Lunch in Saigon: Top 15 dishes & suggested dining spots

Contents

1. Com tam (broken rice)

No dishes for lunch in Saigon are more iconic than com tam, where broken rice forms the foundation for a perfect midday feast. The star is the tender grilled pork chops marinated in lemongrass, garlic, and fish sauce, accompanied by a sunny-side-up egg, shredded pork rinds, and pickled vegetables. At 35,000 – 60,000 VND, this fragrant dish delivers a satisfying combination of smoky and savory flavors.

Top places to visit for com tam in Saigon:

• Com tam Ba Ghien: 84 Dang Van Ngu Street | 8 AM – 10 PM
• Com tam Tai: 1 Nguyen An Ninh Street | 6 AM – 10 PM
• Com tam Tu Map: 96 Dong Den Street | 7 AM – 9 PM

Com tam remains a classic staple for lunch in Saigon (Source: Collected)

2. Bun dau mam tom (vermicelli with fried tofu and shrimp paste)

The bustling lunch hours in Saigon always see crowds gathering for bun dau mam tom, which has evolved from its traditional version of just rice vermicelli and fried tofu (it now comes with fermented shrimp paste). It can also include boiled pork knuckles, fried spring rolls, and green rice sausage, all served with fresh herbs for a perfect midday feast.

Top places to visit for bun dau mam tom in Saigon:

• Dau Homemade: 6 Hong Ha Street | 10 AM – 9 PM
• Tien Hai Quan: 804 Su Van Hanh Street | 9:15 AM – 10:15 PM
• Hem Dau: 140E Ly Chinh Thang Street | 9 AM – 9:30 PM

Best-selling products

[Grand Park] Tropical Island Water Park Entrance Ticket

1 USD

[Grand Park] Tropical Island Water Park Entrance Ticket

1 USD

[Grand Park] Tropical Island Water Park Entrance Ticket

8 USD

[Grand Park] Tropical Island Water Park Entrance Ticket

1 USD

-9%

[Grand Park] Water Park + Dream Garden Outdoor Games Combo

11 USD12 USD

[Grand Park] Tropical Island Water Park Entrance Ticket

1 USD

[Grand Park] Tropical Island Water Park Entrance Ticket

1 USD

[Grand Park] Tropical Island Water Park Entrance Ticket

1 USD

3. Banh mi Saigon

Saigon’s lunch scene offers diverse variations of banh mi Saigon beyond the traditional pâté and cold cuts. In the Cho Lon area, the Chinese-influenced banh mi pha lau features braised offal with pickled vegetables and a distinctive sauce. Meanwhile, banh mi chao serves ingredients like eggs, pâté, and ham in a sizzling pan alongside crispy baguettes, combining flavors for a unique lunch in Ho Chi Minh City.

Top places to visit for banh mi in Saigon:

• Banh mi Huynh Hoa: 26 Le Thi Rieng Street | 6 AM – 10 PM
• Banh mi chao Di Nu: 2 Dang Tran Con Street | 6 AM – 1 PM
• Pha lau bo Co Thao: 243/29G Ton Dan Street | 11 AM – 9 PM

Banh mi Saigon provides a quick lunch solution (Source: Collected)

Discover 15 must-try street food in Ho Chi Minh City!

4. Pho – a popular choice for lunch in Ho Chi Minh City

Pho makes for a beloved lunch in Saigon, and the locals can enjoy it any time of day. The broth of pho Saigon features a distinctly sweet note, sometimes enriched with chicken bones and dried squid for extra depth. Served with optional bone marrow oil and dark soy sauce, each bowl comes with fresh herbs, blanched bean sprouts, and lime for personalized seasoning.

Top places to visit for pho in Saigon:

• Pho Hoa: 260C Pasteur Street | 6 AM – 10:30 PM
• Pho Hung: 243 Nguyen Trai Street | 6 AM – 3 AM
• Pho Le: 415 Nguyen Trai Street | 6 AM – 12 AM

5. Xoi (Vietnamese sticky rice)

Many Saigonese choose Vietnamese sticky rice for a quick yet filling lunch. Vendors offer diverse variations, including xoi ga (sticky rice with shredded chicken and fried shallots), xoi lap xuong (sticky rice with Chinese sausage), or xoi thit kho (sticky rice with braised pork). Each serving is wrapped in either banana leaves or plastic wraps for convenient takeaway.

