When talking about the busiest and most developed area in Vietnam, you must recognize Ho Chi Minh City. One of the unique things about this place is its long-standing culinary culture. In today’s article, let’s take a tour around Yourvietnam.org and discover the quintessence of food in Ho Chi Minh city.
A unique and rich food in Ho Chi Minh city
Culinary is as a unique system that includes human concepts, culinary arts, food processing, habits, and lifestyle. Usually, each region will be named after a culture or place to express the unique characteristics of the local cuisine.
With food in Ho Chi Minh city, this is not simply a matter of eating and preparing dishes but also the customs, habits, and spiritual culture of the people. The bustle and development of ancient Saigon, or today’s Ho Chi Minh City, have attracted people from all over the world. They came and brought with them unique recipes of local dishes where they were born.
Not only that, cuisine from countries around the world, including China and some Western countries, has been introduced to Saigon since ancient times. It is because of these objective factors, along with the absorption and creativity combined with traditional methods and dishes, that a unique and rich Saigon cuisine has been created today.
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Characteristics of Saigon culinary culture
Saigon is the former name of Ho Chi Minh City. However, today, people still use this name, especially when talking about traditional cultural features. In the mind of every Saigon citizen, this is a city that never sleeps. No matter what time you go out, the street is full of active people. Finding a restaurant in Saigon is easy because there are many restaurants, and they are open 24/7.
Food in Ho Chi Minh city – Culinary interference
The culinary culture in the most magnificent city in Vietnam is likened to a famous hotpot. This place gathers and crystallizes many cultural trends not only from other localities but also from other countries.
Saigon is the culinary center for the entire Southeast region and is the intersection between North-South and East-West. From the 18th century until now, the Pearl of the Far East region has received culinary cultures from countries such as China, India, France, America, Japan, Australia, and others.
Therefore, just by coming to Saigon, diners can experience almost all the cuisines of other countries without having to travel far or go to another country to enjoy them.
Old Saigon cuisine
Coming to the restless city in Vietnam, you will see a majestic, majestic, and proud place. Skyscrapers, crowded streets, shops, and streets are springing up everywhere with all kinds of businesses.
Although modernly developed compared to other provinces and cities in the country, Saigon has retained its traditional culture. The old Saigon always appears in the eyes of many people with childhood memories of familiar, rustic dishes.
Noodle soup is a dish of Chinese origin, first introduced to Vietnam in Saigon. The excellent, rich taste, mixed with many types of ingredients, has created Saigon noodles, closely associated with the people here throughout many years of history. The covered vending carts steaming along the sidewalks and sidewalks have become images that go deep into the memories of Saigon people.
Not only noodles but dishes such as Chinese pho, pha lau, sugarcane shops, old mother’s street vendors, grilled squid carts, and iced tea on railway sidewalks,… are all images associated with Saigon people. Gòn. Simple, rustic but filled with love, through many generations, day by day, watching the growth and development of modern life in the bustling, magnificent city.
Food in Ho Chi Minh City today
Speaking of flashy and modern, people will think of the name Ho Chi Minh City. But in fact, all domestic and foreign tourists, when talking about the eating culture of the people here, are used to calling it Saigon cuisine. This name almost covers the characteristics and art of eating and expressing historical significance over the years of the people.
Suppose we talk about the cuisine of Saigon people today, with the integration and development of modern life. In that case, the dishes have also undergone constant transformation. Besides the ancient cuisine, simple, street-side plates show dynamism, attracting young people, such as mixed rice paper, grilled rice paper, various salads, snails, fried skewers, and mango shake cups,…
Besides, the food streets combine snacks, street food, or famous specialties of other localities and countries, such as milk tea, dumplings, tomboy, grilled meat vermicelli, hot pot, and other dishes. Grilled beef noodle soup, Hue beef noodle soup, Quang noodles, chicken sticky rice, fat cake, nam, lentil,… It is the diversity from traditional to modern dishes along with unique variations that make up Gai cuisine. The city today is exceptionally massive.
Ho Chi Minh City’s culinary culture today is also one of the unique features that attracts tourists from everywhere. Therefore, Saigon food is no longer simply for entertainment or to fill the stomach but is increasingly appreciated and honored to a new level. Gradually bringing Vietnamese culinary culture to friends on five continents, confident enough to be proud of the world like the magnificence of this magnificent city.
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Eat anytime, anywhere.
Coming to Saigon, you can easily find a restaurant at any time of the day. Just like the people of Saigon “don’t sleep,” the city “doesn’t get tired,” shops are open everywhere regardless of day or night.
Although the shops all aim to serve human needs, this also creates a very unique characteristic of Saigon. In other provinces, usually, the later it gets at night, the harder it is for you to find places that sell food to serve your hungry stomach. But in Saigon, it’s different; there are many sidewalk restaurants at night. So you don’t need to worry about running this way or that just. Because you want to find some food to dispel your hunger.
Famous dishes when talking about food in Ho Chi Minh city
Talking about cuisine, it is impossible to ignore the unique dishes and think about Saigon, and people will immediately talk about it.
Saigon Bread
Not only Saigon but Banh mi is one of Vietnam’s famous cultures in the eyes of international friends. Bread is almost everywhere in the country, but each region has different habits and combinations.
Walking around Saigon, you can see dozens of carts selling bread in many forms, such as pate, shumai, cold meat, grilled meat, ham, and pork rolls,… The unique features of the loaf Saigon noodles are that they have a reasonably large shell and split intestines that contain a lot of fillings with a variety of flavors. The remarkable thing is that the lemon juice creates richness according to Saigon people’s own recipe.
