16 Places for Where to Eat in Saigon - Best Street Food & Restaurants in Saigon

Saigon's cuisine is famous for its diversity and uniqueness, especially the creative blend of many cultures such as Chinese, French, and Cambodian. Experiencing the food here will provide visitors with unique and extremely worthwhile experiences. Let Joytime discover 15 quality dining addresses in the city.

Overview table of the most famous dining spots in Saigon

1. 9 Most-beloved Eateries by The Local in Saigon

To experience Saigon's authentic and complete cuisine, visitors cannot miss the local eateries that have been attached to the native people for decades.

1.1. Vo Van Kiet’s Pork Offal Restaurant (Pha Lau Bo Vo Van Kiet)

Address: 338 Vo Van Kiet, Co Giang Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 

Opening hours: 7:30 AM - 9:00 PM

Price range: 25,000 - 35,000 VND

Signature dishes: Pha lau bo (beef offal stew) served in a small bowl or deep plate. The beef offal pieces are cut to a perfect size, immersed in a glossy golden brown sauce. The outer layer of the offal is slightly chewy, the inside is soft, smooth, and fatty, with a hint of spice from chili and pepper. The sauce exudes an appealing coconut milk aroma. Diners eat with crispy bread or instant noodles.

Customer reviews:

• Thanh Tam Do: “The pha lau here is incredibly delicious and full! Especially the rich, fragrant coconut milk broth. There are also stir-fried noodles and macaroni with fresh seafood. The price is reasonable and affordable. After eating my fill, I ordered a kumquat tea and aloe vera pineapple tea. Oh my, it was so refreshing!”

• Tuan Anh: “Today my friend invited me to eat pha lau, the owner was so lovely! It was our first time trying it, so we were quite excited. The pha lau was fresh and had a nice crisp, yet tender texture, the broth was extremely rich and flavorful. Perfect with instant noodles.”

The rich flavor of the beef pha lau makes it unforgettable for many diners - Photo credit: Facebook Thao Ngo

1.2. Mr Huynh Hoa’ s Banh Mi (Banh Mi Huynh Hoa)

Address: 26 Le Thi Rieng, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 

Opening hours: 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Price range: 65,000 VND

Signature dishes: A crispy, golden yellow baguette straight from the oven. Inside, the baguette is stuffed with thick layers of fillings such as cold cuts, Vietnamese pork sausage, pate, butter, shredded dried pork, pickles, and sauce. A rich and irresistible flavor, crispy on the outside, fatty, buttery, fragrant, and soft on the inside.

Customer reviews: 

• Dat Nguyen Thanh: “The mixed banh mi is 59,000 VND and huge! Eating just half a loaf fills you up. Famously delicious, the kind you remember forever.”

• Hien Mai: “The baguette is very big, with so much filling that it's easy to get tired of eating it by yourself. I think splitting it between 2 people is enough. The baguette is crispy, with a lot of pate and meat, satisfying to eat. The raw vegetables, cucumbers, and pickles are kept separate, keeping the baguette from getting soggy. The packaging is clean.”

Customers can order delivery from the restaurant by calling 096.245.5517 - Photo credit: Facebook Banh Mi Huynh Hoa

1.3. Nhan’s Phnom Penh-style Noodle Soup Restaurant (Hu Tieu Nam Vang Nhan Quan)

Address: 239 Au Duong Lan, Rach Ong Ward, District 8, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 

Opening hours: 0:01 AM - 1:00 AM, 3:00 PM - 11:59 PM

Price range: 40,000 - 100,000 VND

Signature dishes: The famous Hu Tieu Nam Vang (Phnom Penh-style noodle soup), the result of the intersection between Vietnamese and Cambodian cuisines. An appealing bowl of noodle soup with a clear, rich broth, stewed from bone broth and dried shrimp. The toppings are diverse in color and flavor, brimming with minced pork, boiled shrimp, pork liver, and quail eggs. The noodle soup is topped with fresh bean sprouts, chives, and crispy fried shallots. Diners can choose between the dry or soup versions of the Hu Tieu.

