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Motorbike Food Tour Ho Chi Minh City With Mr Nolan

Hello everyone!

My name is Nolan, a traveler passionate about local cuisine and culture. During my Vietnam trip 14 days, after visiting Hanoi, Hué, and Hoi An, I spent 3 days in Ho Chi Minh City. I was eager to experience the unique energy of this bustling city. From the moment I arrived, I was struck by the ever-present motorbikes, symbols of freedom and the daily rhythm of life.

For an authentic experience, I chose a motorbike food tour Ho Chi Minh with my guide from AUTOUR ASIA, a travel agency in Vietnam. I tasted several typical dishes and discovered another side of the city. In this article, I share my one-day itinerary in Saigon, including my favorite food stops, must-try dishes, and personal impressions. Join me for an unforgettable culinary adventure!

1. Start of Saigon motorbike food tour – Huynh Hoa Banh Mi and Café Bet

I began my motorbike food tour Ho Chi Minh with the irresistible aroma of Huynh Hoa Banh Mi, best food Ho Chi Minh. If you’re wondering what to do in Ho Chi Minh City, discovering this place is a true paradise for food lovers.

Located at 26 Le Thi Rieng Street, Huynh Hoa Sandwich Shop draws long lines every morning — locals, students, and Grab drivers alike all waiting to taste this famous Saigon Banh Mi. When I held the warm Huynh Hoa bread in my hands, I was amazed by its size. It looked big enough for two people, yet it’s meant for one! This Huynh Hoa Banh Mi, one of the most popular in Saigon, is famous for its generous filling: several types of cold cuts, ham, pâté, shredded dried meat, and a rich layer of aromatic butter. The baguette is crispy on the outside, soft inside, and perfectly balanced with fresh vegetables, pickles, and homemade sauce. The flavor is rich yet not too heavy, truly a culinary masterpiece you shouldn’t miss during your trip to Ho Chi Minh City!

After our first stop on this Saigon motorbike food tour, we rode to 30/4 Park, located across from the Independence Palace and just behind Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral. Beneath the green trees, locals sit on small plastic stools or newspapers to enjoy a refreshing cà phê sữa đá (Vietnamese iced milk coffee). This laid-back coffee-drinking style has become a true local culture — the famous “Cà Phê Bệt”. We joined in, sitting in a quiet corner, savoring our Huynh Hoa Banh Mi with iced coffee. It was a peaceful, delightful moment in the heart of the bustling city. In this vibrant yet relaxed atmosphere, I truly felt the rhythm of Ho Chi Minh City: simple, lively, and full of energy.

This first stop made me realize that a motorbike food tour Ho Chi Minh is more than just a food adventure; it’s an authentic way to understand the local culture.

So, if you’re wondering what to do in Saigon in the morning, start your day like I did, with a Huynh Hoa Banh Mi and a Café Bet. From the very first bite and sip, you’ll taste the true soul of Saigon.

2. Exploring Ben Thanh market and its local flavors

After our stop at 30/4 Park, our motorbike food tour Ho Chi Minh continued to the famous Ben Thanh market, one of Saigon’s most iconic landmarks. If you’re wondering what to do in Ho Chi Minh City, this is the perfect place to discover a wide variety of local dishes and sweet treats.

I wandered through the colorful stalls filled with clothes, bags, and souvenirs before stopping at a busy food stand offering bánh bèo, bánh bột lọc, and bánh ít trần, three specialties from Central Vietnam. I ordered a mixed plate with all three types of savory cakes, served with a small slice of Vietnamese pork sausage (giò lụa). The highlight was the sauce, a delicate balance of sweetness, saltiness, and a hint of acidity. The vendor topped each cake with dried shrimp, crispy fried shallots, and crunchy bits of toasted bread. The combination of textures and flavors was perfect: the bánh bèo was soft and silky, the bánh bột lọc slightly chewy with a caramelized shrimp filling, and the bánh ít trần simple yet full of aroma. For only 30,000 VND (around €1), I enjoyed three little gems of Vietnamese street food, a true highlight of my Saigon motorbike food tour.

For dessert, I tried a glass of ching bo leung (chè sâm bổ lượng), a refreshing sweet soup - a must-eat in Saigon for the midday heat. Its syrupy sweetness mixed with dried longan and red dates was incredibly cooling. To end on a sweet note, I enjoyed a soft, fragrant Vietnamese flan. Sitting in the middle of the market, surrounded by laughter and lively chatter, I could truly feel Saigon’s vibrant spirit. This simple yet memorable moment captured everything I love about a motorbike food tour Ho Chi Minh: discovering the city through its food and its people. If you’re wondering what to do in Saigon, don’t forget to visit Ben Thanh Market, one of the best things to do in Saigon to experience authentic local culture and cuisine.

3. Typical Lunch - Cà Phê Đỗ Phủ and Cơm Tấm Đại Hàn

Continuing my motorbike food tour Ho Chi Minh, I stopped at a hidden yet historical gem: Café Đỗ Phủ – Cơm Tấm Đại Hàn. This little café, located on Đặng Dung Street, may look simple from the outside, but every wall inside tells a story from old Saigon. Built in the 1940s, the house once served as a secret base for Saigon commandos. As soon as I stepped in, I felt its unique atmosphere: the old walls, the faded photographs, and even a hidden passage leading to an underground shelter. The owner passionately told me about the wooden cabinet that once concealed the tunnel’s entrance. It was a short visit, but a truly memorable one during my motorbike food tour Saigon!

