Saigon local food: What and where do the local eat great food?
We would like to bring you the best local food in town, where opens in only one hour a day or sometime you have to queue 30 mins under the 37 degree summer sun. They are not as cheap or convenient as street food stalls but believe us it is worth a try.
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Phở – Pho noodle
You couldn’t leave this dish out of the list, there are thousands of restaurants or food stalls serving this signature dish in two primary types of beef phos you can get in Ho Chi Minh, the Southern-style (sweeter, less spices in the broth, sometimes cuttlefish added to the broth as well), or Hanoi-style.
Hanoi was where the soup originated and while I love Saigon dishes, I recommend the northern Ha Noi broth. It is more savoury, with a heady aftertaste of cinnamon, star anise, and roasted ginger. It tastes denser to me, thicker with the spices, and regardless of whether I eat it with raw or cooked beef, it is a satisfying meal.
20 year-old Pho Phu Gia has wined local hearts and stomachs. Their business time is limited, 7-9 am and 5-9pm. Sometime you have to queue but no more than 15 mins. Pho will be served quick and very hot within 10 mins after ordering.
So, I have eaten many-a-pho around town but Pho Phu Gia – Best Pho in Ho Chi Minh stands out in Saigon which is fun to explore.
Restaurant name: Pho Phu Gia
- Address: 146E Ly Chinh Thang, 14 Ward, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening hour: from 5 AM to 9 PM (normally will out of stock after 8)
- Phone: 094 284 82 68
- Website: http://phophugia.vn/index.html
