Dining in Binh Thanh: Where to Eat Well? Where's Affordable?

Hu Tieu - a Popular Dinner Dish in Binh Thanh

Hu Tieu has been a staple in Saigon since the 1950s and over time, it has become as iconic as pho in Hanoi. The noodles are similar to dry noodles and vermicelli in the North, but with a distinct flavor. Hu Tieu noodles are blanched in boiling water and served with minced meat, sliced char siu pork, heart, quail eggs, shrimp, chives, and fried shallots, all bathed in a pure sweet broth made from bones. Depending on personal taste, one can add spicy chili sauce or lime. Saigon's Hu Tieu comes in various types such as Hu Tieu Nam Vang, Hu Tieu Sa Dec, Hu Tieu Sa Te, Hu Tieu with squid, and notably, the famous beef ball Hu Tieu in Binh Thanh. A bowl of nutritious Hu Tieu for dinner in Binh Thanh costs only 30,000 - 40,000 VND.

Famous Beef Ball Hu Tieu in Binh Thanh

Best Places for Dining on Delicious Hu Tieu in Binh Thanh:

• Beef Ball Hu Tieu - 57 No Trang Long, Ward 12, Binh Thanh District
• Nam Vang Hong Thinh Hu Tieu - 39 Nguyen Van Dau, Ward 6, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City
• Nai Sa Te Hu Tieu - 192 Van Kiep, Ward 3, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City
• Vegetarian Sa Dec Hu Tieu - 298 Phan Van Tri, Ward 11, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City

Com Tam - Signature Dinner Dish in Binh Thanh

Missing out on enjoying broken rice in Saigon is like wasting half of your trip. Broken rice is a popular, tasty dish suitable for breakfast, lunch, or dinner for locals here. A plate of broken rice is both visually appealing and packed with essential nutrients, including fluffy broken rice, grilled ribs, fried egg cake, shredded pork skin, sunny-side-up eggs, Chinese sausage, pickled vegetables, shallot oil, and fish sauce with a hint of sweetness typical of Saigonese cuisine, served with a piping hot bowl of soup. While in the central districts like District 1 and District 2, surrounded by tourist attractions and luxury hotels, the price for a quality broken rice dish can go up to 100,000 VND per person, you only need to venture a bit further, perhaps for a dinner in Binh Thanh, averaging from 25,000 to 40,000 VND per person and still meet the Saigon standard.

Broken rice is the best dinner dish in Binh Thanh

Addresses of delicious broken rice in Binh Thanh:

• Thuan Kieu Broken Rice - 43 Nguyen Huy Luong, Ward 14, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City
• Tai Broken Rice Shop - 1 Nguyen An Ninh, Ward 14, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City
• Rib Stick Broken Rice - 371 Dien Bien Phu, Ward 25, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City

Phá lấu - món ăn tối Bình Thạnh quen thuộc

Introducing another option for dining in Binh Thanh that will surely satisfy your hunger is 'phá lấu' - one of Saigon's must-try specialties. Phá lấu is made from various ingredients, mainly the offal of beef and pork stewed in a special broth, which consists of nutritious spices such as five-spice powder, cinnamon, star anise, Chinese herbs, and the distinctive coconut water that gives the dish its glossy yellow color and rich, fragrant flavor. Originally, phá lấu was considered a snack in Saigon, typically enjoyed in the late afternoon, but due to the habit of gathering and chatting until late night, locals have transformed it into countless other dishes suitable for main meals such as 'mì gói phá lấu' (instant noodles with phá lấu), 'cơm tấm phá lấu' (broken rice with phá lấu), or 'bánh mì phá lấu' (phá lấu sandwich), while still retaining its original rustic charm. You can easily find phá lấu stalls on street corners or in small eateries, with prices as low as 15,000 - 30,000 VND.

