Certainly! Vietnamese street food is a delightful journey for your taste buds, and it’s an integral part of experiencing the vibrant culture of Vietnam. From bustling markets to hidden alleyways, here are some must-try street foods and where to find them:
1. Phở (Vietnamese Noodle Soup)
- Description: A fragrant beef or chicken noodle soup with rice noodles, fresh herbs, and a hint of lime. Don’t forget to add the chili sauce and some lime juice!
- Where to find it: Once stepped in Vietnam, you can find Pho everywhere, from the street corners, local eateries, and markets, to luxury restaurants
2. Bánh Mì (Vietnamese Baguette Sandwich)
- Description: A crispy baguette filled with various ingredients—grilled pork, pâté, pickled veggies, cilantro, and chili.
- Where to Find: One tip, the best Banh Mi is always found in some street vendor, look for the ones which have a lot of buyers waiting
3. Bún Chả (Grilled Pork with Vermicelli)
- Description: Grilled pork patties served with vermicelli noodles, herbs, and a sweet-savory dipping sauce.
- Where to Find: Hanoi is the best place to have Bun Cha, if you can find a restaurant on the street, with the dense layer of smoke and an old lady grilling the pork ball, then here we go!
4. Gỏi Cuốn (Fresh Spring Rolls)
- Description: Rice paper rolls filled with shrimp, herbs, vermicelli, and sometimes pork. Dip them in peanut sauce or special sweet sour sauce (nuoc cham).
- Where to Find: Oh here a glass container full of fresh spring rolls, and next to it is a queue of motorists with the Grab or Bee Logo on their coat, it’s a sign of a restaurant to visit.
5. Bánh Xèo (Vietnamese Savory Pancakes)
- Description: Crispy rice flour pancakes filled with shrimp, bean sprouts, and herbs. Wrap them in lettuce and dip in fish sauce.
- Where to Find: Ho Chi Minh city (Saigon) is famous for Banh Xeo, but definitely, the best Banh Xeo you can find is when boating around a floating market in the Mekong Delta. Right served, hot served!
6. Cà Phê Trứng (Egg Coffee)
- Description: A unique concoction of strong Vietnamese coffee topped with a creamy layer of whipped egg yolk and condensed milk.
- Where to Find: It’s time for treasure hunting, stroll around Hanoi Old Quarter to find a hidden corner named Giang Cafe’- the birthplace of this specialty
7. Bún Bò Huế (Spicy Beef Noodle Soup)
- Description: Spicy beef broth with thick rice noodles, lemongrass, and tender beef slices.
- Where to Find: The name says it all, Hue is on top of the list, however, you can easily find delicious Bun Bo Hue in everywhere of Vietnam, just look for the board with that name on it.
8. Chè (Sweet Dessert Soup)
- Description: A variety of sweet soups made with coconut milk, beans, fruits, and jelly. Try chè bắp (corn pudding) or chè ba màu (three-color dessert).
- Where to Find: Street vendors and dessert shops. Dong Xuan Market (Hanoi) here we go
9. Nem Lụi (Grilled Pork Skewers)
- Description: Flavorful pork skewers grilled over hot coals, served with rice paper, herbs, and a peanut dipping sauce.
- Where to Find: Da Nang or Khanh Hoa should have been the origin of this dish, but Nem Lui in Saigon and Hanoi is equally tasty
10. Bánh Tráng Trộn (Vietnamese Rice Paper Salad)
- Description: A mix of shredded rice paper, dried shrimp, quail eggs, herbs, and a tangy dressing. A crunchy and savory snack.
- Where to Find: Street vendors and night markets. Look for a food stall with a queue of young Vietnamese patiently waiting around, and the cook is mixing ingredients in a flash speed, they’re all signs of the right place
Remember, the best way to enjoy Vietnamese street food is to dive in fearlessly, follow the locals, and savor every bite. Bon appétit!
