5 Must-Try Places for Vietnamese Charbroiled Beef

Looking for the best places to try Vietnamese charbroiled beef? From Michelin-listed spots to street food gems, here are 5 trusted addresses where this iconic dish is grilled fresh, packed with flavor, and served the way locals love it.

1. Quan Co Lieng

This legendary shop is more than a neighborhood favorite—it’s the only Vietnamese charbroiled beef restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City listed in the Michelin Selected category (2023 & 2024). Run by 71-year-old Trần Thị Kim Liêng, the shop opened in 1995 and has never moved or altered its recipes.

Tourists from Australia to Canada make pilgrimages here, many through guided food tours. The most famous version is bo la lot—fresh ground beef wrapped inlolot leaf, grilled over hot charcoal, then dipped in a pineapple-laced nuoc cham sauce.

What makes it exceptional? Let’s break it down:

Location & Hours

• Address: 321 vo van tan, Ward 5, District 3, HCMC
• Hours: 8:30 AM – 9:30 PM
• Phone: 0903 789 487

Menu & Pricing

• bo la lot: 80,000 VND per plate (double city average)
• Other dishes: nem nuong, banh hoi, cha dum – from 60,000 VND

Daily Freshness Guarantee

• 5 kg of beef used daily
• 5 kg of grilled spring rolls prepared fresh
• 2–3 kg of grilled pork
• All meat is hot beef—fresh beef, never frozen

Why You Should Go

• Signature dipping sauce includes pineapple—rare in any other Vietnamese charbroiled beef recipe
• Peak times: 11:00–12:00 and 18:00–20:00 (arrive early!)

Expert Tip: co lieng’s lolot leaf-wrapped beef is always grilled to order, not pre-cooked. Michelin inspectors praised its “balanced seasoning and technique.” If you're researching michelin star ho chi minh destinations, this is a key stop for beef lovers.

2. Banh mi Co Lanh

At first glance, banh mi Co Lanh looks like a simple corner banh mi shop in Binh Thanh. But for in-the-know locals and budget-conscious travelers, this is a must-visit for vietnamese charbroiled beef in handheld form.

Operating for years without much publicity, it has built a loyal following thanks to its sharp focus on fresh, fire-grilled meats packed into crusty baguettes. The beef is always grilled just before serving—never reheated or pre-prepared.

What you get inside that warm paper wrapper:

Location & Hours

• Address: 6 Ho Xuan Huong Ward 14 Binh Thanh HCMC
• Hours: 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM daily
• Phone: 0934 446 027

Pricing & Options

• Grilled beef with bread: from 30,000 VND
• Mixed bread (beef, pork, bi): 40,000 VND
• Salted egg meatballs: 2 meatballs per order
• mackerel scad with tomato: Tomato-braised mackerel with soft bone
   

Why It Works

• 2 slices of beef per sandwich, marinated with lemongrass, garlic, and soy sauce
• Grilled over open flame on order
• banh mi remains crispy despite rich sauces
• Best suited for take-away travelers heading to markets like ho chi minh food market

Customer Feedback

• “The beef was juicy, and the pork skin added a chewy contrast. I was full until dinner.”
• “xiu mai trung muoi (Salted egg meatballs) is perfectly seasoned, especially with extra dipping sauce.”

Travel Tip: Ask for extra sauce if you order xíu mại. They’ll happily oblige.

3. Bo Nuong Ngoi Co Tu 

Not all Vietnamese grilled beef is made the same—and Cô Tư proves that with her old-school use of ngói (unglazed clay tiles) instead of wire racks. The method creates indirect heat, cooking meat gently and evenly while preserving moisture.

This restaurant is ideal for groups, long dinners, and food travelers who want to get hands-on with their grilling.

All you need to know before visiting:

Location & Hours

• Address:242/51 Nguyen Thien Thuat Ward 3 District 3 HCMC
• Hours: 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM

Menu Highlights & Pricing

• Charbroiled beef: from 40,000 VND
• Full grilled meat sets: up to 220,000 VND
• Served with bún, herbs, rice paper, and mắm nêm dipping sauce

Unique Grilling Experience

• Customers grill beef on ceramic tiles at their own tables
• Keeps meat juicy without burning
• Best cut of beef: flank or shoulder, sliced thin to cook fast on low flame

Recommended For

• Group travelers who want shared plates
• Tourists curious about regional grilling styles

Food Knowledge Bonus: Grilling on clay tiles minimizes fat burn-off, preserving umami and smokiness—something no printed Vietnamese charbroiled beef recipe can replicate at home.

