Bún Thịt Nướng (grilled pork with rice noodles) or the even more indulgent Bún Thịt Nướng Chả Giò (grilled pork with fried spring rolls) is a beloved Vietnamese dish. It features rice vermicelli, tender grilled pork, Vietnamese pickles, scallions with their fragrant oil, and a flavorful fish sauce dressing, all topped off with a crispy fried spring roll.
What makes this dish truly special is the incredible contrast of flavors and textures, all coming together in one delicious bowl. It’s one of the many remarkable culinary treasures of Vietnam.
The SaigonVibes team has tried 17 restaurants, and here is our list of the top 10 that we think you must try for bún thịt nướng in Ho Chi Minh City.
You might think this place is a bit touristy, given the number of foreign diners, but locals eat here too. Ordering is straightforward: they have an English menu, and the servers speak some English. Alternatively, you can simply point to a dish, and they will bring you a default bowl of everything for VND 65,000. The bowl contains two main items: grilled pork and deep-fried spring rolls, cut into chunks. Don’t forget to drizzle fish sauce over the food before eating, and there’s also a bulb of pickled Chinese onion (listed as ‘tubers’ on the menu). To finish off, try a cup of kumquat tea (which the vendor refers to as ‘lime tea’)
Bún thịt nướng – Nguyễn Trung Trực
Address: 1 Nguyen Trung Truc street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1
Note: One of the best in town
It was absolutely delicious! The combination of flavors and textures was truly outstanding. The grilled pork was tender and full of smoky goodness, perfectly complemented by the fresh herbs, vegetables, and tangy sauce. Each bite was a burst of delightful flavors that left me craving more. It was a truly satisfying culinary experience that exceeded my expectations.
In addition to the fantastic food, the service was top-notch. The staff were attentive and friendly.
If you’re a fan of this dish or looking to try bun thit nuong for the first time, I highly recommend visiting this restaurant.
Address: 175c Co Giang, Co Giang Ward, District 1
Located on a wide road, but with limited parking, the shop gets quite sunny in the morning, making it a bit hot. From the outside, it’s somewhat hidden and looks dark. The restaurant has limited seating, and the tables and chairs are low and cramped, so sitting isn’t very comfortable. However, the grilled meat here is soft and flavorful, the spring rolls are delicious and crispy, and the fish sauce is rich in flavor. The staff serve quickly and are enthusiastic
Address: 209/10/4 Ton That Thuyet Street, Ward 3, District 4
Very delicious, absolutely amazing! Besides bun thit nuong, they also have banh hoi; anyone who likes to eat rolls can enjoy those too. They even have rice paper rolls. A full bowl without spring rolls costs 40,000 VND, and with spring rolls, it’s 50,000 VND. The grilled meat here is perfectly marinated, and the pickled fish sauce is outstanding. I’d give it a perfect score of 10 out of 10!
Address: 27 Yersin Street, Cau Ong Lanh Ward, District 1
At the market, there are two stalls selling bún thịt nướng, but I decided to try Huệ’s stall. Finding it can be a bit tricky since it’s tucked inside Thai Binh Market. Look for the broken rice shop outside the market; you’ll find an entrance next to it. Drive or walk through that entrance, then look left to spot Huệ’s stall.
A full bowl for VND 35,000 includes a charcoal-grilled pork skewer, a piece of grilled meatball, and a fried spring roll, all delicious with the chili fish sauce. They even offer extra noodles for free! However, the market’s location means cramped space, and there can be unpleasant sewer smells. There’s also a nearby drink counter offering pennywort juice for VND 15,000. It’s a refreshing drink, but not necessarily the best pairing with bún thịt nướng.
Bún Thịt Nướng – Chợ Thái Bình (please search Thai Binh market)
Address: 165 Cong Quynh Street, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1
This place deserves more recognition than the Michelin Guide. The food is superb at unbelievable prices. The spring rolls are insanely good (spring rolls > grilled pork). You must try this place if you are in Saigon. The locals absolutely love it, and the prices are incredibly cheap for such a heavenly bowl of perfection. Each bowl comes with a hearty amount of greens, and the large bucket of fish sauce is at your disposal—add however much you like.
Address: 139 De Tham Street, Co Giang Ward, District 1
In the midst of a forest of seafood restaurants on Vinh Khanh Street, there is a late-night gem (open until 2 AM) offering something different: grilled pork with rice noodles. This eatery usually serves their specialty in stainless steel bowls. Unfortunately, during my visit, plastic ones were used, which diminished the presentation. The grilled pork was not quite what I expected; I prefer a deeper caramel color for that smoky-sweet flavor. Additionally, the fish sauce could have packed a richer punch. Overall, it’s still worth trying.
Address: 14 Vinh Khanh Street, Ward 10, District 4
Note: Opened at 4pm
Address: Alley 339/7-9 Tô Hiến Thành Street, Ward 12, District 10
There are many great bún thịt nướng places in Saigon, but make sure to visit Bún Thịt Nướng Nàng Thơ before anywhere else!
This spot was better than great—it was phenomenal! It exploded with flavor and had a fresh taste, with perfectly springy noodles and all the good toppings. What’s not to love?
The spring rolls were divine, and the portion sizes were great for an extremely reasonable price. The menu offers a few options, but they were sold out of the tapioca noodles when I arrived (it was quite late in the day, so get there early because this place is popular with locals for good reason). The staff were extremely friendly and attentive, and the establishment is brightly lit and clean.
A true hidden gem in Phu Nhuan District!
Address: 174/4 Dang Van Ngu Street, Ward 14, Phu Nhuan
Ms. Lan’s grilled pork noodle soup in the Thi Nghe area is a hidden gem. It’s a very small shop; from Thi Nghe Market, head straight to the Huynh Tinh intersection on Nguyen Cong Tru Street, and you’ll know you’ve arrived when you catch the fragrant smell of grilled meat.
I’ve noticed that grilled pork vermicelli is sold in the Thi Nghe market style, with lean meat cut into bite-sized pieces and grilled thoroughly until the edges are crispy, yet it remains juicy when you bite into it. The toppings don’t include wrappers or grilled spring rolls—just grilled meat. While it may seem simple, both are delicious. The spring rolls are large, with a crispy crust that isn’t soaked in oil, and the filling is very flavorful.
The jar of fish sauce is mixed to perfection, not too sweet, and the small vermicelli noodles are very absorbent. I’m satisfied with a bowl for 40,000 VND because it’s a delightful harmony of flavors. Adding spring rolls costs an extra 10,000 VND
Address: 55B Nguyen Cong Truc Street, Ward 19, Binh Thanh
