Wondering what to eat in Ho Chi Minh? Let’s just put it out there that no one goes to Ho Chi Minh without having at least one of their crazy delicious banh mi. For the un-initiated, banh mi is basically a freshly-baked sandwich with either chicken/pork/mixed meat filling. It sounds very simple but for some reason (it may be the fresh baguette or the heavenly combination of the sauce+meat), it’s so tasty you would want to have it EVERY single morning.
Doesn’t hurt that a banh mi can cost less than SGD 1.
We spent our Ho Chi Minh trip hunting for the best banh mi and conclude that these are truly worth your calories.
#1. Banh Mi Hong Hoa (our favorite!)
The baguette is so good (super crunchy on the outside and fluffy on the inside) we packed a dozen home! It’s just 5000 VND for one (less than 50 cents, guys) and it goes so, so well with our very own curry chicken :p
Bread aside, we like it that the owners are super friendly and allowed us to customize our banh mi without any complaints. I had the chicken banh mi with omelette add-on and finished it in no time. They were very generous with the meat but it isn’t overwhelming like Huynh Hoa. A word of warning – it’s slightly spicy so friends who can’t take spiciness at all might want to let them know beforehand.
TIP: Come early to try their barbecue meat balls banh mi! I don’t usually like pork but this is really good.
Price: 12,000 VND onwards
Address: 62 Nguyen Van Trang, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1
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#2. Banh Mi 37 Nguyen Trai
Banh Mi 37 Nguyen Trai specializes in these yummy pork patties banh mi and they taste heavenly. So, if you can’t be early enough for Hong Hoa’s barbecue pork patties, make it a point to come here but don’t be late because they sell out really fast.
This banh mi is crazy addictive.
Price: 18,000 VND onwards
Address: 37 Nguyen Trai
Open from 4pm-8pm (Mon-Sat only)
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#3. Banh Mi Huynh Hoa
If you are a meat lover, you will love the banh mi at Huynh Hoa to bits. They pack their banh mi with such thick slices of ham/sausages/meat and SO MUCH pate that no other banh mi will ever come close.
We preferred Hong Hoa to this because the long queue means the staff doesn’t really have time to listen to your customization (especially if you are a fussy eater) and the meat is a little overwhelming.
TIP: Ladies, you may need to share this with someone.
Price: 35,000 VND onwards
Address: 26 le Thi Rieng P. Ben Thanh, District 1
Open from 3pm-10pm daily
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#4. My Banh Mi
Not a fan of street stalls with nowhere proper to sit? Then My Banh Mi is the place for you! It’s a quaint little cafe with proper seats (and beer even!) for you to take a breather after the all the sight-seeing. It’s true that the banh mi here are a little pricey but considering that the ambience is very different, it’s really not a fair comparison.
What matters is that the banh mi here are still tasty!
Price: 75,000 VND onwards
Address: 57 Nguyen Du Street | Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
Open from 9am-9pm daily
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If you only have time or stomach space for ONE, make it Hong Hoa. You won’t regret it. 🙂
