Best vegetarian & vegan restaurants in Saigon at unbeatable prices
Being in a Buddhist country, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) offers a plethora of vegetarian & vegan restaurants to please all palates. Here we focus on local Vietnamese restaurants that follow old, traditional recipes.
1. Phở Chay Nu : Vegetarian Pho and Mì Quảng, Distict 1
Hours 6:00 – 22:00 | Address 54 Trương Quyền, Phường 6, Quận 3
For the land of Phở, it seems sometimes mind-boggling that there are not more vegetarian broth options than there are, but here at Pho Chay Nhu you will encounter the most authentic Vietnamese broth experience you could ever find, without a hint of meat.
Family run, this humble bastion of traditional Vietnamese cuisine is located on a small side street a stone’s throw away from Le Van Tam park Run by an extremely loud and friendly family bustling about serving and joking with their clientele, and the most delicious meat-free soups you can find in the city.
The Phở here is usually served with a plate of Veggie fried wantons and a small coconut rice cake, a delicate block of jiggly coconut jelly, covered in pickled veggies and nuts.
2. Ngo Quan Chay, Blue Collar Vegetarian in District 3
Hours 7:00-21:00 | Address 6A Lê Quý Đôn, Phường 6, Quận 3
For a wide range of hearty vegetarian options brimming with complex flavors, we recommend Ngộ Quán Chay in D3. Located a block opposite the War Remnants Museum, it’s a great, no-frills spot to beat the heat and expand your rotation of vegetarian go-to dishes.We started with the sweet and tangy coconut core salad paired with crispy rice chips.
Also not to be missed is their take on the iconic Bánh Xèo, a perfect pairing of light coconut batter encrusting mushrooms and bean sprouts, best enjoyed wrapped in a piece of wasabi arugula. To satisfy your tofu craving, opt for the salty tofu with mushrooms (Đậu hủ kho nấm), which is fried, submerged in a rich and maply sauce, and served with rice. If you happen to come alone we recommend the set Cơm trưa lunch. They serve it with a bowl of rice, soup and three sides. They change the set lunch on a daily basis and it’s always delicious!
- Set Lunch (11:30 – 13:00): 45K
- Bánh Xèo: 75.000 VND (it’s massive, one is best for sharing)
- Salads: 70-90.000 VND
- Salty Tofu with Mushrooms: 55.000 VND
3. The Organic Vegetarian Restaurant, D1
Hours 7:00 – 21:00 | Address 54 Lý Văn Phức, Tân Định, Quận 1
Raw salads and vegetarian curries ( coconut-curry-based), what else could you ask for? That’s not all they have, in fact their menu is enormous but why risk trying anything else when it’s that good? Truly the vegan raw salads, Vietnamese style with sweet dressing and covered in peanuts, are the best we ever had in Saigon. This might be a bold claim, but you’ll prove it a daunting task to prove us otherwise.
The Organic House is bold and classy, with ergonomic chairs that brace your back and buttocks in an awkwardly yet optimal position. A busy lunch crowd flock to this spot religiously for their daily fixings of healthy, organic and flavor-packed dishes.
- Raw Salads – 97K
- Curry – 97K
- Pineapple-Fried Rice (to soak up the curry) – 97K
4. “Bếp Thuần Chay”/ Vegan Kitchen in Binh Thanh
CLOSED – This restaurant has been marked “permanently closed”
While vegan options are beginning to crop up throughout HCMC, Bếp Thuần Chay in Binh Tanh sets the standard for creative takes on Vietnamese classics. Set up in an inviting, cafe-style storefront adorned with vintage bicycles, they offer an impressive range of options that will please both die-hard vegans and carnivores alike.
We started with their Goi Nam, a refreshing and tangy mushroom salad. On the heartier side, be sure to opt for their vegan bún chả or the suon chua ngot, an addictive dish of sweet and sour tofu sticks. Bếp Thuần Chay’s attentive staff will also be sure to offer a recommendation while you peruse the menu over a house-made, fresh-squeezed juice.
Price Range/ plate 60,000 – 150,000 VND
5. Quán Chay Chị Củ, Vegetarian Street Food in District 1
Hours 11:00 – 13:00 + 15:00 – 23:00 (irregular) | Address Trần Đình Xu ,Phường Cầu Kho ,Q.1, Cầu Kho
NOTE: Address is not as displayed on google maps, follow link above. Hours are very irregular, they offer different dishes at different times.
