Best 4 Amazing Inexpensive Local Street Foods in Vietnam.

If Pho and Banh Mi are already familiar to the international community, there are some street foods endorsed by Vietnamese locals but not famous among foreigners.

1. Com Tam Suon (Broken rice) – Must Try Street Foods

Broken rice is the “culinary soul” of Saigon. Moreover, it highly recommends that anyone visiting this vibrant city try this dish at least once, especially for breakfast. Saigon broken rice is a popular street food that boasts a delicious, rich, and nutritious flavor.

Saigon standard broken rice cooked from delicious broken rice grains served with well-marinated grilled ribs, chewy pork skin, and a bit of pickle. In particular, broken rice must have fatty onion fat sprinkled evenly over the white rice. Enjoy it with chili garlic fish sauce for an explosion of flavors.

2. Banh Cuon – Hanoi Local Street Foods

This dish is regarded for its thin and clear steamed rolls, which require special skills to prepare. It is a popular street food that features a filling made from pork and wood ear mushrooms. The dish is typically served with rolls, dipping sauce, fried onions, and shrimp paste. Steamed Rice Rolls has a decent ranking (about 4.2 stars) on Taste Atlas, which is an online guide for food and drink all over the world. 

3. Banh xeo (Crispy Vietnamese Pancake)

In fact, this is a type of street food that combines a crispy crepe crust with bean sprouts and savory fillings such as pork belly, shrimp, and minced meat. The pancake shell is made from rice flour mixed with water, turmeric powder to create an eye-catching yellow color, and coconut milk to enhance the aroma and taste. When eaten with sweet and sour fish sauce, it creates an explosion of flavors in your mouth.

4. Bun cha (Grilled Pork Meatballs with Vermicelli Noodles)

This street food is a combination of warm broth with meat patties and vermicelli served with fresh vegetables. Besides, marinated meat and grilled until fragrant. The broth is rich, when dipped in vermicelli and served in water, you will feel the irresistible sweet flavor. If broken rice represents a typical Saigonese street food, then Bun Cha has the best taste in our capital, Hanoi. In 2016, Bun Cha gained global attention when enjoyed by former President Obama during his visit.