Singapore’s Vietnamese food scene offers an impressive range of authentic dining experiences, from bustling street food stalls to elegant restaurants. With a sizeable Vietnamese population and close proximity to Vietnam, the city-state has become a hub for lovers of pho, banh mi, and other Vietnamese classics. This guide explores 15 standout establishments, each bringing their own unique flavors and atmosphere to the table.
Premium & Mid-Range Dining Experiences
Co Chung Restaurant
Locations: Plaza Singapura (B2-20, 68 Orchard Road) & Telok (4-5 Lorong Telok)
Co Chung represents the realization of a lifelong dream, serving beloved family recipes in a cozy, homespun setting. The Orchard outlet near Boat Quay tends to be cramped and crowded, so patience is essential. The restaurant excels at delivering comfort through familiar flavors executed with care.
Standout dishes include the refreshing cucumber and carrot salad with prawns and sliced pork, and the Nem Nuong Rolls featuring grilled pork sausage wrapped in rice paper with fresh vegetables and herbs. The Bun Thit Nuong Cha Gio is a hearty bowl of dry vermicelli topped with grilled meat, herbs, vegetables, and crispy spring rolls that showcases the restaurant’s commitment to traditional preparation methods.
Price range: Moderate
Best for: Family recipes and homestyle cooking
Long Phung
Location: 159 Joo Chiat Road
Established in 2009 along the vibrant Joo Chiat strip, Long Phung has earned its reputation through consistent quality and authenticity. The restaurant’s legitimacy is evident in its predominantly Vietnamese clientele, always a reliable indicator of genuine flavors. Recently expanded with a Chinatown Point outlet, Long Phung specializes in robust, flavourful dishes with diverse textures.
The spicy beef stew with rice, stir-fried cockles with garlic, and their perfectly fried spring rolls served with sweet dipping sauce are comfort food at its finest. The unpretentious approach to cooking lets the quality of ingredients and traditional techniques shine through.
Price range: Moderate
Best for: Authentic comfort food with local Vietnamese approval
Tre Caphe
Location: 75 Killiney Road
Tre Caphe has been expanding rapidly, positioning itself as a destination for “honest Vietnamese dining.” Beyond the standard offerings, the restaurant distinguishes itself with a thoughtful plant-based selection, including vegetarian pho and vegan grilled “sausage,” catering to Singapore’s growing demand for inclusive menus.
The hotpot offerings are particularly impressive for group dining, available with salmon fish head, beef tail, or beef. The charcoal grilled skewers with bamboo rice deliver insanely flavourful results, whether you choose chicken or pork. Traditional cooking methods and a homely approach to preparation make this a reliable choice for both newcomers and Vietnamese food veterans.
Price range: Moderate
Best for: Group dining and plant-based options
Moc Quan
Location: UE Square (01-23, 81 Clemenceau Avenue)
Moc Quan takes Vietnamese street food to an elevated level, working directly with chefs from Ho Chi Minh City to recreate authentic classics. While prices run higher than typical Vietnamese eateries, the restaurant compensates with impeccable service and premium ingredients.
The pho bo with sliced wagyu beef and bun thit nuong with barbecued Kurobuta pork exemplify the upscale approach. Vegetarian diners will appreciate options like sweet and sour vegetable soup and Vietnamese pan-fried carrot cake with green papaya salad, demonstrating that plant-based Vietnamese cuisine can be just as compelling as meat-centric dishes.
Price range: Higher-end
Best for: Special occasions and premium ingredients
Banh Mi Specialists
Hi Banh Mi
Location: Le Regal (01-15, 340 Geylang Road)
With its low tables and chairs populated by a majority Vietnamese clientele, Hi Banh Mi transports diners straight to Saigon’s family-run eateries. Owner Tammy Tran, originally from Vietnam, specializes in Southern-style banh mi with distinctive sauce variations. The cafe’s authentic atmosphere extends to its Vietnamese coffee, reportedly strong and legitimate.
The homemade special banh mi features a crusty baguette slathered with pork pate and Vietnamese-style Hollandaise sauce, packed with four types of house-cured pork including cha lua. The crispy roast pork banh mi offers an interesting Singapore-Vietnam fusion with sio bak filling.
Price range: Budget-friendly
Best for: Authentic Southern-style banh mi
Co Hai Banh Mi
Location: 359 Beach Road
Led by chef Nguyen Thi Hanh and her Vietnamese team, Co Hai Banh Mi has built a reputation on quality bread—they supply other Vietnamese restaurants, which speaks volumes. The small, charming space serves generous portions at wallet-friendly prices, making it a favorite among locals seeking value and authenticity.
