Best Must-try Street Food District 1 Ho Chi Minh City

District 1 is one of the central areas of Ho Chi Minh City (also known as Saigon), bustling with life and especially famous as a street food paradise. Tourists from all over the world can find signature Saigon dishes and Vietnamese cuisine in this vibrant neighborhood. Ready to awaken your taste buds with street food District 1? Take some time with Asia Encounter to explore the must-try street food District 1 in this travel blog!

What is the best street food District 1 Ho Chi Minh City?

Com Tam – Broken rice

Com Tam is always mentioned in the top street food District 1 that you can find on any street in Saigon. With basic ingredients like broken rice, pork ribs, eggs, pickled vegetables, and fish sauce, Com Tam has become a famous dish in Ho Chi Minh City and is highly praised by many international tourists.

One of the best places to enjoy delicious Com Tam in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, is Cơm Tấm Phúc Lộc Thọ. This is one of the most famous and long-standing broken rice restaurants in Saigon. It is always highly rated by diners for its incredibly tasty dishes, which are full of authentic Vietnamese flavor. In addition to broken rice, the menu is diverse with many other delicious and attractive dishes such as grilled pork chop rice, five-spice chicken thigh rice, and grilled spring rolls, but broken rice remains the standout dish.

Address: 236 Dinh Tien Hoang, Da Kao, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

Bun Rieu

Bun Rieu is a popular street food in Vietnam, featuring a sweet and savory broth made from crab paste. Bun Rieu Da Lat is a street food District 1, that brings the famous Da Lat bun rieu flavor to Saigon’s bustling street food scene. This eatery is a familiar spot for many locals but quite new to tourists.

The high-quality bun rieu here is made from rich, fatty minced crab meat, served with toppings like crispy fried tofu, fish, and pork. The dish offers a delicate yet rich crab flavor with an irresistibly savory broth. Additionally, the restaurant features a special dipping sauce made from a traditional family recipe, paired with fresh herbs, creating a superb taste that will satisfy all diners.

Address: 87 Co Giang, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

Cambodia Grilled Beef Butter Baguette

While Vietnamese bánh mì is already famous, a street food District 1 that you must try is the Cambodian-style grilled beef butter baguette. This unique Cambodian twist on bánh mì offers a delightful change of pace in Saigon.

The baguettes are coated with rich, aromatic butter before being grilled, making them incredibly tempting. The meat inside is perfectly seasoned and paired with a bit of pickled papaya, balancing the flavors beautifully and preventing any heaviness, right down to the last bite.

This dish is a top choice for street food lovers due to its quick, delicious, and affordable nature. A popular spot you shouldn’t miss if you fall in love with this treat is A Tùng’s Grilled Beef Baguette.

Address: 171 Cong Quynh, Nguyen Cu Trinh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

Bun Thit Nuong – Grilled Pork Vermicelli

Unlike Hanoi’s bún chả, where the meat is grilled on racks, bún thịt nướng features skewers of well-seasoned grilled pork served with vermicelli, fried spring rolls, aromatic herbs, and a mixed sauce. For a delicious bowl of bún thịt nướng with a spacious and clean setting, visit Chị Tuyền’s Grilled Pork Vermicelli. This long-standing restaurant has been in business for over 20 years, and both locals and tourists praise it for its tasty and less oily dishes.

At the restaurant, you’ll enjoy a generous bowl of vermicelli topped with flavorful, aromatic grilled pork and crispy fried spring rolls. Additionally, the restaurant offers a variety of familiar drinks such as iced tea, sugarcane juice, and lemon tea.

Address: 175C Co Giang, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

Crab Soup – Spring Rolls Hoi An

Experience a little corner of Hoi An in the heart of Saigon with their crab soup and Hoi An spring rolls. The crab soup is unique with a thinner broth compared to others, making it less greasy. This allows you to fully savor the fragrant flavors of crab, eggs, mushrooms, and pig brain. For an extra touch of richness, you can add a century egg.

