Food tour in Ho Chi Minh City, quintessence of Vietnamese cuisine

Food tour in Ho Chi Minh city - experience the authentic taste of Vietnam on a street food tour, learning about the history and traditions behind each dish

1. The street food scene in Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnam ranked 22nd in the list of the 100 best cuisines in the world, as voted by food experts, chefs, and international guests. On December 13, 2023, Taste Atlas, a renowned global food magazine, announced the 100 Best Cuisines in the World, aiming to celebrate global cuisine and inspire travelers for their culinary adventures in the coming year. Vietnam secured the 22nd spot with an average score of 4.44/5, featuring top dishes such as pho, bun cha, quay, banh hoi, nem ran, banh xeo, bun bo hue, and bo kho.

Food tour Ho Chi Minh is a vibrant, diverse, and rich tapestry, ranging from traditional dishes like pho, banh mi, and banh xeo to unique snacks like goi cuon, bot chien, and che. With affordable prices, street food not only satisfies locals but also captivates visitors from around the world. More than just a culinary experience, street food is an integral part of Vietnam's local culture, reflecting the everyday life, creativity, and hospitality of its people. Strolling through the streets and savoring delicious dishes is a wonderful way to feel the vibrant and intimate pulse of Ho Chi Minh City.

2. What makes food tour Ho Chi Minh city so enticing?

Experience the authentic flavors 

When joining a Food tour Ho Chi Minh, you'll have the opportunity to experience the authentic flavors of traditional local cuisine, which is both rustic and familiar. Dishes like banh mi, hu tieu go, bot chien, and che all carry with them the cultural and social stories of the city's people. Unlike enjoying a meal in a fancy restaurant, enjoying street food offers a more rustic and relaxed experience, allowing you to immerse yourself in the city's vibrant atmosphere. Street food stalls are often run by older generations, which means they have been around for a long time, and they have the skills and experience to preserve the authentic flavors and cultural heritage of the dishes. You can sit on small plastic chairs, chat with the vendors, and savor your food right on the sidewalk – a truly authentic and local experience.

Discover local culture through the lens of street food  

Today, street food culture is no longer just a preference of the older generation; it has been embraced by Vietnamese youth. Street food culture is more than just temporary street-side vending; it is deeply intertwined with the city's cuisine, social interactions, livelihoods, and the long-standing culinary pleasures of Vietnamese people. Many believe that the tastier the food, the more authentic it is when enjoyed on the street. When dining at street food stalls, people can eat and chat freely without worrying about formal dining etiquette. However, it's important to note that due to limited space, diners are expected to eat quickly within 20-30 minutes before making way for other customers. This is an unspoken rule in Vietnam.

Experience the vibrant street food culture of Ho Chi Minh City in these popular food alleys: 

• Alley 200 Xom Chieu, District 4: A "holy land" of affordable street food in Saigon with countless delicious dishes. Wandering through the street-side stalls or food alleys, you'll surely be captivated by the irresistible allure of these dishes.

• Co Giang Street Food Street, District 1: This street is home to many affordable eateries, usually open from afternoon until night. If you want to experience Ho Chi Minh City's street food, coming here after 5 PM would be the ideal time 

• Ho Thi Ky Market, District 10: When talking about Saigon's food streets, Ho Thi Ky Market is a must-visit. This market is famous for being the largest fresh flower wholesale market in the city. Besides, there is also a food area inside the market with many delicious street food dishes at affordable prices. 

Tailored Food Tours 

Discover Food tour in Ho Chi Minh City to the fullest with our flexible tours! Your time, our adventure. Join us on stylish motorbikes as we weave through narrow alleys to savor unique street food. Or if you prefer walking, let's stroll through traditional markets and immerse ourselves in the city's vibrant atmosphere. We're ready to customize a tour for your group, ensuring it meets all your needs and preferences. Flexible itinerary, suitable for your personal schedule. Whether you want to explore Ho Chi Minh  for half a day or a full day, we're ready to adjust the itinerary at any time to suit your needs. 

