9 Must-Try Vietnamese Street Foods That Will Make Your Taste Buds Sing

This blog will take you on a gastronomic journey through Vietnam's bustling streets, where exotic flavors and aromas await. You will discover the richness of Vietnamese street food culture and the mouth-watering dishes that make it truly unique. From the famous phở soup to the crispy bánh mì sandwich, this post will showcase a range of traditional and modern street food delicacies that are not only delicious but also affordable. With a focus on the culinary practice of street food vendors, you'll gain insights into the stories and secrets behind each dish, and perhaps even find a new favorite. So, join us on this adventure and let's taste our way through the vibrant streets of Vietnam!

bun cha

Bun Cha is a dish consisting of grilled pork, vermicelli noodles, dipping sauce and fresh herbs. It offers a perfect balance of sweet, sour, salty, and umami flavors. To prepare this dish, pork is marinaded in soy sauce, garlic and sugar, and grilled until it turns to dark brown/red in color. The dipping sauce, which is composed of fish sauce, vinegar, sugar, garlic and chili, imparts a tangy and slightly spicy taste to the dish. Fried rolls, or nem, are often sold together with bun cha as they use the same dipping sauce. A single portion of bun cha with 1-2 pieces of nem can keep you satiated throughout the day.

• Cost: $l.5-$2/portion of bun cha, if you order nem, it'll be ~$0.50/piece

Pho

Pho - the national dish of Vietnam, a fragrant beef or chicken noodle soup, served with a side of herbs, lime, chilies, and bean sprouts. It's perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner! The broth is made of beef or chicken bones, simmered for hours with spices like star anise, cloves, and cinnamon. The noodles are made of rice flour with a tagliatelle shape, and the dish is topped with slices of meat, onions, and herbs. The lime and chili add a zesty and spicy kick to the soup.

• Cost: ~$2/portion

Banh Mi

Banh Mi - a Vietnamese-style baguette sandwich filled with various types of meat, pickled veggies, cilantro, and chili sauce. It's the perfect snack or meal on the go! The bread is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, and the filling is a combination of different meats like pork, chicken, or beef, mixed with pickled carrots, daikon, and cucumber. The chili sauce adds a spicy and tangy flavor to the sandwich.

• Cost: ~$l.75/portion

Banh Xeo

Banh Xeo - a savory crepe made with rice flour and turmeric powder, filled with pork, shrimp, bean sprouts, and herbs. It's crispy on the outside and soft on the inside! The batter is made of rice flour, coconut milk, and turmeric, giving it a bright yellow color. The filling is a mixture of pork, shrimp, and bean sprouts, wrapped in the crepe and served with a side of lettuce and herbs. The dipping sauce is made of fish sauce, sugar, lime juice, and chili, which complements the savory taste of the crepe.

• Cost: ~$l/piece

Xoi

There are many versions of Xoi in Vietnam, from vegetarian to meat-based. The glutinous rice is steamed until it's soft and shiny, but not smashed. Vegetarian Xoi typically contains pulses such as mung bean, red bean, peanut,... or coconut. The meat version is more recent. It can be stewed pork or chicken, shredded pork, among other options. Xoi is usually served with additional toppings peanut salt, fried shallots, pickled vegetables like carrots and green papaya (and sometimes daikon). If you're a rice addict, you won't be able to resist! It's a hearty and filling dish that will keep you warm and satisfied.

Banh Cuon

Banh Cuon - steamed rice rolls filled with ground pork, mushrooms, and shallots. It's a popular breakfast dish in Vietnam, served with a side of dipping sauce and fried shallots. The rice flour is mixed with water to have liquid texture, and it is . The dipping sauce is made of fish sauce, sugar, and lime juice, which adds a tangy taste to the dish. A good banh cuon is when the

• Cost: ~$l/portion

Bun Dau Mam Tom

Bun Dau Mam Tom - a dish of rice vermicelli noodles, fried tofu, and shrimp paste sauce. It may have an acquired taste, but trust us, it's worth a try! The dish is made of rice vermicelli noodles, served with fried tofu and a side of shrimp paste sauce. The shrimp paste sauce is made of fermented shrimp, giving it a strong and pungent smell. It's a popular street food in Vietnam, and if you're feeling adventurous, you should definitely give it a try!

• Cost: $l.5-$2/portion

Banh Bot Loc

Banh Bot Loc - a translucent dumpling made of tapioca flour and filled with shrimp and pork. It's a perfect appetizer or snack! The dumplings are made of tapioca flour, filled with a mixture of shrimp and pork, and served with a side of dipping sauce. It's a light and refreshing dish, perfect for a quick snack or appetizer.

• Cost: ~$0.20/piece

Banh Ran

Banh Ran - deep-fried glutinous rice balls filled with mung bean paste or pork. It's a popular street food in Vietnam, perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth! The glutinous rice balls are filled with sweet mung bean paste or savory pork, then deep-fried until crispy. It's a popular snack in Vietnam, and you can find it in almost every street corner.

• Cost: very cheap, ~¢l0/ball