Ho Chi Minh City Street Food Guide
I still find myself hesitating whenever i approach street food venders, be it fear of that akward situation when the owner doesnt understand what i want to order or accidently ordering something that i’m just not going to enjoy and ruining the whole experience. Sometimes the “Point at what he is eating” technique just doesnt work and I often need alittle confidence by knowing what i’m ordering to make the leap
Below is a list of common foods you will see on the streets of Saigon along with a short discription and some tips on how to order to give you that confidence to dive deep into street food in Saigon
Noodle Soups
Bún bò Huế - The most underated and unkown Vietnamese dish, outside of Vietnam that is. A rich and spicy soup with thick vermichelli noddles (almost spaghetti like). Topped with slices of beef, pork bones, pork loaf, congealed blood cubes and fresh herbs
Hu tieu - A sweet and smokey broth with real depth that includes chargrilled onion and ginger, Marinated ground pork and dried squid. Topped with prawns, pork slices and quail eggs. Finally with clear rice noodles that remain transparent when cooked
Bánh canh - Thick and chewy tapioca noodles, similar to Japanese Udon, in a rich and savory broth made from simmering pork bones and shrimp paste for 2-4 hours making a thicker, heartier soup, similar to a chowder. Often topped with crab (Cua), pork slices, crab meat and congealed blood cubes
Phở - Needs no introduction, a fresh and nourishing beef broth topped with chieck (Ga) or beef (Bo) with thin rice noodles. The hero of this dish is the fresh and aromatic herbs in fresh mint, thai basil, cilantro and green onions. A splash of acidity with a squirt of fresh lime tops off this classic
Bò kho - Vietnams take on beef stew, combining the familiar flavours of garlic, onions, cinnamon and star anise with the signature Vietnamese freshness of lemongrass, cilantro and thai basile. Toppe with glass noodles, it is one of the more accessible and familiar dishes
Noodle Salads
Bún thịt nướng - BBQ’ed pork, deep fried spring rolls, dry vermiceilli noodles with pickled carrots, raddish, fresh herbs and topped with roasted peanuts. Tied togther with a sweet and sour fish sauce (Nuoc Cham). One of the best!
Bánh cuốn - A pork and mushroom dumpling made from a chewy rice flour crepe. Served with slices of pork loaf, cucumber, fresh herbs and fried shallots. Topped with Nuoc Cham, a sweet and sour fish sauce
Bánh Ướt - Similar to Banh Cuon, but instead the chewy rice flour crepes are cut into thick noodles and served with slices of pork loaf, cucumber, fresh herbs and fried shallots. Topped with Nuoc Cham, a sweet and sour fish sauce
Rice Dish
Cơm tấm - A broken rice dish, traditionally made from the broken rice grain left over from the milling process. Can be served with many different meats and sides including Fried Chicken (Ga), Pork ribs (Suon), Grilled chicken thigh (Đùi Gà Nướng) and steamed omelet (Chả trứng). The meats will usually be on display so the “Point at what you want” method is the best bet here. Served with a side of cucumber, picked carrots and Nuoc Cham, swee and sour fish sauce
Xôi gà - A simple sticky rice and fried chicken dish usually eaten for breakfast. Served with slices of chicken soaf, cucumber and fried shallots.
Snacks
Banh Mi - Salad roll using a crusty french baguette. The roll is typically filled with cold cut slices of pork (Thit), a spread of pate, pickled carrots, slices of cucumber, cilantro and chilli. All up a mix of crunch, sweet, sour and savory. Variations to the cold cut meats include omelet (Op La) and pork meat ball (Xui Mai)
Gỏi cuốn - Fresh spring rolls with peanut sauce, and translates to salad rolls. The sticky rice paper wrapper is filled with thin rice noodles, leafy lettuce, mint, cilantro, thin slices of pork belly or boiled shrimp. Served with a sweet hoisin and peanut dipping sauce
Banh Khot - Banh Khot - Small savoury pancakes made from rice flour, corn starch and turmeric powder giving it that yellow colour. Topped with unshelled prawns adding a crunch, then wrapped in lettuce and dipped into sweet chilli sauce. Not healthiest street food options but a super delicious one after a late night with beers and friends.
Bot Chien
Bánh xèo - A cispy and siziling golden crepe filled with bean sprouts, slices of pork belly and crunchy prawns/shrimp. The gold colour comes from turmeric powder added to the batter often mistaken for an egg omelet
Súp cua - a corn and crab meat soup made from a pork or chicken broth and a couple of eggs. A super comfort food when feeling under the weather!
Bột chiên - Bouncy cubed rice cakes fried with egg (trung) omelet topped with spring onions, chilli sauce and soy sauce. A real hangover cure
