Vietnamese street food has long been a unique cultural aspect, attracting visitors from all over the world with its diversity, richness, and distinctive flavors. More than just quick bites, street snacks are cultural bridges, reflecting the daily life and culinary preferences of people in each region. From small alleys to bustling markets, from lively sidewalks to vendors weaving through streets, the world of Vietnamese street food always holds exciting and unexpected things waiting for you to discover. Let’s explore with “Du lịch khắp thế gian” (Travel Around The World) a list of the most famous street snacks you must try when visiting Vietnam!
Coin Bread with Cheese – A Craze from the Land of Kimchi
Coin bread with cheese, a “hot” snack originating from Korea, has quickly won over Vietnamese youth with its eye-catching appearance and irresistibly delicious taste. The round, golden-brown cake, shaped like a coin, hides a rich, chewy, and stringy cheese filling inside, which is incredibly appealing.
The highlight of coin bread with cheese lies in the harmonious combination of a crispy crust and a soft, melting cheese filling. The crust is made from wheat flour, eggs, milk, and sugar, creating a mildly sweet and buttery flavor. When you take a bite, you’ll feel the crispy crust melt in your mouth, followed by the rich, fragrant, and endlessly stringy cheese filling.
Beyond the traditional cheese filling, coin bread with cheese is increasingly being transformed with various fillings such as salted egg cheese, milk tea cheese, and chocolate cheese, catering to the tastes of many customers. You can easily find this cake on streets and in markets, especially in areas near schools and shopping centers, where young people gather.
Price reference: 25,000 – 30,000 VND/piece
Taiyaki Fish-Shaped Cake – Traditional Japanese Flavor
Taiyaki fish-shaped cake, a traditional sweet treat from Japan, is also one of the popular street snacks in Vietnam. Shaped like a cute fish, Taiyaki is not only visually appealing but also captivates diners with its distinctive delicious flavor.
The Taiyaki crust is made from wheat flour, sugar, eggs, and milk, baked in a special fish-shaped mold, creating a crispy and soft crust. The traditional filling is sweet Azuki red bean paste, but today, Taiyaki has been transformed with various fillings such as fresh cream, chocolate, green tea, and cheese, catering to many people’s preferences.
Enjoying a hot Taiyaki cake in the chilly weather, sipping a sweet and sour iced tamarind tea is a delightful experience. You can easily find this cake at night markets, shopping centers, or Japanese-style bakeries.
Price reference: 25,000 – 30,000 VND/piece
Taiyaki, a Japanese fish-shaped cake, is delicious both warm and cold.
Tré Trộn (Mixed Tré) – A Bold Central Vietnam Specialty
Tré trộn, a specialty snack of Central Vietnam, especially Binh Dinh province, offers a harmonious blend of sour, spicy, salty, and sweet flavors that stimulate the taste buds. The main ingredient of tré trộn is tré – a type of fermented pork sausage made from pork, pig ears, pig snout, pig skin, along with distinctive spices such as galangal, garlic, chili, and roasted sesame seeds.
After fermentation, tré is mixed with fresh and cool vegetables such as cucumber, Vietnamese coriander (rau răm), shredded green mango, added with crunchy roasted peanuts, fragrant fried shallots, and various types of Vietnamese sausage (chả lụa) and fermented pork roll (nem chua), creating an irresistibly delicious tré trộn.
The highlight of tré trộn is the sour taste of naturally fermented tré, the spiciness of chili, the saltiness of fish sauce, the mild sweetness of sugar, harmonizing with the crunchy texture of pig ears and skin, and the freshness of vegetables. This dish is often enjoyed with friends and family in the late afternoon or as an appetizer at parties.
Price reference: 50,000 – 150,000 VND
Bánh Tráng Cuộn Sốt Trứng (Rice Paper Rolls with Egg Sauce) – An “Addictive” Snack on Walking Streets
Bánh tráng cuộn sốt trứng is a familiar street snack, especially popular on walking streets and entertainment areas. With simple ingredients like chewy red rice paper, quail eggs, dried shrimp, Vietnamese coriander, and fried shallots, this dish captivates diners with its rich, creamy egg sauce flavor and the harmonious combination of ingredients.