Customer reviews: 

• Hoang Quyen: "Lots of fresh toppings, big and crunchy shrimp, noodles and Hu Tieu strands have a nice chewy texture. I ordered the dry Nam Vang noodles, the flavor was rich and very tasty. The broth has a fragrant bone and garlic aroma, a light sweetness, easy to eat. The accompanying vegetables are also fresh and cleanly prepared. The staff is quick and polite, creating a comfortable dining atmosphere. A bowl costs 60,000 VND, completely worth the food quality, you'll be full afterwards."

• Quynh Le: "The restaurant space is airy, spacious, and very clean. The parking area is also large, no worries about finding a spot. Tables and chairs are clean, with a full range of seasonings available on the table for customers to adjust to their taste. I give the hygiene a 9/10. Regarding the food, I ordered a combination dry Hu Tieu, the portion was quite generous, matching the price. The broth here leans towards sweetness, it would be easier to eat and less rich if it was less sweet."

A colorful and appetizing bowl of Hu Tieu - Photo credit: Facebook Chuyen cua Sai Gon

1.4. 193 Dumpling Restaurant (Sui Cao 193 - Ha Ton Quyen)

Address: 193 Ha Ton Quyen, Ward 7, District 11, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 

Opening hours: 10:30 AM - 11:59 PM

Price range: 15,000 - 55,000 VND

Signature dishes: The delicate sui cao (dumplings) with Chinese origins, creatively adapted to Vietnamese cuisine. The small dumplings have a soft, white flour wrapper that becomes translucent when cooked. The flavorful filling includes minced pork, fresh shrimp, and a mixture of green onions and finely chopped wood ear mushrooms. Sui cao can be eaten with a light, sweet bone broth or deep-fried until golden brown.

Customer reviews: 

• Thao Trinh: "The dumpling here is truly delicious from the filling to the wrapper. The wrapper is soft and chewy, not floury or causing a greasy feeling. I ordered the dumplings with oyster sauce and I must say the flavor was quite impressive. The Chinese-style broth is also very distinctive: clear and lightly sweet, you can clearly feel the subtlety in the way it's cooked."

• C'Lavie M: "Instead of just ordering the familiar noodle soup with dumplings, I think everyone should also try the char siu noodles, fried dumplings, and dumplings with black vinegar! I'm really "addicted" to the combination of Teochew and apple cider vinegar, mixed with the char siu noodles and chili sauce here. The flavor is very special, hard to find anywhere else. A big plus is that this area has a large Chinese community, so the food retains its traditional flavor."

The fragrant and delicious dumplings definitely worth trying - Photo credit: Facebook Vo Luc Quynh Nhu

1.5. Goat Hotpot at Truong Dinh (Lau De Truong Dinh)

Address: 105 Truong Dinh, Ward 6, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 

Opening hours: 10:00 AM - 11:00 PM

Price range: 150,000 - 250,000 VND

Signature dishes: The restaurant serves a variety of goat dishes, especially grilled goat with fermented bean curd (de nuong chao) and hot goat hotpot (lau de). The goat meat is tender, fragrant, naturally slightly chewy, and carefully deodorized with spices. When grilled, the goat meat turns golden brown, exuding an enticing aroma, blending with the bustling atmosphere of Saigon at night.

Customer reviews:

• Meme: "The food is very delicious, the hotpot is seasoned to taste. I went with 2 people, ordered a small hotpot and an extra small portion of grilled dishes, which was enough to fill our stomachs. The accompanying vegetables are quite diverse and relatively clean. The grilled dishes are seasoned to taste, flavorful but not too salty. Will definitely come back again!"

