Travelling to a new country is filled with a list of things to do. You have different options: hidden gems, must-visit tourist spots, and Instagram-worthy places. And Vietnam got everything for everyone. But Vietnamese street food is the one thing that connects every kind of traveller.
Apart from famous sightseeing, cruises, and the crazy nightlife in Vietnam, it is also famous for its food. Vietnamese cuisine blends five primary tastes-
- Bitter
- Sour
- Sweet
- Spicy
- Salty
So, dive in to learn more about how the cuisines formed, their historical significance, and the list of best things to eat in Vietnam, and much more falls within the article.
Vietnamese Cuisine: Overview on Cultural Setting and History
The Vietnamese had a significant impact on agriculture in the Red River Delta. The rice cultivation is the root cause of the famous Vietnamese food we eat on the street, in fancy restaurants, or even in every Vietnamese home.
Although rice is the staple food, Vietnamese cuisine is a mixture of neighbouring countries and the food of colonisers. Vietnam, with its Chinese influence, often uses methods and ingredients such as stir-frying, a drizzle of soy sauce, and rice noodles in many dishes.
Of course, the spices were introduced by Thai and Indian traders. Then, the French left a vast culinary impact on Vietnam: baguette, popularly known as banh mi (with grilled meat), bánh mì, ice cream, yoghurt, and many pastries we indulge in today all have French influence and are derived from them.
Even the Vietnamese coffee, which is most loved in every part of the world, made its way through the French. Also, given that Vietnam has become the world’s second-largest coffee producer, it is embracing cafe culture.
Primary ingredients in Vietnamese cuisine,
- Lemongrass
- Ginger
- Vietnamese mint
- Coriander
- Saigon cinnamon
- Bird’s eye chilli
- Lime
- Thai basil leaves
And for Indians who like their spices too much, or those who don’t prefer meat, may miss out on the best authentic Vietnamese street food.
It can be difficult for you, but knowing some of the best Indian restaurants in major cities like Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh will fill your stomach with great satisfaction.
Must-Try Vietnamese Street Food
The list of the best food in Vietnam is a never-ending chapter. Only if your Vietnam itinerary is long can you try all the best dishes.
So, to help you avoid the confusion of choosing from many of the famous dishes, I am going to list the ones you should never miss while in Vietnam.
Goi Cuon (Spring Roll)
Goi Cuon is also called Summer Rolls. This dish is both filling and light, as it uses transparent edible paper made from rice, water, and flour. And with peanut sauce, this dish is served.
With a savoury and slightly sweet flavour, it becomes a treat for your taste buds. It is also a bit creamy, but topped with peanuts for a crunch.
Ingredients: Pork, shrimp, herbs, veggies, and rice noodles.
Bun Thit Nuong Chagio (Noodle Bowl)
The dish Bun Thit Nuong Cha Gio means grilled meat on noodles. It is a beautifully arranged Vietnamese noodle bowl with veggies, meat, and sauce. The veggies, mixed with a sauce that is sweet, tangy, and savoury, provide a crunch.
Ingredients: Pork or chicken for protein. Grated lemongrass, fish sauce, cilantro, soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, sesame oil, black pepper, rice vermicelli, fresh vegetables, cucumber, fresh mint leaves, roasted peanuts, and garlic.
Com Tam
Com means rice, and Tam means broken. And, this broken rice is an everyday food in many households in Vietnam. Back then, it was only eaten by farmers because it would often be unsold due to being broken. Now, it’s a go-to dish for many locals and tourists.
Though the ingredients are few, the dish includes barbecue meat, pickled vegetables, and eggs. The side dishes vary depending on the restaurant and your taste.
Ingredients: Jasmine rice, pork, and scallion oil. Com Tam’s specialty is that it can be served with any meat or dish you prefer.
Bun Cha
The capital city of Vietnam, Hanoi, takes pride in this special traditional dish, Bun Cha. I’m sure you can feel the joy when you slurp the noodles and sip the sweet and savoury broth, infused with the essence of herbs and vegetables.