Quán Chay Chị Củ, in District 1, is a necessary early lunch stop for any “chay” enthusiast in Ho Chi Minh. Take a seat at an aluminum table in the modest restaurant and dig in to a no-frills, delicious roster of vegetarian favorites.
The main event is their ca ri chay, a fresh vegetarian curry served up in a smooth yellow broth. Be advised, however, to show up early—they often run out by 12:30 PM. Other noteworthy dishes include a perfectly crispy plate of wontons served with a sweet sauce, as well as the deceptively-simple, delicious com chua, or veggie rice with tofu.
Price range/ plate 20,000 – 50,000 VND
6. Pi Bistro a Cozy Vegan spot in District 3
Hours: 11am – 3pm, 5pm – 9:30 pm | Address: 19 Võ Văn Tần, Phường 6, Quận 3, Hồ Chí Minh
Home to one of the most extensive vegetarian menus we’ve seen, Pi Bistro brings creative dishes with depth. Step up the stairs to Pi and carve out a few extra minutes to marvel at the choices at hand. From a solid roster of curries to inspired appetizers like gyoza and creamy coconut rice balls to stir fries and soups, everything is made fresh and packed with flavor.
Our favorites include the mushroom curry, bringing just the right amount of heat and suited perfectly to a side of fluffy rice, and the rich tempeh with homemade black garlic sauce. For discerning vegetarians and curious tasters alike, Pi is a crowdpleaser, putting a unique spin on staple bases like tofu, seitan, and tempeh. Stick around for their rotating dessert menu, with specialties like crispy banana rolls topped with vanilla ice cream.
- Appetizers: 60K – 120K VND
- Main courses and curries: 75K – 150K VND
RELATED: Love coffee? See our guide to Vintage coffee shops in Saigon.
7. Man Tu Vegan for everyone, District 1
Hours: 11am – 2pm, 6pm – 9pm | Address: 14/2 Tôn Thất Đạm, Phường Nguyễn Thái Bình, Quận 1
A vegan buffet nestled into the bottom of a quintessentially Saigon building—stacked apartments converted into vintage cafes, restaurants, boutiques, and bars—Man Tu brings old school charm and deep flavor. The setup is simple: they set out a daily buffet, you grab a plate, and take what you want. Although their lunch service runs from 11 to 2, we recommend stopping by during the first hour or two of service in order to make sure you get the best choice of vegan delights. These range from rich curries to savory sautéed vegetable platters to spring rolls and stir-fried seitan.
The space is community-oriented and, as such, lets you play a part in the dining process. You serve yourself, clean your table, and, on the way out, choose how much you want to pay—it’s a donation-based system, letting each person pay what they think is fair in order to emphasize the ideal of accessible, good food for the masses. Stop in to Man Tu for a slice of calm and an inspiring vegan meal, then get lost in time wandering around the treasure trove that is 14 Ton That Dam.
A given day’s offerings: pay what you wish
8. A Di Da Phat – Hearty Vegan Lunch
Hours: 6:30am – 1pm | 114D Trần Quang Khải, Tân Định, Quận 1
Attached to a local Buddhist temple, A Di Đà Phật Quan Chay is a blue collar lunch staple in Da Kao ward and recently one of our favorite vegan restaurants. It is a buffet-style local eatery that cooks fresh fare and is clean, healthy and packed with that home-cooked flavor. From stuffed tofu, sautéed mushrooms, stewed jackfruit, roasted eggplant and a whole host of unidentifiable vegetables endemic to South East Asia the diversity of flavors and cooking methods this place has something for everyone. You can go back a few times a week, get something different every time and you don’t get bored of this whole-in-the wall street food style gem. The cherry on top? 30K for a plate of three main choices and one side of vegetables and a bowl of soup. Drive that home further, that is 1.30USD/1.07Euro/0.92GBP for a full lunch that is healthy and filling.
Insider Tip: The place is EXTREMELY popular with nearby blue-collar workers, so we suggest showing up at, or before, 11:30AM to beat the crowd.
