Food & Receipts

Warm Up on a Rainy Saigon Day with These 5 Must-Try Dishes

A rainy day in Saigon calls for a cozy meal with loved ones. Warm up those rainy days and lift your spirits with delicious food and great company. Get inspired and check out these fantastic dining spots in the heart of the city!

Administrator

9 July, 2024

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The weather in Saigon is unpredictable, with sunny and rainy spells. If you’re wondering what to eat when it’s pouring outside, the following article suggests some interesting places to visit. You can enjoy hot and hearty dishes like hot pot, grilled beef, crab noodle soup, and more to warm your tummy on rainy days. Let’s discover the hottest spots right now!

1 Hot Pot

Hot pot is one of the top choices when dining out on a rainy day. There are numerous restaurants serving hot pot all over Saigon, ranging from casual to upscale. Some suggestions for a cozy meal on a rainy day include mushroom hot pot, Thai-style hot pot, goat hot pot, and more.

Hot Pot

Price range: Approximately 100,000 – 350,000 VND

Recommended places:

Chi Sen Hot Pot – Vinh Khanh, District 4
Cow Hot Pot by Thao – Ho Thi Ky, District 10
Dau Homemade – Nguyen Van Trang, District 1; Hong Ha, Tan Binh District

2 Bun Rieu

A bowl of hot and colorful bun rieu is the ultimate comfort food to fill your hungry belly on a rainy day in Saigon. With tasty ingredients like pork hock, sliced pork belly, crab paste, blood cake, fried tofu, and more, served with raw or blanched bean sprouts, you’re in for a delightful and heartwarming meal.

Bun Rieu

Price range: Approximately 20,000 – 55,000 VND

Recommended places:

Bun Rieu Bay – Ha, District 6
Bun Rieu Thu Nga – Nguyen Huu Hao, District 4
Crab and Snail Bun Rieu – Nguyen Thai Binh, District 1

3 Banh Canh Cua

Not just bun rieu, but also soft and fragrant crab noodle soup in a hot and sweet broth will capture your heart in Saigon’s chilly rain. Easy to eat and packed with nutrients, crab noodle soup is served everywhere, from fancy restaurants to street vendors.

Banh Canh Cua

Price range: Approximately 30,000 – 60,000 VND

Recommended places:

Crab Noodle Soup Tran Khac Chan – Tran Khac Chan, District 1
Crab Noodle Soup 14 – Tran Binh Trong, District 4
Crab Noodle Soup Hoang Lan – Vinh Vien, District 10

4 Porridge

Porridge is also a favorite choice for many on rainy days. Moreover, it is a simple and affordable dish that can be found at numerous eateries across the city. Each restaurant offers different types of porridge, providing a diverse range of options to choose from.

Porridge

Price range: Approximately 20,000 – 100,000 VND

Recommended places:

Squid Porridge Pho Duc Chinh – Pho Duc Chinh, District 1
Teow Porridge Co Ut – Cao Thang, District 3
Mrs. Hao’s Pork Rib Porridge – Tran Khac Chan, District 1

5 Grilled Beef

Savoring a juicy, well-marinated piece of grilled beef at one of Ho Chi Minh City’s famous grilled beef spots is an exciting option. Thus, smoky and fragrant grilled beef restaurants have always been bustling destinations for groups of friends and families on rainy days.

Grilled Beef

Price range: Approximately 30,000 – 300,000 VND

Recommended places:

Saigon Grilled Beef – Pham Van Dong, Go Vap District
Grilled Beef Street – Nguyen Chi Thanh, District 5
Cowhide Grilled Beef by Ut – Tran Hung Dao, District 5

The above are five suitable rainy-day snacks in Saigon that anyone should try. Hurry and indulge in these delicious and cozy dishes before the rainy season passes!

Frequently asked questions

Here are five must-try dishes to warm you up on a rainy day in Saigon: Bún riêu, a rice vermicelli soup with a tomato-based broth and crab or shrimp paste, is a comforting choice. For a heartier option, try Bò kho, a Vietnamese beef stew with French influences, served with bread or rice. Phở, Vietnam’s iconic rice noodle soup, is always a good idea, especially with its hearty broth and tender beef or chicken. Bánh canh, a thick rice noodle soup with a variety of toppings, is another satisfying option. Lastly, for a sweet treat, enjoy a warm bowl of chè, a traditional Vietnamese dessert soup with a variety of textures and flavors.

These dishes offer a warm and comforting escape from the rainy weather. The soups and stews are hearty and filling, providing a satisfying warmth from the inside out. The variety of flavors and textures ensures there’s something for everyone, and the iconic Vietnamese dishes are sure to brighten up a gloomy day.

These dishes are widely available throughout Saigon. Local street food stalls, markets, and small restaurants often serve the most authentic and delicious versions. For a more upscale experience, some restaurants specialize in elevating these traditional dishes with a modern twist. A quick online search or local recommendation can point you in the right direction.

Yes, absolutely! While the dishes mentioned typically include meat, it’s common to find vegetarian or vegan versions in Saigon. For example, you can easily find Phở with a vegetarian broth and tofu instead of meat, or enjoy a meat-free version of Bún riêu with extra vegetables and tofu. Bánh canh can also be made with vegetarian broth and various vegetable toppings.

Definitely! While street food stalls and restaurants offer convenience, making these dishes at home can be a fun and rewarding experience. Many recipes are available online, and with a bit of practice, you can recreate these comforting dishes in your own kitchen. Some dishes, like chè, may require more specialized ingredients, but most are accessible and easy to source.