If you’re planning to eat like a local in Ho Chi Minh City, this 2025 food guide covers everything from flavorful bowls of pho to sizzling plates of broken rice (cơm tấm) and delicious street-side seafood. Whether you’re a foodie, first-time visitor, or seasoned traveler, this curated list—featuring Michelin-recommended spots and hidden gems—will help you discover the best places to eat in Saigon.
Best Pho Restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City
1. Pho Le
📍 413–415 Nguyen Trai, District 5 & 303-305 Vo Van Tan, District 3
Awarded the Bib Gourmand by the Michelin Guide, Pho Le is a two-generation family-run restaurant.
Highlights: Rich, savory broth and tender cuts of beef—especially brisket and tendon. Pho Le is known for its fragrant soup and generous toppings.
2. Pho Dau
📍 288 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, District 3
Highlights: Classic Northern-style pho with a light, naturally sweet broth. No herbs or bean sprouts like Southern-style pho—just pure, authentic Hanoi taste.
3. Pho Phu Vuong
📍 339 Le Van Sy, District 3
Highlights: Bold broth infused with star anise and cinnamon. Offers various beef options like rare beef, flank, brisket, and tendon.
4. Pho Hoa Pasteur
📍 260C Pasteur, District 3
Highlights: A legendary pho restaurant loved by both locals and tourists. Full-bodied broth, fresh beef, and soft rice noodles.
5. Pho Minh
📍 63/16 Pasteur, District 1
Highlights: A family-run pho shop since the 1950s. Peaceful, nostalgic space with delicate, clear Northern-style broth.
Top Banh Mi in Ho Chi Minh City
1. Banh Mi Huynh Hoa
📍 26 Le Thi Rieng, District 1
Highlights: One of the most iconic banh mi shops in Saigon. Famous for its overflowing fillings—cold cuts, pate, and a crispy baguette baked to perfection.
2. Banh Mi Hoa Ma
📍 53 Cao Thang, District 3
Highlights: Renowned for its sizzling pan-style breakfast (banh mi chao), featuring sunny-side-up eggs, sausage, pate, and BBQ pork. A nostalgic taste of old Saigon mornings.
Top Places to Try Com Tam (Broken Rice)
Best Com Tam (Broken Rice) in Saigon
1. Com Tam Ba Ghien – Michelin Bib Gourmand
📍 84 Dang Van Ngu, Phu Nhuan District
🕘 7:30 AM – 8:30 PM | 💰 From 75,000 VND
Highlights: The only broken rice restaurant in Vietnam awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand (2023).
2. Com Tam Nguyen Van Cu
📍 74 Nguyen Van Cu, District 1
🕘 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM | 💰 From 150,000 VND
Highlights: Famous for giant grilled pork chops cooked fresh over charcoal—juicy and full of flavor.
3. Com Tam Thuan Kieu
🕘 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM | 💰 From 70,000 VND
📍 Branches:
– 52 Dang Duc Thuat, District 7
– 26 Ton That Tung, District 1
– 54 Thuan Kieu, District 11
4. Com Tam Moc
🕘 9:00 AM – 8:30 PM | 💰 From 68,000 VND
📍 Branches:
– 85 Ly Tu Trong, District 1
– B3 Vincom Dong Khoi, District 1
– B2 Takashimaya Mall, District 1
– 4th Floor, Thiso Mall Sala, District 2
5. Com Tam Kieu Giang
🕘 7:00 AM – 8:30 PM | 💰 From 55,000 VND
📍 Branches:
– 192E Tran Quang Khai, Tan Dinh Ward, District 1
– 63 Song Hanh, Thao Dien, District 2
Where to Eat Oc (Seafood) in Saigon
1. Oc Nhu – District 10
📍 650/4/29D Dien Bien Phu, Ward 11, District 10
🕘 11:30 AM – 8:30 PM (Closed on the 1st & 15th lunar day)
Note: Busiest around noon.
2. Oc Nho – District 4
📍 178 Le Quoc Hung, Ward 12, District 4
🕘 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Note: Peak hours after 6:00 PM.
3. Oc Dao – Michelin-Recommended
📍 212B/C79 Nguyen Trai, District 1
🕘 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Note: Most crowded around 7:00 PM.
4. Oc Van – District 1
📍 23 Nguyen An Ninh, Ben Thanh Ward
🕘 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Note: Popular after 6:00 PM.
5. Ba Co Loc Coc – Michelin-Recommended
📍 Alley 28 Tran Cao Van, Ward 6, District 3 (previously in District 4)
🕘 11:30 AM – 9:30 PM
Pro Tips for Eating in Saigon
- Go early: Popular spots sell out fast by lunchtime.
- Check hours: Some places close by mid-afternoon or on lunar holidays.
- Bring cash: Most street vendors don’t accept cards.
- Start mild: Vietnamese chili can be strong—taste before adding more!
Where to Stay Nearby
Many of these food hotspots are within minutes of RiverGate Residence, a top-rated serviced apartment in District 4. Stay near the action and explore Saigon’s vibrant food culture with ease.
👉 Check out our RiverGate Residence Review to see why it’s perfect for food-loving travelers.
