HCMC food - Unbiased reviews!💕Hidden gems vs viral
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 stars - MUST HAVES!!!
1️⃣Bánh Ướt Ban Mê Giang Vương - Vũ Huy Tấn
This unassuming steamed rice roll was recommended by our AirBNB host and it was so good! Very simple but very flavourful. DIY style so just order all the ingredients and wrap them up to eat! Would have gone back for a second time if time permits.
2️⃣Bếp Mẹ Ỉn
Viral restaurant that lived up to its name! Loved the bun Cha and bun Xiao. Read that their banh mi is amazing as well. Service is great. Super refreshing to wrap everything in lettuce and chomp it all up! Affordable too!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 stars - good, will be back!!
1️ ⃣Haidilao Huoguo 海底捞火锅 Bitexco
HDL in Vietnam is so underrated!! You get the same offerings but so much more affordable!!! Ingredient list is slightly more limited, but the soup and vibes are exactly the same as SG, it felt so homely!
no further introduction needed. Ordered grab food for breakfast one day and it was so convenient and yummmy! Just that I’m personally not a super big fan of hard bread and having crumps fall over 🤣
Deconstructed Banh mi! Classic roadside dining experience. A very simple meal great for breakfast. Coffee was good too!
4️⃣Bếp Hà Nội Nhỏ - Món Ngon Chuẩn Vị
This shop sells lots of soupy and rice dishes. They had beef and chicken pho as well. Bun thang is similar to chicken pho but with more ingredients like egg and mushroom. Was a super hearty soup dish!!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 stars - might skip next time
1️⃣Mặn Mòi, Tao Đàn - 34 Võ Văn Tần
This is a TikTok and lemon8 viral restaurant and we made a reservation. Honestly the restaurant is really pretty and also had a hole in the wall coffee concept. But I think the food isn’t mindblowingly nice, giving this 3 stars especially because of the price. This was our most expensive meal (70SGD for 2) and I just feel we could have smth as nice for a lower price here? Service was a little slow too.
Crab curry is quite popular in Vietnam! I had high expectations for this meal but I think we ordered too small a crab so there wasn’t much meat haha. Classic roadside dining experience as well, which meant having our neighbours smoking and also spotting a cockroach which I wasn’t the most comfortable with. Might try another resto next time!!
➡️➡️skipped pizza 4P’s this time because of the long queues and being unable to reserve a table. But I remember it being quite a good meal the last time I came!!
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And that’s all for my food reviews!! I’m posting a bunch of other things like my full itinerary, shopping reviews and cafe reviews. Read more on my profile!! 💕
☕️HCMC cafes so cosy I could spend the whole day!
🇻🇳HCMC 4D3N full itinerary - non stop eat & shop!
👗HCMC shopping! Everything I tried and bought as a UK8/10 Girlier
#hochiminhfood #hcmcguide #hcmcfood #vietnamtravel #hochiminh
Exploring Ho Chi Minh City’s culinary landscape means diving into a rich mix of street food, local favorites, and trendy spots—each offering a unique taste adventure. Beyond the viral hits, I found that hidden gems like Bánh Ướt Ban Mê Giang Vương, with its delightful DIY rice rolls, provide an authentic and interactive dining experience you won't forget. Wrapping fresh ingredients yourself not only makes the meal fun but also allows you to control each bite's flavor. For those craving iconic Vietnamese sandwiches, Bánh Mì Huynh Hoa and Bánh Mì Hòa Mã are staples. Eating banh mi roadside with a cup of strong Vietnamese coffee sets the perfect local mood in the mornings. One pro tip: if you prefer softer bread, be mindful that traditional banh mi often has a crispy crust, which can be crumbly. A visit to a hotpot joint like Haidilao Huoguo in Bitexco tower is a comforting indulgence. While the ingredient selection is sometimes more limited compared to other cities, the welcoming atmosphere and affordable prices make it a favorite option for both locals and visitors. On the soup front, Bếp Hà Nội Nhỏ serves hearty and nourishing bowls of bun thang and pho, perfect for chilly or low-energy days. The complex flavors from their added eggs and mushrooms elevate the soup experience beyond the usual. However, not all viral spots hit the mark. Restaurants like Mặn Mòi, despite their trendy status and neat concepts, showed that sometimes hype can outpace taste and service quality, especially when prices are on the higher side. Seafood lovers might want to explore places beyond the popular crab curry joints like Quán hải sản 63, as quality can vary, sometimes affected by factors like portion size or freshness. Overall, my journey through HCMC’s food scene was packed with memorable meals and new favorites. It’s a city where every street corner offers a new flavor story—perfect for adventurous eaters eager to taste Vietnam’s rich culinary tapestry.
