Taste the Best of Ho Chi Minh City Food: Must-Try Dishes in 2025
Hoai Trinh
Dive into the vibrant Ho Chi Minh City food scene! Discover must-try dishes like pho, banh mi, and com tam, plus top spots to savor them in 2025 with a Local Buddy.
Ho Chi Minh City, affectionately known as Saigon, is a culinary capital where the streets hum with the sizzle of woks and the aroma of fresh herbs. The Ho Chi Minh City food scene is a dynamic blend of southern Vietnamese flavors, French influences, and global trends, making it a paradise for food lovers. As of June 2025, Saigon’s vibrant street stalls, bustling markets, and innovative eateries continue to draw global foodies with dishes that are bold, affordable, and unforgettable.
Why Ho Chi Minh City Food Stands Out
The Ho Chi Minh City food scene thrives on its diversity and accessibility, offering a mix of street food, traditional eateries, and modern restaurants. Southern Vietnamese cuisine is sweeter and spicier than its northern counterparts, with a heavy reliance on fresh seafood, coconut milk, and tangy nuoc mam (fish sauce). The city’s French colonial past adds flair, seen in crispy banh mi baguettes and coffee culture, while With over 3,000 street food stalls across districts like 1 and 3, you can feast for as little as 20,000 VND ($0.80 USD).
The Ho Chi Minh City food scene thrives on its diversity and accessibility.
In 2025, Saigon’s food markets like Ben Thanh Market and Tan Dinh Market remain hubs for authentic eats, while new culinary hotspots in District 7, attract younger crowds with fusion dishes. The city’s street food culture invites communal dining, where locals share plates on plastic stools, creating a lively vibe. To uncover hidden stalls and avoid tourist traps, a Local Buddy from Tubudd can guide you to authentic spots, sharing stories behind each dish. The best time to explore is during the dry season (November to April, 25-32°C, 77-90°F), when outdoor dining is at its peak.
Must-Try Ho Chi Minh City Food Dishes
Banh Xeo: Crispy rice pancakes.
Here’s a curated list of Ho Chi Minh City food dishes you can’t miss, each showcasing the city’s culinary excellence:
Pho: This iconic noodle soup, with rice noodles in a sweet, aromatic broth, is a Saigon breakfast staple. Try pho bo(beef) at Pho Le (413-415 Tra Nguyen An, District 5) for 60,000 VND ($2.40 USD). Southern pho comes with extra herbs like Thai basil and bean sprouts for a fresh crunch.
Banh Mi: A crusty baguette filled with pate, pork, pickled carrots, cucumber, and chili, banh mi is a French-Vietnamese fusion classic. Banh Mi Huynh Hoa (26 Le Thi Rieng, District 1) serves a legendary version for 30,000 VND ($1.20 USD).
Com Tam: A southern specialty, this broken rice dish features a grilled pork chop, fried egg, and nuoc mam drizzle, often paired with pickled veggies. Com Tam Ba Ghien (84 Dang Van Ngu, District 1) offers a plate for 55,000 VND ($2.20 USD).
Hu Tieu: A pork-or-seafood-based noodle soup with Chinese influences, hu tieu blends rice noodles with shrimp, pork, and herbs in a clear broth. Hu Tieu Nam Vang (52 Le Dai Hanh, District 11) serves a bowl for 45,000 VND ($1.80 USD).
Banh Xeo: Crispy rice pancakes stuffed with shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts, wrapped in lettuce and dipped in nuoc mam, are a crowd-pleaser. Banh Xeo Muoi Xiem (190 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, District 3) offers them for 40,000 VND ($1.60 USD).
These dishes are the heart of Ho Chi Minh City food, offering a taste of Saigon’s soul at every bite.
Where to Find the Best Ho Chi Minh City Food
To savor Ho Chi Minh City food at its finest, head to these top spots, each a local favorite:
Ben Thanh Market (District 1): A bustling hub open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., offering pho, banh xeo, and goi cuon(fresh spring rolls) from 30,000 VND ($1.20 USD). Arrive early for breakfast stalls.
Nguyen Thuong Hien Street (District 3): Known as “Food Street,” this alley is lined with vendors serving com tam and hu tieu from 5 p.m. onward. Expect dishes from 40,000 VND ($1.60 USD).
Vinh Khanh Street (District 4): A seafood haven, perfect for grilled squid and clams (50,000 VND, $2 USD). It’s liveliest from 6-10 p.m., with a vibrant, local vibe.
Quan An Ngon (138 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, District 1): This restaurant recreates street food in a polished setting, ideal for trying multiple dishes like banh mi and bun bo Hue (60,000 VND, $2.40 USD).
Tan Dinh Market (District 3): A morning market (6-11 a.m.) famous for banh xeo and che (sweet dessert soup) starting at 20,000 VND ($0.80 USD).
A Tubudd Local Buddy can navigate you to these spots, ensuring you taste authentic Ho Chi Minh City food at local prices, far from tourist-heavy areas.
Tips to Enjoy Ho Chi Minh City Food Like a Local
Street food peaks at 6-9 a.m. for breakfast.
To fully immerse yourself in the Ho Chi Minh City food scene, follow these practical tips:
Timing: Street food peaks at 6-9 a.m. for breakfast (pho, banh mi) and 5-9 p.m. for dinner (com tam, banh xeo). Markets like Ben Thanh are busiest at lunch (11 a.m.-2 p.m.).
What to Bring: Carry small VND notes (10,000-50,000) for cash-only stalls. A translation app helps with menus, though many vendors know basic English. Pack a reusable napkin for messy dishes like banh xeo.
Etiquette: Use chopsticks for noodles and spoons for broth. Say “xin chào” (hello) to vendors for a warm welcome. Don’t haggle over food prices, as they’re fixed. Sit on low plastic stools to blend in.
Getting Around: Walk or take Grab bikes (30,000 VND, $1.20 USD) to food streets in Districts 1, 3, or 4. From Tan Son Nhat Airport, a taxi to District 1 costs 100,000 VND ($4 USD).
Pair your food adventure with visits to nearby attractions like Notre-Dame Basilica Saigon or Saigon Central Post Office, easily arranged through local tours. For a deeper experience, a Local Buddy can lead you to off-the-beaten-path stalls in alleys, sharing cultural insights.
Conclusion
The Ho Chi Minh City food scene is a vibrant tapestry of flavors, from the soul-warming pho to the crispy banh xeo and savory com tam. Each dish tells a story of Saigon’s southern roots, French influences, and bustling street culture, making it a must-experience for food lovers in 2025. Whether you’re slurping hu tieu in District 4 or biting into a banh mi at Ben Thanh Market, Saigon’s culinary delights promise an unforgettable journey. To savor these dishes authentically, book a Local Buddy with Tubudd to uncover hidden eateries and enjoy genuine tastes without tourist prices—download the app now and start your food adventure!
