Ho Chi Minh City Food Tour Review: A Delicious Walk with 13 Tastings

So, thinking of eating your way across Ho Chi Minh City? I mean, is there a better way to experience a city than through its food? Well, the ‘Ho Chi Minh City Walking Food Tour with 13 Tastings’ just might be your ticket. Basically, it promises a real taste of Vietnam, going way beyond just the usual tourist spots. I took this tour myself, so here’s what you can, kind of, expect, what I thought, and whether it’s something you might really enjoy, you know, or should maybe skip.

First Impressions: Meeting the Crew and Setting the Stage

Alright, the tour started right in the heart of District 1, which is sort of like Ho Chi Minh City’s downtown, just super lively and filled with action. Basically, meeting the tour guide, who introduced themselves as “Tom,” was pretty straightforward. Tom, just full of energy, apparently had this real knack for getting everyone excited about the food. I mean, is it just me, or does a friendly guide really make or break these kinds of things? Before we even ate anything, Tom was already dropping little, maybe even cool, bits about Vietnamese culture, especially how it ties into the food we were just about to eat. That gave a better feel for what we were about to taste; I was also with a small group of about eight people, so it was small, kind of, personable, you see?

Tom had an easy, maybe real relaxed manner that really encouraged questions. I mean, I overheard some of the others asking everything from “Why do you guys put fish sauce on everything?” to “Is it safe to eat street food?”. Anyway, he handled everything, like, well. Apparently, it wasn’t just about stuffing our faces—Tom, in a way, really seemed passionate about sharing a genuine piece of Saigon with us, and, well, he wanted it done safely and consciously.

Tasting #1-3: Warming Up with Vietnamese Classics

Okay, so right off the bat, we jumped into things with, you know, Pho. Alright, Pho is the dish I associate the most with Vietnam. It’s the fragrant broth, the soft rice noodles, and the fresh herbs and spices; like your own, comforting hug in a bowl. I’ve eaten Pho too many times, so this wasn’t my first rodeo with it, yet Tom, actually showed us a few new ways to spruce it up, that is, with different herbs and a squeeze of lime.

Next on the stop? It was Banh Mi – the sandwich. The crusty bread was full of flavor that seemed to contrast the flavorings inside. To be honest, that simple sandwich always hit home. The last of the warm-up round were some fresh spring rolls, or Goi Cuon, so they call them here. Shrimp, greens, vermicelli noodles and a dipping sauce for the lot – not very complicated, but all balanced nicely. That first step did a stellar job setting us up for more. It’s the type of dishes you know from any corner Vietnamese shop across your region – it shows how far-reaching the cuisine can get.

Tasting #4-7: Hidden Gems and Local Hangouts

Alright, now, the tour really, really started to get interesting, I mean, it’s like we veered off the tourist map, kind of. We stopped at some little, somewhat unknown vendors that Tom clearly knew pretty well. The highlight here was definitely Banh Xeo, or “sizzling pancake.” Basically, I watched this lady expertly make one, pouring the batter into a screaming-hot pan. It looked, in some way, like an omelet as the sides and edges crisped to form what becomes a pancake once you add the meat, shrimp, and bean sprouts, and close the side up, so everything sticks in. We ate those savory deals wrapped with lettuce and dipped inside this crazy savory sauce. I’m glad I have photos because putting what went in those dishes is still not doing that street delicacy justice, is it?

There was also, in a way, a taste of Com Tam, a pork dish, a grilled, sweet dish with the right kick. Next, we visited another location known for its Bun Thit Nuong, which involved charcoal-grilled pork, vegetables and rice vermicelli. That mix and sauce turned a simple noodle and grilled dish up a few notches! These weren’t the kinds of spots you’d typically wander into if you were by yourself, you know, they were local haunts, so they say, doing business day after day. The kind, a little, too easily dismissed as too hole-in-the-wall. These spots, were in some respects where the real heart of Ho Chi Minh City seemed to be.

Tasting #8-10: Daring Dishes – Stepping Outside the Comfort Zone

Ok, now, I was getting a bit daring! Here, so we sampled some dishes that I would have thought twice, maybe three times about trying on my own. So, the first one was Balut, a fertilized duck egg. You might know it, it’s popular in the region, too. Okay, look. I’m being honest: It did require, like, a little mental preparation, but the taste actually surprised me! It had this weird, oddly rich flavor. Tom told us all it’s seen as quite the snack for a reason – protein loaded.

Next on the docket came Oc, the family of snails. Prepared with ginger, chili or lemongrass – some a little pungent. Tom instructed us to follow the sauce preparations to unlock each shellfish. The textures weren’t similar so some might get one snail better than others – there were zero wrong answers when it came to each serving. And, apparently, a helping of Che Chuoi, is one great way to mellow things out. I’m talking sweet desert right here, Banana, tapioca pearls, all stewed in coconut milk, so some might say, a perfect finish. After all this daring eating I’m beginning to question all my pre-judgments!

Tasting #11-13: Sweet Endings and Reflecting on the Day

The last few stops, basically, focused on satisfying that, kind of, sweet craving. We had some local fruit, that is, I had never seen before. So Tom even taught us the way you need to peel, eat them right without wasting a bit. And then, the main thing was Vietnamese coffee, I mean, prepared two different ways. The strong black coffee is something they really seem proud about, basically poured through that cool little metal filter. I was given a taste of egg coffee, a concoction with egg yolks that’s very strange but tasty. By then, so we were just relaxing, sitting by the sidewalk and soaking in the nighttime buzz. So it really felt like, yes, we’d crammed a ton of eating into just a few hours, and it had been very fun.

Then as we headed back, and that’s the last taste, I felt I had gotten more than just some food, a unique cultural lesson on the tastes of Vietnam. Basically, it goes way beyond the normal ‘Hey tourists – visit me!’ kind of tour. Also, walking helped burn the extra calories – just the best!

Would I Recommend the ‘Ho Chi Minh City Walking Food Tour’?

Basically, if you’re a food person, it would appear that “yes, absolutely!”. This tour is very real, you see? Forget the standard touristy version of the location – this tour takes visitors down small alleys, around corners into the soul of Vietnamese life. This tour is ideal for both nervous first-timers looking at tasting street foods and the travel pro. A fantastic tour will do it all with a skilled Tom doing the guidance so visitors come away much more worldly from experiencing some awesome meals.