Vietnamese street foods are not only delicious but also diverse, affordable, and appealing to both locals and tourists from all over the world. Let’s explore some of the most beloved Vietnamese street foods.
1/ Pho
Pho has made its way into the Oxford dictionary, written as “pho,” and is untranslatable to any other language. This alone confirms that Pho is one of the famous and beloved street foods in Vietnam, appreciated worldwide. Regardless of its historical development, Pho can be found across the country, from upscale restaurants to humble street stalls. This hot dish features tender rice noodles, flavorful broth, and toppings such as beef, chicken, and fragrant herbs. Its flexibility allows different regions to adapt ingredients and flavors to suit local preferences. Additionally, Vietnamese Pho has been transformed into various versions like stir-fried Pho and Pho rolls, adding more variety and allure to this beloved dish.
2/ Banh Mi
When talking about delicious street foods, Banh Mi cannot be overlooked. This Vietnamese sandwich is an affordable and nutritious breakfast option. Inspired by French baguettes, Vietnamese Banh Mi stands out with its crispy crust and a variety of fillings. In major cities like Saigon, Hanoi, Can Tho, and Da Nang, you can find a plethora of delicious Banh Mi options, including ones with meatballs, roast pork, omelet, and fish cake. Traditional fillings are often accompanied by pickled vegetables, green onions, and a special sauce. Banh Mi has evolved beyond the classic version, with creative variations like stick Banh Mi and chili salt-baked Banh Mi, catering to diverse culinary preferences.
3/ Com Tam (Broken Rice)
Com Tam can be considered the “culinary soul” of Saigon. Anyone visiting this vibrant city should try Com Tam at least once. Saigon-style Com Tam features fragrant, sweet, and tender broken rice, topped with well-marinated grilled pork ribs, shredded pork skin, savory pork sausage, and a side of pickled vegetables. A drizzle of fatty green onion oil evenly coats the white rice. When eaten, it’s typically paired with sweet and savory fish sauce mixed with garlic and chili. Today, Com Tam is widely loved for its delicious taste, affordability, and availability across various establishments, from street-side stalls to renowned brands, making it a popular street food not only in Saigon but throughout Vietnam.
4/ Xoi (Sticky Rice)
In Vietnamese cuisine, Xoi is another delicious and popular food item. Vietnamese people often consume Xoi for breakfast as it provides long-lasting satiety and is cost-effective. From the North to the South, you can find morning Xoi stalls everywhere, offering a variety of options for both savory and sweet preferences. Savory Xoi choices include mixed sticky rice, chicken sticky rice, quail egg sticky rice, Chinese sausage sticky rice, and bird egg sticky rice. For those with a sweet tooth, there’s sweet sticky rice, purple leaf sticky rice, lotus leaf sticky rice, green bean sticky rice, and corn sticky rice. Each type of Xoi has its unique and delicious flavor, with the commonality of soft and sticky glutinous rice. Prices may vary depending on the type of Xoi, ranging from 10,000 to several tens of thousands of dong per serving. Whether you prefer savory or sweet, as long as it tastes good to you, that’s all that matters.
5/ Goi Cuon (Spring Rolls)
Another beloved Vietnamese street food, enjoyed by both locals and international visitors, is Goi Cuon, also known as fresh spring rolls. This seemingly simple dish is incredibly enticing, offering a healthy and delicious option for evening snacks or gatherings with friends. Goi Cuon is wrapped in rice paper, filled with ingredients like boiled meat, shrimp, fresh vermicelli, and raw vegetables. The rolls are tightly wrapped and served with either black soy sauce or traditional Vietnamese fish sauce. Despite its simplicity, Goi Cuon has gained widespread popularity due to its easy-to-eat nature. In major cities, you can find Goi Cuon sold at prices ranging from 5,000 to 7,000 dong per roll, depending on size and quality. Consuming 4-5 rolls at a time is enough to feel satisfied and appreciate the flavors. If you have the time, you can even try making them yourself instead of buying pre-made ones.
There are many other delicious street foods in the top list of enticing street foods in Vietnam. Stay tuned for that information in part 2!
