Dec - 05 - 2025
The journey to find the best bun mam in Ho Chi Minh City is a dive deep into the heart of Southern Vietnam’s bold and aromatic cuisine. This complex noodle soup, famous for its potent fermented fish broth, is a true sensory experience that every food lover must try. This GTrip guide is your definitive resource, created to take you beyond the tourist trails and into the local eateries where authentic flavors thrive. We've mapped out everything you need, from legendary institutions in former District 10 to hidden neighborhood gems in Binh Thanh and former District 4. Prepare to explore the different styles of this Mekong Delta speciality, understand the key ingredients that make each bowl unique, and find your personal favorite.
1. Bun Mam Co Ba
- Address: 523/8 Nguyen Tri Phuong, Dien Hong Ward (former District 10), Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening hours: 9 AM - 9 PM
- Price range: 80,000 - 90,000 VND ($3.07 - 3.45)
Bun Mam Co Ba is a heavyweight contender for the city’s top spot, celebrated by locals for its incredibly rich flavor profile. The moment you enter, the unmistakable aroma of the broth sets the stage for a truly authentic meal. Each serving is a masterpiece of textures and tastes, loaded with a generous variety of fresh toppings, including tender squid, succulent shrimp, crispy roasted pork, and flaky fishcakes. Served with a heaping platter of fresh greens and herbs like banana blossom and water spinach, it allows you to customize the intensity and freshness to your liking. The consistent quality and robust flavors make it a must-visit destination for anyone serious about sampling genuine bun mam.
A beloved spot known for its intensely aromatic broth and generous seafood-and-pork toppings that deliver a bold, authentic bun mam experience
2. Bun Mam Sau Ken
- Address: 154 Nguyen Kim, Dien Hong Ward (former District 10), Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening hours: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
- Price range: 60,000 VND ($2.30)
Bun Mam Sau Ken is a beloved eatery in former District 10 that stands out for one glorious reason: its roasted pork. While the broth is authentically rich and flavorful, striking a wonderful balance between salty and sweet, the star of the show is the generous portion of crispy roasted pork that crowns every bowl. The crackling skin and juicy meat provide a delightful textural contrast to the soft noodles and tender seafood. The bowl is also filled with other high-quality ingredients, such as plump shrimp and fresh fish. This spot is particularly popular with locals who appreciate a hearty, well-rounded meal that delivers on both flavor and substance. For a reasonable price, you get a substantial serving that is both satisfying and delicious, making it an excellent choice for lunch or dinner. The bustling, no-frills environment adds to the authentic street food experience that defines Saigon's culinary scene.
3. Bun Mam Chi Yen
- Address: 61 Phan Van Han, Gia Dinh Ward (former Binh Thanh District), Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening hours: 7 AM - 12 PM
- Price range: 42,000 VND ($1.61)
Bun Mam Chi Yen is humble spot in Binh Thanh former District serves a delicious and comforting bowl of bun mam that is perfect for starting your day. What makes this eatery special is its focus on a cleaner, slightly lighter broth that is still deeply flavorful without being overwhelmingly pungent, making it an excellent option for first-timers. Despite its incredibly affordable price, the bowl is packed with quality ingredients, including slices of fish, shrimp, and savory pork. Open only for breakfast and lunch, it’s a go-to for locals in the neighborhood, ensuring you get a truly authentic experience. Bun Mam Chi Yen provides unbeatable value and an authentic local breakfast experience, proving that you don’t need to spend a lot to enjoy one of the best bowls of bun mam in the city.
A humble neighborhood favorite offering a lighter, approachable bun mam packed with quality toppings and incredible value perfect for a flavorful
4. Bun Mam 444
- Address: 375 Le Quang Dinh, Binh Loi Trung Ward (former Binh Thanh District), Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening hours: 9 AM - 9 PM
- Price range: 85,000 - 95,000 VND (~$3.26 - 3.64)
Bun Mam 444 is a well-established name in Ho Chi Minh City, known for serving a premium and incredibly generous bowl of bun mam. While it sits at a higher price point, the cost is justified by the sheer amount and quality of the toppings. Each bowl is a feast for the eyes and the palate, overflowing with a luxurious assortment of ingredients. You can expect large, fresh shrimp, perfectly cooked squid, thick slices of roasted pork belly, and delicious fishcakes, all swimming in a rich, dark, and fragrant broth. This spot is famous for not holding back, making it a perfect destination when you have a serious appetite. The broth itself carries the signature sweet and savory notes of the Mekong Delta style, making every spoonful a complex delight. For those looking to indulge, Bun Mam 444 offers a deluxe experience that highlights the premium quality and abundant variety of its seafood toppings.