Although there are plenty of places selling bread in Saigon if you have the opportunity to come here, stop by Huynh Hoa Bakery, 26 Le Thi Rieng, Ben Thanh, District 1. The price can be 30,000 VND/1 loaf of bread. It’s high, but it’s really worth the money.
Pho Saigon
One of the dishes that many people admire when talking about Saigon cuisine is pho. This is also a typical dish that makes Vietnamese cuisine famous in the international arena. If Hanoi pho has a rich flavor, then in Saigon, the gentle sweetness with a bit of spiciness and gentleness of chili is what makes people linger.
You can eat pho for breakfast, as a substitute for lunch or dinner. Even if you suddenly feel hungry at meals, a bowl of Saigon pho with a plate of fresh herbs is a great idea.
Saigon broken rice
Broken rice is a very popular dish of Saigon people.
Broken rice is a dish that creates a unique beauty for the culinary culture of the Saigon people. Saigon broken rice is made from broken rice grains when milled and is served with a large piece of grilled ribs and some cucumbers and tomatoes.
You can eat grilled rib rice anywhere in Vietnam, but the unique flavor of Saigon cannot be mixed anywhere. The ribs will be soaked in spices before grilling. The smell of soy sauce will stimulate your nose even from quite a distance. Saigon people can modify broken rice to combine with many other ingredients such as fried eggs, large envelopes, sausages, etc.
If you want to eat something for lunch in Saigon this afternoon, don’t hesitate to try this dish of broken rice that is both filling and delicious!
Saigon mixed rice paper
One of the famous dishes that any young person coming to Saigon must definitely try is mixed rice paper. Simple preparation with a combination of ingredients: rice paper, jujube, seaweed, dried beef, mango, quail eggs, fried onions,… all will be mixed with sweet and sour tamarind sauce and Vietnamese coriander. Saigon mixed rice paper can sometimes change some ingredients according to the seller’s recipe.
The strange and delicious taste of rice paper mixed with the toadstools next to the vegetable stalls has no longer become strange to Saigon people. Especially for young people far away from home, this is a beautiful memory with friends at a young age that should not be lost throughout life.
Food in Ho Chi Minh city – Pha Lau
Pha lau is a famous dish originating from China. After being introduced, pha lau was absorbed and modified by the Saigon people. Pha lau in Saigon can be made from animal organs such as cows, chickens, and ducks combined with tubers such as carrots, potatoes, and kohlrabi. The unique flavor of the mixed spices served with bread and rich dipping sauce has created a special dish for the Saigon people.
Food in Ho Chi Minh city – Bo Bia
One of the dishes when you want to gather or go on a date with friends is bo bia. The way to make beef squash is quite simple and has a delicious flavor, so you can easily find it on sale.
But what makes Saigon bo bia special is the dipping sauce. The spicy taste of chili sauce, mild sweetness, and a little salty, fatty taste from ground peanuts make anyone who first enjoys Saigon bo bia unforgettable.
The above dishes are a minimal representation of food in Ho Chi Minh city. In addition, you can also enjoy dishes from other localities in Saigon, such as:
- Quang noodles
- Hue beef noodle soup
- Pork rice paper rolls
- Nam Vang noodles
- My Tho noodles
- Fat-fried chicken rice
- Swing salad
- Sweet soup
- Sticky rice,…
- There are plenty of restaurants serving rustic Western cuisine when coming to Saigon.
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Saigon culinary neighborhoods in your travel guide that you should not miss
One of the unique things about food in Ho Chi Minh city is the streets dedicated to eating and drinking. In these places, every restaurant sells different dishes. To fully enjoy and feel the essence of Saigon, prepare pen and paper to write down the following culinary streets:
Alley 200 Xom Chieu, District 4
This is one of the dining paradises of Saigon people. If you want to enjoy delicious Saigon dishes, Alley 200 will surely satisfy your craving for food. The alley is only about 100m long. But almost all the shops are packed on both sides of the road with all kinds of dishes.
Ha Ton Quyen dumpling area, District 11
This is the main living area of the Chinese community in Vietnam. Therefore, if you want to enjoy famous Chinese dishes, take advantage of this street when coming to Saigon. In particular, there are shops here that only sell steamed dumplings. However, with rich and creative ways of processing and combinations, you can apply the paste to enjoy according to your personal preferences.
Co Giang Street, District 1
If you are a fan of grilled and hot pot dishes, make sure to catch Co Giang Street. After 5 p.m., passing by this street, you will see smoke emitting with all kinds of aromas. Grilled food makes your hungry stomach even more hungry.
76 Hai Ba Trung, District 1
Another alley that you should take note in District 1 is 76 Hai Ba Trung. It only takes about 20 minutes to reach the end of the path, but you can indulge in countless dishes. In particular, most plates cost around 10,000 – 15,000 VND, which is too cheap for a magnificent city like Saigon.
Alley 284, Le Van Sy, District 3
If you want to fully explore Saigon cuisine, remember the address, Alley 284, Le Van Sy, District 3. This is a place that is popular with students, pupils, and office workers. Here, each store only sells one item, so you can freely choose, but remember to go early. Because during peak hours, the crowd and bustling customers will make you uncomfortable waiting.
Cao Thang Alley
This is a familiar name to gourmets in Saigon. Here, there are almost all of the popular Saigon dishes for you to choose from. From casual dishes to full meals or Saigon specialties, it is also easy to find at this place.
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Each place has dishes associated with it over the years that anyone can immediately imagine when mentioning it. The same goes for Food in Ho Chi Minh city; its diversity and unique cultural characteristics are something that every visitor coming here wants to explore and experience. Suppose you have the opportunity to set foot in this magnificent city. In that case, Yourvietnam.org recommends that you take advantage of the time to discover all about Saigon’s culinary culture for yourself!