• Clover Elric: "This restaurant is super old. I remember when I was in elementary and middle school, I used to eat here with my parents' company. Then in high school, I would go with friends... Only now do I have the chance to come back and eat again. And as a habit, I still only order the grilled goat udder (vú nướng). Because it's been so long, I don't remember clearly if it tasted better before or not. I can only say that today it's okay. Not as spicy as I requested, but the marinating is good, and dipping it in fermented bean curd is still delicious as before."

Many tempting goat dishes for diners to enjoy - Photo credit: Facebook Be Thui Phu Quy

1.6. Number One Chicken Sticky Rice (Xoi Gà Number One - Tran Quang Dieu)

Address: 15 Nguyen Trung Truc, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 

Opening hours: 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Price range: 15,000 - 35,000 VND

Signature dishes: Piping hot chicken sticky rice (xoi ga) cooked using the traditional Vietnamese method. The sticky rice grains are soft, chewy, fragrant with pandan leaves, with golden brown, crispy, sweet, and well-seasoned roasted chicken. The sticky rice is topped with crispy fried shallots, rich green onion oil, and a touch of pickled vegetables for a complete flavor.

Customer reviews:

• Mai: "I'm not a fan of sticky rice but I'm addicted to this place. The sticky rice here is plentiful, chewy, and hot, not the type that's left to cool and sold to customers. The chicken and young eggs are extremely delicious, with a lot of it, the chicken gizzards are also very fragrant, and sometimes even a large piece of chicken liver is given. The special thing is that the restaurant has pickled vegetables, which help to balance the flavor and reduce greasiness. Eating a box of this sticky rice makes you really full, it's very worth trying."

• Dona Bunnie: "The shredded chicken fried sticky rice here is really delicious. The sticky rice is crispy on the outside, soft and smooth on the inside, and doesn't show any signs of being re-fried or absorbing too much oil. The crispy, dry pieces of sticky rice are very tasty, and I don't feel greasy at all after finishing a box. The shredded chicken is well-marinated, tender, and quite plentiful. Especially, it's served with fragrant fried shallots, making this dish even more appealing."

Chicken sticky rice is very suitable for breakfast and afternoon snacks - Photo credit: Facebook Xoi Ga Number One

1.7. Ba Ba’s Crab noodle Vietnamese

Address: 84/6 Nguyen Bieu Street, Ward 1, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 

Opening hours: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Price range: 30,000 - 80,000 VND

Signature dishes: Traditional crab noodle soup (bánh canh cua), a signature dish of Saigon cuisine. The thick, chewy noodles, made from tapioca flour, absorb the sweet flavor from fresh crab, pork, and bone broth. The rich, thick broth is filled with various toppings, offering a diverse range of flavors and textures. Diners eat it with crispy fried dough sticks (quẩy), a touch of chili, and fresh lime.

Customer reviews:

• Nga Tran: "My younger sibling took me here, and I just found out about this interesting restaurant in an alley. It's a casual eatery, I sat outside, but because the food is delicious, I've come back twice already. Every time I go, there are 3 of us, and ordering one pot of crab noodle soup is enough to fill us up. The pot is full of crab meat, crab sausage, shrimp, quail eggs, blood cubes... The broth is slightly thick, very tasty, not too sweet and not too salty, just right."

• Lien Khong: "The restaurant has a spacious outdoor area, tables and chairs are lined up in the alley. There's parking and staff to help. The service is fast, so the food comes out quickly, you don't have to wait long. The bowl of crab noodle soup is huge, three people still feel like they're missing out. The pot has everything like crab sausage, shrimp, quail eggs, crab meat... very generous in general. The noodles are soft and chewy, the broth has a moderate thickness, not too thick so it's not greasy."

