Get your fill of Vietnamese food in Singapore right here!
Think you know your Vietnamese cuisine? Well, there’s more to it than just bahn mi and pho. Don’t get us wrong, we love them as much as the next person. But dishes like goi cuan (fresh spring rolls), bahn xeo (Vietnamese pancake) and bun cha (grilled pork with noodle) are reasons why we keep returning to our fave Vietnamese restaurants. Read on to find out where to go when you’re in the mood for authentic Vietnamese food in Singapore.
Best restaurants for Vietnamese food in Singapore
1. Paper Rice
This Vietnamese concept by the Arteastiq Group takes you through the rich gastronomic history of Vietnam. After going through extensive amounts of research and learning from chefs and home cooks from Vietnam, chef Yip has created a menu that pays homage to the cuisine. Get bowls of pho topped with beef brisket, shank, or meatballs alongside soft rice noodles. There’s also a selection of banh mi here that you can choose from. Don’t forget to get sides like spring rolls and a cup of egg milk coffee.
Paper Rice, B1-26/27, Changi City Point, 5 Changi Business Park Central, Singapore 486038
2. Sandwich Saigon
What happens when a Taiwanese guy meets a Vietnamese girl? They fall in love and open a little Vietnamese restaurant in Singapore, of course. With a shared passion for food, Sandwich Saigon’s founders started their business to fulfil a lifelong dream. Founder Kelly’s family operates a banh mi factory in Vietnam, and she uses their family recipe to recreate authentic banh mi baguettes right here in Singapore. While traditional banh mis include ingredients like meat, the ones at Sandwich Saigon come in several meat-free and vegan flavours. There are options for everyone!
Sandwich Saigon, 93 East Coast Road, Singapore 428792
3. Co Hai Banh Mi & Pho
If you spot a bright turquoise store, you’ll know you’ve found Co Hai Banh Mi & Pho. This lesser known spot has been around along this vibrant road. As you can guess from the name, this establishment is revered for its banh mi creations. The bread used is made in-house daily and comes in a wide variety of flavours, stuffed with ingredients like ham, pickled vegetables, and chicken. And if you’re looking for something more filling, you’ve got noodle and rice dishes to choose from!
Co Hai Banh Mi & Pho, 359 Beach Road, Singapore 199575
4. Fat Saigon Boy
Popular in Singapore’s Vietnamese food scene, Fat Saigon Boy will hook you up with steaming bowls of beef, BBQ chicken strips and vegetarian fried tofu pho. Fans of Vietnamese cuisine will find all your favourites here! But, you may be surprised to discover the restaurant’s Australian roots when you chance upon creations like cheeseburger spring rolls.
Fat Saigon Boy, multiple locations including Science Park Drive and Biopolis road
5. Red Sparrow
Situated in the lush enclave of Dempsey Hill, Red Sparrow is the answer to your cravings for a homecooked Vietnamese meal in Singapore. The extensive menu features classic dishes alongside lesser-known gems. That includes pho, bun cha, an assortment of fresh spring rolls, tom nuong (chargrilled tiger prawns), thit kho tau (pork belly braised in coconut and soy sauce glaze) and canh chua (sour soup). All of this is wrapped in a cosy setting of oriental lamps and wall murals.
Red Sparrow, #01-18, Dempsey Hill, 11 Dempsey Road, Singapore 249673
6. Long Phung
Founded by a Vietnamese lady over a decade ago, Long Phung offers a slice of Saigon in the charming ‘hood of Joo Chiat. Like many of the Vietnamese restaurants mentioned above, this place is pretty modest with its rustic furnishings. Oh, and the Vietnamese music playing in the background adds a nice little touch to the cosy ambience. Food-wise, we recommend dishes like steamed shellfish with lemongrass, com suon (pork chop rice) and hu tieu kho (dry noodles with quail egg, pork and prawns). Plus, there’s always the reliable beef pho for those who want something classic.
Long Phung, 159 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427436
7. La Saigon
Beyond the food, Vietnamese cuisine is also known for its wicked coffee. For an authentic brew, head down to La Saigon. These folks source their beans from farmers in the volcanic highlands of Vietnam, so you know it’s the real deal. As you wait for the drip coffee to release all its caffeinated goodness, tuck into a modest selection of bahn mi.
La Saigon, #01-04, The Domain, 914 East Coast Road, Singapore 459108
8. Little Vietnam
Don’t be fooled by its moniker. Little Vietnam is big on flavours when it comes to food. On the menu, you’ll see familiar favourites like fried spring rolls, grilled prawns, beef pho and Vietnamese pancakes. Best of all, the alfresco area is right next to Geylang River, making it a great waterfront dining experience (that doesn’t break the bank).
Little Vietnam, #01-26, Grandlink Square, 511 Guillemard Road, Singapore 399849
9. Lang Nuong Vietnam
Just like Korean, Japanese and Thai cuisine, Vietnamese fare also offers barbecued meats. Heavy on marinades and grilled over charcoal, Vietnamese BBQ is a common sight on the streets of Ho Chi Minh City. Capturing that unique streetside experience is what Lang Nuong Vietnam specialises in. Its austere interior – think low tables and chairs, plus caseless fans – serves as a backdrop to its platters of meat and seafood. Mix all that with the aroma of BBQ smoke, and you’ve got an unforgettable Vietnamese dining experience in the Little Red Dot.
Lang Nuong Vietnam, 18 Foch Road, Singapore 209260
10. Mrs Pho
If its moniker is anything to go by, its speciality has to be pho. On top of the standard beef and chicken variation, there’s the Bun Bo Hue. Made with spicy beef broth and beef brisket, this pho bites back. Other must-tries include stewed chicken wings with lemongrass, Saigon chilli prawns and cockles stir-fried with lard. Complete your meal with an ice cold bottle of Vietnamese beer, Saigon Special.
Mrs Pho, multiple locations including Somerset and Bussorah Street
11. Little Saigon
Missing Ho Chi Minh City? Well, it’s no Mekong River, but the Singapore River is home to a Vietnamese joint that might just do the trick. Little Saigon slings out well-executed Vietnamese culinary delights like pork skewers, sugar cane prawns and beef pho, which features a flavourful beef bone broth. We also hear it’s quite the party hotspot, so if you’re looking for a fun night out, we have your winner.
Little Saigon, #01-02, Block 3E, Clarke Quay, River Valley Road, Singapore 179024
Now you know where to go when you’re in the mood for Vietnamese food in Singapore!
[This article was originally published in 2021 and updated in 2023 by Ashe Liao.]
