In a quiet alley in Phu Nhuan district, Ho Chi Minh City, a noteworthy eatery serving Hanoi’s traditional soup dish “Bun Thang” has been born. “Bun Thang 50” is a long-established shop opened in the 1990s by a family that moved from northern Vietnam to Saigon in the 1970s, and it remains beloved by local customers to this day.
The taste of Hanoi, in a Saigon back alley
Bun Thang is a representative Hanoi dish—a healthy one combining a clear chicken-bone broth with thin rice noodles. It’s characterized by a soup flavored with shrimp paste (mam tom), chili, and black pepper, offering a gentle taste that sets it apart from southern pho.
The toppings include thin omelet, cha lua (pork paste), and chicken, pluswood-ear mushrooms and shiitakeが使われているのが南北融合の特徴です。店名の「50」は住所の番地から来ており、場所は50 Hồ Biểu Chánh通り、現在の行政区分ではフーニュアン坊（Phường Phú Nhuận）です。
Prices, hours, and access
| Menu | Bun Thang, Hanoi style |
| Price | 40,000 VND (about 230 yen) |
| Hours | 6:00–21:00 (open year-round) |
| Address | 50 Hồ Biểu Chánh, Phường Phú Nhuận, TP.HCM |
Serving from early morning as breakfast, its appeal is the warm, family-run atmosphere frequented by many local Vietnamese. Unlike the tourist-heavy area around Ben Thanh Market, it’s drawing attention as a place where you can dine while feeling the local sense of life firsthand.
Vietnamese reactions: “The taste of the north took root in the south”
This shop, covered by the local gourmet media “Saigoneer,” is highly rated by Ho Chi Minh City’s Vietnamese food writers too. It was introduced as “a presence symbolizing the diversity of Saigon’s food culture,” a bowl packed with the history of 1970s northern migrants.
On Vietnamese social media too, comments like “I can’t believe this quality for 40,000 VND” and “You can eat bun thang without going to Hanoi” have been posted, and popularity is spreading by word of mouth.
Points for Japanese tourists
For Japanese tourists visiting Ho Chi Minh City, Bun Thang 50 is“a hidden gem where you can enjoy authentic Hanoi cuisine in Saigon,”highly recommended. Since local customers rather than tourists are the main players, you can experience genuine Vietnamese breakfast culture.
- A northern dish you should try when you’ve tired of pho and bun bo Hue
- Since it opens from 6 a.m., it’s ideal for breakfast before sightseeing
- You can enjoy authentic flavor at the astonishing value of 230 yen
- There’s no Japanese menu, but point-and-order is fine
On a trip to Vietnam, enjoying not just Ho Chi Minh City’s cuisine but the differences from Hanoi cuisine is one of the real thrills. Also check on visas in advance.Phu Quoc Island visa exemption information is here。
The number of Japanese tourists currently visiting Vietnam israpidly increasing,and Ho Chi Minh City’s gourmet scene is drawing more and more attention. Also, April is rich in gourmet events, andthe Saigon Pizza Festival 2026 (held April 18–19)is not to be missed either.
Summary
Bun Thang 50 is a precious place where you can experience Hanoi’s food culture while being in Ho Chi Minh City. If you’re looking for a famous back-alley shop not listed in tourist guides, this one in Phu Nhuan district is not to be missed. Try adding it to your breakfast list during your stay.
Source:Saigoneer – Hẻm Gems: At Bún Thang 50, Unexpected Hanoi Flavors in a Phú Nhuận Corner