Rice paper is spread out, filled with boiled quail eggs, roasted dried shrimp, Vietnamese coriander, and fried shallots, rolled up, cut into bite-sized pieces, and then drizzled with a rich, fragrant egg yolk sauce. The egg sauce is made from egg yolks, sugar, milk, and butter, simmered until thickened, creating a distinctive sweet and creamy flavor.
When enjoying bánh tráng cuộn sốt trứng, you will feel the chewiness of the rice paper, the savory taste of quail eggs, the sweet and salty taste of dried shrimp, the aroma of Vietnamese coriander and fried shallots, blended with the creamy egg sauce, creating an “addictive” snack that you can’t get enough of.
Price reference: 15,000 – 25,000 VND
Creamy egg sauce and chewy rice paper create an endlessly enjoyable snack.
Bánh Tráng Nướng Mắm Ruốc (Grilled Rice Paper with Fermented Shrimp Paste) – An Unforgettable Bold Flavor
Bánh tráng nướng mắm ruốc is a street snack imbued with the flavor of Central Vietnam, especially Da Lat. A thin rice paper is grilled over charcoal or an electric grill, smeared with fragrant fermented shrimp paste (mắm ruốc), added with egg, scallions, sausage, and shredded pork floss, creating an irresistibly delicious bánh tráng nướng mắm ruốc.
The highlight of this dish is the bold and salty flavor of fermented shrimp paste, combined with the richness of egg, the aroma of scallions, and the crispiness of grilled rice paper. When eating, you can add a bit of chili sauce to enhance the spiciness. Bánh tráng nướng mắm ruốc is often enjoyed on chilly evenings or in bustling night markets.
Price reference: 10,000 – 25,000 VND
Bánh Tráng Trộn (Mixed Rice Paper) – The “National Snack” of Young People
Bánh tráng trộn, a “national” snack, is indispensable in the list of famous street snacks in Vietnam. Although present everywhere, from sidewalks to eateries, bánh tráng trộn still maintains its “top” position in the hearts of young people due to its diverse flavors and affordable price.
The main ingredients of bánh tráng trộn are shredded rice paper, shredded green mango, dried beef, quail eggs, Vietnamese coriander, roasted peanuts, fried shallots, and seasonings such as fish sauce, sugar, kumquat, and chili. Each bánh tráng trộn stall has its own mixing recipe, creating differences and uniqueness in flavor.
Bánh tráng trộn offers a blend of many flavors: sourness of green mango, spiciness of chili, saltiness of fish sauce, sweetness of sugar, crunchiness of peanuts, aroma of Vietnamese coriander and fried shallots, and chewiness of rice paper. All create a delicious snack, conquering even the most discerning palates.
Price reference: 15,000 – 25,000 VND
A perfect blend of sour, spicy, salty, and sweet flavors, bánh tráng trộn conquers even the most discerning palates.
Bánh Tráng Cuốn Sốt Me (Rice Paper Rolls with Tamarind Sauce) – Refreshing and Flavorful
Bánh tráng cuốn sốt me is another variation of bánh tráng, offering a refreshing, sweet and sour flavor that suits many palates, especially on hot summer days.
Rice paper is used to wrap fillings such as stir-fried shrimp, boiled quail eggs, Vietnamese coriander, cucumber, and fresh vermicelli, then dipped in sweet and sour, slightly spicy tamarind sauce. Tamarind sauce is made from ripe tamarind, sugar, fish sauce, and chili, creating a distinctive sweet and sour flavor that stimulates the taste buds.
Bánh tráng cuốn sốt me has the freshness of vegetables, the sweet and salty taste of stir-fried shrimp and quail eggs, the sweet and sour taste of tamarind sauce, and the chewiness of rice paper. This dish is not only delicious but also provides plenty of fiber and vitamins from vegetables.
