Vietnamese$district-5Daily 10:00-21:00
Ngoc Son is a District 5 banh xeo specialist frying big, crisp turmeric rice crepes stuffed with pork, shrimp and bean sprouts, wrapped in greens and dipped.
Signature: Banh xeo, Sizzling pancake
Order: A whole banh xeo torn into mustard leaf with herbs.
Tip: The crepes are large and best shared; the fish-sauce dip and greens are self-serve.
Vietnamese$$district-3Daily 10:00-23:00
Nha Go is a rustic wood-lined beef hotpot house on Ly Thai To, where groups gather around bubbling pots of lau bo with fresh herbs, noodles and beef.
Signature: Beef hotpot, Lau bo, Grilled beef
Order: A shared beef hotpot with the full herb basket.
Tip: Hotpot here is a group affair; go with several people and order a mix of beef cuts.
Pho$district-3Daily 06:00-22:30
Pho Hoa Pasteur has poured beef pho on this District 3 corner since 1968 and now carries a Michelin Bib Gourmand for its long-simmered, clean-tasting broth.
Signature: Pho bo, Pho tai, Beef pho
Order: A bowl of pho tai, plus the quay dough sticks for dipping.
Tip: Prices are posted by bowl size; the tables of fresh herbs and gio chao quay are self-serve.
Pho$district-5Daily 06:00-01:00
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.
Signature: Pho bo, Beef brisket pho, Pho with tendon
Order: The full beef pho with brisket and tendon.
Tip: Southern pho runs sweeter than Hanoi's; the hoisin and sriracha on the table are meant for it.
Vietnamese$phu-nhuanDaily 08:00-21:00
Com Tam Ba Ghien is the only broken-rice shop in Vietnam with a Michelin Bib Gourmand, famous for an oversized caramelised grilled pork chop over broken rice.
Signature: Com tam suon, Grilled pork chop, Broken rice
Order: Com tam with the giant grilled pork chop, egg and crackling.
Tip: Go at lunch when the grill is busiest; the pork chop is the size of the plate.
Vietnamese$district-1Daily 10:00-21:00
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.
Signature: Banh xeo, Sizzling rice pancake, Nem nuong
Order: A whole banh xeo, torn into lettuce with herbs and fish sauce.
Tip: One pancake is bigger than it looks; order one to start and share before adding more.