Ingredients: Pork, scallions, garlic, fish sauce, cilantro, rice vermicelli noodles, and granulated sugar.
Banh Mi
I’m someone who loves sandwiches, and trying them at every restaurant I visit has become a bit of a hobby. And this Banh Mi is a popular Vietnamese sandwich, derived from the French baguette, and a must-try for any sandwich lover.
This food is very easy to make, but making it at home still won’t give the best taste. That’s because of their preference for bread and how meticulously it is made. However, when you eat Banh Mi at any street stalls, it definitely meets any sandwich lover’s expectations.
Ingredients: The ingredients vary depending on the region and restaurant, but commonly include ham, sausage, pork pâté, pickles, vegetables, and herbs.
Banh Xeo
This famous Banh Xeo is most known to tourists as a Vietnamese pancake. It’s very crispy on the outside, and inside it’s filled with some healthy, flavourful ingredients.
There are different types. In the south, it is often served in giant size, while in Da Nang, it is mostly served in taco size. Some places even offer open Banh Xeo.
Ingredients: Mung beans, herbs, onions, pork, lettuce, shrimp, and sprouts.
Cha Khoai Tay
This is the Vietnamese Potato Croquettes. If you are a vegetarian or tired of eating pork and aimlessly looking for a go-to comfort snack, this is the one. With the right amount of spices, the potatoes are flavoured and fried to perfection.
It is so easy to make at home. All you have to do is mash the potatoes, mix them with the ingredients listed below, and cook until they turn crispy and golden.
Ingredients: Black pepper, onion, potato, lemongrass, breadcrumbs, cornstarch, rice flour, curry powder, garlic cloves, and you can also add eggs based on your taste.
Pho
Most people know that Pho is the famous national dish of Vietnam. It’s everyone’s favourite in all seasons. Especially when the weather is cold and rainy, it’s a heavenly treat to slurp the hot, flavorful broth with the soft noodles.
And the secret for the best Pho is getting the broth right, with the right amount of ingredients and not missing out the powerful ones.
Ingredients for Broth: Ginger, star anise, cardamom, cinnamon, coriander, sugar, salt, fish sauce, and onion. And most commonly, the Pho is either made of Chicken or beef. Once the broth is perfectly boiled with the right spices, you can add the meat and noodles and enjoy.
Xoi
Comes out as sticky rice steamed with diligence. Whether it’s an everyday go-to, a grand ceremony, or a Vietnamese festival, this food is always there.
The Xoi comes in five colours:
- White for respect and care
- Yellow for prosperity
- Blue for the liveliness of the forest
- Purple is a fertility symbol
- Red for fire and bright life
And these colours, made from natural availabilities like different kinds of cẩm leaves, and butterfly pea flowers.
Ingredients: You can just eat the rice as it is or pair it with any vegetable side dish or chicken, pork, beef, or eggs of your choice.
Bot Chien
For locals, it is Bot chien, and for foreigners, it’s called the fried rice cake. It’s definitely one of the go-to binge-eating snacks for students or anyone who loves a quick Vietnamese street food that satisfies you instantly, and this is it: just grab a Bot chien.
Ingredients: Rice flour, Tapioca starch, Soy sauce, Sugar, White vinegar, Chickpea flour, Cornstarch, green onions, eggs, and Chilli oil.
Famous Dishes in Each Vietnam Region
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Best Places for Vietnamese Street Food
There are many places to eat, but finding the right spots to grab the best Vietnamese street food can be a challenging task. But here, I’ll let you in on the streets you should go to and some of the famous shops you can try.
Hanoi Old Quarter Street Food
In the Old Quarter, there are 36 streets. And most of the street names start with “Hang”, which translates to shop. And the second word of the street name ends with the product that the street is famous for.
