When most people think about Vietnamese cuisine, they envision rich flavors and vibrant street food. However, Saigon has quietly transformed into a paradise for healthy food Saigon enthusiasts. Whether you’re on a clean-eating journey or simply prefer lighter, milder meals, the city offers an impressive array of fresh, nutritional, and flavor-balanced options.
Especially in District 1, the heart of Saigon provides something for everyone seeking healthy food experiences, from vegetarian restaurants to cafés offering organic, gluten-free, and low-carb meals.
Saigon’s Healthy Eating Guide: Salad Bars and Grain Bowls
For those committed to a health-conscious diet, District 1 in Saigon offers a vibrant array of salad bars and grain bowl restaurants. These establishments cater to diverse dietary preferences, focusing on fresh, high-quality ingredients that epitomize the healthy food Saigon movement.
Delisa Salad Bar
- Address: 158/16 Nguyen Cong Tru Street, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
- Google Rating: 4.6 stars
- Opening hours: 09:00 AM – 09:00 PM
- Google Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/MUzV3y3jKnBfJXXE8
Delisa is a popular salad bar in Saigon, offering a wide range of fresh, customizable salads. The store promotes healthy eating and offers a range of bases, toppings, and dressings that fit various dietary requirements. Every salad is both tasty and nourishing because of their dedication to using only the best, freshest ingredients.
A vibrant Greek salad with different veggies and a side of creamy dressing | Source: Delisa Salad Bar
Poke Saigon – Nutritious Hawaiian poke bowls
- Address 1: 1st Floor, 42 Bis Ly Tu Trong Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
- Address 2: 2nd Floor, 42 Nguyen Hue Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
- Google Rating: 4.8 stars
- Opening hours: 10:00 AM – 09:00 PM
- Google Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/5vaqgmYSZ8g9LqcC8
This place serves Hawaiian poke bowls, which are a nutritious cuisine variety that mainly consists of rice with fresh fish. Typically, they put cut-up squares of salmon or tuna on top, soaked in unique sauces made with sesame oil, onions, salt, and chili. These poke bowls may be customized to suit your personal preferences through their wide selection of fish, veggie, and sauce options.
A vibrant poke bowl filled with fresh ingredients from Poke Saigon | Source: Poke Saigon
Pure Bowls – Serve popular acai bowls in Saigon
- Address: 28 Luu Van Lang Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
- Google Rating: 4.9 stars
- Opening hours: 07:00 AM – 08:00 PM
- Google Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/dxi7PqQidj4PniUp6
Pure Bowls is a popular spot in Saigon for acai bowls and smoothies where many customers rave about the freshness of the ingredients and the delicious flavors. Made with frozen acai berries, a superfood regional to the Amazon jungle, it makes a nutritious and delicious breakfast or snack.
Acai bowls are popular for their nutrition, creamy texture, and vivid colors. They are a fantastic way to start the day or fuel your afternoon because they are full of fiber, antioxidants, and healthy fats.
A variety of acai bowls topped with fresh fruits along with granola by Pure Bowls | Source: Pure Bowls
Soumaki Vietnam
- Address: 42 Ly Tu Trong Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
- Google Rating: 4.9 stars
- Opening hours: 10:00 AM – 09:00 PM
- Google Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/xn7TXv6LQHeLxRz2A
Known for its fresh and wholesome dishes, Soumaki is a well-known healthy eatery in Vietnam. They have a range of bowls that can be customized, so you can pick the base, protein, veggies, and sauce. This flexibility accommodates various dietary preferences and health goals, such as low calories, high protein or a balanced one.
A selection of healthy and colorful to-go meal bowls prepared by Soumaki | Source: Soumaki
Top Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City
On the other hand, if you prefer richer flavors, but still focus on your health and plant-based ingredients, these vegan and vegetarian restaurants cater to various dietary preferences, offering everything from traditional Vietnamese dishes to international cuisine.
Vị Quê Restaurant
- Address: 110 Suong Nguyet Anh Street, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
- Google Rating: 4.7 stars
- Opening hours: 09:00 AM – 10:30 PM
- Google Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/NitJoVhJJv4Q95LA9
Vị Quê Kitchen is a culinary gem in the heart of Saigon, offering a delightful vegan experience that reimagines traditional Vietnamese dishes. The restaurant makes tasty and nourishing dishes that satisfy every customer by using only the freshest, organic products. The menu of Vị Quê Kitchen is a celebration of plant-based cuisine, featuring flavorful stir-fries and hearty soups, demonstrating that vegan food can be both tasty and filling.
A Vietnamese vegan hot pot feast with a variety of broths, fresh vegetables, and dipping sauces, ready to be cooked and enjoyed | Source: Vị Quê Restaurant
Rau Ơi Vegetarian
- Address: 55/15 Le Thi Hong Gam Street, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
- Google Rating: 4.6 stars
- Opening hours: 08:00 AM – 09:30 PM
- Google Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/f8VuKQzbXm1S4tvQA
Rau Oi Vegetarian is known for its delicious plant-based offerings and creative dishes. In addition to a-la-cart, they also offer a buffet so that customers can sample a variety of dishes at once. With a vegetarian spin on classic Vietnamese dishes, they focus on the use of high-quality, fresh ingredients. The menu usually consists of a range of foods such as rice plates, noodle soups, and stir-fries, which makes it a popular option for vegetarians and anybody else seeking tasty, nutritious meals.
A colorful platter of different styles of Vietnamese spring rolls served with a variety of dipping sauces | Source: Rau Ơi Vegetarian
Măng’s Mania
- Address: 1st Floor, 86 Nguyen Hue Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
- Google Rating: 4.7 stars
- Opening hours: 09:00 AM – 09:00 PM (closed on Sunday)
- Google Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/f8VuKQzbXm1S4tvQA
Măng’s Mania is another great spot known for its focus on vegetarian and vegan cuisine, with a particular emphasis on fresh, seasonal ingredients. The café serves a range of completely plant-based dishes that showcase the flavors of Vietnamese cuisine. It’s the ideal spot for people who want to eat healthful meals in a laid-back atmosphere because of its typically welcoming and casual setting.
A healthy meal featuring brown rice, steamed vegetables with purple yam soup | Source: Măng’s Mania
Heal and Celeb Vegan
- Address: 27/1 Nguyen Van Nguyen Street, Tan Dinh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
- Google Rating: 4.9 stars
- Opening hours: 09:00 AM – 09:00 PM
- Google Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/AsAwG6PMjvp6jWrq5
A well-known vegan eatery in Saigon, Heal and Celeb Vegan is renowned for its tasty and nutritious cuisine. They have a range of selections, including Western-inspired foods like pasta and burgers, as well as vegan versions of well-known Vietnamese meals like pho and banh mi. The restaurant is a wonderful spot to unwind and savor a tasty meal while enjoying its lovely and serene atmosphere.
A bowl of delicious, steamy Thai vegan noodle soup | Source: Heal and Celeb Vegan
As you can see, Saigon is now embracing a growing trend of healthy eating. The healthy food Saigon scene has expanded dramatically, with numerous health-conscious restaurants and cafés opening to meet the demand. These establishments offer great choices for those on a diet, following a clean-eating lifestyle, or simply looking for light and healthy flavors that represent the best healthy food in Saigon.
If you want to discover more unique places and special dishes in the healthy food Saigon landscape, why not join Kiss Vegan Tour? Experience the excitement of riding on the back of a motorbike, cruising through the brightly lit streets, and exploring the city’s food and culture with friendly local guides. It’s a memorable way to see Saigon’s healthy food scene like never before!
Book your vegan tour now and start your unique Saigon adventure today!
