When I think of Asian food, I immediately gravitate towards Chinese, (americanized Chinese food) Japanese, (sushi anyone?) and even Thai food. Until my recent trip to Vietnam, I was very unfamiliar with Vietnamese cuisine, and its variety of dishes. Similar to other Asian cuisine, Vietnamese food consists of many rice and noodle based dishes. It uses an abundance of fresh vegetables and herbs, (great news for all of you vegetarians) and tends to be lower on the spicy side in comparison to Thai food. I was in food heaven in Vietnam, and made sure to try as many local dishes as possible during my trip. Some of the best food I ate was actually the Vietnamese street food.
IS VIETNAMESE STREET FOOD SAFE TO EAT?
Vietnamese street food is quite safe! In fact, most of my memorable meals were from small street carts, and I never got sick during or after my trip. With its tradition of street markets, you will not have a hard time finding street food in Vietnam. You can buy everything from fresh fruit, to sandwiches, and even grilled octopus on the streets! If you are a foodie, then keep reading for my guide to the best Vietnamese street food.
TOP 10 VIETNAMESE STREET FOOD DISHES
Spring Rolls
When I hear the word “spring roll” I immediately picture the small, fried, golden roll that I often order at my favorite Chinese restaurant. However, the Vietnamese spring roll is unlike any spring roll I had ever tasted! It is made with translucent rice paper and filled with shrimp, vegetables and herbs. Unlike the typical spring roll, the Vietnamese spring roll isn’t fried. It is served cold, making it a refreshing, light snack perfect for the hot weather.
Grilled Banana with Sticky Rice
Grilled banana with sticky rice is a typical dessert that I discovered at the night market in Hoi An. The sweet treat resembles the famous Thai dessert, mango with sticky rice. As I am a huge fan of the Thai dessert I did not hesitate to try the Vietnamese counterpart. Half a banana is covered in sticky rice, then wrapped in a banana leaf and grilled for a few minutes. The warm banana comes in a dish with coconut cream, coconut flakes, and crushed peanuts. The dessert was quite rich, and I highly recommend sharing it if you don’t have a sweet tooth!
Vietnamese Pizza (Banh Trang Nuong)
Banh Trang Nuong, or Vietnamese pizza is one of the most popular street food dishes in Vietnam. The “pizza” is nothing like the Italian original that we all adore! Rice paper, instead of crust serves as the base for the pizza. Egg yolk holds the ingredients together instead of tomato sauce, and it is then topped with your choice of meat and vegetables. As I don’t eat meat, I opted for the vegetarian one with tofu, french fries, mushroom, spring onions and mayo. It may seem like a strange combination, but it was quite delicious, and definitely unlike anything I’ve ever eaten.
Mango Cakes
Contrary to the name, this snack does not have a single trace of mango in it. You can imagine my surprise when I took a bite and discovered peanuts. At first I thought the street vendors had scammed us, and sold us given something else. However, after some research we confirmed that they were in fact mango cakes. The small white circular treat, resembling a mango seed, is made of sticky rice and filled with peanuts and sugar. Therefore, the misleading name stems from the shape of the treat, and has nothing to do with its ingredients.
Fried Crepe (Bánh Xeo)
There are still traces of French influence in Vietnam, seen in the architecture, street names and even cuisine. One of the dishes that resembles a typical French plate is the Bánh Xeo, or the fried crepe. The crepe is made from rice batter and filled with shrimp, pork, and various veggies. It is then fried until it reaches a crispy exterior and golden color, and often served with peanut sauce on the side.
White Rose (Bánh Bao Bánh Vac)
Bánh Bao Bánh Vac or White Rose is a dish home to the quaint city of Hoi An. The individual pieces resemble dumplings in regards to the texture and consistency. The name white rose, comes from the shape, as each individual dumpling has the shape of a rose. They are made of rice paper, filled with shrimp or pork, and topped with crispy onions. It is quite a simple plate, but I recommend trying it just for the presentation.
Bánh Mi
Bánh Mi is Vietnamese street food that everyone loves due to its simplicity and low price tag. The word Bánh Mi translates to “baguette” meaning that the popular dish is indeed a sandwich. However, Bánh Mi is not just your ordinary sandwich! The warm baguette is filled with your choice of meat and pickled vegetables, and the flavor oozes out with every bite. There are several famous Bánh Mi shops in Hanoi that are definitely worth a stop!
Pho
If someone asks you to name a typical Vietnamese dish, you will probably think of Pho. The hot steaming bowl of soup is definitely one of the most known plates in Vietnamese cuisine. The dish consists of broth, rice noodles, different varieties of meat, and vegetables. Pho is also one of the most popular dishes in regards to Vietnamese street food. You can find both locals and tourists alike sitting on the curbside plastic tables enjoying their steaming bowl of noodles. It is also a common dish to eat for breakfast. I know the hot weather in Vietnam may make it difficult to crave a hot bowl of soup, but it is definitely worth it!
Meat Skewers
The large amount of uncooked meat skewers that I saw in Vietnam definitely came as a surprise. Most of the night markets my friend and I visited throughout our trip sold them. The night market in Hanoi especially had tables displaying an enormous array of different types of meat. There was everything from beef, to chicken, shrimp, and crab. The meat was all displayed raw, and then cooked on the spot. The individual price of a skewers is quite inexpensive, allowing you to try more than one. Pair them with some spiraling crispy potatoes for a satisfying meal that won’t break the bank!
Egg Coffee (Ca the Trung)
Ca the Trung, or Egg Coffee is very typical in the northern region of Vietnam. In fact, there are several famed coffee shops, like Giàng Café, in Hanoi that specialize in Egg coffee. Despite this drink containing caffeine, I would, nonetheless, characterize it as a dessert. Black coffee is served with whipped egg yolks and condensed milk, resulting in a creamy, smooth, and very sweet drink. Whether or not you are an avid coffee drinker, I highly recommend trying the egg coffee as it is the perfect drink to get your day of sightseeing started!
Vietnam is the perfect country for all of the food lovers out there! With the large variety of dishes you will certainly never go hungry. If you are planning a trip to Vietnam in the future make sure to eat as much Vietnamese street food as possible!
Safe Travels,
Vip <3
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