Top places to visit for xoi in Saigon:

• Xoi Binh Tien: 88 Minh Phung Street | 6 AM – 11 PM
• Xoi che Bui Thi Xuan: 111 Bui Thi Xuan Street | 7 AM – 9 PM
• Xoi Bat: Alley 8, Hoang Hoa Tham Street | 7 AM – 10 PM

Xoi is for a convenient choice for lunch in Saigon (Source: Collected)

6. Bun bo Hue (Hue beef noodle soup)

Hue beef noodle soup in Saigon adapts the classic Central Vietnamese soup to the local taste with a gentler, sweeter broth and thicker rice noodles. Vendors serve it with thinly sliced beef, Vietnamese pork sausage, and meatballs, paired with fresh water spinach or lettuce for a satisfying lunch. This dish typically costs 40,000 – 50,000 VND.

Top places to visit for bun bo Hue in Saigon:

• Bun bo Hue Co Nhu: 274/29 Vo Van Tan Street | 11 AM – 8 PM
• Bun bo Hue 14B: 14B Street 46 | 7 AM – 7 PM
• Bun bo ganh: 110 Ly Chinh Thang Street | 6:30 AM – 9 PM 

Check out these Michelin-starred restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City for a real feast!

7. Bun thit nuong (Vietnamese vermicelli with grilled pork)

Among Ho Chi Minh City foods, bun thit nuong stands out with its delicate balance of flavors. Grilled pork infused with lemongrass rests on a bed of rice vermicelli, accompanied by fresh herbs, pickled carrots, roasted peanuts, and spring rolls. A sweet-savory fish sauce dressing ties these ingredients together perfectly.

Top places to visit for bun thit nuong in Saigon:

• Bun thit nuong Hoang Van: 137 Chan Hung Street | 7 AM – 8:30 PM
• Bun thit nuong Chi Tuyen: 175C Co Giang Street | 6 AM – 9 PM
• Bun thit nuong Quan 339: Alley 339/7-9, To Hien Thanh Street | 9 AM – 9 PM

Bun thit nuong pairs grilled pork with fresh herbs and rice vermicelli (Source: Collected)

8. Hu tieu – a burst of flavors for your lunch in Saigon

Originally brought by Chinese immigrants in the 17th century, hu tieu has evolved into a signature dish for lunch in Ho Chi Minh City. The locals have adapted the original noodles to a distinctly chewier texture. The dish now comes in various styles – from clear broth versions to stir-fried options – each telling a story of cultural fusion in southern Vietnam.

Top places to visit for hu tieu in Saigon:

• Hu tieu Hong Phat: 391 Vo Van Tan Street | 6:30 AM – 10:30 PM
• Hu tieu My Tho Thanh Xuan: 62 Ton That Thiep Street | 6 AM – 1:30 PM
• Hu tieu Nam Vang Trung Coi: 80 Cao Thang Street | 7 AM – 10:30 PM

9. Bun mam (fermented fish noodle soup)

Bun mam is a bold choice for the best lunch in Saigon, tempting adventurous diners with its rich broth made from fermented fish sauce. This southern specialty combines thick rice noodles with eggplant, shrimp, squid, and pork belly, topped with fresh herbs and banana blossoms. Its umami flavor reveals the depth of Vietnamese cuisine.

Top places to visit for bun mam in Saigon:

• Bun mam Phuong: Alley 251, Nguyen Thien Thuat Street | 9 AM – 10 PM
• Bun mam Co Ba: 523-8 Nguyen Tri Phuong Street | 9 AM – 9 PM
• Bun mam 444: 375 Le Quang Dinh Street | 9 AM – 9 PM

Bun mam embodies the bold flavors of southern Vietnam (Source: Collected)

10. Bun rieu (Vietnamese crab noodle soup)

Perfect for a midday meal, bun rieu has become a cherished lunch in Ho Chi Minh City with its light yet flavorful tomato-based broth. The star is the fluffy crab-egg mixture that floats atop the rice vermicelli, often accompanied by fried tofu, pork blood pudding, and freshwater spinach. Diners can customize their bowls with shrimp paste, lime, and a variety of Vietnamese herbs for a satisfying combination of textures and tastes.

Top places to visit for bun rieu in Saigon:

• Bun rieu Nha: 63B Tran Quoc Thao Street | 7 AM – 10 PM
• Bun rieu Co Phuong: 72 Ngo Thi Thu Minh Street | 6 AM – 3 PM
• Bun rieu Yen: 1348 Truong Sa Street | 6 AM – 6 PM (Mon – Sat), 6 AM – 10:30 AM (Sun)

Find the best places to enjoy dinner in Saigon!

11. Banh canh cua (Vietnamese thick noodle soup)

Banh canh cua is a luxurious choice for lunch in Saigon, elevating the traditional thick noodle soup with generous portions of fresh crab meat. The tapioca noodles swim in a rich golden broth, accompanied by mushrooms, pork knuckles, and shrimp. Despite being pricier than typical street food, this premium dish is much loved for its satisfying combination of chewy noodles and sweet crab.

