Street food is one of the real pleasures of time in Saigon, and it offers a very different experience from eating in restaurants or hotel dining rooms. Much of the city’s food culture happens out on the pavement, in market lanes and at small local stalls, where people gather on low stools for quick breakfasts, late-night snacks and everything in between. It is fast, informal, full of flavour and woven into the rhythm of everyday life.

What makes Saigon street food so enjoyable is the variety. You might find fragrant noodle soups in the morning, freshly made banh mi at lunchtime, grilled meats and seafood in the evening, and countless snacks, sweets and iced drinks throughout the day.

The southern style of cooking is often a little sweeter and more generous with herbs than in other parts of Vietnam, and meals are often built around fresh ingredients, bold seasoning and a balance of textures.

Street food is also one of the best ways to experience the city itself. Eating this way brings you into neighbourhoods, markets and local corners you might never otherwise discover.