Talking about the typical dishes of Saigon is a blend and combination of many dishes from many different regions. This article will introduce the five most typical dishes of this city.
1. Broken Rice
Coming to Saigon, ask people which specialty dish should be eaten first; the answer will be “Com Tam”. It is one of the most popular breakfast dishes of Saigon people. However, nowadays, Saigon people eat broken rice at noon and in the evening.
Saigon broken rice has a characteristic taste of ribs, skin, and rolls marinated in rich spices, grilled on hot coals. Besides onion fat with sweet and sour sauce, raw vegetables are also one of the indispensable ingredients in this dish.
We share some delicious broken rice restaurants in Saigon: Cali Broken Rice, Ba Ghien Broken Rice.
Address of Com Tam Cali: 82 Nguyen Van Troi, City. HCM City
Opening hours: 10:00 – 22:00
Selling price: 65,000 VND – 85,000 VND.
Address of Ba Ghien broken rice restaurant: 84 Dang Van Ngu, HCM City
Opening hours: 8:00am – 9:00pm
Selling price: 40,000 VND – 66,000 VND.
2. Saigon Clear Rice Noodle Soup – Hu Tieu
we can say that Hu Tieu is a typical dish showing the culture and life of the people here. Similar to Pho in Hanoi. Hu Tieu is usually a breakfast or dinner dish; Saigon people rarely have lunch with Clear Rice Noodle Soup
The main ingredients of the clear rice noodle Soup dish are clear rice noodles, and the broth is cooked from pork bones for many hours. First, the seller will lightly mix the clear rice noodles with the broth, then add additional ingredients such as bean sprouts, shallots, minced pork.
After the seller brings the bowl of noodles to your table, you can add seasonings such as chili sauce, black sauce yourself to make it more delicious.
Besides the traditional version, clear rice noodle soup is a dish with many different variations depending on the preferences of the eater, such as dry clear rice noodles, deep-fried clear rice noodles, all of which have a distinctly delicious taste.
Some Delicious clear Rice Noodles Restaurants in Saigon:
Quynh Clear Rice Noodles Restaurant: A65 Nguyen Trai, Nguyen Cu Trinh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: All-day
Selling price: 69,000 VND – 80,000 VND.
Dat Thanh Clear Rice Noodles Restaurant: 232 Nguyen Thi Thap, Binh Thuan Ward, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 7:00 – 23:00
Selling price: 25,000 VND – 39,000 VND
3. Pha Lau
Pha Lau is a dish that originated in China, then imported to Vietnam, and became a typical dish of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). This dish is made from the main ingredients: the tongue, ears, intestines, and stomachs of pigs. It is usually served with bread, vermicelli, or white rice.
With the richness of the broth combined with the toughness of the pig’s ears and the fatty taste of the stomach pieces, Pha Lau is loved by many international tourists.
Today, Pha Lau is not only cooked by parts pigs; people also use parts of beef, duck, squid to make variations, helping the dish become more diverse and prosperous.
Address of Pha Lau Co Thao: 243/29G Ton Dan, Ward 15, District 4, HCMC
Opening hours: 8:00am – 10:00pm
Selling price: 10,000 VND – 30,000 VND.
4. Beef Stew
Vietnamese Beef Stew is a Vietnamese dish that many tourists love and choose to enjoy when coming to Ho Chi Minh City. Soft, fragrant beef, evenly absorbed with spices and herbs mixed in a robust sauce, are the things that make this dish attractive.
That is also why this dish is prevalent in many restaurants and eateries in Saigon. What could be more wonderful than enjoying the soft, aromatic beef stew imbued with spices after a long day of visiting many places?
Beef Stew Tron Restaurant
Address: 706 Truong Sa, Ward 14, District 3, HCMC
Opening hours: 6:00am – 9:00pm
Price about: 45,000 VND
Address: 6 Thang Long, Ward 4, Tan Binh, HCMC
Opening hours: 6:00am – 10:00pm
Price: 50,000 VND
5. Fresh Spring Roll – Goi Cuon
Talking about typical Saigon dishes without mentioning fresh spring rolls would be an omission. The ingredients of this dish are nothing too special, only Vietnamese herbs, meat, shrimp, vermicelli, but when combined; it is very delicious.
Goi Cuon can be considered the only dish that makes people who do not like to eat herbs fall in love. By the harmonious combination of green vegetables and meat pork belly with Vietnamese dipping sauce.
Besides, when eaten, the fresh spring rolls are very light on the stomach, suitable for the hot climate of Saigon. One of Saigon’s famous fresh spring rolls is Ba Phuong Goi Cuon. The shop is located at No. 40, Le Binh Street (Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City).
Above are five typical dishes in Saigon. If you have a chance, I think you should try all these dishes because experiencing the food is one of the great things to do in Ho Chi Minh city.
