VietNamNet Bridge - The best local restaurants in HCM City are legendary establishments that have stood the test of time, offering authentic and satisfying meals at incredibly attractive prices. 

Nguyen Thi Thanh (Lunch Lady)

Unlike many local restaurants in this list, Nguyen Thi Tanh (or Lunch Lady) only cooks one dish per day, changing the dish according to the day. 

Set along Hoang Sa Street, this food stall has been operating for more than a decade with locals flocking there for its goi cuon (summer rolls) and bun Thai (Vietnamese-Thai noodle soup). 

Bun Thai comprises rice noodles in a sweet sour broth, topped with generous amounts of pre-blanched shrimps, beef slices, squid rings, chopped herbs, and assorted vegetables. 

Address: 23 Hoang Sa Street, Da Kao Ward, District 1

Cuisine: Noodle soups

Banh Mi 37

A simple food cart that’s set along Nguyen Trai Street, Banh Mi 37 is one of the best places in the city to get your hands on Vietnam’s uniquely fusion street food. 

Its signature nem nuong banh mi is a crispy baguette sandwich with several charcoal-grilled pork patties, tangy sauce, cucumbers, cilantro, green onions, Vietnamese pickles, and topped with sweet chili sauce. 

Address: 37 Nguyen Trai Street, District 5

Cuisine: Vietnamese Baguettes

Nhu Lan Saigon

Nhu Lan Saigon’s speciality lies within its pre-packaged banh mi sandwiches, but a wide range of Vietnamese desserts, smoothies, pork buns, and pates. 

Try the banh mi thit pate which is a baguette sandwich filled with pork-liver paté, pork ham slices, mayonnaise, pickled carrots and radishes, cucumber, fresh cilantro, and sliced chilli. 

While Nhu Lan Saigon has an indoor dining area, many locals order banh mi for takeaway or simply enjoying it by the roadside.

Address: 50-64-68 Ham Nghi Street, District 1

Cuisine: Vietnamese Baguettes

Banh Xeo 46A

As the name suggests, Banh Xeo 46A specialises in the traditional Vietnamese rice-flour crepe, which is served with huge portions of pork, shrimp, diced onions, mung beans, and bean sprouts, as well as a side of raw leafy vegetables and herbs. 

Besides banh xeo, Banh Xeo 46A also serves summer rolls (goi cuon) and spring rolls (cha goi), chicken wings and fried calamari rings, as well as cheap local beer.

Address: 46A Dinh Cong Trang Street, District 1

Cuisine: Vietnamese Crepes

Pho Hoa Pasteur

Pho Hoa Pasteur has a steady following amongst the local population for serving arguably the best pho noodles in HCM City since 1968. Today, it's set within a two-storey building just across the street from the Pasteur Institute. 

A bowl of pho at Pho Hoa Pasteur comprises homemade rice noodles in a clear broth, topped with beef slices, scallions, and cilantro.

To complement the pho noodles, each table has platters of fresh herbs, chilli and lime, gio chao quay (fried Chinese bread), banh xu xe (glutinous coconut cakes with mung-bean paste), and cha lua (pork-paste sausages wrapped in banana leaves). Pho Hoa Pasteur also serves a selection of Vietnamese coffee, soft drinks, and Vietnamese dessert.

Address: 260C Pasteur Street, District 3

Cuisine: Noodle Soup

VNN/VNguide