For those of you looking to escape District 1 and see a different side of Ho Chi Minh City, you won’t find any easier jaunt than District 4. It’s only a few minutes away from the touristy areas, yet it feels a world apart from the glitzy high-rises in downtown. Here are the best restaurants in D4.
We think bún mắm is one of the most underrated Vietnamese dishes. It has all the best parts of local cuisine: noodles, seafood, veggies and a delicious broth. To try this wonderful dish, head to Quán Bún Mắm 144. This is the kind of place where you shouldn’t even bother asking for a menu. They’re famous for their bún mắm, so that’s what you should get.
Bánh Tráng Cuốn Bà Bắc is a popular spot for people looking for a cheap and delicious meal, especially students. This place has classic Saigon seating, with tiny stools on the sidewalk – but that just adds to the authentic feel of this restaurant. They serve good food at an affordable price, which is how you stay in business in this competitive city.
This restaurant serves some of the biggest and most impressive fish you’ve ever seen, which is just part of the reason why they’re famous. In addition to their spectacular selection of seafood and other Vietnamese dishes, they also have a variety of seating options – from indoor fine dining to relaxed outdoor seating with a cool view. If you want to experience some of the best local food in District 4, this is the place to go.
If you have a craving for chicken, burgers or stir-fry in District 4, let Mom’s Touch take care of you. They’re also easy to find, with a great location that really brings in the customers. They have all the typical fast food favorites – chicken burgers, wings and fries – but it’s nothing like other huge chains. This place feels like each meal is prepared with the individual in mind.
You wouldn’t expect to find amazing Mexican food in District 4, but that’s exactly what you’ll find at Tippy’s Mexican Food & More. They have all the classics you know and love: burritos, quesadillas, nachos and tacos – and all served with wonderful sour cream, which is actually pretty hard to find in this city. Mexican food is often disappointing in Southeast Asia, but not at Tippy’s. They’re damn good.
For your seafood noodles fix, Mì Ốc Hến – Tư Thuỷ has a bowl waiting for you. This little restaurant is classic Saigon, with aluminum tables, a food cart at the entrance and steamy noodle soups packed with fresh ingredients. This place will make any seafood lover happy.
Sushi Ko regularly features on lists of best sushi and Japanese restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City. For the quality this restaurant offers, the prices are an absolute steal. The cuts of meat they serve for sashimi are generous and tasty, and their combos will leave you feeling very satisfied.
The most popular dish at this restaurant is a kind of Vietnamese pizza that’s made from rice crackers and topped with all sorts of tasty things, including pork, egg, nuts and crispy onions. They also have salads made with mango and fried rice paper snacks that are perfect for sharing.
The air at Quán Khói is rich with the smells of grilled seafood and all kinds of sauces. This place is busy most nights, which means people know this a spot to find great food: beef, squid, okra, crab and so much more. Come with a group of friends and order food to share – and maybe a few drinks as well!
This is one of the most popular restaurants in District 4, and is crowded every single night. Large tour groups regularly stop here because they have plenty of seating and their food is good. It’s a place where you order lots of different dishes to share, which makes it a fun way to try new things. Snails are their specialty, but they serve a wide variety of options.