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“It's something I’m seeing everywhere in Vietnam—what makes its food so incredible, its people so endearing and impressive: pride. It’s everywhere. From top to bottom, everyone seems to be doing their absolute best with what they have—improvising, repairing, innovating,” Anthony Bourdain was right.
Saigon is a city that never stops cooking—think steaming bowls of comfort, rice dishes bursting with familiar flavours, quirky snail joints that amaze every time, and sizzling BBQ spots perfect for pairing with a glass of sake. And everyone is doing it with absolute pride.
Travelling on a budget? Don’t worry—Saigon’s street food scene is proof of that same essence Bourdain spoke of. From humble stalls to hidden gems, these spots serve up soul-soothing dishes with unforgettable flavours, all crafted with care and creativity. And we know just where to find the best affordable street bites in Saigon.
Here are the Bib Gourmand street food joints in the ever-delicious Ho Chi Minh City.
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Bò Kho Gánh
Bib Gourmand, MICHELIN Guide Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang 2024Known for its iconic beef stew, bo kho, this spot serves it up in a rustic stone bowl that’s as eye-catching as it is comforting. Take your pick—pair it with crusty bread, slurp-worthy noodles, or fluffy rice. The broth? A perfect balance of sweet and savoury, brimming with rich, meaty depth. Don’t forget to dive into the array of condiments and sauces for a personalised touch.
Address: 029 Lot H, Ngo Gia Tu Apartment, Su Van Hanh Street, Ward 2, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Tel. +84 937 828 984.
Phở Miến Gà Kỳ Đồng
Bib Gourmand, MICHELIN Guide Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang 2024Tucked away in the chaos of the city, this chicken pho is an understated masterpiece. The broth—rich, aromatic, and steeped in the essence of slow-simmered chicken bones over three to four hours—is the soul of the dish. Its accompaniments, delicate slices of tender chicken and perfectly cooked rice vermicelli, transform it into something quietly profound, a culinary moment that lingers well beyond the last spoonful.
Address: 14/5 Bis Ky Dong Street, Ward 9, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Tel. +84 28 3843 5630.
Phở Phượng
Bib Gourmand, MICHELIN Guide Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang 2024Like any good pho shop, the house special lets you savour a medley of beef cuts swimming in that iconic noodle soup. But here’s the real star of the show: oxtail, braised to perfection over 40 hours until the meat melts in your mouth and the skin turns irresistibly gelatinous.
Address: 25 Hoang Sa Street, Da Kao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Tel. +84 794 427 779.
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Bún Bò Huế 14B
Bib Gourmand, MICHELIN Guide Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang 2024At this take-out-only haven, the focus is a bowl of noodle soup, crowned with tender slices of beef, beef tendon, and delicate fish fillet. The broth, a deep, umami-rich concoction simmered from beef and pork bones with a touch of onion, offers a complex, comforting flavour. Add bean sprouts, a hint of chilli, a squeeze of lime, and fish sauce to taste, tailoring it to your preference.
Address: 14B Street 46, Ward 2, District 4, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Tel. +84 963 933 081.
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Cơm Tấm Ba Ghiền
Bib Gourmand, MICHELIN Guide Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang 2024Since the 1990s, this unpretentious stall has been dishing up what many locals swear is the best com tam (broken rice) in town. The signature dish features steamed broken rice topped with a perfectly grilled pork chop, marinated in a secret sauce and cooked over charcoal, complemented by tangy pickled radish and a punchy sweet and sour fish sauce. For those seeking variety, there's also a tempting chicken version.
Address: 84 Dang Van Ngu Street, Ward 10, Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Tel. +84 28 3846 1073.
READ FURTHER: What Is Cơm Tấm? An Introduction to Ho Chi Minh City’s Famous Broken Rice Dish and the Best Place to Get It
Illustration image: © Mervin Lee/ MICHELIN Guide Vietnam
