The specialties of Ho Chi Minh City are the first thing that tourists should experience in the city named after Uncle Ho, where it is a convergence point of many cultures, bringing various unique flavors. Let’s go through the specialties to enjoy on the spot and the gifts to buy through the following article with DanangPrivateCar.com.
Table of Contents
Must-Try Specialties of Ho Chi Minh City when Traveling
Saigon Broken Rice
- Average price: About 25,000 – 60,000 VND per serving
- Recommended places: Ba Cuong Broken Rice, Bà Nam’s Kho Lòng Đào Broken Rice, Nguyễn Văn Cừ Broken Rice, Ba Ghien Broken Rice…
When exploring Ho Chi Minh City, DanangPrivateCar.com recommends that you definitely should not miss this Saigon broken rice dish. The rich flavor of the rice combined with shiny and fatty pork ribs can captivate every diner at first sight. The main type of rice used for this Saigon specialty is broken rice, and it is accompanied by other side dishes such as fried eggs, shredded pork skin, pork sausage, pickled vegetables, and cucumber.
Nam Vang Noodle Soup
- Average price: About 35,000 – 60,000 VND per serving
- Recommended places: Thành Đạt Nam Vang Noodle Soup, Nhân Quán, Liến Húa, Tài Anh…
A Saigon specialty originating from Cambodia and imported into Vietnam a hundred years ago, Nam Vang noodle soup requires the preparation of bone broth for 7-8 hours with various vegetables such as ginger, purple onions, radishes, and celery. There are two ways to enjoy this dish: dry or with soup. However, the main ingredients remain the same, including Nam Vang noodles, pork liver, shrimp, minced meat, clear broth, and fresh vegetables.
Dried Beef Salad
- Average price: About 15,000 – 30,000 VND per serving
- Recommended places: Lê Văn Tám Park Dried Beef Salad, Ông Năm, Phương Liên…
The rich and full-flavored dried beef salad is a Saigon specialty loved by many young people due to its various toppings. Upon trying it, you can feel the chewiness of the dried beef, the intense flavor of the sauce, spicy chili, and the crispiness of shredded green papaya.
Fried Rice Cake
- Average price: About 20,000 – 30,000 VND per serving
- Recommended places: Đạt Thành Fried Rice Cake on Võ Văn Tần Street, Sáu Fried Rice Cake on Tên Lửa Street, Bảo Lâm Nguyễn Tất Thành Fried Rice Cake…
Originating from China, fried rice cakes have become a popular breakfast or snack in Vietnam. Thinly sliced and covered with a soft egg layer on the outside, they are served with flavorful broth that mesmerizes diners far and wide.
Fried rice cake is often most favored during snack times
Mixed Rice Paper
- Average price: About 15,000 – 30,000 VND per serving
- Recommended places: Chú Viên Mixed Rice Paper, Aunt Năm, Aunt Thảo on Nguyễn Thượng Hiền Street, Hòa Hảo Mixed Rice Paper in District 10…
One of the most beloved Saigon specialties among young people is probably mixed rice paper. Small pieces of rice paper are mixed with fried shallots, satay, peanuts, quail eggs, dried beef, and shredded mango, all coated with a rich and flavorful sauce, providing an impressive culinary experience.
Saigon Specialty Milk Tea
- Average price: About 30,000 – 75,000 VND per cup
- Recommended places: Phúc Long, Cheese Coffee, Là Việt…
When visiting Saigon, you will undoubtedly be familiar with the numerous milk tea stalls scattered everywhere. Each shop offers a unique flavor that captivates every customer.
Fresh Spring Rolls
- Average price: About 7,000 – 10,000 VND per roll
- Recommended places: LLQ’s Jumping Shrimp Fresh Spring Rolls on Lạc Long Quân Street, Lê Văn Sĩ Fresh Spring Rolls, Ngon Ngon Fresh Spring Rolls on An Dương Vương Street…
A popular Saigon specialty loved by both visitors and locals alike, fresh spring rolls use familiar ingredients such as pork, boiled shrimp, vermicelli, lettuce, all rolled in a crispy rice paper. The standout feature is the dipping sauce, either fish sauce with minced garlic or black bean sauce, accompanied by enticing pickled vegetables.
