Banh Mi is a must-try Vietnamese sandwich. It’s never hard to find one in Ho Chi Minh, as it is sold almost everywhere in the city. Banh Mi comes in different forms, but the authentic Banh Mi is made with crispy baguette stuffed with pork, luncheon meats, cured pork skin, and slices of cucumbers, carrots, and radish pickles. It’s seasoned with pâté and mayonnaise and topped with shoots of coriander and freshly pounded chilies.

Bánh Mì Huỳnh Hoa is one of the city’s most beloved Banh Mi shops. You can just imagine how good they are at preparing their sandwiches because of the long lines that you have to endure just to place your order, especially during dinner. Their sandwich is hearty and tasty, given how much meat they cram into the baguette!

Bánh Mì Hồng Hoa is famous for how they serve their Banh Mi: overflowing with herbs and garden-fresh vegetables. The family managing the restaurant is courteous and accommodating, and you can feel their enthusiasm in serving their customers.

You might have heard about this dish even before coming to Vietnam. It’s a soup dish present in almost every–if not all–Vietnamese restaurant’s menu. Pronounced as "fuh," pho is composed of soft rice noodles in a tasty beef or chicken broth. It is served with a plate of fresh herbs native to Vietnam, including sawtooth herb, mint, and coriander. You can also add chili sauce if you want to spice it up a little.

This is a great place to go to after visiting the Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral. It is an open-air restaurant with clean steel tables. The Pho here is flavorful, and you can match it with the various herbs, preserved garlic, and chilies served with the dish.

The broth of the Pho at Phở Phượng 25 is a bit sweeter but still well-balanced. It even has a subtle hint of spice. The staff and the owner are friendly and generous; so much so that they offer additional spices and herbs for those who ask.

Bun Rieu is another popular Vietnamese soup dish. Its soup consists of crab stock and tomatoes, which sweeten the dish despite its seafood flavor. Rice vinegar is also added to give the dish zestiness. Its noodles, though similar in shape and size to spaghetti, are made from soft rice. Completing the dish are slices of fried tofu, pork, meatballs, congealed pig’s blood, and a chunk of crab paste.

Located along an expansive road lined with huge trees, Bún riêu Nguyễn Cảnh Chân is famous for its Bun Rieu. Besides this, their servers are also extremely friendly.

They only serve Bun Rieu, and when you visit, you will sit on a short stool with only a small table. Behind this simplicity, however, is the staff’s generosity: they are always willing to cook and serve you extra vegetables and spices.

This dish features contrasting flavors and textures–a common quality of Vietnamese food. No wonder that this is the case, given the dish’s many layers: on top of its chopped herbs and lettuce base are soft and silky rice vermicelli noodles, which are then layered with a few slices of grilled pork. Topping this off are slices of chives, green onions, pickles, and a drizzle of fish sauce. You should never miss trying this delicacy when you’re visiting Ho Chi Minh City.

A famous spot in Ho Chi Minh for Bun Thit Nuong, Chị Thông Bún Thịt Nướng opens early and doesn’t close until 10 in the evening, so you can always get your share of their delicious specialty any time you crave it. Their Bun Thit Nuong is immensely flavorsome and nicely served.

Regarded as one of the best places in the city to serve this appetizing dish, Bun Thit Nuong Chi Tuyen is a cozy, unassuming café. Nonetheless, what makes their Bun Thit Nuong special is its hefty servings of vegetables.

Banh Cuon originally comes from the northern part of Vietnam, yet it’s exceptionally common throughout Ho Chi Minh. The dish consists of noodle-wrapped, fried spring rolls filled with marinated shredded pork, dried shrimp, and mushrooms. It is then served with finely sliced lettuce and fresh bean sprouts on the side, and it goes well with Nuoc Cham, a sweet dipping sauce made from fish.

Banh Cuon Hai Nam is a distinguished Bánh Cuốn place. With its massive neon sign and its staff dressed in pink, it’s quite easy to find.

In spite of selling their Banh Cuon at an affordable price, Banh Cuon Kim Khanh’s service is astounding. You are even welcome to ask their friendly servers how they prepare their trademark dish.

Share your ideas, what makes Vietnamese food so special? Don’t forget to book your next Ho Chi Minh flight and hotel with Traveloka!]]>