1. Breakfast Spots in Saigon You Can’t Miss

Breakfast in Saigon comes in many choices—bánh mì, noodle soups, sticky rice… Here are some famous morning spots:

1.1. Huynh Hoa Banh Mi – Legendary Saigon Sandwich Shop

📍 Address: 26–30–32 Le Thi Rieng St., Ho Chi Minh City
🕒 Opening hours: 6:00 AM – 10:00 AM
📞 Phone: 1900 8021 – 096 245 55 17

No Saigon food guide is complete without mentioning Huynh Hoa bánh mì. Famous for its unique flavor unlike any other shop, the sandwich is generously stuffed with Vietnamese ham, cold cuts, roasted pork, jambon, floss, homemade pâté, and pickles. The highlight is the house-made pâté, rich and fragrant. The bread is crispy outside, soft and flavorful inside.

1.2. Ong Gia Cali – Squid Noodle Soup Chain

📍 Locations:

• 001, Block A3, Phan Xich Long St., Ho Chi Minh City
  
   
• 140 Street No. 7, Ho Chi Minh City
  
   
• 288 Pham Van Dong Blvd., Ho Chi Minh City
  
   
• 15 Dang Van Bi St., Ho Chi Minh City
  
   
• 41 Street No. 4, Trung Son Residential Area, Ho Chi Minh City
  📞 Phone: 090 309 99 55
  
   

Ong Gia Cali is always among the top noodle spots in Saigon. Their chewy noodles are served in a light yet savory broth, topped with fresh squid and pork meatballs, and paired with greens. The menu also includes shrimp soup and squid soup. Each branch is spacious, clean, and comfortable.

1.3. Hoa Ma Bánh Mì Chảo – A Classic Saigon Eatery

📍 Address: 53 Cao Thang St., Ho Chi Minh City

One of the oldest bánh mì chảo (Vietnamese pan bread) shops in Saigon, Hoa Ma holds nostalgic value for many locals. A serving comes with sunny-side-up eggs, salted pork belly, ham, Vietnamese sausages, luncheon meat, and sausage slices, topped with onions and served with bread and pickles. They also offer delicious stuffed sandwiches.

1.4. Yen Crab Noodle Soup

📍 Address: 1348 Truong Sa Rd., Ho Chi Minh City

Tucked away in a small alley, Yen Crab Noodle Soup is always packed with customers. Their bowl comes with snails, fried tofu, Vietnamese ham, and crab paste. The fried tofu and snail toppings are especially tasty, while the crab roe adds a creamy, fragrant touch. Served with lots of fresh herbs to balance the flavor.

1.5. Nga Bui Hue Beef Noodle Soup

📍 Address: 114–118 Bac Hai St., Ho Chi Minh City
🕒 Opening hours: 6:00 AM – 8:30 PM
📞 Phone: 097 123 45 79

A favorite of local celebrities, Nga Bui serves authentic bún bò Huế. The broth is light yet flavorful, with bowls loaded with brisket, tendon, beef ribs, meatballs, and pork hock. The spacious, clean dining area is beautifully decorated, with attentive service.

2. Lunch Spots in Saigon

Looking for a hearty lunch in Saigon? Here are some excellent choices:

2.1. Thien Ly Claypot Rice

📍 Locations:

• 72 Nguyen Thach Co St., Ho Chi Minh City
  
   
• 120 Street No. 7, Ho Chi Minh City
  
   
• 87A Cuu Long St., Ho Chi Minh City
  🕒 Opening hours: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM | 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
  
   

Known for fragrant rice and golden crispy crusts, Thien Ly offers dishes from all three regions of Vietnam, such as braised pork, peppered goby fish, sour soup, and boiled pork with anchovy sauce. Perfect for family gatherings, friends, or business meetings.

2.2. Ba Ghien Broken Rice

📍 Address: 84 Dang Van Ngu St., Ho Chi Minh City

When locals think of Saigon food, broken rice (cơm tấm) always comes to mind. Ba Ghien is famous for its huge, juicy grilled pork chop served with broken rice. The pork is well-marinated and tender, complemented by sides like shredded pork skin, steamed egg loaf, fried eggs, meatballs, sausages, and pickled vegetables.

2.3. Su Su Crispy Fried Chicken Rice

📍 Address: 117/1D Cong Quynh St., Ho Chi Minh City

Located in District 1, Su Su is a go-to for crispy fried chicken rice. The chicken is perfectly fried with crispy skin and moist meat, served with fried rice, cucumbers, tomatoes, and soup. Their house-made black pepper sauce makes it even more irresistible.

2.4. Dong Den Special Fermented Fish Vermicelli

📍 Address: 64 Dong Den St., Ho Chi Minh City

This small but clean eatery is popular for its Mekong-style fermented fish noodle soup (bún mắm), brimming with toppings like roast pork, squid, fish, and shrimp. The broth is savory and aromatic without being overpowering.

2.5. Phuong Mai Vegetarian Restaurant

📍 Address: 82/86F Vo Thi Sau St., Ho Chi Minh City
🕒 Opening hours: 8:00 AM – 9:30 PM
📞 Phone: 088 833 92 57

A vegetarian paradise with a wide-ranging menu—fried rice, mushroom tofu, sizzling pancakes, stir-fried noodles, Pad Thai, pizza, Singapore fried vermicelli, pasta, and more. Nestled in a green, tranquil alley in District 1.

3. Dinner Spots in Saigon

When evening falls, here are the must-try dinner places in Saigon:

3.1. Hoang Van Grilled Pork Noodles

📍 Address: 137 Chan Hung St., Ho Chi Minh City
🕒 Opening hours: 7:30 AM – 8:30 PM
📞 Phone: 070 868 84 45

Listed in the Michelin Selected guide, Hoang Van has been serving grilled pork vermicelli (bún thịt nướng) for over 20 years. Each bowl includes vermicelli, spring rolls, grilled pork, pickled carrots, lettuce, cucumbers, and bean sprouts, topped with peanuts and scallions.