5. Bun Mam Vui
- Address: 188/117/26A Khanh Hoi, Khanh Hoi Ward (former District 4), Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening hours: 9 AM - 4 PM
- Price range: 75,000 VND (~$2.87)
Tucked away in the maze of alleyways in former District 4, Bun Mam Vui is a true hidden gem that rewards those who seek it out. This spot is celebrated for its signature sweet and savory broth, which perfectly captures the flavor profile of the Western Vietnamese region. It’s slightly sweeter than many other versions in the city, making it incredibly appealing and well-balanced. The bowl is generously filled with a variety of toppings, including fresh squid, shrimp, and succulent pork, all fresh and perfectly cooked. The intimate, local atmosphere adds to its charm, giving you the feeling of discovering a neighborhood secret. It’s a great spot to enjoy authentic bun mam, offering a flavorful, home-style meal away from the crowds.
A hidden alleyway gem serving a sweet-savory Western-style bun mam packed with fresh toppings and home-style charm, perfect for those seeking an authentic local find
6. Bun Mam Mien Tay
- Address: 26 Nguyen Thien Thuat, Ban Co Ward (former District 3), Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening hours: 8 AM - 8 PM
- Price range: 70,000 VND ($2.68)
As its name suggests, Bun Mam Mien Tay specializes in the authentic flavor of the "Mien Tay" or Mekong Delta region. Located in the bustling food scene of former District 3, this restaurant is a go-to for those craving a truly traditional taste. The broth here is the star, delivering a powerful punch of fermented fish flavor that is robust and aromatic without being overpowering. It leans more towards the savory side, with a subtle sweetness that rounds out the profile perfectly. Each bowl comes loaded with a classic assortment of fresh ingredients, such as fish fillets, shrimp, squid, and roasted pork. It’s served with a vibrant plate of accompanying vegetables, including fragrant herbs like basil and perilla, which you can add to brighten the rich soup. Bun Mam Mien Tay offers a dependable and deeply authentic experience, making it a reliable choice for anyone wanting to taste the true essence of this Southern speciality.
7. Bun Mam Co 5 Dong Thap
- Address: Apartment Building, Lot K/011 Ngo Gia Tu, Vuon Lai Ward (former District 10), Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening hours: 9:30 AM - 9:00 PM
- Price range: 50,000 - 60,000 VND (~$1.92 - 2.30)
Bringing the distinct flavors of Dong Thap Province to Saigon, Bun Mam Co 5 is a fantastic spot for exploring regional variations of this iconic dish. Nestled within an old apartment complex in former District 10, the eatery offers a clear yet deeply savory broth, a hallmark of the Dong Thap style, with a distinctive aroma from high-quality fermented fish. Its signature bun mam is filled with tender snakehead fish and roasted pork, creating a wonderful combination of flavors and textures at an excellent value. In addition, the shop also serves a hearty fermented fish hot pot, loaded with fresh vegetables, seafood, and meats, providing a richer, shareable expression of the region’s flavors. For anyone seeking a slightly different take on Saigon’s bun mam, Co 5 Dong Thap is a must-visit destination.
Bun Mam Co 5 brings Dong Thap flavors to Saigon with savory bun mam and a hearty fermented fish hot pot, featuring fresh seafood, meats, and vegetables
8. Bun Mam Co Bong
- Address: 125 Nguyen Huu Cau, Tan Dinh Ward (former District 1), Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening hours: 4 AM - 4 PM
- Price range: 80,000 VND ($3.07)
Bun Mam Co Bong is a legendary spot in former District 1, famous for serving hungry locals from the crack of dawn. What makes this place truly unique is its incredibly early opening time of 4 AM, making it the perfect destination for early risers, night-shift workers, or those looking for a hearty breakfast after a long night. The bun mam here is classic and comforting, featuring a rich, well-seasoned broth that has been perfected over many years. Each bowl is generously topped with a satisfying mix of ingredients like shrimp, pork, and fishcake, ensuring a fulfilling meal to start your day. Despite its prime location in former District 1, the vibe is entirely local and unpretentious. Bun Mam Co Bong offers a delicious, authentic taste of Saigon’s street food tradition before the city even wakes up.
