Long lines in Ho Chi Minh City

The viral places people queue for, what to get when you reach the front, how long the wait usually is, and how to beat it. Waits are typical, not live.

5 places in Ho Chi Minh City · by Chef Amazing · updated October 23, 2026
Photo: Wikimedia Commons: Minh Nguyen, CC BY-SA 4.0

1. 1

   Bánh Mì Huỳnh Hoa

   Banh mi · District 1

   Get: The banh mi stuffed with pâté and cold cuts

   The most famous banh mi in Saigon. Expect: 15 to 30 min. Beat it: go mid-afternoon.

   Also on these lists: Breakfast and sandwiches in Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City: what to eat and where, New and hot in Ho Chi Minh City, The best bánh mì in Ho Chi Minh City.

   26 Lê Thị Riêng, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
2. 2

   Cơm Tấm Ba Ghiền

   Phú Nhuận

   Get: Broken rice with a giant grilled pork chop

   Grilled pork chops the size of a plate. Expect: waits at lunch. Beat it: go mid-morning.

   Also on these lists: Breakfast and sandwiches in Ho Chi Minh City, Old-school favorites in Ho Chi Minh City.

   84 Đặng Văn Ngữ, Phú Nhuận, Ho Chi Minh City · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
3. 3

   Phở Hòa Pasteur

   District 3

   Get: Phở with tái and chín beef

   A Saigon phở landmark. Expect: busy most of the day. Beat it: go before 8am.

   Also on the list: Breakfast and sandwiches in Ho Chi Minh City.

   Pasteur 260C, 72421 Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
4. 4

   The Lunch Lady

   District 1 (Đa Kao)

   Get: Whatever soup the kitchen is making that day

   Made famous by Bourdain, and still run by her family. Expect: lunch crowds. Beat it: go at 11am.

   Nguyễn Đình Chiểu, District 1 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
5. 5

   Ốc Oanh

   District 4

   Get: Garlic butter snails and grilled scallops

   Snail heaven in Saigon. Expect: waits at night. Beat it: go before 7pm.

   Map · Add to Chef Amazing