Ba Ba's crab noodle soup restaurant is a favorite dining spot for many foreign diners - Photo credit: Facebook Banh Canh Cua Ba Ba

1.8. Vietnamese Broken Rice Ba Ghien (Com Tam Ba Ghien)

Address: 84 Dang Van Ngu Street, Ward 10, Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 

Opening hours: 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Price range: 40,000 - 66,000 VND

Signature dishes: The restaurant is famous for its generous and appealing plate of broken rice (com tam). The rice grains are small, soft, and fluffy. The thick piece of pork chop is grilled over charcoal until golden brown, exuding an enticing aroma. The grilled pork chop is seasoned richly, tender, juicy, and sweet. In addition to the grilled pork chop, the plate also includes steamed pork and egg cake, shredded pork skin mixed with roasted rice powder, a fatty fried egg with a runny yolk, pickled vegetables, and a sweet and sour dipping sauce.

Customer reviews:

• Le Huong: "A portion here is extremely generous. The meat is tender, not dry, and seasoned to taste. The side dishes are also of excellent quality. The restaurant space is clean, the staff is very lovely and enthusiastic."

• Min: "The rice is fragrant and sticky, the toppings are plentiful and very delicious. Especially when delivered, the rice is still piping hot."

A typical scene at the rice stall - Photo credit: Facebook Com Tam Ba Ghien

1.9. Fried Oysters on Tran Quoc Thao (Woo - The Gioi Hau)

Address: Tran Quoc Thao Apartment, 007 Lo B, Ward 9, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 

Opening hours: 4:00 PM - 10:30 PM

Price range: 30,000 - 200,000 VND

Signature dishes: The menu revolves around delicious oyster dishes. Fresh oysters, carrying the salty flavor of the ocean. The oyster meat is sweet, soft, and rich in nutrients. If you love rich, fatty flavors, you can choose grilled oysters with cheese or grilled oysters with green onion oil.

Customer reviews:

• Tuan Lam Nguyen: "I tried 4 grilled oysters with cheese and 1 special grilled oysters with cheese. Although the oysters were big, they were too soft, watery, and quite bland, not as flavorful as expected."

• Tuyet Pham: "The oysters here are fresh and delicious, each one is plump and fat. The sizzling oysters are grilled just right, still retaining their juiciness. The cheese sauce is rich and fragrant, extremely delicious, very worth trying. The restaurant is small, located in a small alley but very clean and airy."

Fresh and nutritious oysters - Photo credit: Facebook WOO - The Gioi Hau - 007 LoB Tran Quoc Thao P9 Q3

2. 3 Luxurious Famous Restaurants in Saigon

With the special intersection of many major cultures, Saigon also possesses many luxurious restaurants with different culinary styles.

2.1. The Refinery Bar & Restaurant

Address: 74 Hai Ba Trung, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 

Opening hours: 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM

Price range: 100,000 - 600,000 VND

Signature dishes: Dishes inspired by beautiful France. Among them, tender steak, fresh oysters, and creamy pasta are the top choices of many diners. Each dish is elaborately prepared, suitable to be enjoyed with a luxurious glass of wine.

Customer reviews:

• Tyho Tuno: “The restaurant was once an opium factory in 1881, a historical site that has now been transformed into a French restaurant. For brunch, I decided to try their signature dish, The Refinery Egg Benedict. It was first served with a refreshing passion fruit juice, which had a nice balance of sourness. The Refinery Egg Benedict was a unique take, featuring a toast base topped with salmon and avocado. The combination was simply delicious. For dessert, they served a homemade dried fruit yogurt paired with chocolate ice cream. The yogurt was light and refreshing, while the ice cream was rich and had a deep dark chocolate flavor.”

• Ms. Kim: “This is my first time try French food with bf, my bf showed me to this place. Great French restaurant, awesome place, staff and food. Full price charged for quality service, very fresh and good food. But my Tuna was still dry, just that.”

Wine becomes an impressive highlight of The Refinery Bar & Restaurant - Photo credit: Facebook The Refinery

2.2. Yazawa Saigon

Address: 219 Dien Bien Phu, Ward 6, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 

Opening hours: 5:00 PM - 11:30 PM

Price range: 215,000 - 2,200,000 VND

Signature dishes: Yazawa Saigon offers diverse and appealing Omakase sets including salad, Wagyu sushi, beef tongue, YAZAWA YAKI, steak, and many other premium beef cuts. 