4. Chu Truong Food

Ever tried Vietnamese charbroiled beef grilled inside a bamboo tube? At Chú Trường Food, this is not a gimmick—it’s an inventive technique that locks in smoke, flavor, and intense aroma. Located at Lot 14, Bach Dang Walking Street, Phu Cuong Ward, Thu Dau Mot City, Binh Duong, this open-air evening stall is a rising favorite among food bloggers and Gen Z diners alike.

Operating only from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM, Chú Trường offers a concise menu but delivers a full-sensory experience.

What Makes This Spot Special?

Signature Dish

• Bo nuong ong tre sot pho mai (Grilled beef in bamboo tube with cheese sauce): 140,000 VND per tube
• Contents: cubed beef, house seasoning, shredded cheese
• Grilled inside a real bamboo stalk over red charcoal
• Result: beef absorbs both smoky bamboo scent and melted cheese

Beverages and Add-Ons

• Crispy mushroom fries, Vietnamese-style snow ice, soft drinks
• Casual seating provided, ideal for a relaxed evening street food session

Why It's Worth the Trip

• The grilling process inside the bamboo ensures high moisture retention and a uniquely woodsy aroma
• A serving is enough to satisfy two light eaters
• Dishes are grilled fresh when ordered—not pre-made
• No MSG is used in the seasoning, according to Chu Truong himself

This is a place that combines tradition with street innovation. For food travelers hunting down uncommon Vietnamese charbroiled beef presentations, this spot deserves a dedicated detour.

5. Bo Nuong Mo Chai Duong Ray

If you’re the kind of traveler who seeks out quiet alleys over tourist boulevards, Bo nuong mo chai duong ray is where you’ll find an authentic, no-frills Vietnamese charbroiled beef experience.

This small eatery sits inconspicuously at 129/12B hoang van thu, phuong 8, phu nhuan District, directly next to a railroad track. It operates daily from 3:30 PM to 9:00 PM, and while the space is simple, the flavor is anything but.

What You’ll Eat

Two Must-Try Dishes

• Bo la lot: ground beef seasoned with lemongrass, fish sauce, and black pepper, wrapped in betel leaves and grilled over coal
• Bo mo chaii: seasoned beef wrapped in caul fat, resulting in a crispy, smoky outer crust and juicy core

Serving Style

• Comes with a full tray of fresh herbs, pickled veggies, and rice paper
• Nuoc mam dipping sauce is house-made, well-balanced, and not overly salty
• Portions are generous and cost-effective, ranging from 50,000 to 100,000 VND

Why It Feels Local

• Grilled on-site using small charcoal pits
• Takeaway available, but most people eat curbside with locals
• Dining next to a train track adds an oddly charming vibe—quiet, close, and personal

For food tourists, this isn’t just about taste. It’s about accessing places where real Saigonese still eat daily. Forget menus with QR codes—just point, smile, and prepare to be surprised.

6. How to Eat Vietnamese Charbroiled Beef Like a Local

Mastering the art of vietnamese charbroiled beef isn’t just about choosing the right spot—it’s also about how you eat it. Here are essential, experience-backed tips for first-timers and food explorers:

Roll It Right

• Always use moistened rice paper
• Add a few slices of beef, pickled carrots, cucumbers, herbs (like perilla, basil, coriander)
• Wrap tightly, then dip into nuoc cham or mắm nêm

When to Eat

• Best times: 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
• Evening dining is ideal in dry season (December to March)

Pairing Dishes You Shouldn’t Miss

• banh hoi nem nuong
• bun cha gio
• Grilled pork with vermicelli
• All of these complement the smoky profile of Vietnamese charbroiled beef

Notes for International Travelers

• The beef may be seasoned with fish sauce, garlic, and fermented anchovy—ask for a milder dip if needed
• Spice levels are moderate, but local chili pastes can be potent—try before you stir in

7. Conclusion

Whether it’s grilled in bamboo, wrapped in lolot leaf, or cooked on clay tiles, Vietnamese charbroiled beef is a must-try for any food-focused traveler. These five spots aren’t just meals—they’re the real taste of Vietnam, straight from the fire to your plate. Find more exciting travel information at vietpowertravel.com