One of the most fun things about travel is the exploration of new tastes and vibrant flavors.
Local street foods offer a deep look into what people in your destination want to eat day-to-day, and snacks on the streets often taste like home. By seeking out street food, you not only get a preview of what Vietnamese cuisine is like, you’ll also find snacks that Ghanaians rave about, delicacies from the Philippines and India, and more – all for extremely low prices.
Street foods offer an opportunity to try local dishes without breaking the bank or committing to one restaurant for an entire evening (especially when followed by drinks or dancing!). Plus they come with an adventure (though hopefully not too much adventure) and a story since, well, you’re having to look for them.
Vietnamese Street Food Culture
A few weeks back, I posted an article about how to eat at a local restaurant in Vietnam that will make you feel like a local. In the comments section of the article, many readers asked where to find the best street food in Vietnam. I wanted to provide a full list of street foods to find, but the process of searching online for where to find the best street foods required quite a bit of time, so I started thinking: does anybody else doing this with me?
It turns out that in addition to all the great Vietnamese food being found in Vietnam, the nation is especially proud of its street food culture. While in Hanoi for a week, I visited a few of the city’s popular hotspots and asked where to find the best street food in the city.
Hanoi is the most famous city for street food in Vietnam, but you’ll also find it in Ho Chi Minh City. It’s the perfect place to start your search.
1. Bun Bo Hue (Hue Street Eats)
The name of the dish is Bun Bo Hue, and it’s a bowl of fresh, steamed rice noodles topped with a fried egg, pork sausage, pork liver, green onions, and basil. Bun Bo Hue is available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but the price of the dish varies with the time of day. For breakfast, the cost is only around US$1.50, while the price for lunch and dinner can be as high as US$4.50.
You’ll find this street food on Hang Tre (behind the La Verticale bar on Hang Tre Street), but there are also two other locations on Hang Tre: one in the alley, and one at the corner of Hang Tre and Hang Dao. The cost of the Bun Bo Hue is the same at all three locations.
2. Bun Cha (Grilled Spring Rolls)
Bun cha is a Vietnamese sandwich. The bun cha is made of a French baguette that has been toasted, then topped with grilled pork, lettuce, cilantro, and pickled carrots. Bun cha is available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but the price of the sandwich varies with the time of day. For breakfast, the cost is around US$1.50, while the price for lunch and dinner can be as high as US$4.50.
You’ll find this street food on Hang Tre (behind the La Verticale bar on Hang Tre Street), but there are also two other locations on Hang Tre: one in the alley, and one at the corner of Hang Tre and Hang Dao. The cost of the bun cha is the same at all three locations.
3. Banh Xeo (Steamed Rice Crepe)
Banh xeo is a steamed rice crepe that’s filled with egg, ham, or chives. Banh xeo is available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but the price of the dish varies with the time of day. For breakfast, the cost is around US$1.50, while the price for lunch and dinner can be as high as US$4.50.
You’ll find this street food on Hang Tre (behind the La Verticale bar on Hang Tre Street), but there are also two other locations on Hang Tre: one in the alley, and one at the corner of Hang Tre and Hang Dao. The cost of the Banh Xeo is the same at all three locations.
4. Banh Cuon (Suckling Pig Cake)
Banh Cuon is a Banh Xeo style Vietnamese cake consisting of a deep-fried, cake-like pastry filled with a meaty custard, and then topped with peanuts, chives, and a hard-boiled egg. Banh Cuon is available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but the price of the dish varies with the time of day. For breakfast, the cost is around US$1.50, while the price for lunch and dinner can be as high as US$4.50.
You’ll find this street food on Hang Tre (behind the La Verticale bar on Hang Tre Street), but there are also two other locations on Hang Tre: one in the alley, and one at the corner of Hang Tre and Hang Dao. The cost of the Banh Cuon is the same at all three locations.
5. Thit Sa (Thigh Sandwich)
Thit Saws are made of deep-fried breaded chicken thigh meat. Thit Sa is available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but the price of the dish varies with the time of day. For breakfast, the cost is around US$1.50, while the price for lunch and dinner can be as high as US$4.50.
You’ll find this street food on Hang Tre (behind the La Verticale bar on Hang Tre Street), but there are also two other locations on Hang Tre: one in the alley, and one at the corner of Hang Tre and Hang Dao. The cost of the Thit Sa is the same at all three locations.
6. Mực Phồng (Grilled Chicken Wings)
Mực Phồng are marinated chicken wings. They’re typically served with a dipping sauce that includes fish sauce, palm sugar, and Vietnamese mint. Mực Phồng is available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but the price of the dish varies with the time of day. For breakfast, the cost is around US$1.50, while the price for lunch and dinner can be as high as US$4.50.
You’ll find this street food on Hang Tre (behind the La Verticale bar on Hang Tre Street), but there are also two other locations on Hang Tre: one in the alley, and one at the corner of Hang Tre and Hang Dao. The cost of the Mực Phồng is the same at all three locations.
7. Cốm Quản (Green Mango Salad)
Cốm Quản is a salad made with fresh mangoes, cucumber, mint, and fresh basil. Cốm Quản is available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but the price of the dish varies with the time of day. For breakfast, the cost is around US$1.50, while the price for lunch and dinner can be as high as US$4.50.
You’ll find this street food on Hang Tre (behind the La Verticale bar on Hang Tre Street), but there are also two other locations on Hang Tre: one in the alley, and one at the corner of Hang Tre and Hang Dao. The cost of the Cốm Quản is the same at all three locations.