Price reference: 15,000 – 25,000 VND
Bánh Tráng Tỏi (Garlic Rice Paper) – Crispy Tay Ninh Specialty
Bánh tráng tỏi is a specialty street snack of Tay Ninh province, famous for the fragrant aroma of fried garlic, the mild spiciness of chili, and the crispiness of rice paper. The main ingredients of bánh tráng tỏi are very simple: sun-dried rice paper, garlic, chili, cooking oil, and salt.
Tay Ninh sun-dried rice paper is already famous for its chewiness and softness. When grilled or deep-fried, the rice paper becomes crispy and fragrant. Garlic is fried until golden brown, chili is dried roasted, mixed with rice paper, creating a delicious bánh tráng tỏi.
Bánh tráng tỏi can be eaten directly as a snack, or mixed with other seasonings such as fried shallots, scallion oil, and Vietnamese coriander, creating a flavorful and bold bánh tráng trộn tỏi. This is an ideal snack to enjoy during conversations with friends.
Price reference: 15,000 – 25,000 VND
Bánh tráng trộn (mixed rice paper) with fried garlic and chili, spicy scallion oil, served with Vietnamese coriander, is incredibly delicious.
Rong Biển Cháy Tỏi (Garlic-Fried Seaweed) – A “Superb” Beer Snack or Wonderful Treat
Rong biển cháy tỏi is a unique street snack, both crispy and flavorful, suitable as a beer snack or a treat to munch on while watching movies or reading books. Fresh and delicious seaweed is selected, washed, cut into bite-sized pieces, then stir-fried briefly with hot oil, added with fragrant fried garlic, and mixed well to let the seaweed absorb the seasonings.
Rong biển cháy tỏi has the saltiness of fish sauce, the mild spiciness of chili, the fragrant aroma of fried garlic, and the crispiness of fried seaweed. This dish is not only delicious but also contains many nutrients good for health from seaweed.
Price reference: 30,000 – 80,000 VND
Bánh Tôm Hồ Tây (West Lake Shrimp Cakes) – Famous Hanoi Flavor
Bánh tôm Hồ Tây is a specialty cake of Hanoi, famous for its distinctive delicious flavor, associated with the memories of many generations of Hanoians. Bánh tôm is made from wheat flour, rice flour, fresh shrimp, and sweet potato, shaped into flat rounds, and deep-fried until golden crispy.
The filling of bánh tôm is fresh shrimp, cleaned and seasoned, wrapped in a thin layer of batter. The crust is crispy, the shrimp filling is sweet and meaty, dipped in a distinctive sweet and sour dipping sauce, creating an irresistibly delicious bánh tôm Hồ Tây.
If you have the opportunity to visit Hanoi, don’t forget to visit Bánh Tôm Hồ Tây restaurant opposite Tran Quoc Pagoda to enjoy this famous bánh tôm. This bánh tôm restaurant has been around since 1956, considered one of the best and oldest bánh tôm places in Hanoi.
Price reference: 6,000 – 10,000 VND/piece
Crispy crust and rich shrimp filling are appealing from the first bite.
Bánh Mì Nướng Muối Ớt (Grilled Bread with Salt and Chili) – Saigon Street “Specialty”
Bánh mì nướng muối ớt is a familiar street snack of Saigon, loved for its bold spicy and salty flavor, crispy grilled bread, combined with attractive toppings.
Bread is sliced, smeared with a thin layer of butter, grilled over charcoal or an electric grill until golden crispy. Then, the bread is drizzled with a salt and chili mixture, added with quail eggs, sausage, shredded pork floss, and scallions, creating a colorful and flavorful bánh mì nướng muối ớt.
Bánh mì nướng muối ớt has the spiciness of chili, the saltiness of salt, the richness of butter, the aroma of scallions, and the crispiness of grilled bread. This dish is often enjoyed with iced tamarind tea or other refreshing drinks.
