2 Delicious, Popular Dishes Associated With Saigon People

Along with broken rice, Hu Tieu is the most favorite dish of Ho Chi Minh City people, prepared in two main types: dry Hu Tieu and soup Hu Tieu. In the heart of bustling Saigon, Hu Tieu and broken rice are not only dishes but also a part of the culinary culture of the people here.

Hu Tieu is a vivid example of the culinary cultural exchange between the Vietnamese, Chinese and Khmer people. With simple ingredients such as noodles, meat, shrimp and green vegetables, this dish not only reflects the richness of nature but also the diverse picture of local cuisine. Over many generations, Hu Tieu has become an indispensable part of Vietnamese culinary culture, contributing to enriching the cultural identity of the country.

1. Hu Tieu - Rich Traditional Flavor

My Tho Thanh Xuan Noodles - Distinctive Flavor

My Tho Thanh Xuan noodle shop is not only a famous culinary address but also a meeting place for souls who love and appreciate the quintessence of Vietnamese cuisine.

My Tho noodle soup has become a symbol of Southern Vietnamese cuisine, especially My Tho city, Tien Giang province. Behind each bowl of noodle soup is a story of history, culture and continuous creativity through many generations. Thanh Xuan restaurant, a familiar address for My Tho noodle soup lovers, is not only famous for its unique flavor but also a place to preserve and spread the story of this dish.

Interesting Story

Thanh Xuan Restaurant is not only a place to enjoy My Tho noodles but also a place to preserve interesting stories about this dish. One of the most told stories is about the origin of the restaurant, founded by a family from My Tho, who have devoted their lives to researching and developing the unique My Tho noodles recipe. They believe that to make a delicious and soulful dish, the chef needs to put love and meticulousness into every step of preparation.

My Tho Thanh Xuan noodle soup is not only a dish, but also a bridge between the past and the present, between tradition and innovation. Each bowl of noodle soup not only brings delicious flavor but also commemorates and respects the history and culinary culture of Vietnam. Coming to Thanh Xuan restaurant, diners not only enjoy a delicious dish but also listen to and share stories and meaningful culinary traditions.

Variations Through Generations

At Thanh Xuan restaurant, My Tho noodles are prepared using traditional methods but are constantly improved to suit the taste of modern diners. The restaurant's secret lies not only in the quality of fresh, carefully selected ingredients, but also in the way the ingredients are combined to create a unique, unforgettable flavor.

1. Unique Broth Secret
   The broth is the soul of Hu Tieu, and at Thanh Xuan, the broth is prepared according to a secret family recipe, combining the natural sweetness of pork bones and dried shrimp with special spices. The long bone simmering process gives the broth an unforgettable richness and sweetness, creating a unique mark that cannot be found anywhere else.
2. Fresh, High Quality Ingredients
   At Thanh Xuan, all ingredients are carefully selected, ensuring freshness and cleanliness. Shrimp are selected from the freshest ones, pork is always soft and sweet, along with standard soft and chewy noodles. The freshness of the ingredients not only highlights the flavor of the dish but also shows the restaurant's respect for customers.

Address in Ho Chi Minh City

Located in the heart of District 1, Hu Tieu My Tho Thanh Xuan has been associated with the people of Ho Chi Minh City since the 70s. With more than 50 years of operation, the restaurant has maintained the same quality of its dishes, bringing the original flavor. The dry noodle bowl here stands out with its signature sauce, which is not greasy and not boring. The noodles are blanched just soft enough, the noodles are chewy, mixed well with spices, accompanied by shrimp, minced meat, char siu, liver, intestines, and crab arranged evenly on top. In particular, the crab noodle soup at the restaurant is very popular.

The shop is open from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. every day, with prices ranging from 55,000 to 110,000 VND.

Hong Phat Noodles - Luxurious Destination

Hong Phat Noodles, located in District 3, is also 50 years old. This is one of the long-standing restaurants but still retains its unique features over the years with broth made from pork bone marrow, dried seafood and pork with a rich sweet taste. The dry noodle bowl here is very attractive with lots of crab, shrimp and other toppings such as meat and eggs. The restaurant focuses on service quality, comfortable and luxurious space. In 2023, Hong Phat Noodles was introduced by Michelin Guide as one of the must-try restaurants when coming to Vietnam.

The restaurant has 2 branches, at 389-391 Vo Van Tan, District 3 and 102A Xuan Thuy, Thu Duc City, with prices of about 100,000 VND/regular bowl and 124,000 VND/special bowl.

Hu Tieu Ho - Influence of Teochew cuisine - China

Mr. Do Khiem’s noodle shop on Dinh Hoa Street, District 8, has become a familiar destination for food lovers. Since 1955, Mr. Khiem has preserved and developed the square-shaped noodle dish, served with pork offal and pickles, bringing diners a unique culinary experience.

Hu tieu ho, a dish with strong influence of the Teochew people from China, gets its name from the traditional way of cooking. Tapioca starch is added to the broth, creating a characteristic thickness, making the dish more attractive. Unlike regular hu tieu, hu tieu ho uses thick rice noodles, cut into squares of about 3-4 cm, bringing a new feeling to diners.

Mr. Khiem’s restaurant only serves noodles with pork offal, pickled cabbage, and sometimes blood and fried dough sticks. The broth is made from pork bones simmered for two hours, giving it a rich and delicious flavor. Each bowl of noodles costs 55,000 VND, accompanied by pickled cabbage and homemade satay, making for a perfect breakfast. The restaurant is open from 6am to 11:30am, and is usually crowded in the morning, with about 170-200 bowls sold each day.

Aunt Nam Sadec Noodle Soup - Western Flavor

Hu Tieu Di Nam Sadec, located in District 1, has been in operation for more than 30 years and attracts many diners. The restaurant has a clean space, beautifully decorated with the main yellow tone and dishes with authentic Western flavors. The bowl of Hu Tieu at the restaurant is authentic Sa Dec Hu Tieu with thick and chewy noodles, clear, light broth, and rich seasoning. The price of a regular bowl is 51,000 VND and the special dry Hu Tieu is 72,000 VND.

Ha Ky Fish Noodles - Unique Flavor

One of the most famous noodle and rice noodle shops in Saigon is Ha Ky chicken and fish noodle. The fish noodle at this shop is considered to be "authentically" delicious with just the right amount of chewiness and a satisfying taste. The shop is located at 69 Ky Con, District 1, open from 6:30 am to 9 pm every day, with prices ranging from 60,000 - 70,000 VND/bowl of noodles.

2. List of Irresistible Delicious Broken Rice Restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City

Nguyen Van Cu Broken Rice

Nguyen Van Cu broken rice is known as one of the most expensive broken rice restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City, with a plate of rice with ribs costing up to 150,000 VND. Despite the high price, the restaurant is always crowded thanks to the large, thick pieces of ribs, marinated with standard spices and soft, fresh meat. The fish sauce at the restaurant is also very special, with the sweet taste of pickled shallots.

The restaurant opens from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day, with the cheapest rice dish priced at around 90,000 VND.

Ba Ha Broken Rice

Ba Ha broken rice in District 8 is also a place not to be missed. The rice plate here is full of hot ribs and delicious egg rolls. The restaurant opens from 4pm to 8:30pm every day, with prices ranging from 35,000-50,000 VND/plate.