If you’re looking for authentic Chinese food in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City is the place to go, and locals will point you straight to Cholon – Saigon’s Chinatown. Spanning Districts 5, 11, and parts of District 6, this historic area has been home to Teochew, Fujianese, and other Chinese communities for centuries, shaping bustling markets based on a rich culinary scene.
From soy sauce and dumplings to noodles, rice, and mustard greens, traditional recipes remain intact in countless eateries. To make your choice easier, here’s a guide to some of the best Chinese restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City.
Cho Lon (Chinatown in Ho Chi Minh City): Where to eat and what to order?
Best Chinese food in Ho Chi Minh City starts in Cho Lon (Source: Internet)
Ha Ton Quyen Street (Former District 11)
Every shop on this legendary strip specialises in just one thing: dumplings. Wonton (hoành thánh), har gow (há cảo), and sủi cảo are the holy trinity: boiled, fried, or served in broth. If you want a Chinese restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City that does one dish to perfection, this is your street.
Nguyen Trai Street (Former District 5)
This is the most versatile Chinese food street in Saigon, spanning several kilometres, lined with chicken rice shops, roast meat restaurants, noodle houses, and dim sum parlours, all within walking distance of each other. A full day of eating Chinese food in Vietnam can be built around a single walk down Nguyen Trai.
Xom Dat Area (Former Districts 11)
Another more neighbourhood feel than the main boulevards. You can look here for steamed buns (bánh bao), traditional dim sum served from trolleys, and fresh hand-rolled noodles at prices the local community actually pays. No tourist markup, no English menus: just honest Chinese food in Vietnam.
Hai Thuong Lan Ong Street (Former District 5)
This area is famous for its century-old Chinese herbal medicine shops, but the surrounding laneways hide food spots that have been open for decades and never needed to advertise. Just step in and follow your nose to discover hidden restaurants that have never been on any list.
Around Binh Tay Market (Former District 6)
The District 6 side of Cho Lon is where Cantonese cooking runs deepest. Duck noodle soup (mì vịt tiềm), satay beef noodles (mì bò sa tế), and slow-cooked Chinese desserts (tàu hũ, chè trôi nước) fill the menus around Binh Tay. It is a quieter, less touristed alternative to the District 5 main drag.
Nuoc sam – A must-try Chinese herbal tea made with cogongrass and sugarcane in Cho Lon (Source: Internet)
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Explore the vibrant culture and culinary gems of Saigon with our Ultimate 4D3N Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary.
Top Chinese restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City for both travelers and locals
Chinese food in Vietnam and in Ho Chi Minh City is defined by bold, layered flavors alongside fresh and chewy egg noodles at the heart of many dishes. Below are 13 Chinese restaurants worth trying, offering everything from dim sum, roast meats to noodle soups and fiery Sichuan specialties to satisfy every craving.
Kowloon is one of the most talked-about Chinese restaurants in HCM City (Source: @cachep_)
Kowloon Bingsutt 九龍冰室 (Cửu Long Quán)
Set in the heart of Cho Lon, Kowloon Bingsutt is best known for its authentic Hong Kong bingsutt vibe and affordable, well-made dim sum. Highlights include classic har gow and siu mai of fresh, flavorful, and great value. The HK milk tea is also a standout and a consistent best-seller.
- Address: 74 Bui Huu Nghia St, An Dong Ward (Former District 5), Ho Chi Minh City
- Hours: 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM | 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Tiến Phát Điểm Tâm Hong Kong (Tien Phat Dim Sum)
Tien Phat Dim Sum is a long-running local favorite, known for its early-morning dim sum and loyal Chinatown crowd. Standouts are the har gow, pork ribs, and chicken feet, but the real surprise is the wonton noodle soup – which is voted as one of the best in the city.