3. Dishes you'll savor on the food tour in Ho Chi Minh City 

Banh mi

CNN Travel previously included Vietnamese Banh Mi in the list of the 24 best sandwiches in the world in 2023. According to the website, Banh Mi can be easily found at street food stalls and food carts everywhere. "Banh Mi is not only a common breakfast, lunch, and dinner for Vietnamese people but also well-known and loved by many foreign tourists," CNN reported. 

The golden, crispy, freshly-baked baguettes, accompanied by a diverse range of fillings such as grilled meat, pate, Vietnamese sausage, raw vegetables, pickles, mayonnaise, and chili sauce, have become a distinctive flavor closely associated with the people of Ho Chi Minh. Additionally, Banh Mi comes in many different versions, from egg omelet Banh Mi, pate and sausage Banh Mi, to fish ball Banh Mi, each with its own unique flavor suitable for different preferences and tastes. This distinctive flavor has been preserved through generations and has become an integral part of street food culture.

Pho

Have you ever enjoyed a hot bowl of pho on a chilly morning? If not, you're missing out on a fantastic culinary experience. Pho, Vietnam's national dish, has captured the hearts of millions of diners worldwide. What makes pho so appealing? It's the harmonious combination of seemingly simple ingredients: translucent rice noodles, tender beef, fragrant green onions, and especially the clear, flavorful broth. The secret to pho broth lies in the careful simmering of bones, along with the delicate combination of traditional spices such as cinnamon, star anise, ginger, and pepper… 

Bun bo

Bun bo, a dish with a rich royal flavor, has become an indispensable culinary icon of Food tour in Ho Chi Minh City. With its characteristic spicy flavor, a bowl of bun bo is like a symphony of spices, from the sweet taste of bones, the spicy heat of chili peppers, the aroma of lemongrass, to the richness of beef. 

White, soft rice noodles are drenched in a deep red, viscous broth. Thinly sliced, cooked beef, along with pork leg, crab meat, and blood pudding, create a harmonious whole in terms of color and flavor. To enhance the appeal, people often add a bit of fresh herbs like Vietnamese mint, pennywort, and bean sprouts, creating a refreshing sensation when enjoyed.

Banh trang

• Rice Paper Salad

• Rice Paper with Dipping Sauce

• Rice Paper Rolls

• Fried Rice Paper

Cafe

Vietnamese coffee, especially drip coffee, has become a unique cultural icon, loved not only domestically but also spreading worldwide. With its rich and aromatic flavor, Vietnamese coffee offers a truly enjoyable drinking experience. Besides traditional drip coffee, Vietnamese coffee also has many unique variations, creating a rich symphony of flavors 

• Egg coffee: A unique creation of the Vietnamese, egg coffee combines the bitterness of coffee, the richness of egg yolks, and the sweetness of sugar to create a familiar yet strange flavor. 

• Coconut coffee: The perfect combination of the bitterness of coffee and the rich aroma of coconut milk brings a new experience to the drinker. 

• Milk coffee: This is a simple but very popular variation. Milk coffee is often brewed with condensed milk or fresh milk, creating a delicious and easy-to-drink beverage. 

• Salted coffee: Salted coffee is an interesting variation of traditional coffee, when a layer of rich salted cream is topped with a layer of strong black coffee. The combination of the bitterness of coffee, the sweetness of condensed milk, and the saltiness of salt creates a unique flavor experience, both familiar and new 

Each type of coffee has its own unique characteristics, catering to the taste of each individual. From small roadside cafes to upscale coffee shops, Vietnamese coffee is always an attractive destination for those who love rich flavors and a cozy atmosphere. 

Ho Chi Minh City is not only a dynamic city but also a food paradise with countless delicious and attractive dishes. If you are a food lover and want to explore the unique flavors of this city, join our Food tour in Ho Chi Minh City right away. We will take you to famous food destinations, helping you enjoy the best dishes and discover the unique culinary culture of the Vietnamese people. Don't miss this opportunity to experience amazing food!