The 9 Best Restaurants in District 10, Ho Chi Minh City

Bún đậu mắm tôm ranks as one of the smelliest dishes in Vietnam. Yet push past the pungent aroma and you’ll be rewarded with a whole new world of flavour. This bowl of noodles, tofu and shrimp paste (the culprit of the smell) is served with sliced meat, and garnishes such as mint leaves, chili, and lime. Bún Dậu Mắm Tôm A Canh in District 10 has spent years perfecting this dish. Thanks to its large portions, affordable price and courteous, quick service, it has earned a big reputation among residents.

Looking for something healthy? Thien Tam serves a plant-based of perfectly portioned but also extremely affordable dishes. Even their fish sauce is vegetarian, showing just how far they are willing to go the extra mile. Culture Trip recommends the hotpot and fresh spring rolls. Vegans are also well catered for.

XeLam Bistro is a modern establishment offering spacious interior and large tables that are perfect for ordering family-style. It is recommended you fill up your table with lots of small dishes. Order some chicken steamed with fish sauce, fried rice crackers, sweet and sour pork, stir-fried morning glory, coconut curry and some seafood – jumbo shrimp, sea snails – all accompanied by some mandatory white rice. The place gets packed on the weekend, so call ahead and reserve a table in advance to avoid disappointment.

Come to this humble restaurant for your chicken fix. Con Gà Nướng specialises in all sorts of chicken dishes, from boiled, steamed and curry plates to clay pot, roasted and grilled varieties, all dressed in different seasonings and flavours. Try the five-spice roasted chicken and remember to order some rice and greens. The hungriest diners can order a whole chicken for less than $10 (roughly 231,800 Vietnamese Dong). Make sure you don’t go alone – these dishes are meant to be shared over beer and good conversation.

This restaurant can get extremely crowded at night, when dozens of District 10 residents jostle for elbow room to enjoy the delicious, sizzling seafood. The prices are incredibly cheap as well – four people can dine for about $15. You may wish to avoid the crowds and come between meal times, but if you want the real local experience, Culture Trip recommends you go when everyone else does. Don’t be afraid to join a local table – they will be more than welcoming.

Hanuri is perfect for Korean food lovers craving some kimchi fried rice or a nice spicy bowl of bibimbap. The menu includes all your Korean favourites, including gimbap, tokkbokki, and at affordable prices from ($2-7 per item). The downside is that the place can get a little too crowded, but that’s testament to how delicious the food is. Come ahead of meal times and you’ll find yourself a seat.

Eden Restaurant is a very spacious venue, which makes it great for hosting events. The menu is also extensive to match the space, but the prices are a little above average. The good news is the food is delicious and the service is incredibly friendly. You can choose to sit indoors in air-conditioned bliss or head outdoors and surround yourself with greenery in the garden, which comes with a lakeside view.

Patrons at Happy BBQ can order ingredients raw and cook them up themselves over a charcoal grill. Make sure you order vegetables to balance the meat. This interactive dining experience is perfect for large groups.

Chut Chit Seafood is a makeshift street food stall that packs up and leaves when it’s done for the day, so be sure to get here quick. This humble venue specialises in masterful cooked seafood. Culture Trip highly recommends the snail with salted egg yolk and cheese. After you order, sit yourself down on one of the plastic stools and sip an ice cold beer.