30 casual dining worth the trip across Vietnam, editor-ranked by TableJourney. All Vietnam guides.
Phở Gia Truyền Bát Đàn ★ 4.6 · Hanoi
old-quarter · 49 Bat Dan, Cua Dong, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Pho Gia Truyen Bat Dan in Hanoi is a Michelin Bib Gourmand pho kitchen on Bat Dan, run by the same family for five decades with daily queues from 06:00.
Tip: 100% self-service: order, pay and collect at the counter. Closes between 10:00 and 18:00; arrive early for breakfast.
Phở Thìn Lò Đúc ★ 4.5 · Hanoi
hai-ba-trung · 13 Lo Duc, Pham Dinh Ho, Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi
Pho Thin Lo Duc in Hanoi is the Lo Duc kitchen where Nguyen Trong Thin invented the stir-fried beef pho in 1979, with a richer, garlic-and-onion broth.
Tip: One dish only. Stainless-steel tables, fast turnover; if it's full, wait two minutes and a seat opens.
Phở 10 Lý Quốc Sư ★ 4.5 · Hanoi
old-quarter · 10 Ly Quoc Su, Hang Trong, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Pho 10 Ly Quoc Su in Hanoi holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand for a clear, traditional Northern beef pho across the Old Quarter from St Joseph's Cathedral.
Tip: Original branch only; beware imitations on Ly Quoc Su using the same name. Multiple floors; ground floor for the queue, upstairs for groups.
Phở Gà Nguyệt ★ 4.5 · Hanoi
old-quarter · 5B Phu Doan, Hang Trong, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Pho Ga Nguyet in Hanoi holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand for chicken pho on Phu Doan, plated with tender free-range chicken in a delicate, almost-clear broth.
Tip: Late-night service until midnight makes this the only Bib Gourmand pho counter open after the Old Quarter shuts.
Com Tam Ba Ghien ★ 4.5 · Ho Chi Minh City
phu-nhuan · 84 Dang Van Ngu Street, Ward 10, Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City
Com Tam Ba Ghien is the only broken-rice shop in Vietnam with a Michelin Bib Gourmand, famous for an oversized caramelised grilled pork chop over broken rice.
Tip: Go at lunch when the grill is busiest; the pork chop is the size of the plate.
Phở Bò Lâm ★ 4.4 · Hanoi
old-quarter · 48 Hang Vai, Hang Bo, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Pho Bo Lam in Hanoi holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand for traditional Northern beef pho served from a tiny Hang Vai shophouse, family-run for three generations.
Tip: Closes for two hours mid-afternoon. The Hang Vai branch is the original; if it's closed, the family runs two other counters in the Old Quarter.
Bánh Cuốn Bà Hoành ★ 4.4 · Hanoi
old-quarter · 66 Tho Xuong, Hang Trong, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Banh Cuon Ba Hoanh in Hanoi is a Michelin-listed banh cuon counter near St Joseph's Cathedral, plating hand-ground rice rolls with shiitake and wood ear.
Tip: Breakfast and lunch only. The rolls are steamed to order over a cloth-stretched cauldron; ask to watch the work at the front.
Xôi Yến ★ 4.4 · Hanoi
old-quarter · 35B Nguyen Huu Huan, Ly Thai To, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Xoi Yen in Hanoi serves Hoan Kiem's favourite breakfast sticky rice from a corner shophouse on Nguyen Huu Huan, with caramel pork or Chinese sausage on top.
Tip: Ground floor is the open kitchen; head upstairs to sit. Bowls 20,000-50,000 VND; open from 05:00 for breakfast.
Pho Hoa Pasteur ★ 4.4 · Ho Chi Minh City
district-3 · 260C Pasteur Street, Ward 8, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
Pho Hoa Pasteur has poured beef pho on this District 3 corner since 1968 and now carries a Michelin Bib Gourmand for its long-simmered, clean-tasting broth.
Tip: Prices are posted by bowl size; the tables of fresh herbs and gio chao quay are self-serve.
Tuyết Bún Chả 34 ★ 4.3 · Hanoi
ba-dinh · 34 Hang Than, Nguyen Trung Truc, Ba Dinh, Hanoi
Tuyet Bun Cha 34 in Hanoi holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand for charcoal-grilled bun cha infused with lanceleaf blumea, served at six tables on Hang Than.