Hanoi Old Quarter is one of the best places to stay in Hanoi. It offers affordable luxury accommodations and is a good starting point for visiting many sightseeing places and street food stalls.
Some of the Street Names and Their Products you might want to try out
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From these streets, in every corner, you will find some famous street food to try. Here are some famous Hanoi street food spots you must visit.
- For crispy, yummy Banh Mi, you must find this lady who sells them. It’s not actually on Google Maps. But you can go to HaNoi Coffee Station, and you will find the busy Banh Mi stall opposite that. It will cost around 150 INR.
- Xoi che ba Thin is a hidden gem in Hanoi for Vietnamese dessert. And the must-try are Bánh Trôi, Bánh Chay, Che, and Xôi Vò. They also have a famous Hanoi drink that looks like boba, with a brown bean and ice for crunch.
- Banh Ran is a Vietnamese doughnut. There are outstanding ones with caramelised on the outside and stuffed with various kinds of beans. And you must try them at Banh Ran Co Truyen Mat Duong.
Ho Chi Minh City Street Food
This city is named after the Vietnamese revolutionary and politician, Ho Chi Minh, who was the favourite among the Vietnamese working-class people who fought for Vietnam’s freedom and founded the communist movement in Vietnam.
Now you know that this has a lot of historical information and interesting spots for you. So, if you decide to stay here, consider these three places: District 1, District 3, and Phu Nhuan District.
- Bánh Xèo Ngọc Sơn, located in District 5, is way too popular on the internet. If you are on a food tour, I am sure your guide will take you here for the best Vietnamese sizzling pancakes.
- One of the famous streets, Vinh Khanh Food Street, is a must-visit. There are nearly a hundred food stalls and restaurants offering authentic Vietnamese cuisine. This street is popularly known as the street of snacks, offering a wide variety of seafood.
Food shops in Vinh Khanh Food Street to try
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Da Nang Street Food
If you need a beach life, then Da Nang is your place. And this city has its own signature dish called Mi Quang, which is rich with its turmeric power but not overpowering to make it taste unbearable.
And when you are here, you must stay in the Da Nang city centre, for exceptional food options-
Here are a few places for any foodie going to Da Nang
- Bach Dang Pedestrian Street
- Son Tra Night Market
Some of the best restaurants to try
- Nhà hàng Madame Lân
- Mi Quang BA Mua
- Thien Kim Restaurant
- Chè Liên Desserts
Conclusion
Going to any country is not just about visiting the famous sights. For any foodie, the most exciting part is trying the local authentic food. And Vietnam definitely has various food options and is a fun place where people enjoy drinks.
After reading this blog, you might have gotten an idea of what is most famous in Vietnam and where to find the hidden gems, and how some of the Vietnamese cuisine is formed from the overview session.
If you also want to go to some of the unique places to try the best food or even plan your entire trip, you can contact Dimaak Tours. For any travel-related questions, the team would be glad to help you.
Frequently Asked Questions on Vietnamese Street Food
Where can you find Vietnamese street food in Ho Chi Minh?
Let me give you a list of some places you can find a variety of Vietnamese food-
- Co Giang Street
- Vinh Khanh Food Street
- Tran Khac Chan Street
- Phan Van Han Street
- Bui Vien Street
What is the most famous dish in Vietnam?
Pho is the most famous food in Vietnam. Even anyone with no country knowledge knows about Pho, because it’s in every Vietnamese food article.
Can I get Indian food in Vietnam?
Absolutely, there are some of the best Indian restaurants in Vietnam. In major cities like Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh, there are a handful of places, but when you travel to other non-touristy places, there are few or even no Indian places. Still, you manage with vegetarian food options in such places.
How much does it cost to eat street food in Vietnam?
Unbelievably, it is cheaper. You can have as much food as you want, but you won’t run out of money. Unlike European or American destinations, you don’t have to worry about the cost of food here.
A proper meal at a street food stall here will cost between 70 rupees and 250 rupees, approximately per person, depending on the dish.