Phá lấu is a popular street food in Saigon

• Ky's Phá Lấu - 107 Nguyen Van Lac, Ward 19, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City
• Gia Dinh Level 3 Phá Lấu Noodles - 195/29 Xo Viet Nghe Tinh, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City

Delicious grilled chicken for dinner in Binh Thanh

Next on the list of delicious dinners in Binh Thanh is grilled chicken. You might think there's nothing special about grilled chicken, but tasting this dish in Saigon will make the difference clear. Fragrant grilled chicken with crispy, golden skin and tender, juicy meat, infused with a harmonious blend of spices. The meticulous marination and unique spices create the perfect taste of Saigonese cuisine. Grilled chicken restaurants are all spacious and suitable for intimate family gatherings or grand celebrations, with very reasonable prices. Moreover, these eateries often serve a variety of countryside specialties for diners to choose from, making them even more perfect.

Delicious grilled chicken for dinner in Binh Thanh

Addresses of delicious grilled chicken in Binh Thanh:

• Anh Tu Grilled Chicken - 449 Le Quang Dinh, Ward 5, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City
• Viet Huong Grilled Chicken Lu - 449A3 Le Quang Dinh, Ward 5, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City
• Bay Duc Grilled Chicken - Binh Quoi Street, Ward 28, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City

Characteristic fermented fish noodle soup in Binh Thanh

One of the specialties of the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam, but fermented fish noodle soup only truly gained widespread recognition and became a favorite dinner dish for everyone upon appearing in the glamorous Saigon. The ingredients for making fermented fish noodle soup are very simple, consisting of shrimp, squid, roasted pork, and adding broth. However, the most important factor contributing to the success of the dish is the fish sauce used in the broth. This special fish sauce is made from linh fish or sac fish, only found in Mekong Delta provinces such as Tra Vinh and Soc Trang. If you are a first-time visitor to this bustling city, the initial smell of fermented fish noodle soup may make you feel uncomfortable, but rest assured that just a few bites will make you instantly addicted. According to the Saigon travel experience of the locals, you should eat it with various raw vegetables and herbs to both reduce the characteristic smell of fermented fish noodle soup and make the meal complete and satisfying.

Specialty seafood fermented fish noodle soup from the Western region

Addresses of delicious fermented fish noodle soup in Binh Thanh:

• Bun Mam 444 - 375 Le Quang Dinh, Ward 5, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City
• Thu Huong Fermented Fish Noodle Soup - 45 Nguyen Van Dau, Ward 6, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City
• Aunt Tu's Fermented Fish Noodle Soup - 141 Dien Bien Phu, Ward 15, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City
• Tai Fermented Fish Noodle Soup - Stall 855 - 856 Dien Hong, Ward 1, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City

Hotpot & BBQ - dinner in Binh Thanh for 'drinking' people

Tired of ordinary, plain meals and want to spice things up by inviting friends for a night out in Binh Thanh? Wondering what to order? Certainly, hotpot and BBQ restaurants are the perfect choice to enjoy delicious food while chatting with friends. It's easy to find drinking spots in Binh Thanh with cool, spacious atmospheres and great food because this place is considered the paradise of hotpot and BBQ. With prices ranging from 100,000 to 300,000 VND per person, you can have a sumptuous feast and spend the evening together until late!

Perfect hotpot and BBQ for dinner in Binh Thanh

Addresses of great hotpot and BBQ restaurants in Binh Thanh:

• Tan Cang Buffet Hotpot - A100 Ung Van Khiem, Ward 25, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City
• Ut Lang BBQ Restaurant - 52A Vu Huy Tan, Ward 3, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City
• Bun BBQ House - 22 Nguyen An Ninh, Ward 14, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City

Delicious and affordable seafood in Binh Thanh

Despite not being a coastal city, seafood in Saigon is always abundant. Besides the famous snail restaurants in Binh Thanh, there are also many seafood restaurants here, ranging from budget-friendly to luxurious, along the Saigon River, mainly concentrated in the Binh Quoi area. They offer reasonable prices with fresh and delicious dishes, ensuring quality.

