Our 15 Must Try Vietnamese Street Foods

Discover the rich world of Vietnamese street food, the heart and soul of Vietnamese culture! As you wander through lively food markets and vibrant alleyways where each street food stall whispers a new flavor story!
Vietnam’s street food scene is as diverse as it is delicious and inspired by Vietnam’s deep history. From Hanoi’s famous pho and bún chả to Saigon’s crunchy bánh mì, each region has its traditional dishes with a unique twist! This article will guide you through the must-try dishes and our best tips to eat like a local!

Best Vietnamese Street Food

1. Pho – The iconic rice noodle soup

Pho is the most famous Vietnamese dish that you will find at each street corner in the country from small villages to large cities. This Vietnamese soup is made of broth, rice noodles, herbs, and meat (mostly beef but sometimes chicken, duck or just veggie).

From Hanoi to Saigon, Pho’s recipes are different – in Saigon, the broth is more complex with rich, sweet flavors while in Hanoi it’s more herbal and lighter.

Vietnamese refugees brought Pho to many countries after the Vietnam war and made it the iconic Vietnamese dish.

2. Bánh mì – Vietnamese Baguette

Banh Mi is probably the second most popular Vietnamese dish in the world. This delicious sandwich is made with a short crispy baguette filled with savory meats, mayonnaise, pâté, topped with pickled veggies, crunchy cucumbers, spicy chilies, and fresh coriander.

Although the baguette and the pâté were introduced by the French in the 1850’s, the Vietnamese changed the classic sandwich recipe and took it to another level by adding a unique combination of savory, crunchy and umami flavors.
It then became a popular street food in Saigon in the 1950’s before being recognized as a national delicacy.
In general, the bread is crunchier in the South and Central Vietnam than in the North.

3. Bun Cha – Vietnamese grilled pork patty with vermicelli

Bun Cha is a delicious street food that is a specialty of Hanoi and remains today the most popular lunch choice for Vietnamese in the capital.

This dish consists of a grilled pork meatballs and caramelized pork belly slices served in a warm broth with rice noodles, herbs, fresh salad, vegetables, and dipping sauce on the side.

Even if you could think this is somehow like a pho, the natural broth flavored and seasoned by the pork make this dish so unique and delicious. Bun cha can also be served “dry” without the broth and is as tasty.

Bun Cha became world famous in 2016 when Anthony Bourdain enjoyed a Bun Cha with Barack Obama in Hanoi’s Bun Cha Huong Liên – this was featured in his show Part Unknown.

4. Nom Bo Kho – green papaya salad with dried beef

This amazing Green Papaya Salad with dried beef is by far one of the best street foods in Hanoi! Nom Bo Koh is a combination of fresh grated green papaya salad, carrot, herbs (mint, coriander) served with dried beef cut into big thin slices and chopped peanuts. The dipping sauce is also fishy and peanuty and brings the dish all together.

The best place to try this dish is in Long Vi Dung – Nom Thit Bo Kho in Hanoi (near Hoan Kiem Lake).

5. Cha Gio/ Nem Ran – Fried Spring rolls

The Fried Spring rolls called Cha Gio in south Vietnam and Nem Ran in the north is a popular appetizer that is now served is most countries in the world.

These delightful fried spring rolls are made of seasoned pork and shrimp filling, vegetables such as carrots and cabbages, glass noodles wrapped in delicate rice paper. The roll is then fried until it gets this golden-brown color and crispy rice paper.

Vietnamese Fried Spring Rolls are mostly served with fish sauce mixed with lime juice, vinegar, chilies, and garlic.

6. Goi Cuon / Nem Cuon – Fresh Spring rolls

Goi Cuon, also called Nem Cuon is another favorite dish in Vietnam that is also a worldwide loved appetizer. The Fresh spring rolls, often compared with the Fried Spring rolls, are not fried making them a much healthier option.

Also, the fillings are full of fresh ingredients with herby salad, vegetables and shrimps, pork or tofu rolled in little rice papers. These are served with a tasty peanut sauce instead of the classic dipping sauce.

7. Bun Ca – Catfish Noodle Soup

A lesser known but equally delicious Vietnamese street food is Bun Ca, a delicious fish noodle soup from North and Central Vietnam. Mostly underrated by travelers, this dish is original, fresh, and different from any other soups you can find in Vietnam.

However, there are several versions of Bun Ca across the country – even if they’re all fish noodle soup the recipes are distinctive.

For In Hanoi where we tried it, the fried super crispy fish is in a herbal gingery broth. The dipping sauce was something else, made from kumquat juice, chilies, and garlic!

