Eating Like a Local in Ho Chi Minh City

If you only have one day in Ho Chi Minh City, spend the whole day eating food near me. The most dynamic city in Vietnam is filled with delicious food. People from all over Vietnam come to Ho Chi Minh City to work, bringing with them recipes from their homeland that over time create the urban’s exciting culinary scene. Here’s our insider’s guide to five dishes you don’t want to miss.

Ho Chi Minh City is a culinary paradise, offering a diverse range of flavors and dishes that will tantalize your taste buds. From humble but delicious broken rice dishes to iconic sandwiches, this city has something to offer for every taste. In this article, we’ll explore must-try dishes and give you an insider’s guide to eating like a local in this vibrant metropolis.

Broken rice is equivalent to a healthy breakfast

A Humble Beginning

Ask anyone in Ho Chi Minh City, and they will tell you that breakfast here is broken rice (broken rice). Broken rice is one of the few dishes originating from Ho Chi Minh City. In the old days, these special broken rice grains were not suitable for sale, so farmers would save and eat them.

Cinderella stories

In fact, broken rice grains symbolize modest beauty and grace so much that in the Vietnamese version of Cinderella, she is named Tam, while her evil stepsister is called Cam, after a type of product. other rice by-products.

An interesting combination

The broken rice has all the right things to start your day: honey-glazed grilled pork ribs, sun-dried eggs, green onions, and pickled papaya on a bed of rice. Of course, these days you can eat broken rice for any meal.

A local favorite

Everyone in Ho Chi Minh City has their favorite place to eat broken rice, but don’t be afraid to try the one closest to you. It will probably be just as good. Pour a generous amount of sweet fish sauce over everything on your plate, and dig in.

LET’S TRY IT:

• Ba Ghien broken rice, 84 Dang Van Ngu Street

Snails, skewers, and seafood are popular food near me

A satisfying street food

Ho Chi Minh City is a paradise for street food lovers, and one of the must-try dishes is the famous snails. These small mollusks are grilled over charcoal and served with a delicious dipping sauce made from fish sauce, lime juice, and chili.

A diverse service

But snails are just the beginning. The city’s streets are lined with vendors offering a variety of skewers, from grilled meats and seafood to vegetables and even unusual ingredients like frog legs.

Seafood paradise

Seafood is a staple in local cuisine, and you’ll find a range of fresh catches on offer, from squid and shrimp to crab and clams. Many vendors specialize in specific seafood dishes, such as banh khot (small Vietnamese pancakes) or banh xeo (sizzling Vietnamese crepes).

Explore the street food scene:

• Binh Tay Market
• Dong Khoi Street
• Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street

Many faces of Hu Tieu

A noodle dish with a variety

Hu Tieu is a type of rice noodle soup that is a staple in Ho Chi Minh City. However, this dish is more than just a single entity; It comes in many different styles and flavors, each with its own unique twist.

Regional variations

• Nam Vang Rice Noodles: This Cambodian-influenced version features a rich pork broth, sliced ​​pork, and a variety of toppings like eggs and fried bread.
• Hu Tieu Dry Noodles: This dry noodle dish is topped with a flavorful mixture of pork, shrimp, and vegetables.
• Hu Tieu My Tho: Originating from the Mekong Delta region, this version has clear broth, shrimp and plenty of herbs and greens.

Local favourite

Every district and neighborhood in Ho Chi Minh City has its own favorite noodle spots, with locals fiercely loyal to their preferred purveyors. Don’t be afraid to ask around for recommendations and try many variations to find your personal favorites.

LET’S TRY IT:

• Co Doi Dry Noodle Soup, 12 Pham Ngoc Thach Street
• Hu Tieu Noodles 224, 224 Vo Van Tan Street

A sandwich like no other

Iconic Vietnamese sandwiches

A visit to Ho Chi Minh City wouldn’t be complete without trying the famous banh mi, a Vietnamese sandwich that has become popular globally. However, the bread you will find in this city is unlike any other.

Combination of flavors

Banh Mi in Ho Chi Minh City is a fusion of Vietnamese and French influences, with crispy baguettes stuffed with a variety of fillings like pork, pate, pickled vegetables, and delicious spreads.

Local twist

• Special Banh Mi: This “special” banh mi includes a combination of cold pork, pate, and a variety of pickled vegetables.
• Banh Xiu Mai: This variation is filled with salty and slightly sweet pork meatballs.
• Banh Mi Silk: This sandwich is filled with delicate and flavorful Vietnamese pork sausage.

A portable meal

One of the best things about bread is its portability, making it the perfect on-the-go meal or snack. Whether you’re exploring the city or just need a quick snack, banh mi is always a delicious and satisfying choice.

LET’S TRY IT:

• Huynh Hoa Bread, 26 Le Thanh Ton Street
• Nguyen Sinh Sac Bread, 113 Tran Khac Chan Street

Summer spring rolls

A refreshing treat

When the weather is hot and humid, a dish that provides a refreshing respite is the popular spring rolls or fresh spring rolls. These light and healthy rolls are filled with vermicelli noodles, herbs, and shrimp or pork, all wrapped in a translucent rice paper wrap.

A Family Affair

In Ho Chi Minh City, many families have turned the preparation of goi cuon into a small business, setting up roadside stalls where they hand-roll these delicacies on the spot.

A Dipping Delight

The real magic happens when you dip the fresh spring rolls into the accompanying sauce, a tangy and slightly sweet mixture of fish sauce, lime juice, and chili. The combination of flavors and textures is simply divine.

A Customizable Experience

One of the best things about goi cuon is the ability to customize them to your liking. Most vendors will offer a variety of fillings and toppings, allowing you to create your perfect spring roll masterpiece.

TRY IT:

• Thanh Ha Salad Roll, 162 Vo Van Tan Street
• Call Cuon Ba Gia, 40 Ngo Duc Ke Street

Conclusion

Ho Chi Minh City is a true culinary gem, offering a diverse and delicious range of dishes that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving more. From the humble yet satisfying broken rice to the iconic banh mi, and from the flavorful noodle soups to the refreshing spring rolls, this city has something to offer for every palate.

To truly experience the essence of Ho Chi Minh City’s food scene, it’s essential to embrace the street food culture and explore the bustling markets and hidden alleyways where the real culinary magic happens. So, if you find yourself with just one day in this vibrant city, make it a day filled with eating your way through the diverse and selectable dishes that make Ho Chi Minh City a food lover’s paradise.