During a night food tour in Ho Chi Minh City, Anne, a Japanese content creator, tried com tam (broken rice) from a street vendor for the first time and was blown away by the flavors, especially the grilled pork, which she described as “the best I’ve ever eaten.”

Having traveled to countries like the U.S., Australia, France, Italy, China, the Philippines, and Thailand, Anne chose HCM City as her stop in Vietnam to dive into its vibrant street food culture.

She shared her love for the city’s lively nighttime atmosphere, where street-side eateries stay open late, offering a variety of delicious dishes.

Anne’s most memorable meal was at a modest street-side com tam eatery on De Tham Street, District 1, which has been in operation for over 20 years.

The stall opens at 10 AM and serves food until late at night.

Anne ordered a full plate of com tam, which included:

Grilled pork ribs (suon).

Grilled pork belly (thit ba roi).

Shredded pork skin (bi).

Pork-egg loaf (cha trung).

A fried egg (trung op la).

The meal also came with pickled vegetables and soup as sides.

For 55,000 VND (approximately $2.30), Anne was amazed by the dish’s presentation, particularly the juicy, richly marinated grilled pork, which she described as visually stunning and flavorful.

“Wow, this is incredible. The seasoning on the meat is amazing. This is the best pork I’ve ever had,” she exclaimed after her first bite.

Anne also appreciated the other components, such as the pork skin and cha trung, commenting that the meal was delicious without being overly greasy.

“This dish is both tasty and affordable,” she added.

Anne’s food adventure didn’t stop there. While exploring District 1, she also tried: Pho bo (beef noodle soup); Lobster baked with cheese at a well-known restaurant near Bui Vien Street.

Other street foods like banh beo (steamed rice cakes), fried rice, spring rolls, and bun bo (beef noodle soup).
Her culinary experiences showcased HCMC’s rich and diverse food culture, leaving her with unforgettable impressions.

Thao Trinh