Ho Chi Minh City: Michelin Street Food Tour by Motorbike

Summary

Saigon’s real flavors on two wheels with local food riders

You’ll ride pillion through Ho Chi Minh City’s wild streets with local female guides, tasting everything from bubbling beef stew to sizzling bánh xèo crêpes and coconut plantains. Expect laughter over folding pancakes wrong, help scooping out snails at Ốc Đào, and plenty of stories between bites — all with easy hotel pickup included.

What’s the experience like?

We hopped onto the back of our riders’ motorbikes right outside the hotel — helmets handed over with a quick grin, the city’s evening air already buzzing around us. I’ll admit, I was nervous about weaving through Saigon traffic (it’s louder and more alive than any city I’ve known), but our guide Linh just laughed and said, “Don’t worry, you’re in good hands.” She was right. Within minutes, we were gliding past neon-lit shopfronts and smoky food stalls, the smell of grilled meat thick in the air. First stop: a tiny place for bò kho gánh — beef stew bubbling away in stone bowls. I dipped crusty bread into the broth and honestly didn’t expect that mix of star anise and something citrusy. Linh explained it’s breakfast for some locals, dinner for others. Time here feels bendy.

Next up was bánh xèo at this spot where families were crowded around low tables, tearing into huge yellow crepes stuffed with shrimp and pork. We tried to fold them up like pros (I made a mess; everyone laughed). There was also this pulled chicken salad — fresh herbs everywhere — plus chargrilled meats that left my fingers sticky and happy. At one point Li, another rider, taught me how to say “delicious” in Vietnamese (“ngon quá!”) but I probably butchered it because she burst out laughing. The best part was how nobody rushed us; we just sat there watching scooters zip by while the city kept moving.

I thought I’d be full by then but no — we headed off for bò lá lốt (minced beef wrapped in betel leaves), which sizzled on a little charcoal grill right at our table. That smoky leaf smell stuck to my hands all night. Dessert was chuoi nuong: grilled plantain smothered in coconut milk sauce, sweet and salty at once. The final stop was Ốc Đào for snails and seafood with cold Saigon beer — honestly, I hesitated at first (snails!) but Linh showed me how to scoop them out and dip them in spicy salt-lime sauce. Not bad at all.

By the time we zipped back through the city lights toward our hotel drop-off, I felt like I’d seen a side of Ho Chi Minh City most visitors miss — not just the food but the laughter and little moments with these women who know every shortcut and secret snack stall. My shirt still smelled faintly of smoke from those grills hours later. Sometimes when I think about that night, it’s those motorbike rides between bites that come back strongest.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Michelin street food tour in Saigon

• Meet female local guide
• Visit famous street food spots
• Try bò kho beef stew
• Eat bánh xèo Vietnamese crêpes
• Sample bò lá lốt grilled beef
• Taste coconut milk grilled plantain
• Enjoy fresh snails and seafood
• Drink Saigon Beer

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included on this Michelin street food tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are both included in your booking.

What foods are included on the Ho Chi Minh City Michelin street food tour?

The tour features bò kho gánh (beef stew), bánh xèo (Vietnamese crêpe), pulled chicken salad, chargrilled meats/seafood, bò lá lốt (beef in betel leaves), chuoi nuong (grilled plantain), snails & seafood at Ốc Đào.

Are guides English-speaking?

Yes, your guides are friendly and speak English fluently.

How do we travel between stops on this food tour?

You ride as a passenger on a motorbike driven by your female guide/rider.

Is this Michelin-rated street food?

The stops are certified by Michelin or feature dishes recognized by Michelin standards.

Can dietary requirements be accommodated?

You can advise specific dietary needs when booking or message after booking to arrange alternatives.

Is this tour suitable for children or infants?

Children must be accompanied by an adult; infants need to sit on an adult's lap during rides.

What times can I book this Ho Chi Minh City food tour?

You can choose breakfast, lunch or dinner slots to match your travel plan.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off right from your door, all motorbike transport with fuel covered, high quality helmet use for safety, rain poncho if needed (which made me feel oddly prepared), plus every meal from beef stew breakfast to late-night seafood — all guided by friendly English-speaking women who really know their city’s flavors.