- Address: 18 Ky Hoa St, Cho Lon Ward (Former District 5), Ho Chi Minh City
- Hours: 6:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Tien Phat Dim Sum is a long-time local favorite in ChinaTown (Source: @utcunggg)
Com Tho Xa Li – A solid pick for both locals and first-time visitors in HCMC (Source: Internet)
Cơm Thố Xá Lị
Xa Li Clay Pot Rice Restaurant is not only famous among the Chinese community in Saigon, but also frequently visited by Saigonese locals.
The restaurant has a rather small and unpretentious space, giving diners the feeling of having lunch at home. Because it feels just like home-cooked meals, the menu is quite simple, featuring only steamed and braised dishes. Must-try dishes include three-colored steamed eggs, braised pork kidneys, and pork ribs with snails and cordyceps. This is one of the few Chinese restaurants in Saigon that still maintains this unique cooking style, so it’s definitely worth a try.
- Address: 76/6 Ton That Dam St, Sai Gon Ward (Former District 1), Ho Chi Minh City
- Hours: 10:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Thiệu Ký Mì Gia
From the 1950s to the present day, Thieu Ky Mi Gia has remained faithful to the traditional Chinese way of cooking noodles. The egg noodles are handmade, soft yet chewy and fragrant with the aroma of eggs. The broth is light and sweet, simmered from bones for hours, and topped with carefully seasoned char siu pork, wontons. Despite the changing times, this small eatery maintains one of the favourite Chinese restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City, retaining generations of customers for over 70 years.
- Address: 66/5 Le Dai Hanh St, Minh Phung Ward, (Former District 11), Ho Chi Minh City
- Hours: 7:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Thieu Ky Mi Gia has been a familiar eatery to the Chinese community for over 70 years (Source: Internet)
FOODIE TIPS
Craving more flavors? Check out our ultimate guide on Where to Eat: 15 Must-Try Vietnamese Dishes.
Hong Ky Mi Gia is one of the most authentic Hongkong-style noodle in HCMC (Source: Internet)
Hồng Ký Mì Gia
Hong Ky Mi Gia is one of the most well-known Chinese noodle brands in the city, with multiple branches across central districts and a strong local following. It’s especially popular for its consistent quality, generous portions, and traditional recipes that have been refined over time. The signature mì vịt tiềm and crispy fried wontons stand out for their rich flavors and satisfying textures.
- Address: 16A Tran Quy Khoach St, Tan Dinh Ward (Former District 1), Ho Chi Minh City
- Hours: 6:30 AM – 10:00 PM
Truyền Ký Rice Restaurant
Truyen Ky is a nearly 80-year-old family-run restaurant tucked in a small alley on Ly Thuong Kiet Street. Specializing in Hakka-style cuisine brought by Fujian migrants, its signature dishes include steamed salted chicken, braised pork belly with taro, Dong Giang tofu, crispy fried offal, and mixed pork knuckle stew.
- Address: 39/20 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Minh Phung Ward (Former District 11), Ho Chi Minh City
- Hours: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM | 4:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Truyen Ky is a 80-year-old Hakka eatery in Ho Chi Minh City (Source: Internet)
Gia Phu Phuc Kien is a hidden spot for intense and authentic Hokkien cooking (Source: Internet)
Gia Phú Phúc Kiến
Gia Phu Phuc Kien stands out for its Hokkien-style cooking, offering deeper, richer flavors than typical Cantonese spots. Its signature Hokkien mee features thick, chewy noodles stir-fried in a savory prawn and pork broth, paired with braised pork belly and well-seasoned dumplings. This restaurant is a great option if you want something more intense and less common.
- Address: 513 Gia Phu St, Binh Tien Ward (Former District 6), Ho Chi Minh City
- Hours: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Hào Phong Seafood
Hao Phong Seafood is an one-of-a-kind Chinese restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City serving classic Cantonese-style seafood, ideal for those who appreciate fresh ingredients done right. Known for its live tanks and daily catch, the menu is varied with some dishes such as steamed sea bass, Cantonese steamed fish, roast platter and soft shell crab.