9. Bun Mam Phan Xich Long
- Address: 11 Hoa Su, Cau Kieu Ward (former Phu Nhuan District), Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening hours: 9:30 AM - 9:15 PM
- Price range: 60,000 VND (~$2.30)
Located on a street famous for its incredible density of food options, Bun Mam Phan Xich Long holds its own as a top destination in former Phu Nhuan District. This eatery is known for its consistent quality and a flavor profile that appeals to a wide range of palates. The broth strikes a perfect balance, it’s fragrant and savory with just the right amount of sweetness, making it very approachable yet authentically delicious. A standout feature here is the perfectly cooked toppings, especially the incredibly tender squid, which is never rubbery. The bowls are well-portioned and come with a standard, satisfying array of accompaniments, such as shrimp and slices of pork. The bustling atmosphere of Phan Xich Long Street adds to the dining experience, making it a great place to enjoy a fantastic meal while soaking in the vibrant energy of Saigon's food scene.
Bun Mam Phan Xich Long is well-balanced broth with tender squid, shrimp, and pork in a bustling Saigon street setting
10. Bun Mam Co Chinh
- Address: 108/20A Tran Quang Dieu, Nhieu Loc Ward (former District 3), Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening hours: 6 AM - 12 PM
- Price range: 50,000 VND ($1.92)
Bun Mam Co Chinh, near Kim Cuong Pagoda in former District 3, serves a delicious and affordable bowl of bun mam, perfect for breakfast or lunch. This small, unassuming eatery focuses on getting the fundamentals right. The broth is fragrant and flavorful, with a homestyle quality that feels both comforting and authentic. It has a beautiful balance of salty and sweet, showcasing the classic Mekong Delta style without being too intense. For its budget-friendly price, each bowl offers fantastic value, packed with essential toppings like shrimp, pork, and crispy fried shallots that add a wonderful aromatic crunch. Operating only in the morning, it caters to a loyal local clientele, which is always a sign of great food. Bun Mam Co Chinh is the ideal place to experience a simple, delicious, and traditional bowl of bun mam just like a Saigonese local would.
11. Bun Mam 47
- Address: 91A Le Quang Sung, Binh Tay Ward (former District 6), Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening hours: 11 AM - 9 PM
- Price range: 75,000 VND ($2.87)
Venturing into former District 6, Bun Mam 47 offers a taste of bun mam that feels deeply connected to the local community, away from the city center's tourist hubs. This spot is renowned for its generous portions and a robust, savory broth that will satisfy any serious bun mam aficionado. The flavor here is bold and unapologetically pungent, a true testament to its authentic recipe. Each bowl is a substantial meal, loaded with a diverse mix of toppings that often includes large, flavorful pieces of fish, plump shrimp, and savory pork belly. The restaurant has been serving the neighborhood for years, building a loyal following who come for the consistent quality and hearty servings. Visiting Bun Mam 47 provides an immersive local experience, allowing you to enjoy a powerful and delicious bowl of this Southern delicacy in a truly authentic setting.
Bun Mam 47 serves bold, savory broth with generous portions of fish, shrimp, and pork, offering an authentic local experience away from the tourist hubs
12. Bun Mam 144
- Address: 144 Khanh Hoi, Khanh Hoi Ward (former District 4), Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening hours: 6:00 AM - 9:00 PM
- Price range: 80,000 VND ($3.07)
Bun Mam 144 is a well-known establishment on Khanh Hoi street, a major food artery in former District 4. It stands out as a reliable, high-quality option that has been serving satisfied customers for years. The restaurant is praised for its clean environment and consistently delicious food. The broth is a key attraction, expertly balanced with a deep umami flavor from the fermented fish base, complemented by a pleasant sweetness that makes it incredibly moreish. The toppings are always fresh and plentiful, featuring a classic combination of juicy shrimp, tender squid, savory pork, and flaky fishcakes. This spot is popular with both locals and visitors who have heard of its reputation, making it a bustling but efficient place to get your bun mam fix. For a classic, no-fail bowl of bun mam in a comfortable setting, Bun Mam 144 is an excellent and highly recommended choice.
Best bun mam in Ho Chi Minh City isn’t defined by a single bowl; the city’s bun mam scene is a vibrant tapestry of flavors that reflects the rich culinary heritage of the Mekong Delta. This guide has armed you with 12 exceptional options, each offering a unique interpretation of this iconic dish. The true joy of this journey lies in the diversity whether you prefer a broth that’s intensely pungent or subtly sweet, the city delivers. GTrip - Vietnam Travel Agency encourages you to use this list to explore hidden alleys and discover the aromatic, unforgettable world of bun mam.
