Top 11 street food in Saigon Vietnam you must try

When talking about Saigon, aside from the dazzling skyscrapers and bustling city life, one cannot forget street food in Saigon Vietnam – a true “paradise” for food lovers. From morning till night, the narrow alleys and snack areas of Saigon bustle with people drawn in by the irresistible aromas wafting from sidewalk eateries. These snacks are not only delicious, nutritious, and affordable but also embody the rich culture and soul of this vibrant city. Are you ready to make a list of must-try foods in Saigon? Let’s explore the top 11 unmissable dishes right now! 🎉

Street food in Saigon is always a key attraction for tourists

1. Banh Mi Sai Gon – Vietnam’s “fast food” with a local twist.

If you ask for a dish that represents street food in Saigon Vietnam, Banh Mi Sai Gon will undoubtedly top the list! It’s no exaggeration to say that this is the “national bánh mì” loved by both locals and tourists alike.

🌟 What makes Banh Mi Sai Gon special?

• Crispy bread: The outer crust is perfectly crunchy, and every bite gives a satisfying “crackling” sound! 🤩
• Variety of fillings: Cold cuts, Vietnamese sausage (cha lua), creamy pâté, with a touch of pickled vegetables, cucumber, and aromatic cilantro.
• Rich sauce: Each bánh mì shop has its own secret sauce recipe, creating a unique and unforgettable flavor.

📍 Recommended spot: Bánh Mì Huynh Hoa – “Expensive but worth it” and a must-try at least once in a lifetime!

• Address: 26 Le Thi Rieng street, Pham Ngu Lao, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (Google Map)
• Operating hours: 2:30 PM – 11:00 PM
• Price: $1.57 – $3.13 USD (40,000 – 80,000 VND)

Looking for a quick, convenient, and delicious breakfast? Grab a bánh mì Sài Gòn and enjoy it on the go, just like the locals do! 😉

A banh mi overflowing with toppings from Huynh Hoa.

2. Pho – Traditional flavor in the heart of street food in Saigon Vietnam

When talking about delicious dishes in Saigon, we can’t forget pho – the dish that has made Vietnamese cuisine famous worldwide! Although it originates from the North, when it reached the South, phở adopted a new style: a sweeter and richer broth, served with fresh herbs and a perfect dipping sauce. On a leisurely morning, stopping by a steaming bowl of phở and sipping a hot, savory broth – it’s absolutely satisfying! 🤤

🌟 Why is Pho Saigon so appealing?

• The broth is simmered from beef bones, infused with cinnamon, star anise, and cardamom… creating a fragrant aroma 💖
• The noodles are soft, yet chewy, and absorb the flavors beautifully.
• Fresh beef or chicken, served with green onions, bean sprouts, and lime chili to enhance the taste!

📍 Recommended spot: Pho Hoa Pasteur – An old, beloved pho shop, with perfectly made broth and super tender beef.

• Address: 260C Pasteur, ward 8, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City 70000, Vietnam (Google Map)
• Operating hours: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
• Price: $2.15 – $3.13 USD (55,000 – 80,000 VND)

What could be better than starting your day with a steaming bowl of pho, full of energy? If you’re a fan of street food in Saigon Vietnam, this is one you definitely can’t miss! 🌆

Pho Hoa Pasteur – Famous for its delicious aroma and taste in Saigon

3. Hu tieu go (rice noodle) – The late-night specialty of Saigon’s street food scene.

As you wander the streets of Saigon at night, the familiar ‘knock knock knock’ sound signals that a hủ tiếu gõ cart is nearby! This street food in Saigon Vietnam specialty is sold from push carts along the streets, simple yet irresistibly delicious.

🌟 What makes hu tieu go (rice noodle) special?

• The broth is light and sweet, simmered for hours from pork bones.
• The noodles are perfectly chewy, topped with minced meat and crispy fried pork fat. 😋
• Served with bean sprouts, green onions, and chives – simple but packed with flavor.

📍 Recommended spot: Hu tieu go late night – The legendary rice noodles cart for night owls in Saigon.

• Address: Nguyen Thai Hoc – Tran Hung Dao Intersection, District 1 (Google Map)
• Operating hours: 6:00 PM – 2:00 AM
• Price: $0.59 – $0.98 USD (15,000 – 25,000 VND)

Want to experience Saigon’s soul through its street food? Try sitting by the sidewalk, savoring a hot bowl of hủ tiếu gõ, and listening to the rush of cars in the night. It’s a truly Saigon experience! 🌃

Not sure what to eat at night? Go ahead and make yourself a bowl of rice noodle!

>> Read more: 15 Must-Try Vietnamese Egg Coffee Shops in Saigon

4. Banh trang tron (mixed rice paper) – The “best-seller” among street food in Saigon Vietnam.

If there’s a Saigon snack that makes everyone restless, it’s definitely Banh trang tron (mixed rice paper)! When talking about street food in Saigon Vietnam, how can we forget a bag of rice paper filled with toppings, bursting with flavors that will have you hooked after just one bite?

