Local guide · 43 places
Cholon food guide: where to eat in Saigon's Chinatown
Cholon is Ho Chi Minh City's historic Chinatown, spread across the old Districts 5, 6 and 11. Families of Cantonese, Teochew, Hokkien, Hakka and Hainanese origin have cooked here for generations, and it is one of the best neighbourhoods in Vietnam to eat.
Expect tiny noodle shops that have done one dish for decades, dim sum halls that are busiest in the morning, herbal duck noodles, sweet-soup shops and family-run Chinese-Vietnamese kitchens. Most places are cheap, cash-friendly and have little English, so every spot below shows its Vietnamese name for you to show a driver or the cook.
Before you go
- Go hungry and graze: share one dish at each place and keep walking.
- Mornings are best for dim sum and noodles; sweet-soup shops come alive in the evening.
- Carry small notes (10,000–100,000 dong). Many stalls take cash only.
- Ride-hailing apps are the easiest way to get there; Metro Line 1 does not reach Cholon yet.
The places
Dong Nguyen Chicken Rice
Cơm gà Đông NguyênCholonChicken rice institution in Cholon, running for more than 80 years.
Shan Dimsum
Shan DimsumCholonSmall but mighty Cantonese restaurant with good-value dim sum, sweet-and-sour ribs, coconut prawns and baked crab.
8,000-dong Noodle Cart
Hủ tiếu gõ 8K Nguyễn Duy DươngCholonTiny street cart selling noodle soup for just 8,000 dong a bowl. Open around 5pm–9pm at 20 Nguyen Duy Duong.
Phat Ky
Phát KýCholon40-year-old wok kitchen hidden in an alley at 11 Tan Hang. Famous for salt-roasted soft-shell crab and fried rice. Open 4pm–10:30pm.
Thiem Huy Noodles
Thiêm Huy Mì GiaCholon (District 5)Started as a street cart nearly 50 years ago. A favourite for herbal duck noodles, at 455 Nguyen Trai.
Dong Giang Restaurant
Đông Giang QuánCholonLong-running Chinese family restaurant in the Cholon area with a wide menu. Open 10am–9pm.
Mooncake Bakery, 187 Pham Phu Thu
Tiệm bánh trung thu 187 Phạm Phú ThứCholon (District 6)Three-generation family bakery making affordable mooncakes. Best visited before the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Teochew Rice Shop
Tiệm cơm Tiều Châu 68 Phan Xích LongCholonTeochew (Chiu Chow) family kitchen at 68 Phan Xich Long cooking classic Chinese home dishes.
Cholon Braised Pork Rice
Cơm Giò Hầm Chợ LớnCholonRice with slow-braised pork hock, at 529 Cach Mang Thang Tam, District 10.
Crab Noodle Soup 260
Bánh canh cua 260CholonThick crab-and-shrimp noodle soup with pork hock; add fried dough sticks. Open 6am–9pm.
Phuong's Hue Beef Noodles
Bún bò Huế PhượngCholonSpicy Hue-style beef noodle soup with beef, tendon, pork hock and sausage. Open early morning and late afternoon.
Vegetarian Noodles, 124B Ngo Nhan Tinh
Hủ tiếu chay 124B Ngô Nhân TịnhCholon (District 5)Huge pot of vegetarian noodle soup with napa cabbage and lotus seeds, served on the 1st and 15th of the lunar month, 6–9am. Expect queues.
Chinese Eatery, 147 Binh Tien
Quán ăn người Hoa 147 Bình TiênCholon (District 6)Packed, authentic Chinese breakfast spot in District 6. Open 6–10am.
Nguu Ky Noodles
Hủ tiếu mì Ngầu KýCholonEgg noodles with wontons and congee with century egg and tofu skin. Open 6–11:30am and 3–9pm.
To Ky Satay Venison Noodles
Tô Ký – hủ tiếu sa tế naiCholon60-year family recipe for satay venison noodle soup at 331 Minh Phung. Open 7–11am and 5–9pm.
Bitter Melon & Chilli Snack Stall
Khổ Qua Cà ChớnCholon (District 5)Famous snack stall at Phung Hung Market, known for Chinese-style stuffed bitter melon and chillies in broth. Its cheeky name is part of the fun.
Pork Rib Noodle Soup, Bui Huu Nghia
Bánh canh sườn cây Bùi Hữu NghĩaCholon (District 5)Thick-noodle soup (banh canh) topped with giant pork ribs, made famous after a celebrity recommendation.