Famous and delicious snail dishes in Binh Thanh

Addresses of great seafood restaurants in Binh Thanh:

• Mrs. Tuyet's Snails - 210D1 Hoang Hoa Tham, Ward 6, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City
• Crab Claw Restaurant - 283 Binh Quoi, Ward 28, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City
• Thuy Restaurant - 261 Ung Van Khiem, Ward 25, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City

Savory Sticky Rice - Perfect dinner in Binh Thanh

Many people think that sticky rice is only a breakfast snack, but Saigon's savory sticky rice will change your mind. Wrapped in banana leaves, it retains warmth and aroma, with deliciously chewy rice grains served with various meats, creamy eggs, topped with fried shallots, and aromatic sauce that you can't resist. That's why Saigon's sticky rice stalls, even hidden in alleys, are always crowded, with long lines of customers waiting to buy.

Sticky rice is also a perfect dinner in Binh Thanh

Address of delicious sticky rice in Binh Thanh:

• Mrs. Chiều's Chicken Sticky Rice - 318/1 Bui Huu Nghia Street, Ward 1, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City
• Savory Sticky Rice Nhàn Lê - 121 Nguyen Thuong Hien Street, Ward 5, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City
• Binh Thanh Fish Sticky Rice - 28 Chu Van An Street, Ward 12, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City

Unique Chả Đùm in Binh Thanh

The name might sound unfamiliar to Saigon tour-goers, especially those from the North, but Chả Đùm is a dish deeply rooted in the local life. Lean meat minced with pork liver, wood ear mushrooms, vermicelli, and dried shallots are rolled into round balls with a quail egg or salted egg yolk inside to balance the richness. Finally, the meatballs are rolled in a piece of fat and deep-fried to golden perfection, earning them the local nickname 'đùm'. While many enjoy Chả Đùm with rice crackers or prawn crackers, it also pairs well with rice. This unique dish is a must-try in Saigon, particularly the Chả Đùm in Binh Thanh, served in eateries with a history of up to 20 years, maintaining the original flavor, and priced at only 20,000 - 30,000 VND per serving. It's no wonder that Chả Đùm is an essential part of meals, especially at dinner spots in Binh Thanh.

Chả Đùm is the most famous dish in Binh Thanh

Addresses of delicious Chả Đùm in Binh Thanh:

• Xô Viết Chả Đùm - Alley 685/3 Xo Viet Nghe Tinh, Ward 26, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City
• Vạn Kiếp Chả Đùm - 258 Vạn Kiếp Street, Ward 3, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City

Sizzling shrimp pancakes for a satisfying dinner in Binh Thanh

Originally a specialty of the Central region, but when introduced to Saigon, the sizzling shrimp pancakes quickly became a favorite dish for locals here. Although just a common dish, shrimp pancakes have an extraordinary appeal to the people of Binh Thanh and Saigon in general, even enjoyed for dinner instead of rice. The pancake batter is skillfully poured to achieve just the right crispiness and vibrant yellow color, filled with shrimp, bean sprouts, onions, and optionally squid, minced meat, etc., depending on preferences, served with fresh vegetables. A plate of sizzling shrimp pancakes typically costs around 40,000 VND for 3 pieces filled with ingredients or 60,000 VND if you order mixed filling, and just one plate is enough for a satisfying dinner in Binh Thanh.

Sizzling shrimp pancakes from the Central region also make an interesting suggestion for dinner in Saigon.

Addresses of delicious shrimp pancake in Binh Thanh:

• Thanh Dieu Shrimp Pancake - 52 Ung Van Khiem, Ward 25, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City
• Mrs. Du's Shrimp Pancake - 274 Nguyen Van Dau, Ward 11, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City
• Ba Thi Shrimp Pancake - 156 Nguyen Xi, Ward 26, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City

With the list of delicious, nutritious, and affordable dinner options in Binh Thanh shared by Mytour, hopefully, you've untangled the knot for your vibrant culinary exploration in Saigon. Don't forget to book cheap flights to Ho Chi Minh City to experience the fascinating cultural scene and a plethora of unique dishes exclusive to this city.

Hoai Linh

Image source: Internet