🌟 The “ultimate” ingredients of banh trang tron (mixed rice paper):

• Soft, chewy rice paper strips mixed with tangy-sweet sauce.
• Dried shrimp, dried beef, quail eggs, and a touch of aromatic Vietnamese coriander. 🌿
• Crispy fried shallots and crunchy peanuts – an explosion of flavors in every bite!

📍 Recommended spot: Banh trang tron Uncle Vien – The “holy grail” of Saigon’s mixed rice paper.

• Address: 38 Nguyen Thuong Hien, ward 5, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (Google Map)
• Operating hours: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
• Price: $0.78 – $1.17 USD (20,000 – 30,000 VND)

Wandering around Saigon’s street food scene, make sure to grab a bag of bánh tráng trộn to snack on while chatting with your friends! 🌟

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There is no shortage of stalls selling mixed rice paper in Saigon.

5. Goi kho bo (dried beef salad) – The “taste of childhood” in Saigon’s street food scene

Have you ever wandered through a park, holding a plate of dried beef salad, enjoying a bite while soaking in the cool breeze? If so, congratulations, you’ve truly tasted the essence of street food in Saigon Vietnam!

🌟 Why dried beef salad is the “ultimate favorite”:

• Shredded crispy papaya mixed with flavorful dried beef.
• The “magic” sweet and sour fish sauce that enhances the irresistible taste.
• Sprinkled with peanuts and fresh herbs – you’ll want to order another plate!

📍 Recommended spot: Dried beef salad at Le Van Tam Park – Authentic taste at a budget-friendly price.

• Address: Hai Bà Trưng Street Entrance, Lê Văn Tám Park, District 1 (Google Map)
• Operating hours: 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM
• Price: $0.59 – $0.98 USD (15,000 – 25,000 VND)

Gather your friends, head to the park to catch some fresh air, and enjoy a plate of Gỏi Khô Bò. It’s the perfect combo for street food in Saigon Vietnam! 🍃

There’s nothing better than enjoying dried beef salad while relaxing in the breeze!

6. Bot chien (fried rice flour cake) – The legend of Saigon’s street food snacks

From students to office workers, who do not fall in love with a plate of crispy, hot fried rice flour cake? This dish is found everywhere in Saigon’s street food in Saigon Vietnam scene – easy to find, but the flavor never gets old!

🌟 What makes fried rice flour cake special:

• Golden fried rice flour cake, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
• Rich scrambled eggs, combined with fragrant green onions. 🌿
• Shredded papaya on the side, dipped in sweet and sour soy sauce – an explosion of flavors for your taste buds!

📍 Recommended spot: Bot chien Dat Thanh – The “legendary” fried rice flour cake shop of Saigon.

• Address: 277 Vo Van Tan, ward 5, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (Google Map)
• Operating hours: 4:00 PM – 11:00 PM
• Price: $0.78 – $1.96 USD (20,000 – 50,000 VND)

For a “chill” evening, grab a plate of fried rice flour cake with your friends, chatting about everything under the sun – the perfect Saigon street food in Saigon Vietnam experience! 🥰

Crispy fried rice flour cake, one bite and you’re hooked!

7. Pha lau – A rich and savory dish you can’t miss!

When talking about street food in Saigon Vietnam, you can’t overlook pha lau – a delicious dish with a creamy coconut-based broth, combined with tender beef or pork offals. A crispy piece of bread dipped in the rich broth makes for the perfect bite! 🤤

🌟 What makes pha lau special:

• The broth is rich, flavorful, and irresistibly aromatic.
• The offals are cleaned carefully, tender and not chewy.
• It’s often served with bread or noodles and accompanied by sweet and sour tamarind fish sauce – absolutely delicious!

📍 Recommended spot: Pha Lau Aunt Loan – A famous street food in Saigon Vietnam spot for Phá Lấu.

• Address: 105 Nguyễn Thần Hiến, Phường 18, District 4, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (Google Map)
• Operating hours: 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM
• Price: $0.78 – $1.96 USD (20,000 – 50,000 VND)

If you love rich flavors without being too greasy, pha lau is the perfect choice. Don’t miss out on trying it! 😋

>> Read more: 10 Healthy Vietnamese Foods You Can’t Miss

Pha lau is a delicious dish, but it’s not for everyone

8. Com tam (broken rice) – A delicious Saigon dish that brings the flavor of home!

Not just a popular breakfast dish, broken rice is also a “true love” for many food enthusiasts. All it takes is a plate of hot rice, perfectly grilled pork ribs, a little scallion oil, and sweet-sour fish sauce to satisfy your hunger for the entire day. 🤩

🌟 What makes broken rice special:

• The broken rice is soft, light, and fragrant, with a signature rice aroma.
• The grilled pork is flavorful, the skin is crispy, and the egg meatloaf is rich and savory.
• The fish sauce is perfectly balanced with pickled vegetables, enhancing the overall taste.

