2025 Ho Chi Minh City Food Recommendations | 20 Must-Eat Restaurants: A Guide to Vietnamese Cuisine, Hong Kong-Style Food, Japanese Street Food, and International Cuisine

Looking for must-try foods in Ho Chi Minh City? This article compiles 20 recommended restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City, featuring authentic Vietnamese cuisine (pho, spring rolls), popular Cantonese dim sum restaurants, Japanese ramen and sushi shops, as well as specialty restaurants like Pizza 4P's and Noir Dining—a must-have food guide for your trip! Introduction Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam's food paradise, blending local Vietnamese cuisine, Cantonese tea restaurants, Japanese food shops, and exotic cuisines from around the world.Whether it's a short trip or a long-term stay, you'll find surprises here. This article will recommend a number of must-try restaurants organized by cuisine type, along with descriptions of their specialties and recommended dishes, to help you quickly plan your food itinerary. 🍜 Vietnamese Cuisine Recommendations 1. Ngon Restaurant Highlights: The restaurant has a retro atmosphere, as if stepping back into the streets of old Vietnam. It offers a wide variety of dishes, making it perfect for travelers unfamiliar with Vietnamese cuisine. Recommended dishes: fresh spring rolls, pho, grilled pork rice paper rolls. View larger map 2. Jin Li Rice Noodle Soup (Phở Lệ) – Bib Gourmand Recommended Feature: A local favorite, long-established rice noodle shop known for its rich, flavorful broth and generous portions of beef. Recommended dishes: Beef Rice Noodle Soup, Beef Tendon Rice Noodle Soup.

3. Pho 2000 Features: Became famous because former US President Clinton once visited; a must-visit destination for tourists. Recommended dishes: Beef pho, fried spring rolls.

🥟 Hong Kong (Cantonese) Cuisine Recommendations 1. San Fu Lou Features: Modern Chinese décor, great for group dinners, with refined dishes that stay true to authentic Cantonese flavors. Recommended dishes: Roast meat platter, shrimp dumplings (har gow), stir-fried beef ho fun. 2. Ocean Palace Features: An upscale Cantonese restaurant, perfect for hosting guests and family gatherings, with especially fresh seafood. Recommended dishes: Roast duck, typhoon shelter-style stir-fried crab. View larger map 3. Nhà Hàng Yu Shang Lou Features: Combines Cantonese cuisine with creative dishes, in an elegant setting perfect for formal gatherings. Recommended dishes: Seafood platter, Cantonese-style steamed fish.

🍣 Japanese Street Food Recommendations 1. Danbo Ramen Features: The tonkotsu broth is rich, the noodles are chewy and springy, and you can adjust the saltiness and thickness of the broth. The shop doesn't have many seats, but tables turn over quickly. Recommended dishes: Tonkotsu ramen, spicy ramen.

2. IPPUDO Ramen Highlights: A famous ramen brand from Japan, known for its delicate broth and consistently great flavor. Recommended dishes: Shiromaru Motoaji Ramen, Akamaru Shinaji Ramen. 3. Sushi Hokkaido Sachi Highlights: Focused on fresh ingredients, with excellent sashimi and sushi quality. Recommended dishes: Assorted sashimi, seared (aburi) sushi. 👉 Want to explore more? Check out the "Japanese Street Food Map" for even more hidden gems.

🍕 Other International Cuisine Recommendations 1. Pizza 4P’s (Italian Cuisine) Features: Run by a Japanese head chef, using local cheese to make handmade pizzas with a unique texture. It's the restaurant most often recommended to first-time visitors to Vietnam. Recommended dishes: Four Cheese Pizza, Smoked Beef Pizza.

2. Nikko Hotel Buffet Highlights: A five-star hotel buffet offering a diverse range of international cuisine, with a rich variety of buffet options — especially seafood and desserts. Priced at 1.65 million per person, it's a premium buffet choice. Recommended dishes: sashimi, grilled steak, dessert corner. View larger map 3. Noir. Dining — Michelin recommended Highlights: Dining in a completely dark environment, focused purely on the taste experience — a truly unique concept. Recommended dishes: surprise tasting menu with no set menu.

4. Haidilao Hot Pot(海底撈) Features: A well-known hot pot brand with attentive service, perfect for group dining. Vietnam also has Haidilao locations, and compared to Taiwan, prices are about 30% cheaper, with much shorter waiting lines. Recommended dishes: Spicy Mala hot pot, sliced beef.

5. Tomatito Saigon (Spanish Cuisine) Features: Spanish tapas bar style, lively atmosphere, great for gatherings. Recommended dishes: Spanish seafood paella, Tapas.

🌍 Pocket List for Expats 1. Old Lai's Mutton Stove Pot (Chinese Cuisine) Specialty: Rich, full-bodied broth with a fragrant aroma of Chinese herbal medicine, especially great for warming up and nourishing the body in winter. Recommended dishes: Mutton hot pot, mutton with sesame flatbread. View larger map 2. Mì Vịt Tiềm Thiêm Huy (Vietnamese Herbal Stewed Duck Noodles) Specialty: Duck leg noodles stewed with Chinese herbal medicine, with a rich broth and tender, melt-in-your-mouth duck meat. Recommended dishes: Stewed duck noodles, stewed duck congee. View larger map 3. Baba's Kitchen Indian (Indian Cuisine) Specialty: One of the most popular Indian restaurants around, with rich, authentic spices and truly genuine flavors. Recommended dishes: Butter chicken, mutton curry, naan bread.

4. Bien Duong 1 Restaurant Specialty: Located near An Dong Market, it excels in seafood, and its crab and shrimp dishes are especially popular among locals. Recommended dishes: Salt and pepper shrimp, garlic crab. View Larger Map Conclusion Ho Chi Minh City's cuisine is not only diverse, but also embodies a rich blend of cultures. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a resident who has settled here for many years, you can find your own favorite spot in this city.It's recommended to plan your itinerary starting with Vietnamese cuisine, then gradually explore Hong Kong-style food, Japanese street food, and other international cuisines — every time, there's a new discovery! Explore More Vietnam Travel Attractions Vietnam boasts rich natural landscapes and cultural heritage. Whether you want to explore the magnificent mountains and rivers of North Vietnam, the historic ancient towns of Central Vietnam, or the leisurely coastlines of South Vietnam, you'll find the travel experience that suits you best! 🇻🇳 North Vietnam Travel Guide 📍Hanoi: Millennium Ancient Capital｜📍Ha Long Bay: World Heritage Wonder｜📍Tam Coc: The Ha Long Bay on Land｜📍Sapa: Sea of Clouds and Beautiful Terraced Fields 🇻🇳 Central Vietnam Travel Highlights 📍Da Nang: Coastal Resort Paradise｜📍Hoi An: Ancient Lantern Town｜📍Hue: Imperial City Relics 🇻🇳 Spectacular Southern Vietnam Attractions 📍Nha Trang: Beach and Island Paradise｜📍Da Lat: Romantic French Mountain Town｜📍Ho Chi Minh City: Where Modernity Meets History｜📍Vung Tau: Seaside Resort Getaway