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.
Vietnamese$district-1Daily 07:00-22:00
Bun Bo Nam Giao has cooked Hue-style spicy beef noodle soup since 1991, its lemongrass-and-chili broth a backpacker-district fixture near Bui Vien.
Signature: Bun bo Hue, Spicy beef noodle soup
Order: The full bun bo Hue with beef shank and cha.
Tip: The broth is fiery by Southern standards; add the shrimp paste on the side to taste.
Vietnamese$tan-dinhDaily 14:00-21:30
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.
Signature: Banh canh cua, Crab tapioca noodle soup
Order: The full banh canh cua loaded with crab and quail eggs.
Tip: It is a busy sidewalk stall with plastic stools; go mid-afternoon to beat the crowd.