In Haiphong, the light broth is yellow due to the fresh turmeric.

Finally, Bun Ca Nha Trang is completely different where they use fresh fish and fish cakes as the main ingredients.

8. Banh Xeo – crispy Vietnamese pancake

This mouth watering savory crispy rice pancake stuffed with pork, bean sprouts, shrimp and other toppings is one of our favorite street foods in Vietnam.

The name loosely refers to the sound of the rice batter that is ‘sizzling’ when poured on a hot pan to cook. The originality of this recipe comes from the mixing of rice flour, turmeric, water, and coconut milk giving the yellow color of the crunchy crepe.

Vietnamese pancakes are usually served with lettuce leaves, mint, other vegetables, a dipping sauce, and rice paper.

9. Bun bo Huế – Hue’s Beef Noodles

Bun Bo Hue beef noodle is one of the most loved Vietnamese street foods. Originated from Hue, the old Imperial City, this dish has a strong culinary heritage being associated with the former royal court.

The main ingredients of Bun Bo Hue are a very deep broth with pork knuckles, noodles, frozen blood, minced pork, and some herbs such as bean sprouts, lemongrass, and coriander.

The dark broth is spicy, sour, sweet and umami at the same time making it the most distinctive feature of this unique dish. The noodles are also thicker than in a classic Pho.

10. Com Ga – Chicken Rice

Com is a classic chicken and rice street food dish that is served across Vietnam. Com Ga has different names depending on the region you are. The main ingredients are rice cooked in chicken broth, turmeric or curry powder giving it its nice yellow color.

The rice is topped up with shredded chicken, fried mint, herbs, and a lovely sauce on the side. Com Ga seems quite simple, but the flavors are so fresh and herbal, you’ll love it!

11. Com Tam – Broken Rice

Com Tam is a traditional Vietnamese dish from the Saigon region. Originally, it is made of rice that was broken and fractured during the handling processes. Broken rice that could not be sold was eaten by the poor rice farmers in the Mekong Delta for their breakfast.

Nowadays, Com Tam is part of the Saigon culture and is loved by everyone. The dish has evolved and is served with smaller rice, grilled pork, fried egg and veggies and garnish.

12. Cao Lau – Hoi An Noodles

This regional dish from the beautiful Hoi An in central Vietnam is very distinct from other Vietnamese noodle dishes. The main difference comes from the noodles that are soaked in lye water (alkaline salt) which gives them a yellow, brown color and a chewy texture.

The other ingredients are more classic and include marinated pork, greens, bean sprouts and herbs served in a small broth with crispy noodles on top. Don’t miss this tasty street food if you are in Hoi An night market!

13. Banh Cuon – steamed rice rolls stuffed with pork and mushrooms

Banh Cuon is a popular Vietnamese street food made of steamed thin rice sheets stuffed with a mixture of chopped minced pork, minced wood ear mushrooms and shallots with fried onion on top. The sweet and sour dipping sauce, sliced cucumber and bean sprout are served with the rolls. The rice sheets should be very thin, transparent, and delicate. Usually eaten for breakfast, this delicacy is originating from North Vietnam.

14. Ca Phe Trung – Egg Coffee

Egg coffee is one of the most typical Vietnamese coffee-style drinks in Vietnam that was created in Hanoi. It is prepared with black coffee (dripped or espresso), condensed milk, and egg yolks. The egg and condensed milk are whisked or beaten until they become fluffy and creamy and served on a small cup on top the black coffee.

Initially created in 1940’s at the famous owner of Café Giang when there was a shortage of milk in the country, he decided to replace it with egg yolk!

This delicious coffee is often compared to a dessert due to its a sweet, creamy taste making it popular even among non-coffee lovers! The egg coffee has now become an iconic Vietnamese drink that is getting popular across the world.

15. Che – Sweet soup, drink, or pudding

Che is a traditional sweet soup or dessert super popular in Vietnam and especially in South Vietnam. There are many varieties of Che using pinto beans, mung beans, kidney beans or tapioca before adding the jelly, fruits, and coconut cream!

Che is cooked in water, sweetened with sugar, and can be served hot or cold. Each region or vendors has their own recipe.

Tips to find the best street food

• Follow the locals
• Choose busy street vendors
• Follow the strong flavors
• Do a street food tour
• Tradition and Authenticity
• Eat local dishes
• Check Hygiene

Why trying the Vietnamese Street food

• Cheap meal out
• Better than restaurant food
• Authentic & fresh ingredients
• Great atmosphere