Safe & Savoury: Best Restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City (Shellfish Allergy Tested)

Two of the best restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City that wowed us, and everywhere else we ate along the way with Shal's shellfish allergy.

James in front of the lush, lantern-lit entrance to Hum Signature Restaurant. It's equally atmospheric inside!

Eating our way through Vietnam was a little trickier than expected. Between Shal’s shellfish allergy and the local definition of “vegan” still enthusiastically involving oyster sauce, we had to wave a fond goodbye to the idea of eating exactly like locals or hardcore foodie travellers.

Those iconic plastic-chair spots spilling onto the pavement, all tiny technicolour stools, steaming bowls of pho and smoky BBQ? We admired them lovingly from afar while we focused on upscale or tourist-friendly spots.

Here’s our two favourite restaurants and honest reviews of everywhere else we ate:

1 | HUM SIGNATURE RESTAURANT

Hum Signature in District 1 is without a doubt one of the best restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City. It delivers moody elegance and knockout vegetarian dishes (pad thai and pineapple fried rice were standouts), making it a splurge totally worth the dong.

And seriously, don’t even dream of dropping in unbooked; they’re fully booked and strict about your reservation time. Book ahead and request a proper table on the main floor unless you fancy dining from a stylish sofa or being whisked away to less atmospheric sister restaurant upstairs.

James about to tuck into coconut chicken upstairs at Home Saigon Restaurant.

2 | HOME SAIGON RESTAURANT

The vibe might not be winning any ambiance awards at Home Saigon Restaurant in District 1, but you’re here for the food (and it's a value). The coconut chicken and buffalo luc lac were so good, we ate here twice. Ask your hotel to book you a reservation, it gets busy!

Shal at Ben Nghe Street Food: Proof that two coconuts absolutely count as a liquid lunch.

ADDITIONAL RESTAURANTS

TARTINE SAIGON

Our first stop straight after dumping our bags. A health-leaning brunch spot (but open until 10PM daily) with solid food. Overpriced by Vietnam standards, yes, but no card transaction fee was a small miracle given we had not yet located a cashpoint. Priorities. It's a local chain so there's a few Tartines dotted around the city.

BEN NGHE STREET FOOD MARKET

Conveniently near the Independence Palace and perfectly fine for a quick refuel. It is touristy, it knows it’s touristy, and it makes no apologies. Not the place for culinary revelations, but useful when hunger strikes mid sightseeing or you just fancy drinking a fresh coconut (or five).

CTY KITCHEN & BAR

Tucked inside an office building like a well-kept lunchtime secret. Chic, corporate and blessed with a cashpoint in the lobby, which automatically earns bonus points. The burgers were good, dependable, and entirely unremarkable in the best possible way.

VI QUE KITCHEN

This one got away from us. Highly rated, atmospheric and exactly the kind of vegan spot we had bookmarked with enthusiasm. Alas, the day unravelled, energy dipped, and our late lunch quickly became a couple protein bars eaten with mild regret. The intention was there, which surely counts for something.

Not quite the street-food fantasy we imagined, but still a tasty slice of HCMC, just with fewer plastic stools and a bit more air-conditioning.

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