Vietnam is a food lover’s paradise, with each region boasting its own unique culinary traditions. Vietnamese street food is especially delicious, affordable, and can be found on every corner. The fragrant aromas draw you in, and the burst of flavors will have you coming back for more.
Here are the top 10 must-try Vietnamese street foods for the ultimate food experience in Vietnam.
1. Pho
Pho is Vietnam’s most famous dish, and no trip to Vietnam is complete without sampling this iconic noodle soup. Pho features a light yet flavorful broth made from beef or chicken, accompanied by rice noodles, tender meat, and a plate of fresh herbs like mint, basil, bean sprouts, and lime. The complex layers of flavor, from the sweet broth to the crunchy textures, make it a comforting and addictive meal. Pho makes for a tasty breakfast, lunch or dinner.
2. Banh Mi
The banh mi sandwich perfectly blends French and Vietnamese culinary influences. Locals line up at street carts or bakeries for this baguette filled with meats like cha lua (Vietnamese ham), pork belly, chicken, sardines, or meatballs, along with carrots, cucumber, cilantro, and chili. The mixture of textures and flavors between the crispy bread and fresh fillings is simply delicious. Banh mi is cheap, portable, and you’ll want to try many versions during your stay.
3. Bun Cha
Bun cha consists of grilled pork patties and pork belly served over a bowl of vermicelli rice noodles and fresh herbs. The pork gets its gorgeous caramelized exterior from being grilled over hot coals. The meat then gets dipped in a sweet, tangy and savory sauce made with fish sauce, lime juice and chili. Bun cha is often eaten for lunch, and the combination of savory meat, white noodles, herbs and broth makes for a perfectly balanced meal.
4. Goi Cuon (Fresh Spring Rolls)
Goi cuon are fresh spring rolls, often wrapped in rice paper with shrimp, pork, herbs and noodles inside. They are served with a peanut or fish sauce dip. The translucent rice wrappers have a wonderfully chewy texture, and the rolls make for a light and healthy snack or starter. You can find vegetarian versions filled with tofu and vegetables. The key is to eat them when freshly made so the wrappers don’t harden.
5. Banh Xeo
Literally meaning “sizzling pancake”, banh xeo is a popular Vietnamese street food made from an addictively crispy rice flour crepe filled with pork, shrimp and bean sprouts. Turmeric powder gives the crepe its iconic yellow color. Banh xeo is served with fresh herbs and lettuce leaves. You wrap pieces of the crepe and fillings into the lettuce leaf before diping in the sweet and sour fish sauce. The combination of the crunchy crepe outer layer with the savory filling is divine.
6. Cao Lau
Cao lau is one of the most well-known dishes originating from the ancient town of Hoi An. This noodle bowl features thick, chewy noodles made with rice flour and water from the town’s famous Ba Le Well. The broth has a deep, smoky flavor from being cooked in wood-fire stoves. Toppings like pork, greens, croutons add texture. Make sure to try cao lau in Hoi An for an authentic taste of this local specialty.
7. Banh Khot
Banh khot are crispy mini pancakes from the beach town of Vung Tau. Made with rice flour and coconut milk, these petite pancakes are cooked in a special pan to achieve a crispy exterior with shrimp, pork and scallions in the center. Banh khot are often eaten for breakfast. Dip them in a sweet chili fish sauce for extra flavor.
8. Banh Cuon
Banh cuon are delicate rice flour sheets filled with ground pork, mushrooms and shallots. They require much skill to make by steaming the sheets to get the ideal soft, pillowy texture. Banh cuon are served with crispy pork rinds, cucumber and herbs, and you season the rolls with chili sauce or fish sauce. You’ll find banh cuon at street food stalls early in the morning, as they make for a tasty Vietnamese breakfast.
9. Snails (Oc)
Snails might seem an unlikely street food, but oc are a popular Vietnamese drinking snack. The snails get boiled in lemongrass and chili coconut broth, imparting them with bold, tangy flavors. You then use a toothpick to pull the snail meat out of the shell, and dip it in the spicy broth. Oc go great with a cold beer, which you’ll also find plenty of on the streets of Vietnam.
10. BBQ Grilled Skewers
You can find all kinds of meat skewers being grilled over hot charcoal by street vendors in Vietnam. Options include pork, beef, chicken, prawns, fish balls, quail eggs and tofu. The smokey, charred flavors of Vietnamese grilled skewers are irresistible. The meat picks up extra flavor from being marinated in a lemongrass paste. Grilled meat skewers like these are cheap street eats to enjoy on the go.
Vietnamese street food provides culinary adventure and incredible value. For the best street food experience in Vietnam, go where the locals eat. Search for vendors with the longest lines, as that’s always a sign of a stellar dish. Don’t be afraid to point to menus or food carts and order at your whim. Street food in Vietnam is fresh, safe and hygienic. With classic dishes, regional specialties and fresh takes, Vietnamese street food never disappoints. Eat your way through the streets and let the addictive flavors give you a taste of Vietnam.