8. Mực Khoai (Grilled Beef Skewer)
Mực Khoai is grilled beef skewers that are served with lettuce, mint, basil, and chilies. Mực Khoai is available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but the price of the dish varies with the time of day. For breakfast, the cost is around US$1.50, while the price for lunch and dinner can be as high as US$4.50.
You’ll find this street food on Hang Tre (behind the La Verticale bar on Hang Tre Street), but there are also two other locations on Hang Tre: one in the alley, and one at the corner of Hang Tre and Hang Dao. The cost of the Mực Khoai is the same at all three locations.
9. Bánh Canh (Savory Stuffed Rice Cake)
Bánh Canh is a savory stuffed rice cake that is typically served with chilies, peanuts, lettuce, and cilantro. Bánh Canh is available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but the price of the dish varies with the time of day. For breakfast, the cost is around US$1.50, while the price for lunch and dinner can be as high as US$4.50.
You’ll find this street food on Hang Tre (behind the La Verticale bar on Hang Tre Street), but there are also two other locations on Hang Tre: one in the alley, and one at the corner of Hang Tre and Hang Dao. The cost of the Bánh Canh is the same at all three locations.
10. Mực Dầu (Tuna Oil)
Mực Dầu is a salad made of marinated, grilled tuna fish. It’s served with a side of lettuce, cucumber, mint, and fresh basil. Mực Dầu is available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but the price of the dish varies with the time of day. For breakfast, the cost is around US$1.50, while the price for lunch and dinner can be as high as US$4.50.
You’ll find this street food on Hang Tre (behind the La Verticale bar on Hang Tre Street), but there are also two other locations on Hang Tre: one in the alley, and one at the corner of Hang Tre and Hang Dao. The cost of the Mực Dầu is the same at all three locations.
How to Choose a Street Food Vendor?
With the number of options to choose from, it can be overwhelming. So, how do you know what to choose? Here’s a list of factors to consider:
1. Where the Food Vendors are located
Generally, you’ll find vendors where there is a high demand for street food. For example, this is often the place that the majority of tourists gather before visiting the Mekong Delta. In this scenario, street food vendors are typically located along with Thais, Hang Trang, or Hang Dao Streets so that tourists can easily find them.
2. Is the Food Vendor Friendly?
Regardless of whether or not food vendors are friendly or nice to you, it’s important to know how to read a menu. For example, most vendors don’t have English menus, so you’ll have to know how to read a menu in Vietnamese. It’s also important to know how to ask a vendor for help, such as pointing you in the right direction.
3. Is the Food Vendor Licensed?
If the vendor is not licensed, it is illegal for them to be selling food on the street. This can be a good or bad thing, depending on your situation. If you’re traveling alone and you don’t want to end up with food poisoning, it’s best to avoid unlicensed vendors. However, if you want to eat at a food stall that’s not licensed, it’s always best to go to the licensed stalls. Licensed stalls will have the sign “Street Food – Licensed.” An unlicensed vendor without a license will not have that sign on their stall.
Menu Types
1. Classic Vietnamese MenuThere are three classic Vietnamese menu types: Appetizer, Mains, and Dessert.
2. Mixed Menu
A mixed menu has a variety of dishes on one menu. Some of the dishes on the menu may be appetizers, mains, or desserts. Mixed menus can be found in every type of street food vendor. For example, a street food vendor that serves food from a cart will likely have a mixed menu.
3. Vegetarian Menu
Most vendors will have a vegetarian menu. Vegetarian menus usually include dishes that are vegetarian versions of classic Vietnamese dishes. For example, a vegetarian version of Mực Phồng is called Mực Phồng Gà
4. Classic Seafood Menu
The Classic Seafood menu is often referred to as “Fish Ball” as it is sometimes filled with minced fish meat and grilled fish balls. The choices for the Classic Seafood menu are generally fish soup, grilled
1. Don’t drink water from unknown sources
In some places, you should avoid drinking tap water. A “drinking water not safe” sign is usually placed on the stalls. These signs usually say: Do not drink tap water There is a danger of infectious diseases Danger of parasites It is important to check the labels before drinking tap water. Always drink water that is from a secure, clean and safe source.
2. Don’t eat food that smells bad
If you smell food that is rotting or smells like urine, do not eat it. This is not only unhygienic but also potentially dangerous. There is always a risk of poisoning. Sometimes even people die from eating rotten food. When we see dead animals in the forest or countryside, it is usually because they were eaten by rats, foxes, and wild cats. These animals may be hungry and therefore look for new food. Rats, foxes, and cats are not usually afraid of humans. So they go into houses, trash bins, rubbish tips, gardens, farms, and orchards to eat anything that is rotten or smelly. Many animals and plants that are poisonous to humans may be edible for animals and insects. Therefore, if you see animals or plants that you do not know, then it is best to stay away from them.
3. Don’t eat food that is not cooked
Street food is not only a great way to taste new flavors, it can also be a way to experience a culture. However, nothing is more important than the safety of the food. Cooked food is safe to eat and will be less likely to cause an illness or infection. Street food should be cooked thoroughly. It is not only unhygienic but also potentially dangerous to eat uncooked food.
Conclusion:
In this article, we’ve explored the history of some of Vietnam’s most famous street foods. As you can see, there are many delicious options in Vietnam. With this list, you will be able to enjoy some of the best street food around while visiting this amazing country. Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, it’s important to keep an eye on your spending when abroad. Hopefully, after reading this guide you will be able to enjoy these dishes on your next trip to Vietnam! If you’d like to learn more about the best things to do in Hanoi, check out our guide here.
