Ho Chi Minh City has an exceptional food scene ranging from street food to fine dining, with rich Vietnamese traditions and growing international options.
Good to know
Good to Know
- Street food is extraordinarily cheap (₫25,000–60,000 / $1–2.40 for a full meal) and generally safe from reputable stalls; locals are the best guide to quality.
- Fish sauce is ubiquitous—let vendors know if you dislike it, though avoiding it entirely is difficult.
- Vietnamese coffee is typically sweet (condensed milk standard); request 'no sugar' if you prefer unsweetened or black versions.
- Wet markets (Ben Thanh, Thi Nghe, Xom Chieu) offer 50–70% cheaper produce and meat than supermarkets; early morning visits yield freshest selection.
- Buddhist vegetarian restaurants may use eggs/dairy despite 'chay' labeling; ask directly about ingredients if strictly vegan.
- District 1 remains most tourist-friendly but most expensive; Districts 2 (Thao Dien) and 7 (Phu My Hung) cater to expats with Western amenities and higher prices.
- Michelin recognition extends to street food stalls, not only fine dining—budget eats are worthy dining destinations.
- Tipping is not standard; rounding up or 5–10% is appreciated but not expected.
- Meals often include a variety of fresh herbs and condiments on the table; mixing and customizing to taste is encouraged and expected.
Supermarkets
Annam Gourmet
- Locations
- District 1 (Saigon Centre), District 2 (Thao Dien), District 7 (Phu My Hung)
- Specialty
- Premium imported foods, aged cheeses, French wines, organic produce, gluten-free and vegan products
Gourmet Market
- Locations
- District 1 (Saigon Centre, Vincom Dong Khoi), District 2 (Estella Place)
- Specialty
- High-end supermarket chain with fresh produce, Japanese/Korean imports, seafood counter, bakery
MM Mega Market
- Locations
- District 2 (An Phu/Thao Dien area)
- Specialty
- Large warehouse-style wholesaler with extensive international section, frozen foods, bulk goods
Lotte Mart
- Locations
- District 7 (Phu My Hung), multiple branches across HCMC
- Specialty
- Full-service supermarket with Japanese/Korean products, wide international section, general merchandise
Co.opmart
- Locations
- 50+ branches across HCMC, major locations in District 1
- Specialty
- Largest domestic chain, balance of local and imported products at reasonable prices
WinMart
- Locations
- Numerous branches across all districts
- Specialty
- Widespread convenience stores and full-size supermarkets with local and imported goods
Ben Thanh Market
- Locations
- District 1 (city center)
- Specialty
- Wet market with fresh produce, spices, dried goods, Vietnamese snacks—touristy but good for bulk buying
Budget
Bánh Xèo 46A
- Price Range
- ₫50,000
- Neighborhood
- District 3
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Vietnamese crepes (bánh xèo)
Phở Hòa Pasteur
- Price Range
- ₫60,000
- Neighborhood
- District 1
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Pho (beef noodle soup)
Ba Ghiền
- Price Range
- ₫55,000
- Neighborhood
- District 1
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Cơm Tấm (broken rice with grilled pork)
Bún Riêu Gánh
- Price Range
- ₫50,000
- Neighborhood
- District 1 (near Ben Thanh Market)
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Bún riêu (tomato crab noodle soup)
High End
ĂN ĂN
- Price Range
- ₫2,000,000
- Neighborhood
- District 1 (Vietnam's first Michelin-starred restaurant)
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Modern Vietnamese fine dining (elevated street food)
AKUNA
- Price Range
- ₫1,800,000
- Neighborhood
- District 1 (Le Méridien Hotel)
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Contemporary fusion (Vietnamese with Australian/Japanese influences)
Long Triều (The Royal Pavilion)
- Price Range
- ₫1,900,000
- Neighborhood
- District 1
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Michelin-starred Cantonese cuisine
CieL Dining
- Price Range
- ₫2,500,000
- Neighborhood
- Thu Duc City (An Khanh Ward)
