Sài Gòn is a foodie paradise with a plethora of exploration choices, from street food to fancy restaurants, traditional to western, and Vietnamese dishes from the north and south.
Let us check out some fantastic suggestions below from Chôm Chôm Travel.
1. Bánh Xèo (Vietnamese Pancake)
Bánh Xèo is a savoury, crispy Vietnamese pancake that is particularly popular in Saigon and can be found from street vendors to restaurants.
The crust is made from rice flour, and turmeric powder makes the pancake yellow. The cake's name comes from the sizzling sound (Xèo Xèo in Vietnamese) made when pouring the batter into the hot oil. On the inside, it is traditionally filled with sliced pork, shrimp, spring onion, and bean sprouts.
The crispy fried Bánh Xèo is served with an abundance of veggies like lettuces, fish mints, shredded mangos, green mustards, sliced cucumbers, perilla leaves, and fish sauce. The dipping sauce plays a vital role in creating a delicious dish and taste.
How to eat like a Saigonese: you should eat this dish with your hands! Take a piece of the pancake, place it in the lettuce or green mustard with the other herbs, and then roll it up and dip it in the sauce.
Where to enjoy:
Bánh Xèo Mười Xiềm
Address: 204 Nguyen Trai, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1
Bánh Xèo Đinh Công Tráng
Address: 46A Dinh Cong Trang,Tan Đinh Ward, District 1
2. Bánh Cuốn (Steamed Roll Cake)
Bánh Cuốn has been rated one of the best ten (10) meals in the world by the Australian Daily Online Traveller. So if you visit Saigon, do not miss the opportunity to taste this dish.
The word "Cuốn" means roll, which is how this delicacy is prepared. The dish's batter is created from rice flour and then steamed before filling with minced pork, onion, jicama, and mushrooms and then rolled up.
The hot Bánh Cuốn is typically served with bean sprouts, herds, cucumber, fried onion, sliced pork roll, and fish sauce. The same with Bánh Xèo, the dipping sauce dramatically contributes to the tasty and flavourful Bánh Cuốn.
How to eat like a Saigonese: use chopsticks to enjoy this dish! Pour dipping sauce directly on your plate of Bánh Cuốn and enjoy it. Saigonese usually eat Bánh Cuốn for their breakfast.
Where to enjoy:
Bánh Cuốn Hồng Hạnh
Address: 17A Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, District 1
Bánh Cuốn Hải Nam
Address: 11A Cao Thang, District 3
3. Cơm Tấm (Broken Rice)
Cơm Tấm is made with rice that was broken during harvesting and is combined with grilled pork, shredded pork skin, steamed egg meatloaf, fried eggs, pickled carrots, cucumber, and tomato slices, then topped with scallion oil. Everything comes together to create a colourful dish.
The sauce and the grilled pork served with the rice contribute to creating a perfect Cơm Tấm.
How to eat like a Saigonese: Use your spoon and fork for this delicious dish! Using the spoon, take the appropriate amount of fish sauce for your taste.
Saigonese enjoy eating Cơm Tấm at any time of the day. It can be their breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Where to enjoy:
Cơm Tấm Ba Ghiền Address: 84 Dang Van Ngu Street, Ward 10, Phu Nhuan District
Cơm Tấm Bụi Sài Gòn Address: 100 Thach Thi Thanh, Tan Đinh Ward, District
4. Phở
Phở is a famous Vietnamese noodle soup that ranks 34th among the top 100 most popular dishes by the international food website TasteAtlas.
Vietnamese noodle soup is made with broth from boiling beef or chicken bones, served with flat rice noodles and onions in a bowl, herbs, lime, and bean sprouts on a plate.
How to eat like a Saigonese: Use chopsticks and a spoon to enjoy this delicious and healthy noodle. There are many ways to eat Phở, depending on the people's preference. You can add hoisin and chilli sauce, eat with or without herbs, and squeeze a wedge of lime if you like.
Saigonese typically eat Phở for breakfast, but they also have it for lunch and dinner.
Where to enjoy:
Phở Lệ
Address: 413 - 415 Nguyen Trai Street, Ward 7, District 5
Phở Thìn
Address: 110 Le Thi Hong Gam Street, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1
5. Bún Riêu
Bún Riêu is another delicious noodle meal you should not skip besides Phở, Bún represent the rice vermicelli, and Riêu is the crab paste that goes with the dish. The broth of the noodles is mainly made from pork bones and tomato.
The dish is served with fried tofu banana bulbs, bean sprouts, and fresh herbs.
How to eat like a Saigonese: Use chopsticks and a spoon to eat the sweet and sour noodles; the chopsticks are for the rice vermicelli, and the spoon is for the broth. You can put some shrimp paste and chilli inside if you would like.
Where to enjoy:
Bún Riêu Cua Ốc Vườn Chối
Address: 417, Vinh Vien Street, District 10
Bún Riêu Gánh Chợ Bến Thành
Address: 163 Le Thanh Ton Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1
Chôm Chôm Travel hopes that the above suggestions will make it easier for you to experience Saigon's fantastic cuisine. We have a motorbike street food tour that is a terrific way to experience the delicious food and Saigon's nightlife, exchange cultures, and have a lot of fun with our enthusiastic guide.