Beef Offal Hotpot
- Average price: About 15,000 – 30,000 VND per serving
- Recommended places: Aunt Thảo’s Offal Hotpot on Tôn Đản Street, Aunt Nủi on Tôn Đản Street, Marie Curie’s Dim Sum – Beef Offal Hotpot…
A Saigon specialty that cannot be overlooked, especially favored by young people and students. The piping hot offal hotpot comes with a variety of quality toppings such as tripe, young fern, honeycomb, beef heart, all eaten with a broth simmered with fresh coconut. The accompanying baguette with crispy offal, bitten along with beef heart, dipped in the broth, is an unparalleled delight.
Beloved Specialties of Ho Chi Minh City as Gifts
Crispy Rice with Pork Floss
- Average price: About 55,000 VND per 250-gram portion
- Recommended places: Rộp Rộp Crispy Rice on National Highway 1A, Lan Anh Crispy Rice with Pork Floss on Tân Sơn Nhì Street.
This Saigon specialty is highly favored as a gift. Crispy rice with pork floss uses clean and hygienic ingredients, ensuring it can be consumed within a certain period. The rich flavor of the rice combined with pork floss is addictive.
Pia Cake
- Average price: About 70,000 VND per 300-gram box
- Recommended places: Tân Huê Viên, Hưng Thành Pia Cake, specialty store on Ngô Tất Tố Street in the Mekong Delta.
One of the top-loved pastries in Saigon, Pia Cake originates from the southwestern region of Vietnam. With an appealing orange color, a soft and chewy filling, and a thin crust that melts in the mouth, the main ingredients include flour, sweet potatoes, mung beans, durian, and a salted egg yolk.
Purple Leaf Tet Cake
- Average price: About 70,000 – 100,000 VND per portion
- Recommended places: Specialty store on Điện Biên Phủ Street in the Mekong Delta, Út Tết Tet Cake on Lê Hồng Phong Street, Mẹ Quê Bakery on Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai Street.
Purple Leaf Tet Cake, a Saigon specialty, is a popular choice as a gift due to its lingering aroma from the banana leaf wrapping. The fragrant, sticky rice, flavorful meat filling, and impressive colors are significant highlights. With carefully selected ingredients and no preservatives, it ensures the health of the consumers.
The specialty of purple leaf Tet cake is loved for its impressive color
Phuc Long Tea
- Average price: About 45,000 – 100,000 VND per box or package
- Recommended places: Various Phuc Long branches within the city
The Phuc Long tea brand offers a characteristic mild bitterness, not harsh, and is favored by many visitors. Packaged in various forms such as boxes, bags, cans, and packets, it is neatly presented and suitable for gift-giving. Flavors to consider include peach, grape, lychee, and dragon fruit.
Roll Cake with Salted Egg and Pork Floss
- Average price: About 65,000 – 100,000 VND per portion
- Recommended places: MUP Cake on Nguyễn Hữu Cảnh Street, Lala Bakery on Dương Bá Trạc Street, Bánh Nhà Mình on Đào Duy Anh Street.
Fresh roll cake is made from wheat flour, chicken eggs, and fresh milk, offering just the right amount of natural sweetness. The harmonious combination of roll cake, salted egg, and pork floss is truly irresistible, though it’s important to note that this delicious treat is best enjoyed within 2-3 days. Consider gifting it immediately upon your return from your trip.
Fresh Roasted Salted Cashews
- Average price: About 135,000 – 180,000 VND per 1 kg
- Recommended places: Hadifood on Lê Văn Lương Street, VinaNuts Roasted Cashews on Trịnh Đình Trọng Street.
This healthy Saigon snack makes a suitable gift for both adults and children. Saigon’s roasted salted cashews use high-quality ingredients, ensuring hygiene and popularity due to their delicious flavor. The meticulous and eye-catching packaging adds extra value to your gift.
Add the list of specialties from Ho Chi Minh City here to your travel guide before starting your journey. Don’t forget to use the private car rental service with drivers in Ho Chi Minh City from DanangPrivateCar.com for the best travel experience.
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