Price reference: 10,000 – 20,000 VND
Bò Bía (Popiah) – Saigon’s “Leisurely” Flavor
Bò bía is a street snack imbued with Chinese culinary influences, loved by Saigonese people for its affordable price and unique flavor. There are two popular types of bò bía: savory bò bía and sweet bò bía.
Savory bò bía includes ingredients such as Chinese sausage (lạp xưởng), fried egg, jicama, carrot, lettuce, wrapped in thin rice paper, dipped in black bean sauce mixed with chili sauce. Sweet bò bía is simpler, consisting only of shredded coconut, maltose, and roasted sesame seeds, wrapped in thin rice paper.
Bò bía offers a mild, easy-to-eat flavor, suitable for afternoon snacks or as an appetizer. You can find bò bía all over the streets and alleys of Saigon, especially in Lu Gia residential area, Tan Dinh market, Nguyen Van Giai street, Tran Binh Trong street…
Price reference: 15,000 – 25,000 VND/roll
Bò bía rolls with rice paper, vermicelli, and raw vegetables, dipped in black bean sauce, are addictive.
Bạch Tuộc Sốt Thái (Thai-Style Octopus) – “International Delicacy” in the Heart of Saigon
Bạch tuộc sốt Thái is a Thai-flavored street snack, favored by Saigon youth for its bold sweet, sour, spicy, and salty flavors that stimulate the taste buds.
Fresh octopus is boiled until just cooked, mixed with shredded green mango, carved carrots, Vietnamese coriander, and distinctive Thai sauce. Thai sauce is made from fish sauce, sugar, kumquat, chili, garlic, and lemongrass, creating a harmonious sweet, sour, spicy, and salty flavor, with a strong aroma.
Bạch tuộc sốt Thái has the crunchy texture of octopus, the sweet and sour taste of green mango, the spiciness of Thai sauce, and the aroma of Vietnamese coriander. This dish is often enjoyed with friends or as an appetizer at small parties.
Price reference: 150,000 – 200,000 VND
Bắp Nướng Mỡ Hành (Grilled Corn with Scallion Oil) – Warm Homely Flavor
Bắp nướng mỡ hành is a rustic, familiar street snack, offering the distinctive delicious flavor of grilled sticky corn, fragrant scallion oil, and the natural sweetness of corn.
Sticky corn is grilled over charcoal or an electric grill until golden brown and fragrant. Then, the corn is smeared with fragrant fried scallion oil, added with scallions, creating a delicious bắp nướng mỡ hành.
Bắp nướng mỡ hành has the natural sweetness of sticky corn, the richness of scallion oil, the aroma of scallions, and the chewiness of grilled corn. This dish is often enjoyed on chilly evenings or in night markets and festivals.
Price reference: 15,000 – 20,000 VND
Golden grilled corn with fragrant scallion oil, perfect for enjoying with friends.
Bột Chiên (Fried Flour Cakes) – A “Childhood” Snack for Many Generations
Bột chiên is a popular street snack, loved by many ages, especially students. Bột chiên is made from rice flour, tapioca flour, eggs, and scallions, deep-fried until golden crispy, served with sweet and sour dipping sauce and shredded green papaya.
The flour is cut into bite-sized squares, deep-fried until crispy, eggs are added and fried together, and scallions are sprinkled on top. The bột chiên dipping sauce is made from soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, and chili, creating a bold sweet and sour taste.
Bột chiên has the crispiness of fried flour cakes, the richness of eggs, the aroma of scallions, and the sweet and sour taste of dipping sauce. This dish has become a part of the childhood memories of many generations of Vietnamese people.
Price reference: 15,000 – 25,000 VND
Bánh Cay (Spicy Cakes) – Bold Spicy Flavor of the Mekong Delta
Bánh cay is a small grilled cake, a specialty of the Mekong Delta region, made mainly from cassava (yam). The cake has a distinctive spicy flavor of chili, a bold taste of seasonings, and a crispy texture that melts in your mouth.
