The Best Poke Restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Raw Organic Ahi Tuna Poke Bowl with Rice and Veggies
Raw Organic Ahi Tuna Poke Bowl with Rice and Veggies | © AS Food studio / Shutterstock
Hannah Stephenson

One of the hottest food trends of 2018, poke is a colourful Hawaiian salad that tastes even better than it looks. Consisting of rice, cubed raw fish and an assortment of tropical fruits and veggies, poke is a healthy and delicious choice for lunch or dinner. Read on to discover the best poke restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City.

A poke craze swept the world in 2018 and Ho Chi Minh City was not immune. There’s something utterly irresistible about those beautifully presented bowls and Saigon’s fashionable crowd fell deeply in love. Restaurants have mushroomed all over the city and new options are opening every other day. We’ve sifted through the salad to discover the best poke that Ho Chi Minh City has to offer.

1. Poke Saigon

Restaurant, American

A mixture of vegetables and meat in an Asian bowl with chopsticks
© Linda Hughes Photography/Shutterstock

You might think of the Poke Saigon as the ‘OG’ of Vietnamese poke, since it was the first to open in the city. Located on the second floor of the famed cafe apartment building on Nguyen Hue, this cute little restaurant is a hipster hotspot. Decorated with floral prints and an adorable vertical garden, Poke Saigon is a very charming place to enjoy a bowl. There’s also a second equally lovely branch at 42 Bis Ly Tu Trong, which also boasts an outdoor seating area.

2. Poke House

Restaurant, American

A poke bowl and fresh coconut
© David Ho / Poke House

Poke House’s stylish modern interior will have you falling in love as you consume your bowl of Hawaiian goodness. Their exceptional California bowl – made with tuna, egg, avocado and edamame – will be a firm favourite among the health-conscious but all of the choices here are fresh and delicious.

4. Ono Poke Co

Restaurant, American, Salad Bar

Ono poke store 1
© Jason Pham / Ono Poke Co

Nestled along Thao Dien’s busy Xuan Thuy street, Ono Poke Co serves up fresh poke to a loyal crowd of hungry expats. It’s a small, simple restaurant that also offers a range of more traditional salads for those who prefer chicken or eggs over raw fish. Delivery times are incredibly fast and the poke is always sensational.

5. Poke Fresh

Restaurant, American

Raw Organic Ahi Tuna Poke Bowl with Rice and Veggies
© AS Food studio / Shutterstock

Part of Thao Dien’s trendy Bloq, Poke Fresh is another expat favourite. It’s a quiet spot where you can enjoy your poke in peace and quiet and wash it down with a tasty fresh juice. For something a little different, try their original ‘I Love Vietnam’ sauce, which is inspired by the liberal use of fish sauce and dill in Vietnamese cooking. Trust us, it’s good.

6. Hebi Poke

Restaurant, American

Traditional Hawaiian raw fish salad
© Plateresca / Shutterstock

Poke tends to be a slightly pricier choice of meal in Ho Chi Minh City, but Hebi Poke provides a budget option without compromising on taste. One of Hebi’s bowls will only set you back 89,000 dong (a little under $4 USD), which is around half the price of most poke restaurants in the city. The range of toppings is a little more limited than many other places but they still offer all the basics, such as pineapple, cucumber and mango. Despite the lower price tag, portion size is still generous and all ingredients are fresh and delicious.

7. The Poke

Restaurant, American

Poke bowl
© ILEISH ANNA / Shutterstock

Located in District 1’s trendy Da Kao ward, The Poke is a lunch hotspot for Saigon’s young, fashionable crowd. With an extensive range of toppings and even an unagi bowl option, The Poke’s welcoming staff will help you to create your perfect bowl quickly and easily. This place is a great choice for both the health and the fashion-conscious.

8. Let's Poke

Restaurant, American

Poke Bowl with Roasted Sesame Prawns, Red Cabbage, Avocado and Cherry Tomatoes.
© Barbara Dudzinska / Shutterstock

Let’s Poke is a friendly and fun-loving restaurant that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Situated in District 1’s glamorous Vincom Mall, Let’s Poke is the perfect place to refuel after several hours of shopping. There are six delicious signature dishes on the menu, including Lanikai Poke (made with octopus and shrimp) and the vegetarian Maui bowl, or if you’re feeling creative you can always build your own. Let’s Poke offers a very generous amount of toppings and has a great range of protein options. As well as the standard salmon, tuna and tofu they also serve chicken, shrimp and octopus.

9. Poké

Restaurant, American

Hawaiian tuna poke bowl with seaweed, avocado and red cabbage.
© zarzamora / Shutterstock

Simply named ‘Poke’, this no-nonsense restaurant gets straight to the point with its dark, industrial-chic decor. Portions are generous, the ingredients are fresh and there’s even a selection of bottled craft beers available. Prices are also relatively low at just 79,000 dong ($4) for a regular bowl or 99,000 ($5) for a large. It’s no surprise that this spot has fast become a favourite with foodies and budget-conscious poke fans.

10. Poke Indian

Restaurant, Indian, Pakistani, American

Salmon poke with pickled cucumber, carrots, avocado and seaweed
© Magdanatka / Shutterstock

If you’re feeling adventurous, Poke Indian has changed up the traditional Hawaiian recipe to create a tasty fusion bowl. Basmati or saffron rice replaces the usual sushi or brown variety and instead of cubed salmon or tuna there’s chicken tikka or curried eggs on offer. It’s certainly an innovative way to enjoy poke and is a one-of-a-kind restaurant anywhere, let alone in Saigon.

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