Ho Chi Minh City Food Guide. 15 Must-Try Street Foods, Local Dishes, Coffee & Desserts

Broken rice tasted even better than I expected.
At first glance, it may look like nothing more than rice with a pork chop.
However, the charcoal-grilled pork is incredibly aromatic, and the fish sauce makes it perfect with rice. It is easy to understand why so many Vietnamese people eat this dish for breakfast.

If this is your first time in Ho Chi Minh City and you do not know what to choose for your first meal, I highly recommend starting with broken rice.
It has a distinctive southern Vietnamese flavor without feeling unfamiliar, making it a reliable choice for first-time visitors.

📍Recommended restaurant: Cơm Tấm Sà Bì Chưởng (Google Maps)

Vietnamese banh mi is quite different from the versions commonly found in Taiwan.
The crust is so crisp that crumbs fall with every bite, while the bread is packed with ham, grilled meat, pâté, pickled vegetables, and cucumber. Every bite has multiple layers of flavor, and the portion is often larger than expected.

If you only have time to try one, visit a popular local banh mi shop.
Many stores sell out by the afternoon, so avoid waiting until the evening or you may arrive too late.

📍Recommended restaurant: Bánh Mì Huỳnh Hoa (Google Maps)

Pho is the kind of dish you can eat every day without getting tired of it.
The broth is lighter than Taiwanese beef noodle soup and remains refreshing from the first sip to the last. Add a little lime, Thai basil, and bean sprouts to make the flavor even brighter.

I especially recommend having a bowl for breakfast. It is warm and satisfying without feeling too heavy.

📍Recommended restaurant: Phở Việt Nam (Google Maps)

If you have already tried pho, I recommend trying Hủ Tiếu next.
It has a more distinctly southern Vietnamese character, with a slightly sweeter broth and a wider variety of toppings. It is also a dish you will frequently see locals eating throughout Ho Chi Minh City.

First-time visitors can begin with the house-special Hủ Tiếu Nam Vang. Its approachable flavor makes it a popular choice, and many long-established shops serve it from breakfast until lunchtime.

📍Recommended restaurant: Hủ Tiếu Hồng Phát (Google Maps)

This dish is ideal for Ho Chi Minh City’s warm weather.
The fragrant charcoal-grilled pork is served with rice vermicelli, lettuce, peanuts, and fish sauce. It is refreshing yet filling and will not leave you sweating over a bowl of hot soup.

When I do not know what to eat for lunch, this is often one of my first choices. The flavor is also very approachable for Taiwanese travelers.

📍Recommended restaurant: Bún Thịt Nướng Chả Giò – Nguyễn Trung Trực (Google Maps)

Vietnamese bánh xèo is completely different from Taiwanese oyster omelets.
The first thing you may notice is its impressive size. It has a crisp, golden shell filled with shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts.

To eat it, wrap pieces of the pancake in lettuce and dip them in fish sauce. It may feel slightly awkward the first time, but the process is part of the fun.
I recommend ordering one portion for two people, as the serving size is usually generous.

If you do not know what to eat in the evening, finding a local Ốc restaurant is always a good choice.
These are popular after-work gathering spots for Vietnamese diners, and the tables are usually filled with seafood and beer.

There is no need to order too much on your first visit. A few signature snail, shrimp, or clam dishes will be enough for a satisfying meal.
Visiting with three to five people is ideal because you can share and try more flavors.

📍Recommended restaurant: Giang Ghẹ Tân Bình (Google Maps)

A trip to Vietnam should always include some time at a roadside coffee shop.
Order a Vietnamese iced coffee with condensed milk and watch the motorcycles pass by. The atmosphere feels unmistakably Vietnamese.

It is much sweeter than coffee in Taiwan, so if you normally drink unsweetened coffee, ask the staff to use less condensed milk.

Coconut coffee tastes even better than it looks.
I originally expected nothing more than coffee mixed with coconut, but its smooth, frozen texture resembles a slushy. The coconut and coffee flavors blend together remarkably well.

After an afternoon of sightseeing, sitting in an air-conditioned café with a coconut coffee is one of the most relaxing experiences you can have in Ho Chi Minh City.

Chè Ba Màu is a refreshing Vietnamese dessert made with beans, jelly, coconut milk, and crushed ice, creating several layers of flavor and texture.

If you enjoy Taiwanese shaved ice or tofu pudding, you will probably enjoy this dessert. It is usually quite sweet, so consider sharing one serving if you prefer less sugar.