- Address: 473 An Duong Vuong St, Cho Quan Ward (Former District 5), Ho Chi Minh City
- Hours: 06:30 AM – 10:00 PM
Local Tip: The whole fish is ordered by weight, so clarify your cooking method when selecting.
Live seafood, bold flavors and true Chinatown experience in Hao Phong Seafood Restaurant (Source: Internet)
Cantonese cuisine combines with premium seafood in Song Restaurant (Source: Facebook)
Sông Restaurant 畔溪
Amongst many Chinese restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City, Song Restaurant stands out as a more refined take on Cantonese cuisine, ideal for business meals or special occasions. The focus is on fresh seafood: fish, lobster, and crab, … prepared with classic Hong Kong techniques. The menu is well-rounded, with dim sum, noodles, and lighter options.
- Address: 56-58 Le Hong Phong St, Cho Quan Ward (Former District 5), Ho Chi Minh City
- Hours: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Văn Hoa Restaurant
Van Hoa Restaurant stands out as an all-day Cantonese dining spot in Cho Lon, serving from dim sum in the morning to noodles and rice at lunch, and a full à la carte menu by evening. Popular picks in its menu are wonton noodle soup and dry egg noodles with char siu, while dinner expands to clay pot rice, seafood, and stir-fried dishes.
- Address: 68-76 Tan Da Street, Cho Lon Ward (Former District 5), Ho Chi Minh City
- Hours: 7:00 AM – 1:30 PM | 5:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Van Hoa Restaurant serves consistent Cantonese dishes any time of day (Source: Internet)
Ai Hue provides authentic Teochew cuisine in Ho Chi Minh City (Source: Internet)
Ái Huê Restaurant
Ai Hue specializes in Teochew (Chaozhou) cuisine, featuring light, delicate flavors focused on seafood and preserved vegetables. The restaurant’s best seller dishes are five-spice braised pork belly (lo bak), chilled suckling pig, steamed fish with preserved vegetables, and Teochew congee.
- Address: 412 – 418 Tran Hung Dao St (Ai Hue 1) | 338 – 350 Tran Hung Dao St (Ai Hue 2), Cho Lon Ward (Former District 5), Ho Chi Minh City
- Hours: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Tiệm Đồ Ngọt Tường Phong
Tuong Phong Dessert Shop is a well-known stop in Cho Lon and a local favorite for authentic Chinese food in Vietnam. With over 50 years of history, this small, no-frills shop captures the charm of old Saigon, where many customers sit on the sidewalk to enjoy their desserts. Must-try dishes are tofu pudding, egg tea, steamed egg with fresh milk, and snow fungus.
- Address: 83 An Diem St, Cho Lon Ward (Former District 5), Ho Chi Minh City
- Hours: 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Tường Phong is a 50-year-old Chinatown dessert spot (Source: Internet)
Chinese food in Ho Chi Minh City is more than just a part of the local dining scene, and eating in Cho Lon is not simply a meal but a journey through the flavors, traditions, and culture that have quietly shaped Saigon for centuries. So, just prepare yourself to visit some of these Chinese restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City, tasting the real history and experiencing the daily rhythms of local life through food.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Chinese restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City
Where is Chinatown in Vietnam?
The largest and most famous Chinatown in Vietnam is “Cho Lon” (Chợ Lớn), located in Ho Chi Minh City. It spans across District 5, District 11, and parts of District 6, serving as the historical and cultural center for the local Chinese-Vietnamese community.
What makes Chinese food in Vietnam unique?
Chinese food in Vietnam, especially in Cholon, blends traditional recipes from Guangdong, Fujian, and Teochew with local Vietnamese ingredients and lighter flavor profiles. You’ll find less oil and more fresh herbs, creating a perfect balance.
Are Chinese restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City expensive?
Not at all! While there are premium seafood and dim sum restaurants for special occasions, the vast majority of eateries in Cholon offer incredibly affordable and authentic dishes, with many noodle soups and dim sum plates costing just a few dollars.
