Places to Try Traditional Vietnamese Food in Saigon

If you opt for an exploration of 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 craving for 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
Price: VND 50,000

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.

Pho has varying flavors throughout the country

Banh Beo, Nam, Loc, It

Me Vui
Address: 29 Tran Quoc Toan Street, Ward 8, District 3
Opening hours: 7 AM - 10 PM
Price: VND 22,000 - VND 52,000

Beo, Nam, Loc, It are four types of cake originated from Hue - Vietnam's former capital. Despite having different making process, they are all made of rice flour and usually served together with sweet and sour fish sauce as well as Vietnamese cold cuts.

A tray of Banh Beo, Nam, Loc

Bot Chien

Bot Chien Dat Thanh
Address: 277 Vo Van Tan Street, District 3
Opening hours: 2 PM - 11 PM
Price: VND 30,000 - VND 35,000

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 with soya sauce.

Crispy and tasty is all you can say about Bot Chien

Banh Canh

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 Canh is always topped with spring onions

Banh Xeo

Banh Xeo 46A
Address: 46A Dinh Cong Trang Street, Tan Dinh Ward, District 1
Opening hours: 10 AM - 2 PM; 4 PM - 9 PM
Price: VND 90,000 - VND 150,000

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.

You can try Banh Xeo in our motorbike food tour

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.

Secret Garden has home-cooked meals with authentic tastes

Bun Dau Homemade - Northern Cuisine

Address: 52 Le Lai Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1
Opening hours: 9 AM - 10 PM
Price: VND 35,000 - VND 385,000

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 beverages like Nuoc Mo, Nuoc Sau, etc. Besides, the restaurant offers free water puppetry performance at the Le Lai store every Sunday.

Here, food is put on banana leaves and bamboo trays

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 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.

Hen Xao with coriander

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.

Hotpot at Lau Mam Ba Du

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 where you can learn all about Vietnamese delicacies.

Check out our private motorbike tours with professional local guides for fun and insightful trips in Ho Chi Minh City!