Cheap Eats in Ho Chi Minh City

Com Tam Ba Ghien ★ 4.5

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.

Pho Hoa Pasteur ★ 4.4

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.

Banh Mi Huynh Hoa ★ 4.4

pham-ngu-lao · 26 Le Thi Rieng Street, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Banh Mi Huynh Hoa is Saigon's most famous banh mi, a pricey but overstuffed baguette of house pate, cold cuts and butter with a queue near Ben Thanh.

Tip: It costs more than most stalls but is packed with meat; expect a queue at peak hours.

Com Tam Ba Ghien ★ 4.4

phu-nhuan · 84 Dang Van Ngu Street, Ward 10, Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City

Com Tam Ba Ghien serves the Bib Gourmand broken-rice plate that made it famous: an oversized caramelised grilled pork chop over broken rice.

Tip: It is a Michelin-listed bargain; the pork chop alone feeds most appetites.

Pho Le ★ 4.3

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

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

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.

Cheo Leo Cafe ★ 4.3

district-3 · 109/36 Nguyen Thien Thuat Street, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City

Cheo Leo is one of Saigon's oldest cafes, open since the late 1930s, still brewing robusta over a charcoal fire and keeping it warm the old way.

Tip: It hides down an alley off Nguyen Thien Thuat; this is a coffee ritual, not a laptop cafe.

Banh Mi Bay Ho ★ 4.3

district-1 · 19 Huynh Khuong Ninh Street, Da Kao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Banh Mi Bay Ho is a decades-old Da Kao stall known for its homemade pate, a tiny operation featured on Netflix's Street Food that sells out most afternoons.

Tip: It closes when the day's bread runs out, so come well before evening.

Cheo Leo Cafe ★ 4.3

district-3 · 109/36 Nguyen Thien Thuat Street, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City

Tip: Order the charcoal-brewed ca phe sua da and sit on a low stool; this is a coffee ritual, not a laptop cafe.

Bun Bo Nam Giao ★ 4.2

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

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.

Banh Mi Hong Hoa ★ 4.2

district-1 · 54 Nguyen Van Trang Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Banh Mi Hong Hoa is a busy bakery-and-stall near Ben Thanh turning out generously filled cold-cut baguettes, a rival to the nearby Huynh Hoa queue.

Tip: The bread is baked on site through the day, so it is nearly always warm and crisp.

Xoi Ga Number One ★ 4.2

district-5 · 84/6 Nguyen Bieu Street, Ward 1, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City

Xoi Ga Number One is a Michelin Selected spot for its sticky rice topped with a fried or steamed chicken drumstick, eaten from a paper wrap.

Tip: It runs late into the evening; the fried chicken version is the one to get.

Xoi Ga Number One ★ 4.2

district-5 · 84/6 Nguyen Bieu Street, Ward 1, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City

Xoi Ga Number One is a Michelin Selected spot for its cheap plate of sticky rice topped with a fried chicken drumstick, scallion oil and crisp shallots.

Tip: It runs into the evening; the fried chicken version is the one regulars order.

Tan Nguyen Thai Dimsum ★ 4.1

district-5 · 102 An Duong Vuong Street, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City

Tan Nguyen Thai is a packed Cho Lon hole in the wall where locals crowd in for pages of steamed and pan-fried dumplings under red and yellow signage.

Tip: It is always busy and cash-friendly; the pan-fried dumplings sell out early.

Ha Ky ★ 4.1

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

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

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

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

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.

Banh Cuon Hai Nam ★ 4.1

district-3 · 11A Cao Thang Street, Ward 2, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City

Banh Cuon Hai Nam steams delicate rice-flour rolls to order, filling the thin sheets with minced pork and wood-ear mushroom, a District 3 breakfast favourite.

Tip: It is a morning dish; go before noon while the steamer is still running.

Banh Khot Co Ba Vung Tau ★ 4.1

district-3 · 102 Cao Thang Street, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City

Banh Khot Co Ba brings the Vung Tau coastal snack to District 3: small crisp turmeric rice cups fried with a shrimp, eaten wrapped in mustard leaf.

Tip: Wrap each cup in the mustard leaf and herbs before dipping; the coconut batter is rich.

