Vietnam is a street food paradise with countless attractive and diverse dishes. Each region has its own specialties, from hot drinks, fragrant grilled dishes to sweet snacks. Street food is not only a unique cultural feature but also reflects the richness of Vietnamese cuisine. Let’s explore the famous street foods that you cannot miss when coming to Vietnam.
Noodle soup
When it comes to Vietnamese cuisine, it is impossible not to mention Pho. Pho is a famous traditional dish, which can be found in every corner of the country. Pho is usually prepared with broth made from beef or chicken bones, combined with soft rice noodles, beef or chicken and herbs. This dish is not only delicious but also very nutritious, suitable to eat at any time of the day.
Each region of Vietnam has its own way of making pho, from Hanoi’s clear, light beef pho to the richer Nam Dinh pho. No matter where you are in the country, a hot bowl of pho in the morning is a great start to the day.
Bread
Vietnamese bread has become a famous dish not only in Vietnam but also around the world. Considered a Vietnamese “sandwich”, banh mi is the perfect combination of a crispy crust and a variety of fillings, from grilled meat, pate, fried eggs, to vegetables and special sauces. This dish is delicious, convenient and very cheap, suitable for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Saigon banh mi is famous for its rich flavor and rich fillings, while Hanoi banh mi usually has a softer crust and less seasoning. This is a dish that tourists cannot miss when coming to Vietnam, because it has a strong imprint of street food culture.
Bun Cha
Bun cha is a Hanoi specialty, where the aromatic flavor of grilled meat combined with sweet and sour fish sauce creates a difference from many other dishes. Bun cha includes charcoal grilled pork, meatballs, fresh rice noodles and a bowl of fish sauce mixed with green papaya, carrots and raw vegetables.
The special thing about Bun Cha is that the grilled meat is marinated very carefully, giving the dish a distinctive aroma. Bun Cha is not only a delicious dish but also brings a cultural experience when you sit on small plastic chairs, enjoying a bowl of fragrant Bun Cha in the middle of Hanoi streets.
Banh Xeo
Banh xeo is a popular street food in central and southern Vietnam, with a thin, crispy shell made from rice flour, filled with shrimp, pork and bean sprouts. Banh xeo is often served with raw vegetables and a dipping sauce made from fish sauce, garlic, chili, sugar and lemon, creating a harmonious and delicious flavor.
In the South, banh xeo are usually larger and have more fillings than the central version. Not only is this dish delicious, it is also part of an interesting street food experience as you get to see the process of making banh xeo on the spot.
Hue Beef Noodle Soup
Bun bo Hue is a famous specialty of Hue, Central Vietnam. The broth of Bun bo Hue is simmered from beef bones, lemongrass and chili, creating a spicy and rich flavor. The dish includes thick rice noodles, beef, pork leg, crab cake and herbs, served with fish sauce and chili.
What makes Bun Bo Hue special is its rich Central Vietnamese flavor with a perfect combination of spicy, salty and sweet. This is a street food that visitors cannot miss when coming to the ancient city of Hue.
Vietnamese cuisine
Street food in Vietnam is not only diverse and rich in flavor but also carries the cultural characteristics of each region. From pho, banh mi to bun cha, banh xeo, each dish tells a story about the people and life of the Vietnamese people. If you are a foodie, do not miss the opportunity to explore these wonderful street foods when you have the opportunity to visit Vietnam.
