Ho Chi Minh is known for many things: the Vietnam Independence movement, bike-congested streets, historical attractions and most importantly, the freshness of their local delicacies. We don’t know about you but our food checklist is filled to the brim with goi cuon (fresh spring rolls), bun bo hue (spicy rice vermicelli soup) and their national dish, pho (chicken or beef noodle soup).
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The prime hotspot for halal foodscape in Ho Chi Minh would be District 1 where these little gems are scattered around the Saigon Central Mosque, Ben Thanh Market and Nancy Mosque. If you’re caught in the city’s hustle and looking for something to eat, let us show you around.
1. Kampung Pandan Restaurant
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Just a short stroll from Ben Thanh Market, Kampung Pandan Restaurant is one of the many halal finds you’ll discover in District 1. If you’re on a mission to sample Vietnamese delicacies, Kampung Pandan serves up Muslim-friendly versions of pho (beef or chicken), fresh spring rolls, chicken and giang leaf soup as well as thienly (jasmine flowers) with beef.
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#HHWT Tip: Table reservation is well encouraged prior to your visit to this restaurant.
*Do note that the restaurant has specific timing for certain dishes! We'd advise readers to check with the restaurant in advance to avoid disappointment.
Phone: +84 9 0937 6388
Opening Hours: Mon - Sun: 7:00am – 11:30pm
Price: The main courses are priced from VND 60,000.
Address: 53, Thu Khoa Huan street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh.
Directions: Situated on the north side of Ben Thanh market, nearby landmarks are the Independence Palace and Grand Silverland Hotel & Spa.
2. D’Nyonya Restaurant
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If your itinerary happens to lead you to this side of District 1, spend your lunch and dinner hours at this spot where their cuisine is largely laced with sweet, sour and tangy flavours. The city’s signature pho is in the house, alongside the local stir fried chicken with chili and lemongrass as well as coconut prawns.
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Phone: +84 8 3822 3902
Opening Hours: Mon - Sun: 7:00am - 10:00pm
Price: Main course is priced between VND 85,000 – VND 219,000.
Address: 56, Dong Du street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh.
Directions: 1-minute walking distance from Saigon Central Mosque. The nearby landmark is Starbucks Dong Du.
3. Pho Muslim
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If you prefer to sign off your Ho Chi Minh travel experience with pho and only pho, there’s an unassuming eatery that delivers to your specific craving. True to its name, Pho Muslim only serves two things: pho in the morning and bun bo hue in the evening.
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Imagine starting your day with the locals’ breakfast for champions a.k.a. a steaming bowl of pho - a Vietnamese noodle soup that comprises of a bed of rice noodles, tender beef slices and rich beef broth - don’t forget to brighten up the flavours with mint leaves, a bit of soy sauce and chilli paste. The evening bun bo hue is also a dinner favourite where this Vietnamese spicy lemongrass noodle soup is enriched with juicy slices of beef and fresh herbs.
#HHWT Tip: The restaurant isn’t open during lunch hours, so swing by early morning and late evening.
Opening Hours: Mon - Sun: 6:00am – 1:00pm (pho) / 4:00pm - 10:00pm (bun bo hue)
Price: VND 40,000 (a bowl of pho and a drink)
Address: District 1, Nancy Mosque, Ho Chi Minh.
Directions: The restaurant is located across the Trang Huang Do street from Ho Chi Minh City Police Headquarters.
4. Saigon Green House
Credit: Saigon Green House - Halal Restaurant on Facebook
If you need to break away from the city heat, swing by Saigon Green House for a bit of air-conditioning and a whole load of Malaysian and Vietnamese cuisine. They’re all about giving a good first impression that is easily translated through the wooden furnishing and mural-themed interiors to the neat menu selections.
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Aside from Malaysian favourites such as nasi goreng kampung to mee mamak, the Muslim-friendly twist of the Vietnamese classics is something you shouldn’t miss. Pho ga (chicken noodle soup) and canh chua ca (sour soup with fish) are delicious choices and not forgetting the goi trai buoi (grapefruit prawn salad). The best way to round off your meal is with a cup of local tra tac (Vietnam tea).
#HHWT Tip: If you’re interested to go for a quick manicure, the restaurant also shares the same space with Harmony Nail Spa.
Phone: +84 8 3825 0457
Opening Hours: Mon - Sun: 10:00am – 10:00pm
Price: The main courses are priced between VND 70,000 – VND 110,000
Address: 52, Truong Dinh street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh.
Directions: 3-minute walking distance from Ben Thanh Market and the restaurant is located opposite Mariamman Hindu Temple.
5. Halal @ Saigon
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Straight forward deliciousness and strategic location have made Halal @ Saigon a popular spot for lunch and dinner. Situated across the street from Saigon Central Mosque, you will find locals and tourists visiting this unassuming eatery for their Muslim-friendly menu.
Credit: HalalSaigon on Facebook
Apart from the fiery tom yam and nasi lemak rendang, the Vietnamese foodie in you would appreciate the servings of goi dua tom (young coconut shoot salad with shrimp), ngheu kho to (claypot baby clams) and goi cuon tom (fried shrimp spring rolls). Vegetarians, fret not, there is an array of meat-less delicacies for you too.
Credit: HalalSaigon on Facebook
#HHWT Tip: Online or phone reservations are best advised as the restaurant is popular among locals and tourists.
Phone: +83 8 24 6823
Opening Hours: Mon - Sun: 10:00am - 10:00pm
Price: The main courses are priced between VND 68,000 – VND 279,000
Address: 31, Dong Du street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh.
Directions: 1-minute walk from Saigon Central Mosque. The nearby landmark is Starbucks Dong Du.
6. The Daun Restaurant
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Now that you have developed a budding fondness for restaurants with a balance of Vietnamese and Malaysian/Singaporean dishes, The Daun is another recommendation on our list.
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While you utilise their complimentary Wi-Fi, equalise your focus on the Vietnamese side of the menu where local delicacies such as bong thien ly xao bo (stir fried thien ly flower), banh xeo (savoury fried pancake), fresh spring rolls as well as the city’s classics: pho and bun bo hue are served. Like all satisfying meals, remember to finish off with a cup of Vietnamese filtered coffee like the locals do.
Phone: +84 12 6424 3229
Opening Hours: Mon - Sun: 7:00am – 10:30pm
Price: The main courses are priced from VND 70,000 onwards.
Address: 194, Le Thanh Ton street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh.
Directions: 1-minute walking distance from Ben Thanh Market. The restaurant is located between Lavender Hotel and Ngan Ha Hotel.
Whether it’s the famous pho or the underrated bun bo hue, there’s always a dish in the city that will unleash the Southeast Asian foodie in you.
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