Cassava is shredded, mixed with tapioca flour, sugar, salt, chili, and scallions, shaped into small cylinders, and grilled over charcoal or an electric grill until golden brown. Bánh cay has a golden color, fragrant aroma, and when eaten, has a spicy kick on the tip of the tongue, crispy and nutty from cassava.
Bánh cay is an indispensable childhood snack of Mekong Delta people, often used as a snack or enjoyed with hot tea.
Price reference: 15,000 – 30,000 VND
Spicy and crispy snack with the nutty and rich flavor of cassava.
Bánh Flan (Crème Caramel) – A “Cooling” Dessert for Summer
Bánh flan, also known as crème caramel, is a dessert originating from France, loved for its sweet, creamy, and smooth melt-in-your-mouth texture. Bánh flan is made from eggs, fresh milk, sugar, and vanilla, steamed until set.
Bánh flan has two distinct layers: a golden-brown caramel layer at the bottom and a smooth custard layer on top. The caramel layer has a slightly bitter, sweet taste, and the custard layer has a creamy taste of eggs and milk, fragrant with vanilla.
Bánh flan is an ideal dessert to cool down on hot summer days. You can enjoy plain bánh flan or combine it with shaved ice, coffee, or jelly, creating diverse and attractive desserts.
Price reference: 10,000 – 20,000 VND/piece
Tàu Hũ Singapore (Singaporean Beancurd) – Refreshing Dessert
Tàu hũ Singapore is a dessert originating from Singapore, made from soy beans or soy milk, combined with ginger sugar syrup and various toppings. Tàu hũ Singapore has a mild sweetness, coolness, smooth texture, and distinctive aroma of soy beans.
Tàu hũ is made smooth and silky, served with fragrant ginger sugar syrup, slightly spicy, added with chewy tapioca pearls, crunchy jelly, or other toppings such as roasted peanuts, dried coconut, and fresh fruits.
Tàu hũ Singapore is a refreshing and nutritious dessert, suitable for quenching thirst on hot summer days.
Price reference: 20,000 – 30,000 VND
Refreshing dessert, smooth beancurd, served with sugar syrup and tapioca pearls.
Các Loại Chè (Vietnamese Sweet Soups) – Sweet “Harmonies” of Vietnamese Cuisine
Chè is a traditional Vietnamese dessert, extremely diverse and rich in types and flavors. From green bean sweet soup (chè đậu xanh), red bean sweet soup (chè đậu đỏ), sweet potato and coconut milk dessert (chè khoai), corn sweet soup (chè bắp), banana sweet soup (chè chuối), Thai sweet soup (chè thái), mixed sweet soup (chè thập cẩm)… each type of chè has its own distinctive flavor, catering to many people’s preferences.
Chè is cooked from various ingredients such as beans, sticky rice, tapioca starch, fruits, jelly, coconut milk, sugar, and natural flavorings. Chè is usually eaten cold, with shaved ice, creating a wonderful cooling dessert in the summer.
Chè is not only a snack but also a distinctive part of Vietnamese culinary culture, showing the ingenuity, sophistication in processing, and diversity of local ingredients.
Price reference: 15,000 – 30,000 VND
Chân Gà Sốt Thái, Chân Gà Sả Tắc (Thai-Style Chicken Feet, Lemongrass and Kumquat Chicken Feet) – “Addictive” Beer Snacks for Young People
Chân gà sốt thái and chân gà sả tắc are two street snacks particularly loved by Vietnamese youth, often used as beer snacks or “leisurely” snacks with friends.
Chicken feet are boiled until just cooked, maintaining their crunchy texture, then mixed with sweet, sour, spicy, and salty Thai sauce or fragrant, spicy lemongrass and kumquat sauce. The sauce is made bold, soaking well into the chicken feet, creating an irresistibly delicious flavor.
