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Rice Plate - A Must-Try Saigon Lunch Delicacy
Certainly, one cannot overlook the iconic dish of Saigon - the rice plate. Comprising fragrant broken rice, succulent grilled ribs, sunny-side-up eggs, crispy pork skin, and accompanied by pickles and signature sweet and tangy fish sauce, this dish is a culinary delight. Despite its simplicity, the harmonious blend of flavors is irresistible from the first bite. Just a plate of this guarantees you enough energy to power through the day. Priced between 30,000 - 80,000 VND, the rice plate not only serves as a delicious lunch option in Saigon but is also favored by locals throughout the day, be it for breakfast, lunch, or even late-night cravings. You can find rice plate stalls scattered across every corner of this vibrant city.
In Saigon, com tam reigns supreme as the most beloved dish.
For first-time visitors seeking the quintessential Saigon com tam experience, seasoned travelers recommend exploring these renowned eateries:
- Cali Com Tam Restaurant - 5th floor, RomeA Shopping Mall, 117 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Ward 6, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
- Thuan Kieu Com Tam - 114 Yersin Street, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
- Ba Ghien Com Tam - 84 Dang Van Ngu, Ward 10, Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City
- Tai Com Tam - 1 Nguyen An Ninh, Ward 14, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City
Hủ tiếu, a popular lunchtime delight in Saigon.
Banh mi - an affordable Saigon lunch option
As one of the most famous street foods in Saigon, the banh mi sandwiches here feature a crispy golden crust and a filling composed of various ingredients such as char siu, cold cuts, pate, thinly sliced sausage, combined with the fragrant aroma of fresh herbs like cilantro, spring onion, cucumber, and carrot, creating a perfect fusion of Western and Vietnamese cuisine. In addition to the diverse ingredients, the homemade spicy chili sauce also contributes to the unique flavor of each shop here. Because of its richness, Saigon banh mi is not just a street food, but you can completely satisfy your hunger at lunch or dinner with a mixed banh mi priced from 15,000 to 40,000 VND.
Banh mi is not just a snack in Saigon
When traveling to Saigon, you can easily find banh mi shops crowded with people lining up, including both locals and foreign tourists, especially at some famous bakeries:
- Huynh Hoa Banh Mi - 26 Le Thi
Rieng, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Seven Tigers Banh Mi - 19 Huynh Khuong Ninh, Da Kao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Hoa Ma Banh Mi - 53 Cao Thang, Ward 3, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
Grilled Meat Banh Mi - 37 Nguyen Trai, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Saigon's famous culinary scene has long been known for its exquisite dishes, and one standout favorite for lunch among locals is the hearty crab noodle soup. Unlike traditional noodles like vermicelli or pho, the strands of crab noodle are uniquely soft yet chewy, with a satisfying thickness. The bowl of crab noodle soup stands out with its fresh seafood filling, including shrimp, squid, lean meat, and, of course, pre-peeled crab, all simmered in a rich and flavorful bone broth. While the ingredients may seem ordinary individually, they come together harmoniously to create a perfectly balanced dish.
Crab noodle soup has been a longstanding delicacy in Saigon.
Here are some top spots for delicious crab noodle soup in Saigon:
- Hoàng Lan Crab Noodle Soup - 484 Vĩnh Viễn, Ward 8, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City
- Út Lệ Crab Noodle Soup - 210 Tô Hiến Thành, Bac Hai Residential Quarter, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City
- Bà Ba Crab Noodle Soup - 84 Nguyễn Biểu Street, Ward 1, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City
- Hạnh Crab Noodle Soup - 004 Ngô Gia Tự Apartment Complex, Hoa Hao, Ward 2, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City
Savor the unique flavors of Saigon's lunchtime specialty, Mam Hotpot.
Originally a rustic dish from the Mekong Delta, Mam Hotpot has swiftly become a Saigon delicacy, beloved by many for its distinctive aroma and taste that cannot be replicated elsewhere. This tantalizing hotpot features a sweet broth brewed from bones and the pungent essence of fermented fish sauce, complemented by a diverse array of ingredients including catfish, snakehead fish, carp, prawns, squid, pork belly, and up to 16 different types of fresh greens unique to the watery region of the Mekong Delta, such as water lily buds, water morning glory, bitter vegetables, water spinach, morning glory, and water mimosa. Alongside the signature broth made from fermented fish sauce and catfish, the technique of blending tamarind dipping sauce plays a crucial role in enhancing the deliciousness of this dish. While the initial aroma may be daunting, those who overcome it will find it to be one of the most memorable experiences during their Saigon journey.
Mam Hotpot, a unique delicacy found only in the southern provinces of Vietnam.
Here are some top spots for delicious Mam Hotpot in Saigon:
- Here are some top spots for delicious Mam Hotpot in Saigon:
Indulge in the well-known lunchtime delight of Saigon, Pha Lau.
Originating from the Chinese community, Pha Lau has become a familiar dish to Saigonese, offering a delectable option for a satisfying lunch during your visit to this city. Pha Lau is typically made from animal offal, with beef pha lau being the most popular choice, consisting of tongue, liver, tripe, intestine, omasum, and more, all with a distinctive flavor that's highly favored. The broth for pha lau is always boiled vigorously with a variety of spices such as five-spice powder, star anise, cinnamon, cardamom, medicinal herbs, and coconut milk to create a pleasant aroma and nourishing taste. When ordered, the vendor will cut the pha lau into bite-sized pieces and serve them in a bowl, along with the broth for customers to enjoy with bread or instant noodles, resulting in a satisfying and filling lunch. Pha Lau is commonly sold at small eateries and street food stalls, making it very affordable, typically ranging from 15,000 to 30,000 VND per serving. And a little note, you'll only find pha lau in Saigon, so don't miss out on this enticing dish if you have the chance to visit this magnificent city!
You can easily spot pha lau stalls all over Saigon.
Top-notch Pho restaurants in Saigon:
- 1. Pho Hung - 118 Nguyen Cu Trinh Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
2. Pho 2000 - 1-3 Dinh Tien Hoang Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
3. Pho Le - 303-305 Vo Van Tan Street, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
Indulge in sizzling BBQ with loved ones and friends
Best BBQ spots in Saigon:
- 1. Grilled ribs & seafood - 77 Cong Hoa, Ward 4, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City
2. Barbecue Garden Restaurant - 135A Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Hearty Beef Stew for Saigon Lunch
Beef stew wins diners over with its rich, spicy flavor, characteristic of Indian cuisine. The beef for a proper beef stew must use brisket with tendons, cut into square pieces just right for a tender brisket and chewy tendons. Seasonings like ginger, chili, lemongrass, shallots, garlic, and even curry leaves blend in a pot of rich, flavorful, and beautifully glossy broth, creating an irresistibly enticing dish. To make beef stew a delicious lunch option in Saigon, people have come up with variations like beef stew with noodles, beef stew pho, or unique and mouthwatering beef stew baguette, all priced under 50,000 VND. To enjoy the best hot bowl of beef stew, diners just need to add a bit of satay sauce, squeeze some lime, add some basil, and stir.
Beef stew is also one of the must-try delicacies in Saigon
Best places for delicious beef stew in Saigon:
- Addresses for delicious beef stew in Saigon:
Hopefully, the 10 delicious lunch dishes in Saigon recommended by locals above will help you have a wonderful meal in this glamorous city. Book your flight to Saigon now to experience and explore the full beauty of this place on your own or contact Mytour for detailed advice!
Hoai Linh
Image Source: Internet