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Michelin-starred fine dining (Vietnamese with French/Chinese elements)
Mid Range
Vietnam House Restaurant
- Price Range
- ₫350,000
- Neighborhood
- District 1 (Dong Khoi Street)
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Contemporary Vietnamese cuisine
Secret Garden Restaurant
- Price Range
- ₫300,000
- Neighborhood
- District 1
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Traditional Vietnamese
Bếp Mẹ ỈN
- Price Range
- ₫200,000
- Neighborhood
- District 1
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Vietnamese classics (egg pancakes, grilled fish)
ỐC ĐàO
- Price Range
- ₫150,000
- Neighborhood
- District 1 (Tan Dinh Ward)
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Vietnamese snails (ốc) and shellfish
Michelin Restaurants
ĂN ĂN
- Chef
- Peter Cuong Franklin
- Stars
- 1
- Cuisine
- Modern Vietnamese fine dining
- Neighborhood
- District 1 (near Ton That Dam Market)
- Signature Dishes
- Caviar Bánh Nhung (Vietnamese crepe with salmon roe), A5 Wagyu Bánh Mì, elevated street food interpretations
AKUNA
- Chef
- Sam Aisbett
- Stars
- 1
- Cuisine
- Contemporary fusion (Vietnamese with Australian/Japanese influences)
- Neighborhood
- District 1 (Le Méridien Saigon Hotel, 9th floor)
- Signature Dishes
- Muscovy duck with red sauce jelly, soy-cured egg yolk, indigenous ingredient-based creations
Long Triều (The Royal Pavilion)
- Chef
- Wong Fu Keung
- Stars
- 1
- Cuisine
- Cantonese
- Neighborhood
- District 1
- Signature Dishes
- Fried prawns with XO sauce, premium dim sum, stewed shark fin in coconut
CieL Dining
- Chef
- Unnamed (2025 award)
- Stars
- 1
- Cuisine
- Fine dining (Vietnamese with French/Chinese influences)
- Neighborhood
- Thu Duc City (An Khanh Ward, Street 6/3)
- Signature Dishes
- Steamed bird's nest with dashi, masterfully executed egg tart (French pastry tradition)
CoCo Dining
- Stars
- 1
- Cuisine
- Vietnamese fine dining
- Neighborhood
- Thu Duc City
- Signature Dishes
- Coastal-inspired tasting menu with immersive dinner journey through Vietnam's regional food
Local Must Try Dishes
Phở
- Description
- Vietnamese rice noodle soup with beef or chicken broth, served with fresh herbs, bean sprouts, and lime. Ho Chi Minh's version is sweeter than northern pho.
Bánh Mì
- Description
- French-Vietnamese fusion: crispy baguette filled with pâté, pickled vegetables, cilantro, and various meat options (roasted pork, fried fish, etc.)
Cơm Tấm
- Description
- Broken rice topped with grilled pork chop, fried egg, pickled vegetables, and fish sauce—historically a working-class dish now beloved across all social strata.
Bún Chả
- Description
- Grilled pork patties served with rice noodles, fresh herbs, and a tangy dipping sauce—traditional northern dish widely available in Saigon.
Bún Riêu
- Description
- Tomato-based crab noodle soup with tofu and fresh herbs, combining sweet, sour, and savory flavors.
Bánh Xèo
- Description
- Crispy golden crepes made with rice flour and turmeric, filled with shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts, wrapped in fresh greens and dipped in fish sauce.
ỐC (Snails)
- Description
- Vietnamese shellfish platter (snails, clams, cockles, shrimp) prepared broiled, sautéed, or steamed—best enjoyed with beer.
Bún Bò Huế
- Description
- Spicy beef rice vermicelli from central Vietnam, with rich broth, beef, pork sausage, and fresh vegetables—famously praised by Anthony Bourdain.
Gỏi Cuốn
- Description
- Fresh spring rolls filled with shrimp, pork, herbs, and vermicelli, wrapped in translucent rice paper and served with peanut-hoisin dipping sauce.
Cà Phê Trứng
- Description
- Vietnamese egg coffee—thick, creamy espresso topped with a velvety mixture of whipped egg yolk and sweetened condensed milk.
Food Delivery Services
Grab Food
- Notes
- Largest delivery app in Vietnam, covers most of HCMC with reasonable fees (15,000–30,000 VND). Integrates with ride-hailing.
ShopeeFood
- Notes
- Competitive platform with good restaurant coverage and frequent promotions.
