Travel Guide: Saigon 🍧💫
How to eat (and shop) like a local in Vietnam's largest city.
I’m not from Saigon, but I’m blessed to know a few people who are. My boyfriend, Vietnamese-American, born and bred in Texas, has introduced me to a plethora of new Vietnamese foods over the years since we’ve dated. And we have visited Saigon together with his parents for the past two years. His parents both immigrated to the U.S. in the 80s as refugees. They worked so much during Trung’s entire childhood, and weren’t able to go back to their home country regularly or for long periods of time, until recently. In retirement they have dedicated every fall, where the weather is dryer and consistently warm but not unbearably hot, to spending time in their homeland, 3-4 months at a time. Trung and I have been lucky to visit and eat our way through Vietnam’s largest city, and in our opinion, its best food city.
Vietnamese cuisine has really gotten a lot of attention and love in the U.S. over the past decade. But even I, someone who loves eating, traveling, and trying new things, could not conceive of the complexity of what Vietnamese cuisine has to offer, until I met Trung. Now I feel like I really do know a good amount! Look beyond the pho and banh mi and be ready to discover so much more of what Vietnamese cuisine has to offer. I knew there were a lot of French influences in Vietnamese cooking, but it really is mind boggling how well Vietnamese people used and re-engineered French staples (baguettes, paté, etc) toward dishes that are Vietnamese in essence or sensibility. They’ve made many aspects and ingredients from French cuisine taste so much more delicious.
The first year in Saigon, Trung and I were both enthralled purely by all the eating. This last time I was there in early December, however, I observed that Saigon is slowly but surely turning into a vintage shopping destination. It’s also a city with a lot of creative energy, and for that I love it. There’s an ever expanding crop of new boutiques, cafés, and brands coming out of the next generation of Vietnamese creatives. I’ve of course added my favorite shopping stops to this guide.
Last but not least, my great friend Ryan who is a Saigon local (born/bred/currently still lives there) has generously taken me up on the offer of guest editing this guide with me! Ryan is a multihyphenate who owns/operates Objoff, a fun concept store on the Saigon River, plus a vegan pop-up with his amazingly talented Buddhist chef mother. He’s also set to open a very chic new bar/café this year. Above all, Ryan is a social butterfly who loves to party, meet new people, and show them his city. He knows everyone, everything, and everywhere you need to go.
Let’s go! Đi thôi! ⭐️🍉🐬🪅🍍🌪️🎶🍈🪄🪩💭🪡🎹🩴🧋🎐
⭐️🪷Suea’s Saigon Guide🍧⭐️
Table of Contents:
(1) Food (Savory)
(2) Food (Sweet)
(3) Shopping - Homewares & More + Vintage Clothing
(4) Bars
(5) Notes + Tips
1) Food (Savory)
I think almost everyone I know goes to Vietnam to experience the food. I have come to realize this city has so much more to offer than it’s incredible cuisine but we obviously have to start here. There are more restaurants and food vendors in Saigon than any other city I’ve been to and it can be overwhelming! I’ve intentionally not listed or named things like “best” banh mi or pho, because there are just too many great places.
Quán Thuý 94 - Miến Cua- My favorite meal to get in Saigon. Well, it’s tied — this and the Banh Xeo spot (just below). Trung’s parents showed us this place on our first trip and we both became obsessed. One of those restaurants you might just come back to on the same trip/in the same week (like we did). They specialize in everything 🦀 crab 🦀 and they do NOT skimp! It’s crazy. Our favorite dishes are pictured above but the deep fried soft shell crab (with lettuce and herb wrap) is so insanely good. Must go! Also, look for the yellow awning. There is a restaurant with exact same name/similar-looking storefront just next door and they are the copycat version!