Chân gà sốt thái and chân gà sả tắc have a harmonious sweet, sour, spicy, and salty taste, crunchy chicken feet, and the strong aroma of lemongrass, kumquat, and chili. This dish is very suitable for enjoying with cold beer during gatherings with friends.
Price reference: 30,000 – 50,000 VND/box
Firm chicken feet with spicy Thai sauce or tongue-tingling lemongrass and kumquat sauce are both incredibly delicious.
Chuối, Khoai Lang, Khoai Mỡ Chiên (Fried Bananas, Sweet Potatoes, Yams) – “Timeless” Snacks
Chuối chiên, khoai lang chiên, khoai mỡ chiên are familiar, simple street snacks, loved for their sweet, crispy flavor, and affordable price.
Bananas, sweet potatoes, and yams are cut into bite-sized pieces, coated in crispy batter, and deep-fried until golden brown. The crispy batter crust, the soft and sweet filling inside, dipped in chili sauce or ketchup, creates a delicious snack.
Chuối chiên, khoai lang chiên, khoai mỡ chiên are “timeless” snacks, always loved by many generations of Vietnamese people.
Price reference: 10,000 – 20,000 VND
Chuối Nếp Nướng (Grilled Sticky Rice Banana) – Rustic Yet Captivating Flavor
Chuối nếp nướng is a rustic street snack, a specialty of Southern Vietnam, loved for its delicious, chewy, and nutty flavor. Ripe bananas (chuối xiêm) are wrapped in a layer of sticky rice, added with coconut milk and sugar, wrapped in banana leaves, and grilled over charcoal or an electric grill.
Chuối nếp nướng has the sweet aroma of ripe bananas, the chewiness of sticky rice, the richness of coconut milk, and the distinctive aroma of grilled banana leaves. This dish is often enjoyed hot, sprinkled with roasted sesame seeds and shredded coconut, creating a perfect chuối nếp nướng.
Price reference: 25,000 – 35,000 VND
Soft ripe bananas, chewy sticky rice, grilled to fragrant perfection, sprinkled with sesame seeds and coconut.
Cút Lộn, Trứng Cút Xào Me (Balut, Tamarind Stir-fried Quail Eggs) – “Unique” Southern Snacks
Cút lộn (balut), trứng cút xào me are unique street snacks of Southern Vietnam, loved by many for their bold sweet and sour flavor, richness, and fragrant tamarind sauce.
Balut or quail eggs are boiled, then stir-fried with tamarind sauce made from ripe tamarind, sugar, fish sauce, chili, and garlic. The dish is sprinkled with roasted peanuts, fried shallots, and Vietnamese coriander, creating a delicious cút lộn, trứng cút xào me.
Cút lộn, trứng cút xào me have the sweet and sour taste of tamarind sauce, the richness of quail eggs, the crunchiness of roasted peanuts, and the aroma of Vietnamese coriander and fried shallots. This dish is often used as a snack or an appetizer.
Price reference: 25,000 – 35,000 VND
Cút Chiên Bơ (Butter-Fried Quail) – An “Immortal” Beer Snack in Sidewalk Eateries
Cút chiên bơ is a familiar street snack, especially popular in Vietnamese beer joints and street vendors. Quail is cleaned, seasoned, deep-fried until golden crispy, then stir-fried with butter, garlic, and chili, creating an irresistibly delicious cút chiên bơ.
Cút chiên bơ has the richness of butter, the fragrant aroma of fried garlic, the mild spiciness of chili, and the crispiness of fried quail. This dish is often enjoyed with cucumber, Vietnamese coriander, and cold beer.
Price reference: 20,000 – 30,000 VND/bird
Golden brown grilled meat, dripping fat blending with spicy and fragrant seasonings, is irresistibly delicious.
Gỏi Cuốn (Fresh Spring Rolls) – A “Light” Yet Delicious Dish
Gỏi cuốn is a rustic, light, yet no less attractive dish of Vietnamese cuisine. Gỏi cuốn is present throughout the country, from North to South, with many variations.
