Lunch in Ho Chi Minh: Suggestions From Locals

You do not know which delicious lunch in Ho Chi Minh City is worth enjoying in the midst of the magnificent and crowded city? Then the following article is definitely for you.

Broken rice – a must-try lunch in Ho Chi Minh City

Certainly broken rice is a name that cannot be missed when traveling to Saigon because this dish is considered a culinary symbol of the city named after Uncle. A plate of broken rice includes many ingredients such as fragrant broken rice, fragrant grilled ribs, omelet, and crispy pork skin, … served with a little sour food and indispensable sweet and sour fish sauce typical of the place. This. Although simple, the flavors are skillfully blended to create an irresistible attraction right from the first bite and just one plate of rice ensures you have enough energy to work throughout. long day. With prices from 30,000 – 80,000 VND, broken rice is not only a delicious lunch in Saigon but you will see people here eating at any time of the day, breakfast or dinner, even eating. night. You can find broken rice shops on every corner and street in this crowded and bustling city.

Hu Tieu – a popular lunch dish in Saigon

If pho is the name mentioned when discussing Hanoi cuisine, then noodle soup is the representative of Saigon, next to the famous broken rice dish. Although the ingredients are simple and easy to buy, it takes a lot of effort and skill from the chef to make a delicious bowl of noodle soup. The greasy, sweet broth from the pork bones must be stewed thoroughly, and cooked with just enough heat so that the water is clear but still full of flavor. Previously, a bowl of noodle soup only consisted of noodles, pork char siu, beef, and pork intestines with rich broth, served with bean sprouts, chopped vegetables, and shallot leaves. However, today’s noodle soup has varied with many types to serve the diverse needs of diners in each region such as satay noodle soup, Nam Vang noodle soup, bone noodle soup, beef noodle soup, squid noodle soup, etc. .. Hu Tieu is a popular dish suitable for everyone, so the price is extremely cheap, you only need to spend 20,000 VND to enjoy a delicious bowl of noodle soup. For high-end, famous products, the price will fluctuate in the range of 35,000 – 60,000 VND.

Banh mi – cheap lunch in Ho Chi Minh City

As one of the most famous snacks in Saigon, sandwiches here have a golden, crispy crust and a combination of many ingredients: char siu, cold meat, pate, thinly sliced pork rolls along with The aroma of raw vegetables such as cilantro, onion, cucumber, carrot,… creates a perfect blend of Western and Vietnamese cuisine. Besides the diverse ingredients, the homemade hot chili sauce also contributes to the unique flavor of each shop here. Because of such “fullness”, Saigon bread is not only street food, but you can completely fill your hungry stomach at lunch or dinner with a mixed baguette priced from 15,000 – 40,000 VND.

Pho – a must-try lunch in Saigon

It is a controversial lunch dish in Saigon when people here love pho as much as how northerners are “addicted” to Hanoi pho. The basic pho ingredients of the two regions are quite similar, but the difference in taste is what makes the regional culture so unique. If pho in Hanoi keeps the pure sweet taste from the ingredients, in Saigon, it tastes more spices in the bowl of pho, especially the presence of bean sprouts and herbs such as coriander, and vegetables. cinnamon, basil, and braised cilantro, … Saigon people mainly only eat pho with water, not with quail, and sometimes noodle soup is also replaced with noodles.

Chicken fried rice is suitable for Saigon lunch

Chicken fried rice is also a delicious lunch in Saigon that is worth enjoying because you will find it, unlike any chicken dish you have ever tasted before. The rice is cooked with chicken broth, so it has a characteristic yellow color with a special aroma and sweetness or in some places, the red color from gac will be used. The chicken is fried in a pan of hot oil to have a crispy, golden skin, but the inside is just cooked, and the spices are evenly absorbed. Getting chicken pieces that are sweet, tender, and absolutely not dry is not an easy process. Fried chicken rice must be eaten with lettuce, pickled cucumbers, and dipped with soy sauce. There is one thing that few tourists know, especially without the guidance of local people or guides when traveling to Saigon is that people often order a cup of seaweed soup cooked with pork kidney. , fish balls, and minced pork when eating this chicken rice dish. The price of a portion of chicken rice with fat is from 45,000 to 60,000 VND/serving.