The signature Co Hai baguette is a voluminous creation packed with hams, BBQ roast pork, pork floss pate, and mixed butter with egg. The stir-fried beef and cheese baguette offers an Asian twist on the Philly cheesesteak concept, while the roasted chicken version delivers juicy, tender meat in every bite.
Price range: Budget-friendly
Best for: Quality bread and generous portions
Banh Mi Saigon
Location: 505 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 8 (01-2668)
Better known as “Ang Mo Kio Banh Mi,” this takeaway-only spot shares space with a Vietnamese grocery and consistently draws queues of hungry customers. The transparent preparation process, visible through glass displays, adds an element of entertainment to the experience. With 13 varieties available, the selection caters to diverse tastes.
The banh mi thit, featuring three housemade Vietnamese hams, represents classic execution at its finest. For the adventurous, the banh mi pha lau heo packed with pork viscera including pig’s ear offers umami-laden complexity that showcases Vietnamese resourcefulness in using every part of the animal.
Price range: Budget-friendly
Best for: Variety and authentic preparation
Bami Express
Location: Block 5 Tanjong Pagar Plaza (02-02)
Operating since 2015, Bami Express has cultivated devoted fans through homemade bread and fresh ingredients. This humble hole-in-the-wall specializes in quick, satisfying lunches, with most customers grabbing sandwiches to go. The distinctive crispy crust and soft, chewy center of their baguettes provide the perfect foundation for housemade fillings.
The bami sai gon harmoniously combines stewed pork, pork ham, and pate topped with chicken floss. The bestselling bami BBQ chicken incorporates lemongrass and chicken floss for aromatic complexity. Authentic, value-for-money, and hearty, Bami Express delivers exactly what a good banh mi joint should.
Price range: Budget-friendly
Best for: Quick lunches and homemade bread
Pham Quyen
Locations: 440 Pasir Panjang Road & 308 Bedok Road
Founded by a Singaporean Malay man and his Vietnamese wife, Pham Quyen operates Singapore’s only halal Vietnamese bakery in Bedok, alongside a full-service restaurant in Pasir Panjang. This unique positioning makes Vietnamese cuisine accessible to Muslim diners while maintaining authenticity.
The traditional pho bo at Pasir Panjang features a generous serving of sliced beef, beef balls, and beef tendon in an aromatic broth painstakingly boiled for 16 hours. The Bedok outlet’s nine banh mi varieties showcase perfect crispy-chewy baguette ratios packed with flavorful ingredients. The extensive menu combines affordability with deliciousness across both locations.
Price range: Budget-friendly
Best for: Halal Vietnamese cuisine and extensive menu
Round-the-Clock & Late-Night Options
Miss Saigon Singapore
Location: Orchard Plaza (02-56, 50 Orchard Road)
Opened by the team behind Banh Mi Saigon, Miss Saigon addresses the critical need for quality late-night Vietnamese food in the city. Operating 24 hours, this cheap and cheerful eatery serves classics that satisfy midnight cravings and early morning hunger alike.
The banh mi chao presents a “deconstructed” approach, serving eggs, pate, and sausage in tomato-based sauce from a hot skillet with fresh bread on the side. Rice paper rolls and broken rice with grilled pork round out a menu designed for accessibility and comfort regardless of the hour.
Price range: Budget-friendly
Best for: Late-night cravings and 24-hour access
Lang Nuong Viet Nam
Location: 18 Foch Road
Touting itself as Singapore’s first authentic Vietnamese BBQ and hotpot restaurant, Lang Nuong operates 24 hours and enjoys strong recommendations from the Vietnamese community. The convivial atmosphere and friendly hospitality distinguish this eatery from more transactional dining experiences.
The premium meat platter brings together pork collar, pork belly, chicken thigh, seafood, and assorted vegetables, designed for interactive dining. Multiple sweet and savory dipping sauces enhance the cooked ingredients, turning the meal into a communal, engaging experience perfect for late-night gatherings.
Price range: Budget-friendly
Best for: BBQ, hotpot, and social dining
Nhung Kitchen
Location: 279 Balestier Road (01-02)
Hidden away in Balestier Plaza and operating until 3am, Nhung Kitchen represents the down-to-earth family-run establishment that many diners seek. Run by a Vietnamese woman and her Singaporean husband, this highly rated gem serves homestyle food that has built a loyal following.