Baemin
- Notes
- Popular delivery service with decent restaurant selection and discounts.
Vegan Vegetarian Dining
- Overview
- Ho Chi Minh City is exceptionally vegan-friendly with 100+ dedicated vegan restaurants and 100+ vegetarian establishments, rooted in the city's sizeable Buddhist population. The term 'chay' (vegetarian) is widely understood and signage is common.
Venues
Kashew Cheese Deli
- Neighborhood
- District 1, District 2, District 7
- Description
- Artisanal vegan cashew cheese producer with deli, sandwiches, paninis, cheeseboards, and wine bar. Multiple locations (D1, D2, D7).
Hum Signature (Hum Vegetarian)
- Neighborhood
- District 3 (and District 1 location)
- Description
- Upscale vegetarian fine dining with nature-inspired décor. Recognized as one of world's best vegetarian restaurants (Lonely Planet). Nature-inspired Southeast Asian plant-based menu.
Rau Oi Quan Chay
- Neighborhood
- District 1
- Description
- Rustic, charming vegetarian eatery with extensive menu. Affordable with authentic Vietnamese vegetarian dishes.
Pi Vegetarian Bistro
- Neighborhood
- District 3
- Description
- Upscale vegetarian restaurant noted as 'cheaper and just as good' as competitors. Local vegetarian cuisine.
Phở Chay Như
- Neighborhood
- District 1
- Description
- Family-run plant-based noodle soup establishment. Affordable lunch spot with vegan wontons and spring rolls. Soups and cakes available elsewhere in city.
La Moi
- Neighborhood
- District 1
- Description
- Plant-based restaurant in District 1 with Asian and local Vietnamese dishes. Popular with locals. Signature LAMOI Plant-Based Rice (vegan take on Hoi An chicken rice).
Bánh Mì Xanh
- Neighborhood
- Multiple branches citywide
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Vegan banh mi (sandwich chain)
- Description
- Vegan banh mi chain with mock meat, tofu, and vegetable options packed with herbs and vegetables.
21 Grams
- Neighborhood
- District 1 area
- Description
- Vegetarian restaurant (also in Da Nang) with basic but fresh vegan-friendly menu.
Tales by Chapter
- Neighborhood
- District 1
- Description
- Michelin Green Star restaurant (2026) emphasizing sustainability and plant-based cuisine.
Vi Que Kitchen
- Neighborhood
- District 1
- Description
- Michelin Bib Gourmand plant-based fine dining restaurant with refined presentation and French technique influence.
International And Fusion Cuisine
Indian
- Description
- Notable Indian restaurants like Tanishq offer North and South Indian cuisine with vegan/vegetarian options. Growing presence in Districts 1 and 3.
Latin American
- Description
- Sol Kitchen & Bar in District 1 offers modern Latin American cuisine with fresh, bold flavors.
Italian
- Description
- Mix of Italian restaurants and bakeries throughout the city, particularly in expat-concentrated areas.
Japanese
- Description
- Ramen, sushi, and izakaya options available in Districts 1, 2, and 7, with strong presence in Thao Dien.
Western Cafés & Bakeries
- Description
- Numerous Western-style cafés and bakeries specializing in sandwiches, pastries, and fusion dishes throughout Districts 1, 2, and 7.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this food & dining research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
- 1.guide.michelin.com
- 2.antoursvietnam.com
- 3.willflyforfood.net
- 4.gotripzi.com
- 5.adventuresofjellie.com
- 6.vietnam.travel
- 7.royalcaribbean.com
- 8.migrationology.com
- 9.vinwonders.com
- 10.guide.michelin.com
- 11.gastronomyblog.com
- 12.en.wikipedia.org
- 13.vinpearl.com
- 14.wanderlog.com
- 15.kisstour.com
- 16.izitour.com
- 17.vinwonders.com
- 18.veganfoodquest.com
- 19.travel-lush.com
- 20.myvegantravels.com
- 21.nishiv.com
- 22.uprootedtraveler.com
- 23.happycow.net
- 24.izitour.com
- 25.vietnamairlines.com
- 26.travelinsighter.com
- 27.vnrenthome.com
- 28.ahoyvietnam.com
- 29.gotravelway.wordpress.com
- 30.expatvn.com
More About Ho Chi Minh City
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.