From Food to Service: 7 Must-Visit Restaurants in Ho Chi Minh (Part 1)
Ho Chi Minh City, a modern metropolis that still embraces its historical architecture, offers a fascinating blend of the old and new city. As much as I was amazed by the city’s architecture, I excited to dive into Vietnamese cuisine from the origin country. Here are seven restaurants in Saigon that worth your visit!
- Den Long Restaurant
Den Long serves home-cooked Vietnamese dishes with a touch of warmth. When I walk in, I was greeted by colorful lanterns hanging from the ceiling which said ‘Welcome to Vietnam’. Even though it felt so ‘Vietnam’, the super-friendly service made me feel right at home.
We ordered a few dishes, including the Caramelized Pork, which comes served in a clay pot with warm white rice. The pork is tender and the seasoning strikes a perfect balance between sweet and savory. The servers here are fluent in English and tourist-friendly. The service is top-notch: fast and warmth. Each serving costs 99,000 Dong (around IDR 70,000). Superrrr LOVE!
2. Bánh Mì Yun Hoa
Bánh Mì is Vietnam’s version of a sandwich, made with a kind of baguette, while Yun Hoa is a popular spot that sells Bánh Mì. When I visited at 11:00 AM, there was already a long queue. Even though it was very hot, people were eagerly waiting. The owner showed thoughtfulness by providing umbrellas for those in line.
Yun Hoa’s Bánh Mì is generously sized, enough for two people. It features around four types of meat inside a crispy yet not-too-hard baguette. Vegetables are served separately, so you can add them as you like. They even provide gloves for a mess-free experience. If you prefer to eat on-site, there’s a comfortable air-conditioned room next to the ordering area. Each Bánh Mì costs 68,000 Dong (about IDR 47,600). Definitely worth a try!
3. Cơm Tấm Mộc
‘Cơm’ means rice, and ‘Tấm’ refers to ‘broken’. Unlike the good quality of rice, this dish uses fractured grains mixed serves with meat and vegetables. Once considered a lower-class food, is now Cơm Tấm common in many restaurants in Saigon.
One place to try this broken rice is Cơm Tấm Mộc. I ordered the Grill Pork Rice, which includes broken rice, grilled pork, pork sausage, a sunny-side-up egg, and cucumber slices for a refreshing touch. The rice itself is quite similar to plain white rice, and the overall taste is likely a typical ‘mixed rice’ dish. Each serving costs around 80,000 Dong (about IDR 56,000).
These are just three of the seven fascinating food experiences I had in Ho Chi Minh City. I absolutely loved trying something new and immersing myself in the local food and culture. Have you ever tried any of these dishes? Share your thoughts! Stay tuned for Part 2, where I’ll go into four more must-try restaurants.