The main ingredients of gỏi cuốn are rice paper, fresh vermicelli, boiled pork or boiled shrimp, various raw vegetables (lettuce, herbs, fish mint, basil…), neatly rolled up, dipped in a special dipping sauce (fermented bean sauce, peanut sauce, sweet and sour fish sauce…).
Gỏi cuốn offers a fresh, light, easy-to-eat flavor, suitable for snacks or as an appetizer.
Price reference: 10,000 – 15,000 VND/roll
Gỏi Khô Bò (Dried Beef Salad) – “Sweet, Sour, Spicy, Salty” Flavor that Stimulates the Taste Buds
Gỏi khô bò is a familiar street snack, loved for its bold sweet, sour, spicy, salty flavor, crispiness, and irresistibly delicious taste.
Gỏi khô bò is made from shredded green mango, shredded dried beef, Vietnamese coriander, roasted peanuts, fried shallots, and sweet and sour fish sauce. Sweet and sour fish sauce is made from fish sauce, sugar, kumquat, chili, and garlic, creating a distinctive flavor for gỏi khô bò.
Gỏi khô bò has the sourness of green mango, the spiciness of chili, the sweet and salty taste of fish sauce, the crispiness of dried beef, and the aroma of Vietnamese coriander, fried shallots, and roasted peanuts. This dish is very stimulating to the taste buds, suitable for snacks or enjoying with friends.
Price reference: 25,000 – 35,000 VND
Bold, delicious, crispy, spicy, sweet, and sour gỏi khô bò is super appealing.
Gỏi Đu Đủ Thái (Thai Papaya Salad) – A “New Breeze” in Street Food
Gỏi đu đủ Thái is a Thai-flavored street snack, loved by Vietnamese youth for its freshness, crispiness, and distinctive sweet and sour flavor.
Gỏi đu đủ Thái is made from shredded green papaya, dried shrimp, string beans, carrots, roasted peanuts, and sweet and sour Thai sauce. Thai sauce is made from fish sauce, sugar, kumquat, chili, garlic, and lemongrass, creating a harmonious sweet, sour, spicy, and salty flavor.
Gỏi đu đủ Thái has the crispiness of green papaya, the sweet and salty taste of dried shrimp, the crunchiness of roasted peanuts, and the sweet and sour spiciness of Thai sauce. This dish is suitable for enjoying on hot summer days or as an appetizer.
Price reference: 25,000 – 35,000 VND
Xiên Que Nướng (Grilled Skewers) – Diverse “Menu” for Evenings
Xiên que nướng is a familiar street snack, loved for its convenience, variety of ingredients, and delicious and appealing flavor.
The ingredients for xiên que nướng are very diverse, from pork, chicken, beef balls, fish balls, sausage, to vegetables such as mushrooms, tomatoes, bell peppers, and okra… The ingredients are skewered on bamboo sticks, grilled over charcoal or an electric grill until golden brown and fragrant.
Xiên que nướng has the delicious flavor of grilled meat, the natural sweetness of vegetables, dipped in chili sauce or sweet and sour chili sauce, creating a delicious snack. This dish is often enjoyed in the evening, in night markets, or sidewalk eateries.
Price reference: 15,000 – 20,000 VND/skewer
Grilled skewers are extremely delicious when eaten with herbs and bread.
Xôi Chiên (Fried Sticky Rice) – Quick and Filling “Stomach Liner”
Xôi chiên is a familiar street snack, loved for its convenience, filling, and distinctive delicious flavor. There are many types of xôi chiên such as puffed fried sticky rice, egg-fried sticky rice, meat-filled fried sticky rice, and Chinese sausage-fried sticky rice…
Sticky rice is cooked, pressed tightly, cut into squares or circles, and deep-fried until golden crispy. Xôi chiên has a crispy outer layer, soft and fragrant sticky rice inside, served with chili sauce or other toppings such as shredded pork floss, fried shallots, and Chinese sausage.
