10 Best places for authentic Vietnamese food in Singapore

Lim Han 14 May 2018

1/10
Co Hai Banh Mi
Tucked away in an obscure spot along Beach Road, Co Hai Banh Mi isn't the easiest to find. But, you can bet this eatery is worth every second of the travel. Run by Vietnamese people, this place serves up true-blue Vietnamese cuisine. Expect your order of Sliced Beef and Brisket Noodle Soup to come in a jiffy and your Co Hai Baguette to take a little longer. But, we promise the golden crispy baguette bursting with roasted pork, pate and fresh greens will transport you to the bustling streets of Vietnam with every bite.

359 Beach Rd, Singapore 199575

Photo: @adrww
2/10
Mrs Pho
You can't go wrong with pho - not when you're dining at Mrs Pho. This Vietnamese eatery boasts of hipster vibes with its neon signboard and tastefully rustic interior. But their interior is certainly not all they have to boast about. You won't be let down by the traditional food they have to offer, such as their Special Beef Combo Noodle Soup that's loaded with fatty brisket and bouncy beef balls, and their Dry Vermicelli with Pork Chop and Spring Rolls.

349 Beach Rd, Singapore 199570

Photo: @singaporeliciouz
3/10
Little Saigon
Situated at the heart of our local nightlife scene, Clarke Quay Central, Little Saigon is a classy eatery by day and a snazzy bar by night. Soak in the lively atmosphere at night in the company of delicious bites and wicked cocktails. Dive right into their Little Saigon platter which features crispy chicken wings, chili crab with mantou buns and fresh spring rolls packed with prawns and pork. End off the night dancing to top 40 hits with a glass of Hanoi Martini or Miss Saigon in your hand.

River Valley Road Clarke Quay Block E #01-02, Singapore 179024

Photo: Chope
4/10
Lang Nuong
We've all had our fill of K-BBQs but, how about V-BBQ? Not all of us can raise our hands to that. Take a trip to Lang Nuong for one of the most authentic Vietnamese dining experience in your life. From the stout wooden chairs to the old wall fans, everything about this barbecue joint will transport you straight into Vietnam. Each table is equipped with ceramic pots of charcoal, ready to smoke up your foods to grilled perfection. Go for their premium meat platter which promises succulent slices of pork belly, chicken thigh, seafood and vegetables. If you're not in the mood for a barbecue, you'll be delighted by the variety of a la carte dishes available.

18 Foch Rd, Singapore 209260

Photo: @bestfoodssingapore
5/10
sandwich saigon
Hailed as an alluring heritage site, Katong is also known for being a treasure trove of delightful eateries and hipster cafes. Seated along East Coast Road, Sandwich Saigon proves to be one of its underrated jewels. It's easy to pass by this inconspicuous little eatery without flinching an eyelid. But doing so would be a grave mistake as you'd be missing out on some of the heartiest dishes you could ever get in a casual Vietnamese eatery. Think generous portions of Rice Vermicelli with Grilled Pork Chop and Spring Rolls and hunks of juicy pork belly smothered by toasted crispy baguette.

93 East Coast Rd, Singapore 428792

Photo: @sandwich_saigon
6/10
Moc Quan
When you dine at Moc Quan, don't be surprised if the ingredients taste like they were whisked straight from the markets of Vietnam - because they were. The people behind Moc Quan make a weekly trip to Vietnam to personally hand-carry the freshest ingredients back to Singapore. If that doesn't assure you of their quality, I don't know what does. Although their menu is on the pricey side, you can assure you're getting every penny's worth with the dishes they'll be bringing to the table. Tuck into their freshly-baked banh mi for an unforgettable experience or their spicy Bun Bo Hue for a noodle soup dish with a kick.

81 Clemenceau Ave, 01-23, Singapore 239917

Photo: Moc Quan Facebook
7/10
Long Phung Vietnamese Restaurant
Many Easties would know that Joo Chiat Road houses a ton of humble yet excellent eateries, but not many have heard of this hidden gem. Long Phung Vietnamese Restaurant may look like a run-down eatery but its food is nothing like what its exterior hints at. Dishing out traditional Vietnamese fare, this place draws in substantial crowds during lunch and dinner times. If you make a trip down, be sure to order their Goi Cuon that's chockfull of vibrant greens, fresh shrimp and pork.

159 Joo Chiat Rd, Singapore 427436

Photo: @misstamchiak
8/10
Samsim Vietnam Cafe
They say never to judge a book by its cover - Samsim Vietnam Cafe will teach you just that. Another hidden gem along Joo Chiat Road, this modest eatery will surprise you with its solid Vietnamese food that won't damage your wallet. If you're craving for some piquant grub, be sure to get a taste of their blood clams with pork lard that's sure to tantalise your tastebuds. Otherwise, their traditional dishes won't disappoint you either.

235 Joo Chiat Rd, Singapore 427492

Photo: @lemonfilmblog
9/10
Little Vietnam Restaurant and Cafe
Don't be misled by their unassuming exterior of flimsy woven chairs and plain black tables - at night, Little Vietnam is packed with people and there's a good reason why. Little Vietnam serves up true-blue Vietnamese cuisine at alarmingly affordable prices. Don't believe us? Try their popular Grilled Lemongrass Chicken on Fresh Vegetables and Rice Vermicelli which boasts of juicy aromatic chicken and crunchy herbs.
511 Guillemard Road, #01-25, Grandlink Square, 399849

Photo: @nyamfoodnyam
10/10
Super Ngon Vietnamese Restaurant
Eat like a local Vietnamese here a Super Ngon Vietnamese Restaurant which prides themselves in their signature Beef Pho. Their slippery pho noodles drowned in rich beefy broth is the perfect remedy for a cold rainy day. Be sure to ask for a side of Quay Chien Gio, sticks of fried dough, to dip into your soup and enjoy. We promise your life will never be the same again after that.
#01-08, 466 Crawford Lane, Singapore 190466

Photo: @that_dex

Pho isn’t the only thing on the menu today – these are the 10 best spots for authentic Vietnamese bites, pho sure.

Not all of us here have roamed the quaint streets of Hanoi or peaked the Marble Mountains flanked by Hoi An and Da Nang. But, that doesn’t mean we can’t relish in the mouthwatering cuisine Vietnam has to offer. Hallmarked by its fresh, piquant and spicy flavours, Vietnamese food is a cuisine that everyone has to try at least once in their lifetime.

If you’re looking for a little spice just enough to invigorate your tastebuds, you’ll not be let down by the Bun Thit Nuong Cha Gio, a dry vermicelli dish tossed in a refreshing fish sauce and loaded with herbs, grilled pork and golden spring roll bites. For something comforting on a rainy day, relish in the soupy warmth of Beef Pho, a bowl of silky broad noodles swimming in beefy goodness.

While this cuisine is not the most common here in Singapore, the Vietnamese food scene is certainly picking up momentum with a number of eateries setting up shop in unexpected spots. We’ve rounded up 10 of the best places to hit up for true-blue Vietnamese cuisine. Try them pho your own good!

Lim Han

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