Customer reviews:

• Yoshi Harada: “Very popular Wagyu specialized restaurant from Gotanda, Tokyo. No sign hanged outside but you may have noticed this place from unique facade. Inside the small entrance is completely separated from outside world. Modern and chic decor. We used private room for 6. The room was rather small but suitable to have private talk for the group of 4. We selected the course menu “Chef’s Omakase” (General meaning of Omakase “お任せ” is you leave a choice to the other. At the restaurant, you let the chef or the restaurant to select what you will be served.) And the staffs will serve you from grilling meat and placing on your plate with their recommended meat condition. If you would like to experience different Japanese Yakiniku style with premium beef, you might want to try here once.”

• Ngoyen2412: "I have eaten here many times and honestly, when it comes to Wagyu beef, this is the best. The restaurant is very crowded with Japanese customers, so remember to reserve a table if you plan to visit. The restaurant space is spacious, luxurious, and quite dark. I usually order the omakase set – meaning the chef will choose the dishes and portion them for me, so I don't have to think too much. The beef here is tender and melts in your mouth. My favorite dishes are the sushi and grilled meat mixed with egg sauce, rich and fatty but not fishy."

A destination to enjoy premium Japanese beef - Photo credit: Facebook Yazawa Saigon

2.3. Chay Garden – Vegetarian Restaurant & Coffee

Address: 52 Vo Van Tan, Ward 6, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam 

Opening hours: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Price range: 200,000 - 400,000 VND

Signature dishes: Traditional vegetarian dishes prepared creatively. Highlights include light and sweet mushroom hotpot, fresh spring rolls, and rich tofu braised with pepper. The dishes retain the natural flavors of vegetables and herbs, providing a healthy and enjoyable culinary experience.

Customer reviews: 

• KQ Quyen Nguyen: "Stepping into the restaurant, immersing yourself in the fresh little garden, all worries are left behind. The vegetarian dishes here are light and delicately presented. Each dish is not only delicious but also beautiful like a work of art. The staff are lovely, friendly, and serve attentively."

• Tthchan Trang: "The space when you first walk in really surprised me, I didn't expect such a beautiful and peaceful vegetarian restaurant in a small alley. I went alone so I only ordered a light portion of fruit salad and mixed glass noodles. The mixed glass noodles were delicious, refreshing, and beautifully presented, I felt much lighter and more relaxed after eating."

Nourishing the body with nutritious vegetarian dishes - Photo credit: Facebook Hoa Nguyen 

In addition, another restaurant worth experiencing that promises to bring visitors moments of sublime culinary delight is Home Saigon. Home specializes in traditional Vietnamese dishes, elaborately and creatively prepared. The flavors of the dishes conquer the hearts of even the most demanding diners. Visitors can quickly book a culinary experience at Home Saigon through Joytime's reputable service portal.

3. 4 Traditional Food Markets in Saigon

Markets are like culinary havens in the heart of the city, where diners can find almost any dish or item.

3.1. Food Court at 200 Market

Address: C200/23 Xom Chieu, Ward 15, District 4, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 

Opening hours: 3:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Price range: 10,000 - 50,000 VND

Signature dishes: A culinary paradise in the city center, some standout dishes that visitors must try include rich pha lau (offal stew), melted grilled oysters with cheese, crispy grilled rice paper, and thick crab soup.

Reviews:

• An old market, closely associated with the people of District 4

• A moderately sized market gathering about 50 food stalls with a myriad of Saigon's signature culinary flavors

• Eateries arranged close together, forming long rows, bustling and lively atmosphere

• Many diners, most crowded from 3:00 - 4:00 PM, diners ranging from workers to students

• Reasonable prices, with only 200,000 VND, visitors can enjoy dozens of delicious dishes at the market

The culinary paradise at 200 Market awaits visitors to explore - Photo credit: Facebook Co Long

3.2. Tan Dinh Night Market

Address: 336 Hai Ba Trung, Tan Dinh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 

Opening hours: 5:00 AM - 11:00 PM

Price range: 15,000 - 50,000 VND

Signature dishes: The market is famous for its appealing street food such as grilled rice paper, Phnom Penh-style noodle soup, spring rolls, crispy pancakes, stir-fried snails with garlic, and Saigon sweet soup.

