Formerly known as Saigon, this bustling metropolis serves up bold flavors, rich heritage and round-the-clock energy in every bowl, plate and bite. Whether you’re weaving through street stalls on a scooter or savoring a sit-down meal in a colonial-style café, Ho Chi Minh City food is an experience as layered as the city itself.
If you’re wondering what to eat in Ho Chi Minh, expect vibrant herbs, savory broths, fresh noodles and a generous splash of fish sauce. From quick bites at curbside carts to slow-cooked family recipes passed down for generations, these best dishes in Ho Chi Minh are the heart of southern Vietnamese cuisine — vibrant, generous and always unforgettable.
1. Phở
Vietnam’s most iconic dish starts here. While phở originated in the north, Ho Chi Minh City gives it a deeper, sweeter twist. This rice noodle soup is served in a clear, fragrant beef or chicken broth with thinly sliced meat, bean sprouts, basil and lime. It’s one of the most famous foods in Ho Chi Minh (and a comforting way to start your day).
2. Bánh Mì
A symbol of French-Vietnamese fusion, bánh mì is a crisp baguette filled with savory ingredients like pork, pâté, pickled carrots, daikon, cucumber and cilantro. You’ll find it sold at food carts and bakeries all over the city — fast, fresh and packed with flavor.
3. Cơm Tấm (Broken Rice)
This humble street food dish uses fractured rice grains served with grilled pork chops, steamed egg loaf, pickled vegetables and a drizzle of sweetened fish sauce. It’s hearty and flavorful — a beloved lunch staple for locals.
4. Gỏi Cuốn (Fresh Spring Rolls)
Fresh and light, these translucent rolls are filled with shrimp, pork, rice vermicelli and herbs, then wrapped in rice paper and served with hoisin-peanut dipping sauce. Gỏi cuốn are a refreshing counterpoint to the city’s spicier dishes.
5. Bún Thịt Nướng
Delight in grilled pork served over cold rice noodles with lettuce, pickled vegetables, herbs and crispy shallots. Topped with crushed peanuts and dressed with fish sauce-based nước chấm, this is one of the best dishes in Ho Chi Minh for warm days and bold flavors.
6. Hủ Tiếu
This southern noodle soup is lighter than phở and comes with a mix of pork, shrimp, squid and quail egg in a sweet-savory broth. You can order it with broth or “dry” with sauce on the side. Try it at a busy market for the full sensory experience.
7. Bánh Xèo
Literally meaning "sizzling pancake," bánh xèo is a crispy rice flour crêpe stuffed with shrimp, pork, bean sprouts and mung beans. It’s torn apart by hand, wrapped in lettuce with herbs and dipped in fish sauce. Every bite is crunchy, savory and wildly satisfying.
8. Bò Kho
Sample this rich, aromatic beef stew simmered with lemongrass, star anise and carrots, usually served with rice noodles or a crusty baguette. Bò kho is hearty and deeply spiced — comfort food at its finest.
9. Cà Ri Gà (Vietnamese Chicken Curry)
Fragrant and creamy with coconut milk, this yellow curry includes tender chicken, sweet potato, carrots and onion. It’s mild in heat but bold in flavor, best enjoyed with a loaf of French bread to soak up the sauce.
10. Cháo (Rice Porridge)
Often eaten for breakfast or as comfort food, Vietnamese rice porridge is similar to congee and can be topped with shredded chicken, century egg or pork. Ginger, scallions and fried shallots give it soothing warmth and depth.
11. Bánh Căn
These mini rice pancakes are cooked in clay molds and often filled with egg, shrimp or pork. Served with fresh herbs and a tangy dipping sauce, they’re a southern street snack favorite.
12. Bánh Tráng Nướng
Sometimes called “Vietnamese pizza,” this rice paper snack is grilled over charcoal and topped with ingredients like quail egg, dried shrimp, green onion, chili sauce and even cheese. Crispy, smoky and playful, it’s a local favorite among the younger crowd.
13. Cá Kho Tộ
This clay pot caramelized fish dish is braised in a savory-sweet sauce of fish sauce, sugar and black pepper until tender. Often made with catfish, it’s served bubbling hot and goes perfectly with steamed rice.
14. Hột Vịt Lộn (Balut)
A fertilized duck egg with a partially developed embryo, balut is eaten with salt, lime and Vietnamese coriander. It’s considered a delicacy and local snack, though more adventurous for visitors.
15. Chè
This colorful Vietnamese dessert can include combinations of sweet beans, coconut milk, jelly, fruit and crushed ice. There are countless varieties — some refreshing, some creamy — and they’re perfect for cooling off in the tropical heat.
Discover Food Excursions in Ho Chi Minh City
Explore the bold flavors and rich food culture of southern Vietnam with immersive excursions designed to bring you closer to tradition and taste:
- Hands-On Cooking Class
- Dive into Vietnamese culinary traditions with a market visit to shop for local ingredients, followed by a hands-on cooking class where you’ll prepare and enjoy authentic dishes with expert guidance.
- Deep in Mekong Delta
- Take a scenic boat ride through the Mekong Delta to visit local homes where coconut and rice snacks are made. Then, paddle by rowboat through narrow canals to a riverside home where you’ll enjoy a fresh fish lunch and gain insight into daily life along the delta.
What To Eat in Ho Chi Minh?
If you’re wondering what to eat in Ho Chi Minh, start with phở, bánh mì and cơm tấm. From street food classics like fresh spring rolls and sizzling pancakes to fragrant stews and sweet chè, the best food in Ho Chi Minh captures the essence of southern Vietnam — bold, fresh and deeply comforting. These famous foods in Ho Chi Minh are more than meals. They’re stories, shared traditions and invitations to experience the city’s vibrant spirit — one bite at a time.
