Saigon. A true culinary master. Legend, in fact. Get right down to the soul of this beast of a food city and spend three hours eating like a local on your own private food tour. It may seem like non-stop culinary decadence because that’s just what it is. And you’re gonna love it.
This tour is priced for a minimum group size of two travellers. A solo traveller may still book this private experience but will be charged the base rate for two travellers.
We all know Vietnam is an absolute legend when it comes to street food, and if you want to make the most of your time (and stomach space), you’ll want to head out with an in-the-know local to pick out the best of the best of Saigon’s street food. Put your eating pants on and follow us!
Our Saigon food tour kicks off with some authentic local appetizers such as Chao muc (a dry squid porridge) and xa xiu (Cantonese barbecued pork). Learn how Chinese food has been integrated into Vietnamese cuisine as you inhale the spicy flavours of the street stalls and watch local life unfold before your eyes in the heart of Saigon.
Our immersion into local life continues as we make our way to the corner of Nguyen Cong Tru and Calmette for a unique street food called banh bo banh tieu, which recalls memories of many Saigoneses’ childhoods.
This spot is also a good place to learn about Calmette and Yersin, the two disciples of Pasteur who greatly contributed to the health system in Vietnam. The Pasteur Institute in Saigon is the first one outside of France and was set up by Calmette, and the one in Nha Trang was started by Yersin – who was also the founder of the University of Medicine of Hanoi and discovered the bacteria that causes Black Death. This is why these three names are among the last remaining French names in HCMC.
On the way to our next food stop, we will pass by Chua Ba Thien Hau, which means the Goddess of the Sea. This former Chinese community house honors Chinese immigration to Saigon through the different periods of Cantonese, Teochew, and Hakka.
It wouldn’t be a true local experience without enjoying coffee the way Saigonese coffee aficionados do on a daily basis. We’ll head to a popular local gem of Saigon to enjoy a cup. We’ll show you the local style of taking your coffee and you’ll feel right at home!
Next up on our Saigon food adventure is another one of the city’s iconic street food dishes: bo cuon mo chai (barbecued beef meatballs) and fried rice flour cake with egg. These dishes are some of the most popular and preferred dishes by southerners, and you can find them everywhere, from street stalls to fancy restaurants. What makes them so beloved is that the ingredients are so strikingly simple, yet the tastes and flavors are truly unforgettable (we promise).
We’ll cap off our Saigon street food tour with, what else, street beer! At this street beer stall, we’ll outfit you with a cold Saigon beer with nuts, rice crackers, and local treats like deep-fried tofu with lemongrass or salted egg yolk with green chili. This is a great chance to mingle with locals – not a bad way to end the evening is it?!
We’ve reached the end, but your local guide is happy to provide tips for exploring the area further or assist you in getting a taxi back to your accommodation.
(If you’d prefer to travel as part of a regular group experience, please book our Saigon Street Food by Night group tour.)
This tour is priced for a minimum group size of two travellers. A solo traveller may still book this private experience but will be charged the base rate for two travellers.
Local English-speaking guide, all food and drink samples indicated in the itinerary such as chao muc (squid soup/porridge), xa xiu (Cantonese barbecued pork or duck), bo la lot (barbecued minced beef), fried rice flour cake with egg, and deep-fried tofu with lemongrass or salted egg yolk with green chili, one coffee or tea, one beer or soft drink with peanuts or rice crackers
Items of a personal nature, additional food and drinks, tips / gratuities for local guide.
Please present your voucher to the local guide at the beginning of the tour.
If you have your voucher, your booking is confirmed. We'll see you at the start point.
Get in touch if you have any concerns or require more information via the email address or phone number (business hours only) on your voucher.
Light and comfortable clothing is recommended
If you are happy with the services provided by your local guides a tip - though not compulsory - is appropriate. While it may not be customary to you, it is of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many Intrepid Urban Adventures destinations. Please consider this when budgeting for your extra expenses on this tour.
Please note that this tour visits independent, family-owned businesses whose operating schedules and menus may change. Therefore, street food venues and local dishes often vary; your local guide will make any final adjustments on the spot.
Children between the ages of 6 and 11 inclusively are permitted on this tour at the rate listed above. Please select ‘child’ above when booking. Children below the age of 6 are not permitted on this tour.
Chi Minh City Fine Arts Museum, 97A Pho Duc Chinh Street, District 1.
De Tham street, Co Giang, District 1
By accepting our offer in writing, you/you confirm that our terms and conditions have both been read and understood and that cancellation fees may apply if the trip is cancelled.
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