After exploring the house, I tried their signature dish - Cơm Tấm Đại Hàn, also one of the best food Ho Chi Minh. If you’re wondering what to do in Ho Chi Minh City, this place is definitely worth a visit. The owner explained how to enjoy it the traditional Korean soldier way: gently squeeze the kimchi to release its juice, pour it over the rice, and eat each bite slowly without mixing everything together. In front of me was a generous plate of grilled pork ribs, fried egg, Vietnamese pâté, pork skin, kimchi, and morning glory. The combination of flavors was perfectly balanced, sweet, salty, and slightly spicy. It was both surprising and delicious, like a flavorful meeting between Saigon and Seoul.

Before leaving, I couldn’t resist trying their French butter coffee, a truly Saigonese specialty. The barista spread a thin layer of butter on the coffee filter before brewing. As the coffee slowly dripped, the aroma of warm butter mixed with roasted beans filled the room. The taste was rich and smooth, both bitter and sweet, very unique, very “Saigon.” Sitting in that old house surrounded by vintage objects like oil lamps, an old radio, a sewing machine, I enjoyed my coffee while reflecting on this one-of-a-kind lunch. From the decor to the flavors, everything told the story of the city’s soul. This simple yet heartfelt moment made my Saigon motorbike food tour even more unforgettable.

So, what to do in Ho Chi Minh City? If you love history and local cuisine, make sure to stop by Café Đỗ Phủ, one of the best restaurants Ho Chi Minh. It’s the perfect place to experience Saigon’s authentic culture and flavors, a moment you’ll never forget.

4. Afternoon Delights – Exploring Chinese cuisine in Saigon

In the afternoon, I continued my motorbike food tour Ho Chi Minh with a delicious stop at Hủ Tiếu Hà Ký, located at 69 Ky Con Street. This well-known spot is famous for its long history and traditional Chinese atmosphere. As soon as I walked in, it felt like stepping back in time — dark wooden tables, an old noodle cart by the entrance, and that irresistible aroma of fragrant broth filling the air.

I ordered their signature dish, Hủ Tiếu Mì Gà Cá, the restaurant’s most popular specialty. The noodles are handmade, wider than pho noodles, soft yet slightly chewy, while the egg noodles are thinner and golden. The chicken was tender and perfectly cooked, but what really surprised me was the fish: fresh, boneless fillets, delicately cut with a smooth, firm texture. The broth was clear, light, and subtly sweet, perfect to enjoy under the warm Saigon sun. A standard bowl includes two servings of noodles, which might feel a bit small if you’re hungry, but you can always ask for an extra portion with three.

Wondering what to do in Saigon? Don’t miss this restaurant Ho Chi Minh, it’s a must-try for food lovers. Simple yet refined, this dish captures the charm of Chinese cuisine in the heart of Saigon. There’s nothing better than continuing your Saigon motorbike food tour by discovering these cross-cultural flavors that blend so naturally into local life.

5. Unmissable Dinner – Seafood and snails at Ốc Bông

What to do in Ho Chi Minh City? In the evening, my guide took me to a small, bustling local restaurant called Ốc Bông, famous for its fresh seafood - one of the best restaurant Ho Chi Minh during any motorbike food tour Ho Chi Minh.

Sitting on the sidewalk amid the lively nightlife in Saigon and the vibrant street atmosphere, I began a true feast. The shrimp with passion fruit sauce was absolutely delicious, the slightly tangy and sweet sauce paired perfectly with the firm shrimp. The grilled oysters with cheese, as big as my hand, were creamy and full of flavor. The grilled snails with garlic and spicy fish sauce released an irresistible aroma, with tender, crunchy meat and just the right touch of heat.

I also tried steamed clams Thai-style, zesty and lemony, and grilled cockles with green pepper, perfectly seasoned. On top of that, I ordered spotted snails in salted egg yolk sauce and scallops grilled with chive oil. Every dish impressed me with its freshness and fragrant sauces, typical of Saigon street food at its best.

Between the laughter, street music, and lively chatter, I truly felt the warmth and friendliness of Saigon. This evening was the perfect finale to my Saigon motorbike food tour, a culinary adventure I’ll never forget. If you’re wondering what to do in Ho Chi Minh City, try an evening motorbike food tour. You’ll discover real local life, incredible dishes, and the vibrant soul of this unique city.

This motorbike food tour Ho Chi Minh was truly a journey of joy and discovery. Between the amazing flavors, the locals’ good vibes, and Saigon’s contagious energy, I felt deeply connected to the heart of the city and its culture. Every stop told a story, every dish made me smile, and every flavor revealed a bit more of Saigon’s soul. A huge thank you to AUTOUR ASIA, best travel agency in Vietnam, for guiding me through this flavorful adventure! If you too want to explore Saigon through its food and motorbikes, go for it, and let yourself be surprised by this unique and unforgettable experience.