Vietnamese Street Food

Vietnam has a rich history, and their food reflects this in a variety of different ways. Whether you’re planning a Vietnam trip or you’re already there, it’s important to get a taste of the country’s diverse cuisine. Vietnamese food varies a lot from region to region, from the North to the South and from city to city. The differences between northern, southern, and central Vietnamese food are particularly noticeable, and many people consider Central Vietnam to have one of the best cuisines.

There are some foods that you can find everywhere from North to South but they are not the same and in each region, they are slightly different, for example: Nem Ran (spring rolls), Pho (noodle soup), Banh My (Mi), Banh Xeo (rice pancake) will all have different tastes and styles depending on where you are. 

Rice (com) is the foundation of Vietnamese cooking, no surprises there, and you can’t avoid eating it in one form or another. It can be steamed rice served with different kind of food like meats/seafood/ tofu/ soups, or it can be rice soup, sticky rice, or rice cakes…there are hundreds of different kinds of rice cakes. 

Noodles are also a key component of Vietnamese dishes, and you’ll find them in soups and stir-fries everywhere. In central Vietnam, seek out a spicy beef soup with round vermicelli noodles called Bun Bo Hue. Cao Lau is a flavourful, unique noodle dish from Hoi An that honours the town’s coastal trading history. The thick noodles are comparable to Japanese Udon, and they are topped with a selection of fresh herbs and slices of grilled pork. Down further to the South, try Bun Mam, a strong fish-flavoured broth. 

We have a list of foods that you should try when you are in each city in Vietnam that costs an average of 50,000 vnd, or AUD$3.50 or USD$2.20.

We always recommend our travellers try a street food tour, it offers a great way to experience the local cuisine and culture of Vietnam. They are typically led by knowledgeable guides who can provide insight into the history and ingredients of each dish, and help you navigate the bustling streets and markets.

In Hanoi, this tour takes you through the Old Quarter of Hanoi, where you can sample a variety of local dishes, such as pho, banh mi, and bun cha…

In Ho Chi Minh City, this tour takes you on a culinary adventure through the streets of Ho Chi Minh City, where you can sample a variety of Vietnamese street food while exploring the city at night by scooter.

What to eat in Hanoi:

The vast majority of Hanoi food comes from the Street food stalls that are very popular to locals and tourists. Surprisingly or not, some of the best dishes and most surprising local food experiences in Hanoi are on the sidewalks with locals, and not in restaurants. Pho Vietnamese noodle soup is a Hanoian dish, known the world over and is one of the most iconic Vietnamese foods.

1. Bun Cha – Barbecued Pork with Rice Vermicelli
2. Nem Ran – Spring Rolls
3. Cha Ca La Vong – Grilled Fish with Dill and Turmeric
4. Bun Ca – Fish Noodles Soup
5. Banh Cuon – Steamed Rice Rolls
6. Pho – Vietnamese Noodle Soup
7. Lau – Vietnamese Hot Pot
8. Banh My – Vietnamese Sandwich
9. Che – Vietnamese Sweet Soup
10. Cafe Trung – Vietnamese Egg Coffee
11. Mien Xao Luon – Noodles and fried eel
12. Banh Cuon – Steamed rice rolls
13. Goi Cuon – Spring rolls
14. Xoi Xeo – Sticky Rice
15. Pho Xao/ Pho Cuon

What to eat in Hoian:

1. Bánh Mì Thập Cẩm – Vietnamese Baguette Sandwich
2. Cao Lầu – Pork Rice Noodle
3. Bánh Bao Bánh Vạc – White Rose Dumpling
4. Cơm Gà Hoi An – Hoi An Chicken Rice
5. Mì Quảng – Quang Seafood Noodle
6. Bánh Xèo – Vietnamese Pancake
7. Bánh Khọt Trứng Cút – Mini Pancake with Quail Eggs
8. Thịt Xiên Nướng – Grilled Pork in Rice Paper
9. Vietnamese Spring Rolls

What to eat in Hue:

Even within the central region, individual towns and cities have their own iconic food dishes, and Hue is no exception. Hue is well known for many kinds of banh (cakes).

1. Bun Bo Hue
2. Bun Hen – Hue mussels noodle
3. Nem Lui – Hue Lemongrass Skewer
4. Ca Phe Muoi – Hue Salty Coffee
5. Banh Khoai – Hue Pancake
6. Com Hen – Hue mussels rice
7. Banh Ep
8. Banh Beo
9. Banh Khot
10. Banh Bot Loc
11. Banh Trung Trang
12. Banh Ram It
13. Che Hue – Hue sweet soup

What to eat in Ho Chi Minh:

1. Com tam
2. Banh mi
3. Pho Bo
4. Hu Tieu – Southern rice noodle soup
5. Banh xeo – Vietnamese pancake stuffed with meat
6. Bo la lot – Grilled beef in la lot leaves
7. Bun mam – Vietnamese fermented fish paste soup with rice vermicelli
8. Bun thit nuong – Vietnamese rice vermicelli with grilled pork
9. Goi cuon
10. Bo luc lac
11. Sup Cua – crab soup

What to eat in Nha Trang:

1. White sardine fish salad
2. Grilled fish cake noodles
3. Squid pancake
4. Jellyfish Vermicelli
5. Lac Canh grilled beef
6. Binh Ba lobster
7. Cau Dua grilled duck
8. Van Ninh squid vermicelli
9. Tuna eye
10. Grilled Fermented Pork Roll
11. Can cake – Banh Can
12. Nha Trang duckweed cake – Banh Beo Nha Trang
13. Dien Khanh wet cake – Banh uot Dien Khanh
14. Dac seed sweet soup

What to eat in Phu Quoc:

1. Nhum bien – Sea Echinus: Dinh Cau night market, Quan Nho: No. 40 Mac Thien Tich Street
2. Bun quay – Shrimp Noodle: Bun quay Kien Xay: No. 28 Bach Dang Street, Duong Dong
3. Tom mu ni – Slipper lobster: Quan Bup: No. 108, 30/4 Street, Duong Dong
4. Cua Ham Ninh – Ham Ninh Flower Crab: Quan Ghe Ham Ninh: No. 112 Bach Dang Street
5. Muc Chien – Fried squid: Trung Duong Marina Restaurant at 136, 30/4 Street, Duong Dong
6. Goi Ca Trich – Herring Salad: Hello Phu Quoc Restaurant: 66 Tran Hung Dao St., Duong Dong
7. Banh Canh Ca Thu – Mackerel Fish Noodles: Phung Restaurant: 27 Bach Dang St, Hanh Restaurant: KP2, Bach Dang St., Phu Quoc
8. Nam Tram – Melaleuca Mushroom

Written and Shared by Youin Travel