Bun Thit Nuong Chi Tuyen ★ 4.1

district-1 · 175C Co Giang Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Chi Tuyen is a Co Giang sidewalk stall known for bun thit nuong, cold rice vermicelli piled with charcoal-grilled pork, herbs and a crisp fried spring roll.

Tip: Pour the whole cup of fish-sauce dressing over the noodles and toss before eating.

Chi Thong ★ 4.1

district-1 · 195 Co Giang Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Chi Thong is a Co Giang stall widely rated for some of the best goi cuon in town, fresh rice-paper rolls of poached pork, prawn, vermicelli and herbs.

Tip: It is part of the Co Giang evening food strip; the rolls are made to order, so they arrive cool and fresh.

Banh Mi Hong Hoa ★ 4.1

district-1 · 54 Nguyen Van Trang Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Banh Mi Hong Hoa is a bakery-and-stall near Ben Thanh where warm baguettes come stuffed with cold cuts and pate for a fraction of a sit-down meal.

Tip: Bread is baked through the day, so the baguette is almost always warm and crisp.

Com Ga Hai Nam ★ 4.0

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

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

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

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

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.

Banh Canh Cua Ut Le ★ 4.0

district-10 · 210 To Hien Thanh Street, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City

Ut Le is an evening banh canh cua stall on To Hien Thanh, ladling a rich crab-and-pork tapioca noodle soup to a loyal District 10 crowd from mid-afternoon.

Tip: It opens mid-afternoon and runs late; a good stop on a District 10 evening food crawl.

Banh Xeo Ngoc Son ★ 4.0

district-5 · 103 Ngo Quyen Street, Ward 11, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City

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.

Tip: The crepes are large and best shared; the fish-sauce dip and greens are self-serve.

Cong Caphe ★ 4.0

district-1 · 42 Nguyen Hue Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Cong Caphe is Vietnam's most recognisable cafe brand, styling its rooms in nostalgic wartime bao cap decor, famous here for its coconut coffee.

Tip: It is inside the Cafe Apartment on Nguyen Hue; take the lift or the stairs to find it.

Chu Se ★ 4.0

district-1 · 52 Calmette Street, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Chu Se is one of District 1's premier hu tieu spots, ladling the clear pork-bone broth of hu tieu Nam Vang over chewy noodles with pork and shrimp.

Tip: Order it kho, dry, with the broth alongside, to taste the noodles the way regulars do.

Oc Xuyen ★ 4.0

district-3 · 174/43 Nguyen Thien Thuat Street, Ward 3, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City

Oc Xuyen is a no-frills District 3 snail stall down an alley off Nguyen Thien Thuat, a local evening spot for plates of oc at neighbourhood prices.

Tip: It is deep down a hem; follow the plastic stools and the smell of the grill to find it.

Com Tam Di Tam ★ 4.0

tan-dinh · 331 Hai Ba Trung Street, Tan Dinh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Di Tam is one of Saigon's oldest broken-rice stalls, a Tan Dinh fixture plating com tam with a charcoal-grilled pork chop, egg and pickles for a few dollars.

Tip: It is central District 1 but still cheap; go at lunch when the grill is at full tilt.

Pho Quynh ★ 3.9

pham-ngu-lao · 323 Pham Ngu Lao Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Pho Quynh sits on the backpacker strip of Pham Ngu Lao and runs nearly around the clock, a reliable late bowl of pho and beef stew for the Bui Vien crowd.

Tip: It is one of the few kitchens serving proper pho well after midnight in the backpacker area.

Pha Lau Tam Ky ★ 3.9

district-5 · 823 Nguyen Trai Street, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City

Tam Ky is a Cho Lon specialist in pha lau, offal slow-braised in a five-spice coconut broth, a rich Chinese-Vietnamese snack eaten with bread in District 5.

Tip: The coconut-and-five-spice broth is the draw; tear the bread and soak it in the sauce.

Pho Hung ★ 3.9

district-1 · 243 Nguyen Trai Street, Cau Ong Lanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Pho Hung is a big, busy pho hall on Nguyen Trai near the backpacker area, a convenient all-day bowl of Southern beef pho with the full raft of herbs.

Tip: It is roomy and central, an easy pho stop between District 1 and Cho Lon.