Buzz
While Hanoi wakes up early to bowls of banh da, pho, or egg sandwiches, Saigon, although rising later, still opts for a hearty breakfast to kickstart their day.
Let's indulge in a delicious Saigon breakfast routine – featuring exquisite Saigon cuisine
Let's explore what 'breakfast in Saigon' entails!
Delicious Breakfast Dishes in Saigon.
1. Broken Rice
Renowned Saigon Breakfast Delight – Broken Rice
Broken Rice is a dish rich in Saigon flavors. Locals here love to indulge in broken rice for breakfast. Fragrant grilled ribs paired with deliciously sticky broken rice is a fantastic way to welcome a new workday.
Broken Rice with Ribs – Saigon's Traditional Morning Delight
Broken Rice with ribs, shredded pork skin, and pork meatloaf are traditional dishes. However, to meet the increasingly diverse needs of customers, many accompanying dishes with broken rice have emerged, such as fried chicken, grilled chicken, braised ribs, or an additional piece of rich lap xuong sausage.
A Variety of Delicious Breakfast Options in Saigon
Delicious Breakfast Spots in Saigon with Broken Rice:
- Huynh Tinh Broken Rice - 41 Huynh Tinh Street, District 3;
- Broken Rice in Alley 333, Le Van Sy, Ward 1, Tan Binh District;
- Ba Nghien Broken Rice Phu Nhuan - opposite Han Thuyen High School, 156/23 Dang Van Ngu Street, Ward 10, Phu Nhuan District;
- Tai Broken Rice - 1 Nguyen An Ninh Street, Binh Thanh District.
2. Hu Tieu
When it comes to pho, we think of Hanoi, and likewise, when it comes to hu tieu, we think of Saigon.
A bowl of hu tieu to greet the new day
Delicious bowls of hu tieu made from flavorful meat and rich bone broth. The broth, simmered with pork bones, is fragrant and savory, accompanied by slices of beef, pork, beef tendon, boiled liver, and a sprinkle of cilantro. Hu tieu is simple in its essence, yet it requires meticulous preparation and cooking to achieve the sweet, rich flavor of the broth and meat.
Rich and savory broth filled with shrimp, crab, meat, and eggs
Today, hu tieu has undergone numerous variations to cater to the changes and developments in life, such as Nam Vang-style hu tieu, shrimp and meat hu tieu, bone hu tieu, and Sa Dec-style hu tieu.
Nam Vang-style Hu Tieu
Sa Dec-style Hu Tieu for Breakfast in Saigon
Great Breakfast Spots in Saigon with Hu Tieu:
- Non-Bone Hu Tieu – 147A Tran Hung Dao, Cau Ong Lanh Ward, District 1;
- Sa Te Hu Tieu: Quoc Ky Stall – 52 Ngo Duc Ke, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1; Quang Ky Stall – 117 Trieu Quang Phuc, District 5.
- Nam Vang-style Hu Tieu – 90D Tran Quoc Thao, Ward 8, District 3.
3. Pha Lau Baguette
Pha Lau Baguette – Delicious Morning Eats in Saigon
Pha Lau is a unique dish of Saigonese. At first glance, anyone might frown upon seeing this dish. But once acquainted, they'll be enchanted by its flavor. That's why Saigonese are crazy about this dish, enjoying it not only for breakfast but also at any time of the day.
A Tempting Pot of Pha Lau for Every Diner
Pha Lau is made from beef tendon, liver, and heart combined with pepper, garlic, fish sauce to eliminate the odor and stewed with the fragrant aroma of white wine. It creates a chewy, crispy, and richly flavorful dish. Dip it with a baguette to balance the richness of Pha Lau. This morning treat truly becomes a 'classic' dish for the locals.
Delicious and Unique Pha Lau Baguette - Quick and Convenient
Great Breakfast Spots for Pha Lau Baguette:
- Pha Lau Baguette - 815 Nguyen Trai Street, District 5;
- Aunt Thao's Pha Lau - 243/29G Ton Dan Street, District 4;
- Crunchy Pha Lau - 1A Suong Nguyet Anh Street, District 1.
4. Banh Canh
Banh Canh Dish with Thick and Chewy Noodles
While not a specialty when it comes to Saigon's cuisine, over time, it has become a familiar morning treat for locals.
Rich and Flavorful Broth with Overflowing Seafood
Large and Short Noodles combined with shrimp, fish, pork hock or fish cake, fragrant broth, and spices adjusted to the user's preferences.
The Highlight of Banh Canh Dish is Its Noodles
Enjoying a bowl of rich Banh Canh in the morning and watching the streets come alive can sometimes bring a sense of tranquility to life.
Recommended Breakfast Spots in Saigon:
- Thu Hong Crab Banh Canh - Nguyen Tri Phuong Market
- Sidewalk Crab Banh Canh - Nguyen Trai Street
- Tran Khac Chan Crab Banh Canh - 87 Tran Khac Chan, Tan Dinh Ward, District 1
- Cau Bong Crab Banh Canh - 2 Dinh Tien Hoang, Binh Thach District.
5. Vermicelli (Vermicelli with crab soup, vermicelli with fermented fish sauce, vermicelli with beef)
Steaming hot bowls of vermicelli with beef, tendon, and aromatic herbs. Flavorful bowls of vermicelli with crab soup, rich in fish flavor, with enticing red broth, attract diners. Meanwhile, vermicelli with fermented fish sauce captivates with its colorful seafood toppings, swimming in soft and chewy white vermicelli.
A bowl of vermicelli with distinctive red color is enticing
Savory Quang-style Fermented Fish Sauce Vermicelli in Saigon
Bun Bo - A Hue-style Morning Delight in Saigon
Add some spicy and tangy flavors for an extremely enjoyable morning.
Recommended Breakfast Spots in Ho Chi Minh City:
- Marie Curie Bun Bo in District 3;
- Ganh Bun Bo - 88 Ho Tung Mau, District 1;
- Dong Ba Hue-style Bun Bo - 110A Nguyen Du, District 1;
- Western-style Fermented Fish Sauce Vermicelli - 109 Nguyen Van Luong, District 6;
- Mrs. Thuy's Fermented Fish Sauce Vermicelli - 63 Co Giang, District 1;…
Saigonese breakfast may start late, but it's never lackluster. A delightful and fulfilling morning treat to kickstart the day with utmost energy.
