[Carefully selected by an 8-year resident] Ho Chi Minh City: 8 amazing must-try local dishes!

Xin Chào! I'm Meg from ít ít Việt Nam.

When it comes to enjoying a trip to Ho Chi Minh City, the biggest highlight is definitely the cheap and delicious local food! However, I'm sure many of you worry about hygiene, communication issues, or just not knowing what to choose from the vast menus.

So, this time, I've carefully selected 8 "divine local eateries" that I, as an 8-year resident, truly frequent and highly recommend. These range from clean, beginner-friendly spots to places that are definitely worth the wait!

📍 Around Ben Thanh Market: Famous eateries you can pop into while shopping

Ben Thanh Market area is the heart of Ho Chi Minh City tourism and shopping. That's why it's packed with delicious, well-known eateries where you can quickly refuel between explorations.

In fact, we at ít ít Việt Nam also have a physical store located directly across from Ben Thanh Market, just a 2-minute walk away! We have a cool, air-conditioned space, so please feel free to stop by as part of your "shopping and visiting route" before or after trying the local food I'm about to introduce.

Now, let's start with some exquisite gourmet delights around the market that you absolutely shouldn't miss!

1. Bun Moc THANH MAI

Plenty of water spinach! Clean pork ball noodles perfect for breakfast

Located about a 3-minute walk from Ben Thanh Market, this bun (rice noodle) shop opens at 5:30 AM. Although it's a local eatery, the interior is clean and provides a sense of comfort.

Their specialty is "Bun Moc," featuring bouncy pork meatballs in a gently deep pork bone broth. When you order, you get a generous side of fresh water spinach and other vegetables. Eating these dipped in the soup is absolutely divine!

• Meg's Quick Tip:
  Even the small size (75,000 VND / approximately 450 yen) is enough for a Japanese woman to be full. The homemade iced tea (Tra Lipton Da / 20,000 VND) is quite sweet but refreshing and highly recommended for a hot day!
• SHOP INFO
  📍 14 Trương Định, Phường Bến Thành, Quận 1
  ⏰ 5:30 AM – 2:30 PM ※Closes when sold out
  (Some English spoken, no AC, fans available)

2. Xoi Ga Number One

My absolute favorite in 8 years of living here! Exquisite sticky rice with spicy chicken

If someone asks me, "What's your favorite Vietnamese dish?", I immediately name the Xoi Ga (chicken sticky rice) here. It's somewhat similar to Taiwanese chicken rice (Jīròu fàn), but the distinctive feature is the chewy "sticky rice."

The combination of juicy shredded chicken, flavorful sauce, and special spicy sauce is truly unbeatable. Once you take a bite, you won't be able to stop!

• Meg's Quick Tip:
  It's incredibly cheap at 30,000 VND (approx. 190 yen) per serving. When ordering, they'll ask "Spicy?". If you can handle spice, it's definitely better with the sauce, but be aware that it's genuinely spicy! The proximity between the kitchen and the seating area is almost zero, so it has a strong street food vibe, but that deep local atmosphere will also become a memorable part of your trip.
• SHOP INFO
  📍 15 Đ. Nguyễn Trung Trực, Phường Bến Thành, Quận 1
  ⏰ 6:30 AM – 8:30 PM
  (Some English spoken, no AC, fans available)

📍 Around Tan Dinh / Bui Vien: Specialty dishes worth going out of your way for

3. Bánh Canh Cua 87 Trần Khắc Chân (Banh Canh Cua 87)

Incredibly delicious soup! Exquisite crab udon with a perpetual queue

This is a very popular specialty shop for Banh Canh Cua (thick rice noodles with crab in a thick soup), a short drive from the Pink Church (Tan Dinh Church).

The menu is simply "Banh Canh Cua" (50,000 VND / approx. 300 yen)! The chewy noodles, made with tapioca flour similar to Japanese udon, are drenched in an incredibly rich, thick soup infused with the maximum flavor of crab.

• Meg's Quick Tip:
  When you sit down, you'll automatically be served "fried bread" (3,000 VND). You only pay for what you eat, but dipping this fried bread into the rich crab soup is an incredibly delicious experience, so definitely give it a try!
• SHOP INFO
  📍 87 Đ. Trần Khắc Chân, Phường Tân Định, Quận 1
  ⏰ 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
  (Vietnamese only, local shop with low plastic chairs)

4. Bánh căn Bùi Viện

Morning only! Exquisite breakfast on a street quiet from the night's hustle

Bui Vien Street is famous as a sleepless backpacker district at night. This phantom local shop quietly appears on the street only during the "morning hours (6:00 AM - 9:30 AM)," when the hustle and bustle are surprisingly quiet.

The "Bánh căn" (small rice pancakes, 35,000 VND), a specialty of Central Vietnam, are grilled crispy over charcoal, and their savory fried shallot aroma is addictively delicious.

• Meg's Quick Tip:
  Sitting on small chairs by the roadside and enjoying this local atmosphere with the refreshing morning breeze is truly special. Pair it with "Rau Ma" (15,000 VND), a slightly bitter and healthy drink like centella asiatica juice!
• SHOP INFO
  📍 107 Bùi Viện, Phường Phạm Ngũ Lão, Quận 1
  ⏰ 6:00 AM – 9:30 AM
  (Morning only, no English)

📍 Worth the detour! Exquisite noodles & luxurious crab dishes

5. Bún Bò Huế Mỡ Nồi Cô Như

Michelin-listed! An unmissable, exquisite Bun Bo Hue, a National Intangible Cultural Heritage

Bun Bo Hue is a traditional noodle dish symbolizing Hue's culinary culture, even registered as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage of Vietnam. This extremely famous shop, even featured in the Michelin guide, has continuous long queues every day.