3.2. Pachi Pachi Japanese BBQ & Hotpot

📍 Address: 52 Mac Dinh Chi St., Ho Chi Minh City
🕒 Opening hours: 10:30 AM – 10:00 PM
📞 Phone: 090 825 27 21 | (028) 6295 9294

A favorite gathering spot for young diners. Pachi Pachi serves Japanese BBQ and hotpot buffet with a wide range of fresh meats and seafood. The décor reflects Japanese style, making it a great place for photos.

3.3. Ky Dong Chicken Pho & Glass Noodles

📍 Address: 14/5 Bis Ky Dong St., Ho Chi Minh City

Over 50 years in business, Ky Dong is a legendary spot for chicken pho and glass noodles. Bowls come with shredded chicken, skin, giblets, and quail eggs. The broth, simmered with chicken bones and fat, is light yet flavorful.

3.4. Nhu Snail Eatery

📍 Address: 650/4/29D Dien Bien Phu St., Ho Chi Minh City

A popular hangout for seafood lovers, serving dishes like snails stir-fried with coconut, garlic butter scallops, stir-fried morning glory with snails, and garlic crabs. The restaurant is spacious and air-conditioned.

3.5. Ba Huyen Goby Fish Hotpot

📍 Address: 18 Ba Huyen Thanh Quan St., Ho Chi Minh City

Renowned for its sour and spicy goby fish hotpot. Fresh fish enhances the broth’s flavor. They also serve grilled goby fish, eel hotpot, and grilled squid. Spacious, well-decorated dining area with private rooms available.

4. Late-Night Food in Saigon

Night owls won’t be disappointed—here are some famous late-night eateries:

4.1. Thanh Dat Phnom Penh Noodle Soup

📍 Locations:

• 16–20 Ly Thai To St., Ho Chi Minh City
  
   
• 107E Pham Van Hai St., Ho Chi Minh City
  
   
• 239 Pham Ngu Lao St., Ho Chi Minh City
  📞 Phone: 093 962 38 71
  
   

Famous for its naturally sweet broth and toppings like pork, shrimp, liver, minced meat, quail eggs, and herbs.

4.2. Hang Xanh White Rice Porridge

📍 Address: 283 Xo Viet Nghe Tinh St., Ho Chi Minh City

Serves plain rice porridge with side dishes like pickled veggies, braised fish, salted eggs, and braised pork. Popular with late-night diners.

4.3. “Ghost Broken Rice” (Com Tam Huyen)

📍 Address: Alley 95 Dinh Tien Hoang St., Ho Chi Minh City

Known as “ghost broken rice” because it’s open all night. Famous for fragrant grilled pork chops served with broken rice, pork skin, steamed egg, and rich fish sauce.

5. Popular Snack Spots in Saigon

For street food lovers, here are some iconic snack spots:

5.1. Beef Jerky Papaya Salad at Le Van Tam Park

📍 Address: Sidewalk on Hai Ba Trung St., opposite Le Van Tam Park, Ho Chi Minh City

A long-time street snack favorite. Shredded papaya salad topped with spiced beef jerky, peanuts, herbs, crispy crackers, and sweet-sour fish sauce.

5.2. Uncle Vien’s Mixed Rice Paper

📍 Address: 38 Nguyen Thuong Hien St., Ho Chi Minh City
🕒 Opening hours: 9:30 AM – 6:30 PM
📞 Phone: 090 656 25 62

Famous for chewy rice paper mixed with green mango, scallion oil, quail eggs, and dried beef. Also serves rice paper rolls, mango salad, crispy pork skin, and seaweed snacks.

5.3. Duc Hoa Fried Rice Flour Cake

📍 Address: 001 Block X, Ngo Gia Tu Apartment, Ho Chi Minh City

With over 20 years of history, Duc Hoa is known for crispy fried rice flour cakes with eggs, topped with scallions, pickles, and papaya. The dipping sauce is made with a secret recipe.

5.4. Nhat Quynh Rice Paper Snacks

📍 Branch 1: 34 Vinh Vien St., Ho Chi Minh City (3:00 PM – 10:00 PM)
📍 Branch 2: 168/15 Le Thi Bach Cat St., Ho Chi Minh City (10:00 AM – 9:00 PM)
📞 Phone: 077 345 63 57

Specializes in rice paper snacks—mixed, grilled, rolled, or dipped in tamarind sauce, scallion oil, etc.

5.5. Hien Khanh Sweet Soup

📍 Address: 718 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St., Ho Chi Minh City

A long-standing dessert shop serving mung bean soup, lotus seed soup, mixed sweet soup, jelly, and herbal drinks. Not too sweet, with a hint of jasmine fragrance.

5.6. Co Thao Beef Offal Stew

📍 Address: 243/29G Ton Dan St., Ho Chi Minh City

Famous for rich beef organ stew cooked with coconut milk, served with crispy bread. Includes tripe, stomach, and intestines.

5.7. Thien Thien Dumplings

📍 Address: 195 Ha Ton Quyen St., Ho Chi Minh City

Located on the famous dumpling street, serving steamed dumplings, wontons, and noodles with Chinese flavors. The dumplings have thin wrappers, juicy filling, and flavorful broth.

⚠️ Note: Information provided is for reference and may change depending on each restaurant’s policies. Please contact the eateries directly for the latest details.

This guide has introduced you to some of the most famous eateries in Saigon, beloved for their delicious dishes, affordable prices, and authentic flavors. If you’re looking for a great place to satisfy your hunger in Saigon, you can’t go wrong with any of the above!