Top 5 Restaurants Over 50 Years Old in Ho Chi Minh City
Amid the rapid transformation of the city streets, Saigon’s cuisine still holds a unique charm thanks to long-standing eateries that have accompanied the city through decades of history. Below are 5 restaurants over 50 years old in Ho Chi Minh City that not only preserve their original flavors across many decades but also continue to attract large numbers of diners.
1. Bánh Mì Bảy Hổ – The Banh Mi Cart Over Eight Decades Old
Even though it is just a compact banh mi cart on the sidewalk, Bánh Mì Bảy Hổ has maintained its appeal for more than 80 years. What makes the brand special is the rich, creamy pâté, flavorful char siu pork, and the family’s secret-recipe sauce.
Long queues of people waiting, along with the owner’s lightning-fast technique of slicing the bread and spreading pâté, have become a familiar sight in the area.
Photo: Bánh Mì Bảy Hổ cart packed with customers lining up for rich pâté and char siu banh mi in District 1.
Contact information:
- Addresses:
- 19 Huynh Khuong Ninh, Da Kao Ward, former District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
- 193 Dien Bien Phu, Ward 2, former Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City
- 160 Huynh Van Banh, former Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City
- Hotline: 090 732 11 60
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/banh-mi-7-ho
- Opening hours: 5:30 AM – 6:00 PM
2. Nguyên Sinh Bistro – Early 20th-Century French-Vietnamese Culinary Style
If you are looking for a nostalgic dining experience with elegant Indochine style, Nguyên Sinh Bistro is a name you cannot miss. Established in 1942, it is one of the oldest cold-cut banh mi brands in Saigon.
Instead of pre-assembled sandwiches, guests at Nguyên Sinh are served a plate of ham, rich liver pâté, sausages, and imported fresh butter to accompany hot, crispy baguettes. The “aristocratic banh mi” experience of eating with knife and fork in a vintage space right in the heart of District 1 has created a fresh and highly appealing vibe that draws both locals and tourists.
Photo: Enjoying a plate of ham and rich liver pâté with hot crispy baguette in the “aristocratic” style at Nguyên Sinh Bistro.
Contact information:
- Address: 141 Tran Dinh Xu, former District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
- Hotline: 098 857 57 54
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NguyenSinhHaNoi/
- Opening hours: 6:00 AM – 9:30 PM
3. Phở Tàu Bay – The Legendary Northern-Style Pho in the Heart of Saigon
Opening its doors to Saigon residents in 1954, Phở Tàu Bay at 435 Ly Thai To is regarded as one of the outstanding representatives of traditional Northern-style pho in the South. For more than 70 years, the restaurant has remained faithful to the original recipe: a rich, savory broth fragrant with scallions, thin soft rice noodles, and generous slices of rare beef, brisket, and fatty flank.
Although the space is simple and unpretentious, it is always bustling with customers from early morning. The unique name “Tàu Bay” (Airplane), tied to old Saigon historical memories, continues to spark curiosity among young people writing food-discovery articles.
Photo: A generous bowl of Northern-style pho with clear broth, fragrant scallions, and abundant beef at Phở Tàu Bay.
Contact information:
- Address: 435 Ly Thai To, Ward 9, former District 10, Ho Chi Minh City
- Hotline: 0777 814 365
- Website: https://photaubay1954.com/
- Opening hours: 3:00 AM – 12:00 PM
4. Cơm Gà Đông Nguyên – Over 80 Years of Chinese-Style Chicken Rice Flavor
Cơm Gà Đông Nguyên is one of the culinary prides of the Chinese community in Cho Lon, with continuous operation since 1945. The brand has won over generations of diners with plates of boiled or roasted chicken featuring golden, crispy-yet-not-greasy skin, juicy meat, and authentic Chaozhou-style ginger-scallion dipping sauce.
The meal becomes even more complete when paired with traditional herbal stews served in clay pots. The blend of old-world atmosphere and modern touches has made this a frequent stop in many Cho Lon food-exploration series by food lovers.
Photo: Crispy-skinned roasted chicken rice served with traditional Chinese-style herbal stew at Cơm Gà Đông Nguyên.
Contact information:
- Addresses:
- 801 Nguyen Trai, Cho Lon Ward, former District 5, Ho Chi Minh City
- 53 Ha Huy Tap, Tan Hung Ward, Ho Chi Minh City
- Hotline: 1800 8383
- Website: https://comgadongnguyen.vn/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ComGaDongNguyen/
- Opening hours: 9:00 AM – 8:30 PM
5. Chè Cột Điện (Chè Châu Giang) – Chinese Sweet Soup Flavors of Cho Lon
Known popularly as “Chè Cột Điện” (Electric Pole Sweet Soup), Chè Châu Giang has been around for nearly 80 years (since around 1940). It specializes in traditional Chinese sweet soups such as egg-drop tea chè, turtle jelly, ginkgo nut chè, and cooling herbal soup. The light sweetness combined with medicinal ingredients creates a distinctive and hard-to-imitate flavor.
The nostalgic space next to an old electric pole, together with its rich and unique menu of chè, has become a familiar stop for young people exploring Cho Lon’s culinary culture.
Photo: Chè Cột Điện shop with nourishing Chinese-style sweet soups full of Cho Lon character.
Contact information:
- Address: 476 Tran Hung Dao, Ward 14, former District 5, Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening hours: 5:00 PM – 10:30 PM
These restaurants over 50 years old in Ho Chi Minh City are not merely places that preserve signature flavors — they are living museums of Saigon’s culture and people. If you have the chance to visit Saigon, don’t forget to set aside time to experience these five nostalgic culinary destinations!