Tip: Lunch only 11:00-15:00 and tables spill onto the pavement. Cash only at this branch.
Bún Bò Nam Bộ Bách Phương ★ 4.3 · Hanoi
old-quarter · 73-75 Hang Dieu, Hang Bo, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Bun Bo Nam Bo Bach Phuong in Hanoi has served one dish since 1986 on Hang Dieu: rice noodles topped with stir-fried beef, herbs, peanuts and crispy shallots.
Tip: Long communal metal tables fill with locals and travellers; share a table. The 73-75 branch a few doors down is run by relatives.
Phở Tiến ★ 4.3 · Hanoi
ba-dinh · 103 Nguyen Truong To, Truc Bach, Ba Dinh, Hanoi
Pho Tien in Hanoi is a Michelin Selected pho counter in Truc Bach, plating a delicate Northern beef broth from a Nguyen Truong To shophouse since 2010.
Tip: Sit at street level for the open kitchen; upstairs is air-conditioned. Closed mid-afternoon.
Pho Le ★ 4.3 · Ho Chi Minh City
district-5 · 413-415 Nguyen Trai Street, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City
Pho Le is a Cho Lon institution famous for a rich, sweet Southern-style beef broth and generous portions, drawing steady queues on the edge of Chinatown.
Tip: Southern pho runs sweeter than Hanoi's; the hoisin and sriracha on the table are meant for it.
Banh Xeo 46A ★ 4.3 · Ho Chi Minh City
district-1 · 46A Dinh Cong Trang Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Banh Xeo 46A is the sizzling-pancake specialist off Tan Dinh, where turmeric-yellow rice crepes stuffed with shrimp and pork come wrapped in herbs and greens.
Tip: One pancake is bigger than it looks; order one to start and share before adding more.
Banh Canh Cua 87 ★ 4.3 · Ho Chi Minh City
tan-dinh · 87 Tran Khac Chan Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Banh Canh Cua 87 is a Tan Dinh sidewalk institution with a single-minded focus: a thick, savoury crab noodle soup of tapioca noodles, crab and quail eggs.
Tip: It is a busy sidewalk stall with plastic stools; go mid-afternoon to beat the crowd.
Bún Chả Đắc Kim ★ 4.2 · Hanoi
old-quarter · 1 Hang Manh, Hang Gai, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Bun Cha Dac Kim in Hanoi is a Michelin Selected bun cha kitchen on Hang Manh that gave the street its reputation for charcoal-grilled pork since 1966.
Tip: Lunchtime queues spill onto the pavement; share a table. Closes by mid-afternoon if the pork runs out.
The Hanoi Social Club ★ 4.2 · Hanoi
old-quarter · 6 Hoi Vu, Hang Bong, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
The Hanoi Social Club is a 1920s French colonial villa serving Old Quarter all-day brunch, jazz nights and a vegetarian-leaning menu on Hoi Vu lane.
Tip: Live music several nights a week; check the Facebook page. Wi-Fi and power outlets make this a popular remote-work room before 18:00.
Bun Bo Nam Giao ★ 4.2 · Ho Chi Minh City
district-1 · 248 De Tham Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Bun Bo Nam Giao has cooked Hue-style spicy beef noodle soup since 1991, its lemongrass-and-chili broth a backpacker-district fixture near Bui Vien.
Tip: The broth is fiery by Southern standards; add the shrimp paste on the side to taste.
Hai Ky Mi Gia ★ 4.2 · Ho Chi Minh City
district-5 · 349A Nguyen Trai Street, Ward 7, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City
Hai Ky Mi Gia is a Cho Lon institution for mi vit tiem, herbal braised duck over springy egg noodles, a Cantonese noodle house beloved in District 5.
Tip: The duck is braised in Chinese herbs; ask for it dry with the broth on the side to taste the noodles.
Bún Chả Hương Liên ★ 4.1 · Hanoi
hai-ba-trung · 24 Le Van Huu, Phan Chu Trinh, Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi
Bun Cha Huong Lien in Hanoi is the Le Van Huu kitchen where Obama and Anthony Bourdain shared bun cha in 2016, with the original table preserved in glass.
