Saigon’s street food is exceptionally distinctive, offering not only a variety of specialties from southern Vietnam and neighboring provinces, but also a fusion of delectable cuisines from different parts of Vietnam and the world. In addition to flavors, what enhances the deliciousness of food is the narrative and cultural significance intertwined with it. Let’s discover top street food places that you can’t resist in Ho Chi Minh city!
01. Ho Thi Ky Market (District 10), The Harmony of Flowers and Food.
Ho Thi Ky market, situated in close proximity to Saigon’s downtown, offers a truly one-of-a-kind experience. This vibrant marketplace exudes a captivating charm during the day, being adorned with colorful flowers and permeating a delightful aroma throughout the air.
However, for those passionate about food, the experience becomes even more extraordinary. As the evening falls and the lights illuminate the surroundings, the opposite side of Ho Thi Ky market undergoes a remarkable metamorphosis, evolving into a vibrant hub teeming with diverse varieties of delectable street food, all eager to entice and satiate any palate. Ho Thi Ky street food market is considered one of the top street food places in Ho Chi Minh City.
You can also join Jackfruit Adventure’s Off-the-beaten paths Cycling tour for a Ho Thi Ky market discovery.
02. Su Van Hanh (District 10) – Top Street Food Areas in Ho Chi Minh City For The Youths.
Another vibrant location for street food in District 10, Su Van Hanh street food area is well-known by students and youths for affordable prices and flavorful snacks. The nearby streets like Vinh Vien, Nguyen Tri Phuong, Ngo Gia Tu and Hoa Hao are also narrow with numerous foods and are willing to fill any stomachs.
What You Should Try in Su Van Hanh Street Food Area.
03. Chinatown Saigon (Cho Lon) – District 5, Where Street Food Becomes Art.
Chinese food is just so special, especially in the Chinatown of Saigon – District 5. When the locals talk about eating, they immediately think about Chinese as a Ho Chi Minh city’s top street food place like it was something deep down in their mind.
The preparation of Chinese cuisines demands considerable time and dedication from the chefs, requiring them to invest a great deal of effort. Some dishes are known only by the family’s members just to keep the secret recipes. So, besides the tasteful traditional dishes in District 5, there will always be hidden stories around them.
For example: Stewed duck with egg noodle soup. So many Chinatown areas around the world like in European countries, Singapore,… have peking duck noodle soup, but stewed duck is only available in Chinatown of Saigon. As a result of the cultural exchange between the Vietnamese and the Chinese in Saigon, this unique kind of cooking duck noodle soup has been created and developed through years.
There seem to be infinite stories around the Chinese food in such a large Chinatown area in District 5, about the culture and the diversity of cuisines. Your own discovery of Chinatown cuisines would be an awesome thing to do in ChoLon.
Discovering Chinese food in Cho Lon- District 5 is also available in our Foodie Cycling tour, let’s join us because we are willing to share with you all the hidden stories in Chinatown.
04. Phan Xich Long Street Food Area (Phu Nhuan District).
Phu Nhuan district may not be famous for the tourists, but with local people it would be the first position on the list of top street food places in Ho Chi Minh city. Phan Xich Long street food area located in Phu Nhuan district, not far from the downtown of Saigon, only 4 kilometers away.
Phan Xich Long street food area has a length of 1,5 kilometers, really suitable for walking around, getting into the smallest corners of the street and try all tastes of Saigon street food. The nearby Van Kiep street is also a bustling street where you can try Ho Chi Minh city’s top street food with numerous street food stalls along the sidewalks.
Some Suggestions to Eat on Phan Xich Long Street
05. Chessboard Street Food Market (Cho Ban Co – District 3).
District 3 has such a wide area of street food services. Cho Ban Co street food area has the depth of Vietnamese street food culture so you can find there many traditional dishes.
Located just a few hundred meters from Ho Thi Ky market to the North-East, Cho Ban Co (chessboard market) street food area is a huge attraction for food lovers. The name Ban Co comes from many zic-zac alleys that make the whole area look like a chessboard.
The vendors here may come from any regions of Vietnam, some could be the local people who are living in Nguyen Thien Thuat apartments inside the market. Those apartments used to be the new home of Vietnam war’s victims and have been the heritage of Saigon for a long time.
Due to the number of vendors and the size of the Cho Ban Co street food area, you will be mesmerized by the variety of street food here. Here is some Jackfruit Adventure’s suggestions for things-to-try in Cho Ban Co – top Ho Chi Minh city’s street food, we mostly focus on original streets style food:
06. Nguyen Thuong Hien (District 3) – Less Touristy Food Street.
A few kilometers from Cho Ban Co to the north, Nguyen Thuong Hien food street is way smaller but still offers a catchy world of street food. This 400 meters-long street serves many kinds of traditional Vietnamese snacks, fruit juice and rice dishes.
Most Famous Street Food in Nguyen Thuong Hien Street
07. Vinh Khanh – The World of Snails (District 4).
Snails in Vietnamese food culture are something unique. Usually, these snails would be fast-cooked in just a few minutes with simple methods like adding sauces: butter and garlic, spicy salt, coconut milk…,snails also could be grilled, boiled, stir-fried and many other ways. Sometimes, it’s like magic, the cook just puts the snails on the pan, adds seasonings and a few big flames blow up before the little snails are put on your table.
Amazingly, Vinh Khanh street food area is the place for you to witness the magic of the snails. Despite the fact that there are numerous snail stalls in the area, the taste of each one is different from the others, depending on the sauce recipes and the cook.
Some Options For You When Looking At The Menus in Vinh Khanh Street Food Area
Vinh Khanh street food area is close to District 1, only 4 kilometers from the downtown so don’t hesitate to immerse yourself in the world of snails. The nearby streets like Doan Van Bo, 10 Thuoc, Nguyen Huu Hao are also vibrant with street food stalls for you to try after the snail party.
08. 200 Xom Chieu alley (District 4).
Last destinations of top street food places in Ho Chi Minh city, located inside the tiny No.200 Xom Chieu (blanket village) alley of District 4. The street food prices here are affordable, well suited to all budgets.
The street food Xom Chieu alley is famous for BBQ seafood, noodles and spring rolls. You can also find plenty of smoothies and fruit juice vendors out there.
200 Xom Chieu alleys is also part of our Foodie Night Ride Adventure. Let’s join and try the most signatured dishes in the area.
Other activities for you to do in Saigon:
