Ho Chi Minh City is buzzing with delicious food from all over Vietnam. People move here for work, bringing their hometown recipes with them. This creates a diverse food scene. If you’re spending a few days in the city, you’ll find that the best things to do usually involve eating and drinking.
Here’s our insider guide to 3 must-try traditional Vietnamese breakfast in Ho Chi Minh.
1. Bánh Mì Hòa Mã
If you enjoy having bread in the morning, then Banh Mi is the perfect choice. At Banh Mi Hoa Ma, you’ll be served a hot pan filled with ingredients like fried eggs, ham, Vietnamese sausage, fishcake, and pork liver pate to dip your crunchy baguette in.
What sets Banh Mi Hoa Ma apart is their homemade sweet and sour pickled carrots and daikon, adding a refreshing touch to the indulgent fried foods. Experience the full flavor like a local Vietnamese by adding pepper, soy sauce, and chili sauce to your dish.
The shop opened its doors in 1958, and to this day, it maintains the same authentic taste of the good old days. For travelers seeking the nostalgic vibe of Saigon, be sure to visit Banh Mi Hoa Ma. Just remember, it’s only open until 11 AM, so don’t oversleep!
Address: 53 Cao Thắng, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
2. Phở
Pho is renowned as the most popular Vietnamese dish globally, beloved by locals for its perfect and nutritious qualities, especially enjoyed on a peaceful morning. Once you start, you’ll find it hard to stop slurping up the fresh, thin noodles soaked in the flavorful broth. While Pho can feature either beef or chicken, most restaurants specialize in beef Pho.
Originally from the North, Pho has traveled far to the South and has become the spiritual dish of the entire country. Each region adds its own twist to it. In Saigon, Pho is topped with beef balls and served with a variety of herbs, bean sprouts, vegetables, and sweet black bean sauce. On the other hand, Pho in Hanoi doesn’t include side vegetables but instead comes with youtiao, a type of Chinese deep-fried doughnut. Therefore, I recommend trying more than just one restaurant to experience these regional specialties. Below are some recommendations:
Traditional Northern Pho:
Phở Dậu: Alley 288 Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa, District 3, HCMC
Phở Hoà: 260C Pasteur, Ward 8, District 3, HCMC
Southern Style Pho:
Phở Lệ: 303 – 305 Võ Văn Tần, Ward 5, District 3, HCMC
3. Bún Mọc
Vietnam is well-known for its delicious noodle soups. If you love pork, don’t miss trying Bun Moc when you’re in Ho Chi Minh City.
Even though Bun Moc originally came from the North, it’s still a big part of Saigon’s food scene. The best place to try this special dish is Bun Moc Thanh Mai, right in the heart of the city center near Ben Thanh market. This family-run shop has been serving Bun Moc for over 40 years, so many people say it has the most authentic flavor of all the Bun Moc places in town.
The mushrooms and pork are cooked together for hours to make a comforting, light, and tasty broth with a rich flavor. In a bowl of Bun Moc, you’ll find pieces of pork meat, pork balls, and slices of Vietnamese sausage, topped with crispy fried shallots, green onions, and peppers. On the side, you’ll get vegetables like banana blossoms, bean sprouts, and fresh herbs. But to really bring out the flavors, don’t forget to add lime juice, fish sauce, and crushed chilies to your bowl. It’s the perfect noodle soup to enjoy on a relaxing rainy day.
Bún Mọc Thanh Mai: 14 Trương Định, Bến Thành Ward, District 1, HCMC