho but you can easily find other variations such as Pho Ga (Chicken Pho). While we tried our best to find the best Pho Bo in random alleyways and street corners, our favourite Pho was still the one at Pho Phuong 25, a pho joint just beside the famous Lunch Lady.

Besides the tender cuts of beef and generous portions of other beef parts such as tendon and beef balls, the broth of their pho bo is just sensational. The slightly darker clear broth brimmed with flavour and each mouthful bore an intense meaty quality. Your trip to Ho Chi Minh City will not be complete without a trip here.

Our favourite Pho in Ho Chi Minh City:
Pho Phuong 25
25 Hoàng Sa Da Kao, Quan 1, Ho Chí Minh, Vietnam

Verdict: #1 must-try street food Ho Chi Minh City.

BÁNH MÌ (VIETNAMESE SANDWICH)

Whenever you need a quick and satisfying bite on the go in Vietnam, people go right for a Bahn Mi, a Vietnamese baguette sandwich popular all over the world. Like Pho, Bahn Mi is found is every street corner, available in fancy food joints and street stalls any where in Ho Chi Minh City.

Bahn Mi usually features a baguette sandwich with pork paté, a variety of cooked meats, Vietnamese hams and sausages, pickled vegetables, chilli, coriander and more. You can also customise your own Bahn Mi in most places. While we thoroughly enjoyed the Bahn Mis we had in Ho Chi Minh City, nothing really stood out for us.

Verdict: Worth a try just for the experience. .

BÁNH TRÁNG NUONG (RICE PANCAKE)

While strolling around in the city, we passed by a couple of road-side stalls offering the Bánh Tráng Nuong. It is a type of rice cracker more commonly found in Ho Chi Minh City (in Southern Vietnam). 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.

For just about S$1, this pancake was one of the highlights of our trip. Each bite was an explosion of savoury, umami flavours and each bite came with a pleasant crunch. If you see a stall like this around Ho Chi Minh City, do not hesitate!

Verdict: Extremely satisfying, a must to try if you see it around.

COLOURFUL GLUTINOUS RICE

When strolling around the Phan Boi Chau Night Market, we were privy to a street cart offering gorgeous colourful glutinous rice desserts topped with coconut cream and desiccated coconut. We quickly ordered up a serving without first asking for a price. We chose a mix of colours and the total came up to about S$9 for a pathetically small portion.

The sticky rice was hard and not cooked well and the coconut cream made the taste one dimensional. We quickly tossed the dessert away after a bite or two because it was that bad. These street carts hang around the night market and serve tourists exclusively to trick them into buying a portion. You have been warned!

Verdict: Do not try unless you’re recommended by a local. Check the prices beforehand.

VIETNAMESE SPRING ROLLS

You can find Goi Cuon or Vietnamese Spring Rolls every where in Vietnam. In Ho Chi Minh City, you can find street vendors offering them and restaurants serving them as a start or side. On our trip to Ho Chi Minh City, we realised that many locals enjoy this dish as a full-fledged meal. They would gobble up 4 to 6 of these rolls before going about the rest of their day.

We are huge fans of Vietnamese Spring Rolls and each refreshing bite really whets our appetites for more food. Each roll features rice wrappers stuffed with shrimp, Thai basil, mint leaves, coriander, lettuce and more. Dip it in some hoisin sauce and you’re good to go.

Verdict: Must-try street food, easy to consume and great for any time of the day.

For more recommendations, read our Ho Chi Minh City’s guides to discover the best places to visit in the city.