Ho Chi Minh city, is usually the first place you’ll visit when coming to Vietnam and this city is also home to one of the country’s most vibrant culinary scenes. Sure, Saigon is a big city with its fair share fancy restaurants, but the best way to eat in Saigon is by taking it to the street. And there’s no better place to check out the bounty of Sai Gon food options than at a local market.
Many travelers will stick to the well known parts of District 1, like Bui Vien or Ben Thanh Market. But for those willing to venture further, this city offers a mouthwatering array of delicious delights waiting to be savored. In this blog is a guide to my favorite 3 distinctive gastronomy food markets in Sai Gon.
1. Cho Ban Co (Chessboard Market), District 3
The name Ban Co, literally translated as chessboard, comes from its structure, which includes streets perpendicular to others and dividing the space into squares. Getting lost on foot in the web of alleyways brings you into contact with friendly local people and best of all, great street food.
The market’s chaotic streets are a food lovers paradise. The streets are lined with street food stalls, push carts and vendors, when you can get anything and everything often for very little money. 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.
One of my favorite stops here is Banh Mi Cho Ban Co. The vendor is doing all the small extra steps resulting in a Banh Mi with major flavor like a quick toss on the charcoal for Banh Mi to enhance that crispiness. This Banh Mi is stuffed with freshly made pate, charcoal grilled patties, a bushel of cilantro, mayo, pickled vegetables, cucumber, sauce, and a few peppers.
The next stall you should visit is Banh Cuon Cho Ban Co. When it comes to describing banh cuon (bánh cuốn – Vietnamese steamed rice rolls), three words come to mind: light, tasty, and filling. A lady that moved from the North and has been making Bánh cuốn here for over 40 years. Her banh cuon is made extremely thin because it’s steamed over a fabric covered pot which can quickly cook the rice flour, keeping it moist and workable. A very thin layer of batter is poured on to the cloth and evenly spread and steams paper thin, and in less than a minute, a flat and flexible bamboo stick is used to lift off the delicate rice crepe. The rice rolls are stuffed with wood ear mushroom and ground pork. A mixture that will burst with umami, and linger with earthy tones.
One of Saigon’s famous street food is snail. Snail eating is all about sauces and textures. A ‘naked’ snail is a pretty boring, unappetizing but stuff it with spices and herbs and cover it in all sorts of rich, creamy, juicy sauces and you have a mouthwatering snack.
Oc Xuyen is a famous snail place located inside cho Ban Co. The fresh snails and shellfish are on display outside the restaurant, so you can see what you’re about to eat.
Another food stall you should stop by when you visit Cho Ban Co is Banh Beo Hue (steamed rice cake). Banh beo is a popular Ho Chi Minh street food that is adored by both locals and tourists. These delicious steamed rice cakes are topped with velvety mung bean, prawn floss, fried pork fat, and a drizzle of scallion oil for the perfect combination of flavor and texture.
Keep in mind that the market can get crowded and chaotic; so it may not be suitable for those who dislike large crowds. However, if you thrive on the vibrant atmosphere of bustling markets, this is an absolute must-visit destination.
2. Ho Thi Ky Night Food Market, District 10
Ho Thi Ky Market is a bustling flower market known for its wide variety of flowers. Between 7:00 and 12:00, both locals and tourists flock to the market to buy flowers. As the clock strikes noon and extends into the night, the flower market undergoes a transformation, evolving into a vibrant hub with diverse varieties of delectable street food, that is simply irresistible.
This night food market, also known as the Cambodian food market. is a foodie haven where Cambodian and Cambodia-Vietnamese vendors offer their unique traditional dishes. Ho Thi Ky street food market is considered one of the top street food places in Ho Chi Minh City.
You can find a lot of dishes such as green papaya salad, rice paper, noodles, hu tieu, crab soup, grilled meat and seafood, sweet soup, peach tea,…It’s not strange to see many stalls selling grilled dishes in this market, creating a flavorful aroma along the road. You can find many grilled seafood items here, such as grilled octopus skewers, shrimp, snails, and sea urchins.
A trip to Ho Thi Ky is a feast for the senses, with exotic scenery, scents, sounds. Ho Thi Ky Night Market is a world in itself. While it may seem chaotic, rushed, and unwelcoming at first glance, this market will reward you with an ultimate “checkmate” in flavor.
3. Cho Lon (Chinatown), District 5
Cho Lon, also known as Saigon’s Chinatown, has a fascinating history that dates back centuries. It began as a settlement of Chinese traders who migrated to the area during the 18th century. These immigrants brought their vibrant culture, traditions, and businesses, creating a distinct Chinese community within Saigon.
In Cholon, Chinese food has been brought here by Hoa people, and throughout the time, changed to meet the Vietnamese taste. Therefore, it is said that Chinese food in Cholon Saigon is the perfect combination of Chinese heritage and Vietnamese features, thus even more worth trying.
Everyone knows that when that dumpling and fresh egg noodle craving hits, Chợ Lớn is the place to go. A must-stop on your Cho Lon culinary food tour is Hu Tiu Mi Minh Ky in Hao Sy Phuong Alley.
Hao Sy Phuong is a haven for those seeking an authentic and local experience. As you stroll through the narrow alley, you’ll be captivated by the nostalgic charm of the old buildings that line the alley. In this alley you will find the best Hu Tiu Mi Hoanh Thanh (Dumpling with fresh egg noodles) in Saigon – Hu Tiu Mi Minh Ky.
Among culinary heritages of Cholon are survived till these days after tremendous changes, fresh noodles from Chinese residents must be mentioned. If we have to choose a typical dish of Cholon area, fresh noodles must be winner. Minh Ky’s sui cao bowl features light, clear broth with plump wontons. Packed with a single shrimp and savory minced pork, each wonton’s meaty goodness balances out the subtlety of the broth, making this dish comfort food at its finest. The egg noddles are handmade daily, shining yellow, and elastic until diners finish their bowl.
If you are craving for some authentic Vietnamese coffee, stop by Voila Bar in Cho Lon. Decked out with red lanterns, neon signs, patterned tile flooring, rustic furnishings, and nostalgic old movie posters this Hong Kong-inspired cafe will make you feel as if you’ve just walked into a scene of a Hong Kong ’90s movie, evoking memories of the Pearl of the Orient in the bygone days.
Final Thoughts
Chi Minh City is a food lover’s paradise, particularly famous for its street food. From iconic classics like pho and banh mi to delectable spring rolls and flavorful seafood creations, Ho Chi Minh City’s street food scene is a culinary adventure you won’t want to miss. Although Ben Thanh Market is the city’s most famous food market, I found this huge central market to be touristic and expensive. Instead, I preferred the smaller neighborhood markets which 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. Hope this guide will help you discover street food hidden gems that you can’t resist in Ho Chi Minh city!
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Saigon’s street food