Reviews:

• Market with nearly a century of history, located on 4 major streets, convenient for travel

• Impressive French architectural style, a cultural and historical symbol of the city

• The market gets more bustling at night, an ideal place for groups of friends to gather, eat, and have fun

• Many eateries operate from evening until late at night, even overnight, attracting a large number of foreign tourists

• Relatively small area within the stalls, cramped and stuffy space

• In addition to food, visitors can visit the dried goods, clothing, shoes, and jewelry accessory stores at the market

Simple and hospitable vendors at Tan Dinh Market - Photo credit: Facebook Cho Tan Dinh

3.3. Sai Gon Cho Lon Market 

Address: Vietnam/2 Pham Don, Ward 11, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 

Opening hours: 7:30 AM - 11:00 PM

Price range: 15,000 - 80,000 VND

Signature dishes: Traditional dishes, rich in Vietnamese-Chinese flavors: dumplings, shumai, satay noodle soup, Cantonese duck noodle soup, hot Teochew congee, steamed buns with meat filling, Hainanese chicken rice, steamed fish in soy sauce, sweet egg tea, etc.

Reviews:

• This is the area with the largest Chinese community living in Vietnam

• The market preserves many distinctive cultural and architectural religious values such as the Ba Thien Hau Pagoda, the On Lang Assembly Hall, and Chinese alleys

• The place is considered the 2nd center of Saigon, where bustling trading activities take place

• Dining spot for diners who want to explore Vietnamese-Chinese cuisine

• Lively, friendly, and colorful atmosphere

Typical street food stalls of Saigon - Photo credit: Facebook Eddie Wan

3.4. Ben Thanh Market

Address: Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 

Opening hours: 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Price range: 15,000 - 50,000 VND

Signature dishes: Ben Thanh Market gathers signature dishes like bun rieu (crab noodle soup), banh canh cua (thick crab noodle soup), Southern sweet soup, and many attractive snacks (spring rolls, banh bo (honeycomb cake), stir-fried corn, grilled bananas with coconut milk, etc.).

Reviews:

• The market is located right in the center of District 1, an easily accessible destination for visitors.

• Famous for traditional Vietnamese specialty dishes, visitors can find almost any food here.

• With more than 1500 stalls, the market offers a diverse range of products (clothes, shoes, bags, handicrafts, specialties, etc.).

• Some visitors comment that prices at the market are quite high and that bargaining is necessary when buying goods.

• High customer volume, the market is often crowded and packed.

The classic and familiar beauty of Ben Thanh Market - Photo credit: Facebook My Hoa 

Suggested Culinary Itinerary for First-Time Visitors in Saigon

When setting foot in Saigon for the first time, visitors can choose a tour to fully enjoy every moment without having to worry about transportation or missing out on appealing dishes. Joytime currently offers a one-day Ho Chi Minh City exploration tour, helping visitors easily visit famous landmarks and enjoy most of the city's signature dishes.

In addition, for visitors who want to explore freely, Joytime has designed a detailed 2-day Saigon culinary itinerary. The itinerary is for reference only, and visitors can change it to suit their personal preferences and needs.

Culinary Exploration in Saigon - Day 1

Culinary Exploration in Saigon - Day 2

Saigon captivates visitors with its rich culture, deep-rooted history, and especially its vibrant culinary scene. If you're wondering where to eat in Saigon, the 15 suggested spots above are sure to offer you memorable and flavorful experiences. For added convenience during your journey—whether it’s airport transfers or curated tours—don’t hesitate to reach out to Joytime for timely and professional support.

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