The banh mi bo xao features perfectly marinated beef slices, while the grilled chicken with rice vermicelli demonstrates how simplicity and proper execution can create memorable dishes. Regular customers suggest pairing meals with Vietnamese coffee for the complete experience.
Price range: Budget-friendly
Best for: Late-night homestyle cooking
Neighborhood Gems & Budget Champions
Saigon Food Street
Location: 7 Jurong West Avenue 5
Saigon Food Street delivers extraordinary value, with beef pho priced at just $2.50. Run by Singaporean Steven Kok and his Vietnamese wife Tran Thi Giau, the stall serves treasured family recipes that have made it the westsiders’ go-to destination for authentic Vietnamese food.
The pho’s well-balanced, flavorful broth results from more than five hours of simmering beef bones with Vietnamese herbs and spices. The banh xeo—a wafer-thin, crispy pancake wrapped around shrimp, pork slices, and bean sprouts—showcases traditional technique at remarkably affordable prices.
Price range: Extremely budget-friendly
Best for: Best value for money in Singapore
An La Ghien Com Tam
Locations: 527 Bedok North Street 3 (01-514) & outlets in Geylang, Kallang, and Chinatown
When Vietnamese diners say they feel like they’re back home, you know the food achieves genuine authenticity. An La Ghien Com Tam operates as a quaint, homely HDB eatery serving pho, hotpot, and BBQ at wallet-friendly prices across multiple locations.
Start with plump, juicy oysters before exploring mains like fried red tilapia with rice paper and fish sauce, impossibly crispy minced pork balls in bun cha, or claypot stewed catfish with rice. The variety of hotpot and BBQ platters accommodates different group sizes and preferences, making this a versatile neighborhood destination.
Price range: Budget-friendly
Best for: Variety, value, and authentic homestyle cooking
Specialty Experiences
LeVie5
Location: 151 Upper Paya Lebar Road
LeVie5 specializes in ca phe trung (Vietnamese egg coffee), made by beating egg yolk into condensed milk until light and fluffy before pouring over coffee. This smooth, rich beverage achieves authenticity worth traveling for, positioning LeVie5 as a destination for coffee enthusiasts seeking traditional Vietnamese preparation.
Beyond the signature egg coffee, the menu includes coffee with coconut oil and refined butter, alongside Vietnamese comfort food like fried crab rolls and pork meatballs with plain baguette. The combination of specialty beverages and complementary food creates a complete Vietnamese cafe experience.
Price range: Moderate
Best for: Vietnamese egg coffee and cafe culture
Practical Considerations
Delivery availability: Many establishments including Co Chung, Long Phung, Hi Banh Mi, Tre Caphe, Pham Quyen, Co Hai Banh Mi, Banh Mi Saigon, Saigon Food Street, Miss Saigon, An La Ghien, and Nhung Kitchen are accessible through GrabFood delivery service, often with promotional offers.
Booking and planning: Popular spots like Banh Mi Saigon and Co Chung experience significant queues during peak hours. Arrive early or outside rush periods for the best experience. Takeaway-only establishments require different planning than full-service restaurants.
Authenticity indicators: Look for predominantly Vietnamese clientele, family-run operations, and traditional preparation methods visible in open kitchens. These elements typically correlate with genuine flavors and proper technique.
Final Recommendations
For first-timers: Start with Long Phung or Co Chung for well-rounded introductions to Vietnamese cuisine in comfortable settings.
For budget consciousness: Saigon Food Street offers unbeatable value, while Banh Mi Saigon and Hi Banh Mi deliver quality at extremely reasonable prices.
For late-night dining: Miss Saigon and Lang Nuong Viet Nam provide 24-hour access, with Nhung Kitchen serving until 3am.
For special occasions: Moc Quan elevates traditional dishes with premium ingredients and polished service.
For banh mi specialists: Hi Banh Mi, Co Hai Banh Mi, and Bami Express each offer distinctive approaches to Singapore’s best Vietnamese sandwiches.
For halal options: Pham Quyen stands alone in providing authentic Vietnamese cuisine that meets Islamic dietary requirements.
For coffee enthusiasts: LeVie5’s egg coffee represents traditional Vietnamese cafe culture at its finest.
Singapore’s Vietnamese food scene continues to expand and evolve, offering both nostalgic comfort for Vietnamese residents and exciting culinary adventures for everyone else. Whether you’re seeking street food authenticity or refined dining experiences, these 15 establishments demonstrate the depth and quality available across the island. The diversity of price points, locations, and specializations ensures that excellent Vietnamese food remains accessible to all, regardless of budget or neighborhood.