Places to eat in HCMC

If there’s one thing you won’t have trouble finding in Ho Chi Minh City, it’s a wealth of amazing food.

While prices here don’t compare to most other cities in Vietnam, you’ll still be able to find reasonable costs for some delicious meals. While wandering around the city, we saw everything from steaming bowls of pho for under USD1 to five course meals worthy of breaking the bank. However, at any price, it’s likely still very good.

Street food

Street food is where you need to go for a bargain. Traditional Vietnamese sandwiches like banh mi thit, which are fairly basic and made with pork, can be found widespread at carts and stalls all across town for less than USD1.

Check the Ben Thanh Market area, but don’t just rely on what you find inside. Eateries surround the market are often much cheaper (sometimes half the price) and less crowded. Take a stroll down some side streets and see what you stumble across. That being said, the market does offer a whole host of options in one place and is an experience in itself, so the extra money spent on meals might be well worth it.

Outside of the market, Pham Ngu Lao also caters to hungry travellers. As the backpacking hub, prices are geared more toward travellers, but for endless options, this is the spot. Try Pho Quynh, which serves the obvious (pho), and surprisingly sees a large local crowd among the endless stream of backpacking passerbys. This restaurant is open 24 hours a day, which makes it an excellent late night stop after a few drinks out. Steaming bowls of pho can be had for a mere USD3. We made this a regular spot on our trip as the price was right and the food was even better. (323 Pham Ngu Lao St., District 1)

Vietnamese food

For authentic Vietnamese food, try Bun Bo Hue, which is located close to the Reunification Palace. This dish is served all over the city, but not many places do a better job at execution than Bun Bo Hue. This soup made of rice vermicelli and beef might sound simple, but the flavour explosion you’ll experience is far from that. We suggest trying a few different spots for bun bo first, and then coming here to compare. You won’t be disappointed. (7 Ngô Thời Nhiệm St, Dist 3)

Western and International food

For Western food, head back to Pham Ngu Lao, where the tourist hub is. Naturally, with such an international crowd, the restaurant offerings have stepped up to the plate in order to appeal. The Alley Cat is hugely popular among all sorts of travellers. While they also serve Vietnamese food, their Western food definitely hits home. You’ll pay a bit more for a bite of comfort here, but you’ll also be able to order pasta, burgers, and even enchiladas if you’re in the mood. A vegetarian menu caters to an even wider crowd, and a large beer menu keeps this place popular all throughout the evening. (185/14 Pham Ngu Lau)

Cafes and Coffee Houses

No matter where you go in HCMC, it’s impossible to miss the influence coffee has on the culture; it’s everywhere. French inspired cafes, both old and new, are widespread, cheap, and delicious, although for westerners not used to the taste, it can be quite strong.

L’amour Bakery and Cafe is one such place serving up both coffee and excellent baked goods. Try the traditional Vietnamese iced coffee, which is strong, but very sweet, and pair it with a croissant or slice of fresh baked pie. (24 Hai Ba Trung)

Alternatively, you can also opt for a craft brewed cup at Regina Coffee, where they serve both Vietnamese and Western style drinks. Skilled baristas create beautifully delicious cappuccinos and lattes here, and the atmosphere just adds to the charm. (84 Nguyen Du St, District 1)