8 Must-Try Street Foods in Vietnam

One of the high points of travel in Asia is the chance to indulge in the continent’s myriad street food options. Fascinatingly, even though several Asian countries are close to one another, their street food, cooking techniques, and primary ingredients often differ tremendously. 

Consequently, tourists moving from one region to another get the opportunity to savour a variety of satisfying snacks that speak volumes about the traditions, lifestyle, and culture of the country they are in. 

Vietnamese street food, in particular, has taken its time to gain international fame. In fact, it wasn’t until Anthony Bourdain championed the humbleness and deliciousness of Vietnamese street food on his travel shows that it truly received the limelight it so definitely deserves. 

The uniqueness of Vietnamese street food lies in its bold and comforting flavours, typically complemented by a mix of herby freshness. Moreover, the slight variations in the street food between the north and south of the country are especially delightful. 

So, for travellers visiting the country for the first time, here are eight must-try street foods in Vietnam that provide unmatched insight into the region’s diverse gastronomic offerings.

Pho

Hands down the most famous street food in Vietnam, Pho is a staple enjoyed by locals almost daily. A rice noodle soup with a salty broth as its foundation, pho’s meaty goodness comes from either beef or chicken. Additional ingredients change from district to district and include grilled shallots, spring onions, star anise, sugarcane, and garlic. However, a common factor is a generous helping of fresh greens (mint, coriander) served on the side to add as per your preference. Although the dish originated in the north, you’ll find street vendors selling pho across the country.

Banh mi

A banh mi is a Vietnamese sandwich consisting of a French baguette packed with a range of delicious ingredients that alter based on which part of the country you are in at that time. Chicken liver pâté and butter are standard in a banh mi, but you’ll find that locals are more experimental in the south when it comes to sandwich fillings. Although you can pick and choose the add-ons as per your linking, expect to see eggs, meatballs, pickled vegetables, cold cuts, and cheese as possible options. Completing this flavourful street food of Vietnam while adding a hint of freshness and zest to every mouthful are some fresh herbs and a dash of chilli sauce. 

Oc

One might imagine oc (sea snails) to be a delicacy in Vietnam, but they are in reality readily available in restaurants and much loved as a street snack. Locals cook the snails in different ways, either frying, grilling, or steaming them. The authentic way to eat oc is to crack their shell and pick out the chewy savoury meat using a toothpick. You can have grilled or fried oc on its own with a chilled beer. However, most people combine it with some form of gravy, be it bun oc – noodle soup with snails, ninh binh – snails with lemongrass, or oc len xao dua – snails cooked in coconut milk.      

Cao Lau

The only place in Vietnam where you will find genuine cao lau is Hoi An. The local speciality is a bowl of gastronomic goodness consisting of thick soba-like noodles, barbequed pork pieces, wontons, and lots of spices and green herbs. The dish’s robust broth further gives it a heart-warming appeal, although just enough is added to wet the noodles. Furthermore, making cao lau an essential street food in Vietnam is the preparation of its noodles. Locals believe that one must only use water from the ancient Ba Le well in Hoi An for making and boiling the noodles.

Goi Cuon

Whether a vegetarian or a non-vegetarian, there’s a Vietnamese spring roll (goi cuon) for you. Goi cuon is a quick and healthy snack that you can enjoy while on the move. It’s available with all sorts of fillings, including salads, herbs, vegetables, meats, and seafood. The chewy and translucent rice paper used to make Vietnamese spring roll lets you peek into its colourful ingredients, adding to the snack’s visual appeal. Fish sauce is the condiment of choice that goes best with goi cuon. If desiring something with a bit of a crunch, you can always opt for fried spring rolls, called cha goi.    

Banh Trang Nuong

Banh trang nuong, also known as Vietnamese pizza, is a popular street food of Vietnam among local kids. A fun snack to eat, BTN’s preparation includes taking a slightly thicker rice paper, grilling it over a charcoal fire, and then topping it with yummy ingredients. Street vendors usually set up their mobile carts outside schools, spreading scallion oil over the crunchy base before adding whatever the children desire. Typical toppings range from eggs and prawns to pork, potatoes, sausages, and herbs. Tamarind or mayonnaise are the final seasonings that complete the construction of this delectable creation.

Bun Cha

Originating in the capital city of Hanoi, bun cha gained worldwide recognition when President Obama had the dish with Anthony Bourdain for one of his travel series. However, this local pork dish was a must-have street food in Vietnam from long before that. Delicious to its core, bun cha comprises vermicelli rice noodles, fish broth, herbs, and pork patties grilled over a charcoal fire that gives them a tempting smoky flavour. There are two ways to consume bun cha. You can either mix all the elements and eat it as a bowl meal. Else, you can wrap the herbs, noodles, and the pork patty in lettuce and dip it in the broth before each bite.       

Ca Phe Trung

Vietnamese egg coffee is part drink and part dessert that you can readily find while roaming the streets of Hanoi. It’s pretty novel in its construction, not only giving caffeine high but also satiating your sweet tooth. Similar to Vietnamese ice coffee that you can find throughout the country, the fundamental elements of the drink are drip-filter black coffee and condensed milk. However, in the north of Vietnam, locals take the condensed milk and whip it with egg yolk till the mixture has a light and airy consistency. They then take the creamy foam and pour it over the coffee, which can be hot or cold.