📍 Recommended spot: Com tam Ba Ghien – one of the legendary street food in Saigon Vietnam spots for broken rice.

• Address: 84 Dang Van Ngu, ward 10, Phu Nhuan, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (Google Map)
• Hours: 06:00 AM – 09:00 PM
• Price: $1.47 – $4.70 USD (40,000 – 120,000 VND)

If you haven’t tried broken rice in Saigon, then you haven’t truly experienced the best of Saigon’s delicious street food!

Com tam Ba Ghien is famous for its super large pork ribs

9. Grilled bread with salt and chili – a legendary grilled bread shop in the street food area of Saigon Vietnam!

If you are a fan of street food in Saigon Vietnam, you definitely cannot miss grilled bread with salt and chili – a crunchy, spicy treat with the aromatic smell of garlic butter!

🌟 The special feature of grilled bread with salt and chili:

• The bread is flattened and grilled crispy over hot charcoal, soaked in butter, satay, and spicy salt 🔥
• It comes with irresistible toppings: shredded pork, sausage, quail eggs, crispy fried shallots…
• The rich, salty sauce blends in, making it even more delicious! 🤤

📍 Recommended spot: Grilled Bread with Salt and Chili Hoà Hảo – a legendary grilled bread shop in the street food area of Saigon Vietnam

• Address: 416/11 Hoa Hao, ward 4, district 10, Ho Chi Miinh, Vietnam (Google Map)
• Operating hours: 15:00 – 21:00
• Price: $0,59 – $0,98 USD (15,000 – 25,000 VND)

Just take a bite, and you’ll instantly feel the crispy crust, spicy kick, and the creamy sauce – a street food experience in Saigon Vietnam that you cannot miss! 🚀

Grilled bread with salt and chili – A once hot trend!

10. Grilled skewers – A street food in Saigon Vietnam that you’ll crave more and more!

If you love tasty and convenient food, grilled skewers are definitely a must-try! With a variety of skewers ranging from meat, seafood, to vegetables, grilled skewers are not only delicious but also incredibly diverse. Enjoy a few hot skewers in the bustling atmosphere of the street food in Saigon Vietnam – what could be better? 😍

🌟 The highlights of grilled skewers:

• Variety of toppings: cheese-wrapped beef, sausage, fish balls, shrimp balls, meat-wrapped mushrooms, and more!
• Various cooking styles: deep-fried, grilled with scallion oil, spicy sauce… endless options to choose from! 🔥
• Perfect dipping sauces: chili sauce, tamarind sauce, cheese sauce, BBQ sauce – so good you’ll forget the way home!

📍 Recommended spot: Uncle Tun Grilled Skewers – a grilled skewer paradise in the street food in Saigon, Vietnam

• Address: 57/21 Ho Thi Ky Street, Ward 1, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (Google Map)
• Operating hours: 16:00 – 23:00
• Price: $0.25 – $0,59 USD/skewer (5,000 – 15,000 VND)

What could be better than a “chill” evening with friends, holding hot grilled skewers, dipping them into spicy sauce, and chatting about everything? This is the “true love” of street food in Saigon Vietnam! 😆🔥

A variety of options for you to choose from

11. Chuối nếp nướng (grilled sticky rice with banana) – A unique dessert of Saigon

Wrapping up the list of street food in Saigon Vietnam, grilled sticky rice with banana is the perfect choice for those who enjoy sweet treats but not too overpowering. The ripe banana is wrapped in a fragrant sticky rice layer, grilled over hot charcoal, and then topped with rich coconut milk – just thinking about it makes you crave it! 🤤

🌟 Special points of grilled sticky rice with banana:

• The crispy, chewy sticky rice shell blends perfectly with the sweet banana
• The rich coconut milk, topped with toasted sesame seeds
• An ideal dessert after a “satisfying” street food session

📍 Suggested place: Vo Van Tan grilled sticky rice with banana – a “legendary” grilled banana spot

• Address: 378 Võ Văn Tần, Ward 5, District 3, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam (Google Map)
• Operating hours: 10:00 – 18:00
• Price: $0.39 – $0.59 USD (10,000 – 15,000 VND)

If you’re indulging in street food, then you must have a dessert, and for dessert, you must try grilled sticky rice with banana – the perfect choice, right? 😋

Grilled sticky rice with banana – A Saigon street food that you can’t get enough of!

Saigon is not only a bustling city but also a paradise for street food in Saigon Vietnam with countless irresistible dishes. Each food item reflects the unique culture and showcases the creativity and dedication of the locals. Want to know what to eat today? Looking for a place that serves authentic local flavors? No need to stress over finding it – just chat with Laka, and you’ll get the best recommendations for street food in Saigon, Vietnam – from street-side stalls to hidden gems that food lovers adore. Try it now and let Laka’s chatbot guide you to explore Saigon’s food scene like a true local expert! 🍜