If you happen to visit Saigon, make sure to allocate time to explore these renowned dining destinations. It's a journey into the culinary delights of the southern region.
Unmissable dining spots in Saigon
1. Crab Soup Hạnh
Located at 2 Nguyen Huu Cau Street, Tan Dinh Market. This is a familiar address for discerning diners in Saigon. The dish, besides crab meat, also includes shredded chicken and mushrooms, creating a naturally sweet flavor.
Hanh Crab Soup - a renowned dining spot in Saigon
Address: 2 Nguyen Huu Cau Street, Tan Dinh Market
Opening hours: 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Average price: 10,000 - 15,000 VND
2. Truong Dinh Fresh Noodles
Despite its sidewalk-style, small-sized appearance, this place is always bustling with customers. It's renowned for its house-made fresh noodles, which make it a bit pricier compared to other places. However, the taste is exceptional. The bowl of steaming hot noodles, generous slices, thick and savory. Add some herbs, a bit of vinegar, evenly mix with soy sauce, and sprinkle fresh chili slices into the bowl for an exquisite experience. The noodles are round, fatty, and chewy, providing a crispy and firm texture without any unpleasant odor. After finishing, sipping some hot broth is the perfect finale.
Truong Dinh Fresh Noodles is a must-visit dining spot in Saigon
Address: 62 Truong Dinh, Ward Ben Thanh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: Morning: 06:00 – 11:00 | Afternoon: 15:00 – 21:00 | Sunday: 06:00 – 12:00
Average price: 10,000 VND – 40,000 VND
3. Thiên Thiên Hà Tôn Quyền Dumplings
For the best dumplings, Thiên Thiên is a must-visit spot, offering a rich and distinctive flavor like no other. The dumplings are delicious, with crispy and succulent squid. Each dumpling is as large as half a palm, filled with fresh shrimp and meat. Adding extra greens and coriander is on the house. Especially, they serve excellent jasmine tea; visiting without ordering a cup would be a missed opportunity.
Hà Tôn Quyền Dumplings - dining in Ho Chi Minh City
Address: 195 Ha Ton Quyen, Ward 4, District 11, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 17:00 – 23:00
Average price: 30,000 VND – 45,000 VND
4. Vĩnh Khanh Snails
Seafood dining spots – Vĩnh Khanh Snails
Vinh Khanh Street is a paradise for snail enthusiasts. Along this street, you'll find many renowned snail restaurants such as Nhung Snails, Phat Quan Snails, Dao Snails, Sau No Snails, Baby Snails, and more. Snails are prepared in various ways, offering a wide variety of choices: Stir-fried snails with water spinach, Stir-fried snails with garlic, Stir-fried snails with tamarind, Grilled snails with scallion fat, Grilled snails with salt and chili, Steamed snails with ginger, and more.
Most places usually open from: 3:00 PM – 11:00 PM
5. Crispy Rice Nam Ky Khoi Nghia
Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Crispy Rice
A portion for 35,000 includes everything: scallion fat, shredded pork skin, chili sauce, and plenty of crispy rice. The rice is dried, so it's not greasy, remains crispy, and feels safer to eat. Despite being a sidewalk eatery, it's always crowded due to its affordable prices and deliciousness.
Address: Intersection of Nam Ky Khoi Nghia & Le Loi, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Average price: 30,000 VND – 44,000 VND
6. Phuong Beef Wrapped in Wild Betel Leaves
According to some reviews from diners, this is considered the best place for delicious beef wrapped in wild betel leaves. A portion includes beef, rice paper, hủ tiếu noodles, vegetables, and vermicelli. There are two types of beef: Beef wrapped in wild betel leaves and Fatty beef. Both types are delicious, each with its own unique flavor. The fish sauce also comes in two varieties: Fermented fish sauce and Regular fish sauce.
Phuong Beef Wrapped in Wild Betel Leaves dining spot
Address: 90 Co Giang, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Average price: 20,000 VND – 25,000 VND
7. Hoang Sa Sugar-Coated Fried Flour
Established for nearly two decades, this place is known for its unquestionable quality and reputation. Located opposite Nguyen Thi Minh Khai school, the eatery is spacious, clean, with efficient and enthusiastic staff. Visitors adore the delightful aroma and crispiness of the sugar-coated fried flour that remains crunchy without becoming soggy.
Hoang Sa Sugar-Coated Fried Flour - delicious Saigon street food
Address: 757 Hoang Sa, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Average price: 20,000 VND – 55,000 VND
8. Hue Grilled Octopus
The grilled octopus here is not only fresh, fragrant, and sweet but also has a spicy kick. For those who enjoy spicy dishes, this is an unbeatable spot.
Hue Grilled Octopus eatery
The menu is diverse, offering a variety of dishes. Favorites among diners include: grilled squid cake, fried squid, octopus hot pot, and, of course, grilled octopus.
Address: 109 Street 17, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Average price: 30,000 VND – 110,000 VND
9. An Duong Vuong Street Food Area
Whenever undecided about what to eat, the first place that comes to mind is An Duong Vuong Street, thanks to its variety and budget-friendly prices across different dishes. From seafood delights like grilled squid and octopus to beef rolls, mixed rice paper, and grilled chicken feet, it's a haven for street food lovers. Despite being sidewalk eateries, the cleanliness and airy atmosphere make it a pleasant dining experience.
An Duong Vuong Street Food Area
Address: An Duong Vuong, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Average price: 20,000 VND – 55,000 VND
10. Food House Hot Pot
Renowned for the 9-story cloud hot pot, this place offers an abundance of meat at an affordable 399k VND, suitable for about 4 people. The hot pot broth is deliciously spicy and sour, with tender beef, just the right amount of fat, and fresh squid and shrimp. A little tip for those wanting to experience the culinary delights at Food House Hot Pot is that they often have promotions, including app downloads, so keep an eye out for some great deals to enjoy delicious food at a reasonable price.
Food House - Hot Pot Paradise
Address: 133 – 135 Phan Xich Long, Ward 7, Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Average price: 30,000 VND – 400,000 VND