Huynh Le Noodle Cart
Mì Gia Huỳnh LêCholonChinese egg-noodle and wonton cart with a 31-year family recipe. Open 6:20–10am and 4:30–9pm.
Minh Ky Chicken Rice
Cơm gà Minh KýCholonPopular, affordable crispy chicken rice in Cholon.
Wonton House 162 Ha Ton Quyen
Sủi cảo 162 Hà Tôn QuyềnCholon (District 11)Wontons packed with shrimp and pork on Ha Ton Quyen, Saigon's wonton street.
Buu Loi Ky Vegetarian
Bửu Lợi Ký – quán chayCholonChinese vegetarian noodles with fragrant satay broth and plant-based meatballs. Open 6am–1pm.
Sam Ky Herbal Duck Noodles
Mì vịt tiềm Sâm KýCholon (District 5)Herbal-braised duck with egg noodles in District 5.
Thuan Phat Chinese Stir-fry
Quán Thuận Phát (món Hoa chiên xào)Cholon (District 5)Chinese-style stir-fries and fried dishes in District 5.
Hao Hue Restaurant
Nhà hàng Hào HuêCholon (District 5)Chinese restaurant in Cholon, District 5.
Tien Nhan Goat Noodle Soup
Hủ tiếu dê Tiến NhànCholonUnusual hu tieu noodle soup made with goat, in Cholon.
Yukii Desserts
Yukii DessertsCholon (District 5)Chinese sweet-soup shop with pretty, photogenic desserts, including lotus-shaped sweets and a strawberry snow ice.
Dimsum 88
Dimsum 88Cholon (District 5)Dim sum restaurant on Nguyen Tri Phuong known for its trendy custard buns.
Bao Binh Eatery
Quán Bảo BìnhCholonNeighbourhood eatery in Cholon featured by a local TV news channel.
Co Lan Crab Soup
Súp cua Cô LanCholonUpscale crab soup with fish maw in Cholon, one of the pricier bowls in the area.
Cuu Long Restaurant
Cửu Long QuánCholon (District 5)Chinese-Vietnamese restaurant in District 5 praised by a local food vlogger.
Phuong's Noodle Shop
Quán Phượng (bún riêu, hủ tiếu)Cholon (District 5)District 5 shop serving both crab-and-tomato noodle soup (bun rieu) and hu tieu noodles.
No. 7 Vegetarian
Quán Chay Số 7 Chợ LớnCholonVegetarian restaurant in Cholon with a big menu, known for crispy vegetarian banh xeo pancakes.
Sidewalk Noodles, 187 Huynh Man Dat
Hủ tiếu vỉa hè 187 Huỳnh Mẫn ĐạtCholonCheap and tasty sidewalk hu tieu (around 30,000 dong). Evenings from 5pm.
Lam Thanh Sweet Soups
Chè Lâm ThạnhCholon (District 5)Long-established sweet soup shop in District 5.
Vinh Phat Hong Kong Duck Noodles
Mì vịt tiềm Vĩnh Phát Hong KongCholon (District 5)Hong Kong-style herbal duck noodles at 866 Nguyen Chi Thanh.
BaoZ Dimsum
BaoZ DimsumCholon (District 5)Dim sum spot in District 5.
Ai Hue Restaurant
Nhà hàng Ái HuêCholonClassic Cholon restaurant for a Sunday dim sum feast.
Ha Ky Sweet Soups
Chè Hà KýCholon (District 5)Chinese dessert shop with almost 40 sweet soups, running for over 30 years. Open 10am–10pm.
Thien Huong Crispy Chicken Rice
Thiên Hương – cơm gà xối mỡCholon (District 11)District 11 eatery known for crispy fried chicken over rice, Cholon style.
Luc Ky Noodles
Lục Ký (hủ tiếu mì xá xíu)Cholon (District 5)Egg noodles with char siu pork, and noodles with chicken and dried fish, in District 5.
Dat Thep Pho
Phở Đất ThépCholon (District 5)Pho shop in District 5 with generous toppings and a side bowl of blood pudding and egg.
Lamp-post Sweet Soup
Chè Cột ĐiệnCholon (District 5)Popular sweet soup (che) stall in District 5.
Tan Nha Eatery
Quán ăn Tân NhãCholonSmall local eatery at Hoa Binh Market, recommended in a Facebook food review.