Additionally, the spring rolls at this street food spot are extremely popular. These rolls are packed with plump shrimp, and various aromatic herbs, and served with a special fish sauce, guaranteed to captivate you from the first bite.

Address: 212 Nguyen Trai, Nguyen Cu Trinh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

Bun Mam

A humble yet quintessential Vietnamese specialty is the delicious street food District 1. Anyone who has visited Ho Chi Minh City, specifically District 1, has likely been captivated by the delightful and enticing flavors of this dish.

You can stop by the traditional Bun Mam shop on Co Giang Street to enjoy a bowl full of toppings, including pork, squid, shrimp, and the essential fermented fish sauce, served with fresh herbs. What truly makes this dish special and keeps customers coming back is the distinctive fish sauce. Be sure to try the Bun Mam here, as you’re bound to fall in love with its superbly sweet and sour taste!

Banh Mi – Vietnamese Sandwich

To savor the famous Vietnamese banh mi in Ho Chi Minh City, Huynh Hoa Banh Mi is a must-visit street food District 1. This place is the top choice for banh mi in District 1, Saigon.

Here, you’ll enjoy crispy baguettes of substantial size. Each banh mi is filled with five types of meat: pork, cha lua (Vietnamese pork sausage), jambon, ham, and bologna. The highlight is the rich, smooth pate layered between pickled vegetables, which prevents the sandwich from feeling too greasy. Besides the delicious food, this spot is also highly rated for its service quality, always prioritizing customer satisfaction.

Address: 26 Le Thi Rieng, Ben Thanh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

Oc – Snails

Snails are a highly popular street food District 1 among the Vietnamese. Enjoying fresh snails cooked in various styles with a cold beer to cool off on a summer day is an experience worth trying. Oc Dao is one of the most beloved snail restaurants among both local and international customers.

The restaurant offers a wide variety of dishes, such as Thai-style clams, grilled oysters with scallion oil, grilled oysters with butter, and steamed mussels, all made from fresh ingredients. The quickly prepared plates of snails bring rich, fresh flavors that will leave a lasting impression. Another plus for the restaurant is its comfortable and airy space, making it ideal for family and friend gatherings.

A small note: if you plan to visit this street food District 1 spot on holidays or weekends, make a reservation or arrive early to get a good seat.

Address: 212B Nguyen Trai, Nguyen Cu Trinh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Bun Bo Hue – Hue Beef Noodle Soup

Bun Bo Hue Cong Quynh – a reputable street food District 1 spot, attracting hundreds of visitors from all over each day. Hue Beef Noodle Soup is meticulously prepared by chefs, featuring large, chewy noodles paired with beef shank, beef tendon, flavorful crispy spring rolls, and a rich, authentic Hue-style broth. The venue offers a spacious and comfortable environment, capable of serving large numbers of guests daily.

Address: 262 Cong Quynh, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Xoi Che

For refreshing Xoi Che, the street food District 1 is Xôi Chè Bùi Thị Xuân. With a 20-year history, Xôi Chè Bùi Thị Xuân is famous for its soft, sticky rice that isn’t dry or clumpy and comes with a variety of toppings like shredded chicken, char siu, and more.

Address: 111 Bui Thi Xuan, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

>> Suggested itinerary to explore Vietnam:

Here is the street food District 1 list you should try when visiting Ho Chi Minh City. Each dish carries its own unique flavors and colors, showcasing the diversity of Vietnamese street food culture, which entices every traveler. We hope Asia Encounter’s recommendations in this article help you find your favorite dishes in District 1, Saigon to experience.

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If you’re looking for a food tour in Ho Chi Minh City or Vietnam, don’t hesitate to contact Asia Encounter. We’ll help you tailor your travel itinerary for a complete and memorable experience in Vietnam. Our experts are always ready to assist you with the best-guaranteed services anytime. Experience Vietnam your way with Asia Encounter today!