Top places to visit for banh canh cua in Saigon:

• Banh canh cua Hoang Lan: 484 Vinh Vien Street | 10:30 AM – 9 PM
• Banh canh cua 14: 221 Tran Binh Trong Street | 6:30 AM – 10 PM
• Banh canh cua 87: 87 Tran Khac Chan Street | 11 AM – 9 PM

Banh canh cua presents a premium noodle soup option for lunch in Ho Chi Minh City (Source: Collected)

12. Mi sui cao (wonton noodles)

Mi sui cao is a cherished lunch in Saigon’s Chinese food scene, featuring delicate wonton dumplings filled with shrimp and pork alongside springy noodles in a clear, sweet broth made from pork bones. The dumplings’ wrappers are slightly thicker than regular wontons to maintain their shape, while add-ons like char siu pork and Chinese greens complete this comforting meal.

Top places to visit for mi sui cao in Saigon: 

• Cuong Ky Mi Gia Sui Cao 157: 157 Ha Ton Quyen Street | 8 AM – 11:30 PM
• Sui cao Ngoc Y: 187 Ha Ton Quyen Street | 9 AM – 12 AM
• Thuan Hao Sui Cao: 193 Ha Ton Quyen Street | 10 AM – 11 PM

13. Mi vit tiem (Vietnamese duck noodle soup)

Considered to be the best lunch in Ho Chi Minh City by many locals, mi vit tiem (Vietnamese duck noodle soup) represents Chinese-Vietnamese fusion at its finest. This dish combines chewy noodles with duck braised in Chinese herbs, creating a dark, aromatic broth. Served with tender bok choy, black mushrooms, and pickled papaya, this hearty soup offers complex medicinal flavors.

Top places to visit for mi vit tiem in Saigon:

• Mi vit tiem Thiem Huy: 455 Nguyen Trai Street | 7:30 AM – 1:30 AM
• Hai Ky Mi Gia: 351 Nguyen Trai Street | 11 AM – 10 PM
• Mi vit tiem Huu Ky: 84 Nguyen Van Lac Street | 6 AM – 11:30 PM

Mi vit tiem showcases Saigon’s Chinese heritage (Source: Collected)

14. Dim sum

While traditionally a breakfast affair, dim sum in Saigon has evolved into a popular lunch option, with many restaurants across the city serving these delicate Cantonese bites throughout the day. From steaming baskets of har gow and siu mai to fluffy char siu bao, most establishments offer both à la carte and buffet options perfect for business lunches or family gatherings.

Top places to visit for dim sum in Saigon:

• Dim Tu Tac: 55 Dong Du Street | 10 AM – 10 PM (Mon – Sat), 9 AM – 10 PM (Sun)

• Kowloong Bingsutt: 74-76 Bui Huu Nghia Street | 7 AM – 2 PM, 5 PM – 10 PM

• Baoz Dimsum: 82-88 Nguyen Tri Phuong Street | 6:30 AM – 10:30 PM

15. Buffet – one of the top options for lunch in Saigon

Lunch buffets in Saigon cater to every taste, from authentic Vietnamese spreads to international feasts. Many venues offer special weekday lunch selections featuring fresh seafood, grilled meat, and traditional dishes. Whether you prefer high-end hotels with panoramic views or local restaurants with home-style cooking, these buffets provide diverse dining experiences.

Top places to visit for buffet in Saigon:

• Hoang Yen Buffet Premier: 174A Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street | 11 AM – 2 PM, 6 PM – 10 PM
• Hana Buffet: 243 Dien Bien Phu Street | 11 AM – 3 PM, 5 PM – 10 PM
• Man Tu Vegetarian Buffet: 201 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street | 11 AM – 2 PM, 5 PM – 9 PM

Come to Hoang Yen Buffet Premier for the best lunch buffet in Saigon (Source: Hoang Yen Buffet Premier)

Check out the 15 best seafood restaurants in Saigon!

*The details in this article are for reference purposes only and may change over time. If you are planning to visit these dining establishments, it is recommended that you contact them for the most up-to-date information.

From street-side eateries to elegant restaurants, lunch in Saigon offers a delicious journey through Vietnam’s culinary heritage. Whether you are craving traditional Vietnamese dishes or international fusions, the city’s midday dining scene provides endless options that showcase both time-honored recipes and modern interpretations.

After sampling Saigon’s iconic lunch dishes, you can extend your adventure to Grand Park, a brand-new entertainment paradise in Thu Duc City. This vibrant complex features the exhilarating Tropical Island water park with its thrilling slides, the enchanting Dream Garden with towering light displays, and a serene artificial beach. The experience continues at the Park Avenue and Vincom Mega Mall, where extensive shopping and dining options await, making it perfect for afternoon entertainment beyond the city center.

Book Grand Park ticket now