Unusually for Vietnamese noodle soup, its rich and deep beef bone broth gently soothes a body tired from travel.

• Meg's Quick Tip:
  An amazing local price of 45,000 VND (approx. 270 yen) for a bowl, and iced tea (Tra da) for 2,000 VND (approx. 12 yen)! The shop is small and quite old, so it might be a bit intimidating for first-timers, but some English is spoken. Please experience this overwhelming deliciousness; "the reason for the queue is perfectly clear."
• SHOP INFO
  📍 274/29 Võ Văn Tần, Phường 5, Quận 3
  ⏰ 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
  (About a 10-minute drive from Ben Thanh Market, some English spoken)

6. Kiều Bảo Barbecue Rice Noodles

Shockingly cheap at 180 yen a meal! Delicious charcoal-grilled mixed noodles with a long queue of drivers

A super popular local spot where local delivery drivers (like Grab) form long queues in front of the shop during lunchtime.

The star here is "Bun Thit Nuong" (30,000 VND / approx. 180 yen), a Vietnamese-style mixed noodle dish topped with fragrant charcoal-grilled pork and spring rolls. You generously pour the special sweet and sour sauce, which is placed in a bucket on the table, and mix it all together.

• Meg's Quick Tip:
  Here too, you get a lot of fresh herb vegetables, but be careful as heart-shaped "dokudami" (houttuynia cordata) might be mixed in! It's milder than Japanese dokudami, but if you don't like its unique aroma, you might want to avoid it.
• SHOP INFO
  📍 139 Đề Thám, Phường Cô Giang, Quận 1 
  ⏰ 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
  (English menu available, no AC, fans available)

7. Quan Bun Cha Anh Hong

Tempura & plum juice are a must! Clean Bun Cha, safe for families with childrenA renowned shop for my absolute favorite, "Bun Cha" (70,000 VND), a Hanoi-style dipping noodle dish. It's about a 7-minute drive from Tan Dinh Church.

You dip rice noodles into a warm, sweet and sour soup with charcoal-grilled pork patties. The juicy fat from the meat and the soup's acidity are in perfect balance!

• Meg's Quick Tip:
  When you come here, you absolutely must order the crispy "Banh Tom" (shrimp and sweet potato tempura / 62,000 VND), which can be ordered separately, and the refreshing sweet and sour Vietnamese plum juice "Nuoc Mo" (25,000 VND)! They pair perfectly with Bun Cha, enhancing each other's flavors. Though a local spot, it's very clean, the restroom is also clean, making it a super excellent place to visit even with children.
• SHOP INFO
  📍 117 Lý Chính Thắng, Phường 14, Quận 3
  ⏰ 7:30 AM – 8:30 PM *Closed on Sundays
  (No AC, fans available)

8. Quan94

Generous chunks of crab! Absolutely the best place for soft-shell crab

This is a famous crab specialty restaurant located in the Da Kao area, about a 10-minute drive from the Municipal Theatre. Despite its local appearance, the prices are a bit high, with crab fried rice at 210,000 VND (approx. 1,260 yen) and fried soft-shell crab at 320,000 VND (approx. 1,920 yen).

However, the crab fried rice is piled high with generous chunks of crab meat! The soft-shell crab is crispy and rich, and you can eat it shell and all. The portions are large, so it's a good amount to share between two people.

• Meg's Quick Tip:
  It gets very crowded in the evenings, but lunchtime is relatively quieter, making it a good time to visit. It also pairs perfectly with beer (333 can / 20,000 VND)!
• SHOP INFO
  📍 94 Đ. Đinh Tiên Hoàng, Đa Kao, Quận 1
  ⏰ 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
  (Japanese menu available, fans available)

After filling your belly, how about a break in a cool shop?

After indulging in delicious local food amidst the Ho Chi Minh City heat, you might feel satisfied but also a bit tired from the warmth.

In such cases, please come and cool down at ít ít Việt Nam, just a 2-minute walk from Ben Thanh Market.

We await you in a comfortable, air-conditioned space where you can relax and refresh while experiencing the warmth of Vietnamese craftsmanship.

We offer a wide selection of charming goods, such as sheer "mesh sandals" that enhance any outfit, original accessories that sparkle in everyday coordination, and Bia Hoi glasses.

Please feel free to stop by anytime as a resting spot during your travels! ♡

👉 【Google Maps】Get directions to ít ít Việt Nam

May your culinary journey in Ho Chi Minh City be wonderfully delicious, safe, and enjoyable! ♡

ít ít Việt Nam Physical Store Information 📍

Ho Chi Minh City Store: Right near Ben Thanh Market!

• 📍3rd floor, 14 Đ. Nguyễn An Ninh, Bến Thành, Quận 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
  →Google Map
  ⏰10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  🚶2-minute walk from Ben Thanh Market
  💳Cash & Credit Card accepted
  🚻Restroom available
  
  
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