Tip: The table Obama and Bourdain sat at is encased in glass on the second floor; the lunchtime queue is the slowest 12:00-13:00.
Ha Ky ★ 4.1 · Ho Chi Minh City
district-5 · 138 Chau Van Liem Street, Ward 11, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City
Ha Ky is a long-running Cho Lon dessert house serving Cantonese-style sweet soups, warm and cold che by the bowl, in the heart of District 5's Chinatown.
Tip: It doubles as a savoury spot, but locals come for the Chinese sweet soups after dinner.
Mi Vit Tiem Thiem Huy ★ 4.1 · Ho Chi Minh City
district-5 · 455 Nguyen Trai Street, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City
Thiem Huy is a well-loved Cho Lon noodle shop specialising in mi vit tiem, deep-fried then herb-braised duck leg over egg noodles in a fragrant broth.
Tip: The duck leg is fried before braising, so the skin stays firm; go early evening before it sells out.
Mi Keo Ha Ton Quyen ★ 4.1 · Ho Chi Minh City
district-11 · 116-118 Ha Ton Quyen Street, Ward 4, District 11, Ho Chi Minh City
Ha Ton Quyen is Saigon's sui cao street, and this corner is a favourite for hand-pulled egg noodles and plump pork-and-shrimp dumplings in clear broth.
Tip: The whole block is dumpling shops with pavement tables; it is busiest and best in the evening.
Pho Phu Vuong ★ 4.1 · Ho Chi Minh City
phu-nhuan · 399 Le Van Si Street, Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City
Pho Phu Vuong has poured beef pho for nearly twenty years, a Le Van Si mainstay whose broth balances Northern depth with the sweeter Southern palate.
Tip: It runs from early morning to midnight, a dependable pho stop outside the tourist centre.
Hu Tieu Nam Vang Thanh Dat ★ 4.1 · Ho Chi Minh City
district-10 · 16-18-20 Ly Thai To Street, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City
Thanh Dat is a busy hu tieu Nam Vang specialist on Ly Thai To, serving the Phnom Penh-style noodle in a clear, sweet pork broth topped with pork and shrimp.
Tip: Order it dry to appreciate the springy noodles; the broth comes in a separate bowl.
Com Ga Hai Nam ★ 4.0 · Ho Chi Minh City
district-10 · 379 Nguyen Tri Phuong Street, Ward 6, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City
Com Ga Hai Nam plates Hainanese-style chicken over rice cooked in the poaching broth, a tidy District 10 counter for steamed or roasted chicken.
Tip: Ask for a mix of steamed and roasted chicken if you cannot choose; both are strong.
Banh Canh Ghe Muoi Ot Xanh ★ 4.0 · Ho Chi Minh City
district-10 · 484A Nguyen Tri Phuong Street, Ward 9, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City
This District 10 counter is known for banh canh ghe, a thick tapioca noodle soup piled with sea crab and served with tangy green-chili salt.
Tip: Crack the crab into the soup and dip the meat in the green-chili salt on the side.
Chao 47 Ta Uyen ★ 4.0 · Ho Chi Minh City
district-5 · Alley 409 Nguyen Trai Street, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City
This Cho Lon congee counter simmers Teochew-style rice porridge loaded with pork, offal and century egg, a warming District 5 bowl for afternoon and night.
Tip: It runs afternoon to late; add the fried dough sticks to dip into the porridge.
Bun Rieu Canh Bun 66 ★ 4.0 · Ho Chi Minh City
district-3 · 287/66 Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
This District 3 alley stall is known for bun rieu, a tomato-and-crab-paste noodle soup, and its heartier cousin canh bun, ladled from a bubbling pot.
Tip: It is down an alley off Nguyen Dinh Chieu; the crab-paste broth is tangy and best with shrimp paste.
Banh Canh Cua Hoang Lan ★ 4.0 · Ho Chi Minh City
district-10 · 484 Vinh Vien Street, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City
Hoang Lan is a District 10 favourite for banh canh cua, a thick tapioca noodle soup heavy with crab meat, pork and quail eggs in a glossy, peppery broth.
Tip: It runs late morning to evening; the broth is deliberately thick, so eat it while piping hot.