Crab soup cake – a specialty for lunch in Saigon

Famous for a long time in Saigon cuisine, crab cake soup is also a favorite lunch in Ho Chi Minh for the people here. Although Banh Canh is also made from rice flour, it is completely different from the usual noodles and noodles, both soft, chewy, and quite large. The bowl of Banh Canh stands out with delicious fresh seafood filling, shrimp, squid, lean meat, and of course, the indispensable shelled crab with sweet and savory bone broth. The ingredients seem to be quite boring, but when combined they are extremely harmonious and make a round dish.

Fish sauce hot pot – a unique lunch in Ho Chi Minh City

As a rustic dish of the West, hot pot has quickly become a specialty of Saigon and many diners love it because of its unmistakable unique taste. The hot pot of fish sauce is attractive in the sweet broth from the bones and the strong aroma from the fish sauce along with various ingredients of pangasius, basa fish, reishi, tiger shrimp, squid, bacon,… and up to 16 Different types of green vegetables only in the West of the river that many tourists have never tasted are dandelion flower, water lily, bitter greens, coriander, water spinach, water spinach,… Besides the typical broth is provided. When made from fish paste, fish, the technique of making tamarind sauce is an important factor in creating the delicious taste of the dish. The initial taste of the dish sometimes makes you wary, but if you can overcome that feeling, it will surely be one of the most memorable experiences in your Saigon trip.

Pha Lau – a familiar lunch dish in Saigon

It is a dish originating from the Chinese people, but for a long time, it has become a familiar dish of the people of Saigon that you can also choose as a delicious lunch when traveling to this city. Pha Lau is usually made from the internal organs of animals, of which the most popular is the beef broth, including the tongue, intestines, bags, intestines, stomach, … with the most popular characteristic flavor. The pot of water is always boiled with a lot of spices such as five spices, cinnamon, star anise, inanimate, traditional medicines, and indispensable coconut milk to create a pleasant and extremely fragrant aroma. nutritious. When a customer orders, the seller will cut the pieces of fried rice to eat and put it in a cup, fill the broth for diners to enjoy with bread or shrimp noodles are very delicious, so have a full lunch. Pha Lau is often sold at small shops, carrying goods on the sidewalk, so the price is extremely cheap, only from 15,000 – 30,000 VND / serving. And a small note that you can only find Pha Lau in Saigon, so doesn’t be fooled into missing this delicious dish if you have the opportunity to visit the magnificent city lest you regret it!

Barbecue – Saigon lunch to gather with relatives

Gathering with friends, family and enjoying a hot sizzling barbecue, what could be more wonderful? Depending on your needs and expected costs choose delicious and cheap barbecue restaurants in Saigon but still ensure quality. The area of central districts not only focuses on many famous attractions and Saigon hotels but also luxurious restaurants, with garden space, city views, and scrumptious food, of course. The price is not less than 300,000 VND/person. If you just want a mid-range address, and not too fussy in service, you can choose more popular barbecue shops in District 4, District 5, District 10, Binh Thanh District,… In addition, Some restaurants also have grilled seafood, side dishes, and a variety of hot pot dishes for you to choose from.

Braised beef with rich flavor for Saigon lunch

Braised beef conquers diners with the bold, spicy flavor typical of Indian cuisine. Beef to cook braised beef properly must use ribbed encrusted, the meat is cut into square pieces to fit the mouth and cook until the encrusted is soft but the tendons are tough. Seasonings such as ginger, chili, lemongrass, onion, garlic, and curry leaves blend in a rich, rich, and beautiful broth that creates an irresistible appeal. In order for braised beef to become a delicious lunch in Saigon, people have come up with unique and delicious braised beef noodle soup, braised beef noodle soup or braised beef bread with a price of no more than 50,000 VND. To enjoy the best bowl of hot braised beef, diners just need to add a little satay, squeeze a piece of lemon and then add bean sprouts, cinnamon, and herbs.

You can read the previous article here: Working Space Coffee: For Ho Chi Minh City Citizens

Or follow us on Facebook