Xôi chiên is an ideal snack to quickly “line the stomach”, or used as a convenient breakfast or lunch.
Price reference: 15,000 – 20,000 VND/box
Xiên Bẩn (Dirty Skewers) – “Legendary” Snack for Students
Xiên bẩn is a “legendary” street snack associated with the school years of many generations of Vietnamese students. Xiên bẩn includes fried balls such as fish balls, beef balls, sausage, Vietnamese sausage (chả lụa), tofu, bell peppers… deep-fried until golden crispy, skewered on bamboo sticks, served with chili sauce and soy sauce.
Xiên bẩn has the richness of fried balls, the spicy aroma of bell peppers, the sweet and salty taste of soy sauce and chili sauce, and the variety of ingredients. This dish is often sold at school gates, student areas, and sidewalk eateries.
Price reference: 10,000 – 20,000 VND/skewer
Xiên bẩn is a national snack for all students.
Xoài, Cóc Lắc (Shaken Mango, Shaken Ambarella) – “Perfect Duo” for Cooling Down
Xoài lắc, cóc lắc are familiar street snacks, loved for their harmonious sweet, sour, spicy, salty flavor, crispiness, and excellent “cooling” ability in the summer.
Green mango or young ambarella is peeled, cut into bite-sized pieces, put in a box and shaken with a seasoning mixture including sugar, salt, chili powder, fish sauce, and kumquat. Shake well to let the seasonings soak into the mango and ambarella, creating a delicious xoài lắc, cóc lắc.
Xoài lắc, cóc lắc have the sourness of mango and ambarella, the spiciness of chili, the saltiness of salt, the sweetness of sugar, and the aroma of kumquat. This dish is suitable for snacking and quenching thirst on hot summer days.
Price reference: 15,000 – 25,000 VND
Trứng Gà Nướng, Bắp Xào (Grilled Chicken Eggs, Stir-fried Corn) – “Childhood” Snack Combo
Trứng gà nướng and bắp xào are familiar street snack “combos”, associated with the childhood of many Vietnamese people. These two dishes are often sold together on street vendor carts and sidewalks, and are loved for their delicious, rich flavor, and affordable price.
Chicken eggs are grilled over charcoal or an electric grill until cooked, runny yolk or fully cooked depending on preference. Grilled chicken eggs are seasoned boldly, added with a little ground pepper and scallions, creating delicious grilled chicken eggs.
Corn is stir-fried with fragrant butter, added with roasted dried shrimp and scallions, creating a rich and flavorful bắp xào bơ tép. The “combo” of trứng gà nướng and bắp xào is an ideal snack to enjoy in the late afternoon or on chilly days.
Price reference: 10,000 – 25,000 VND
A snack combo associated with everyone's childhood.
Phá Lấu Bò (Beef Offal Stew) – Bold “Offal” Flavor of Southern Vietnam
Phá lấu bò is a traditional street snack of Southern Vietnamese people, made from beef offal such as tripe, honeycomb tripe, small intestine, liver, heart, and tendon… Phá lấu broth is cooked from fresh coconut water, seasonings, and five-spice powder, creating a distinctive bold and rich flavor.
Phá lấu bò has the richness of coconut water, the bold flavor of seasonings, the soft and sweet taste of beef offal, and the fragrant aroma of five-spice powder. This dish is often eaten with crispy bread, fresh vermicelli, or instant noodles, dipped in sweet and sour fish sauce or chili sauce.
Phá lấu bò is a “niche” snack because the main ingredient is beef offal, but if you are familiar with this flavor, you will easily become “addicted” to the Southern Vietnamese phá lấu bò.
Price reference: 25,000 – 45,000 VND
Khoai Tây Lốc Xoáy (Tornado Potato) – “Hot Trend” Snack for Young People
Khoai tây lốc xoáy is a “hot trend” street snack loved by young people for its unique shape, delicious flavor, and variety of flavors.
Fresh potatoes are peeled, cut into spiral shapes using a specialized cutter, and deep-fried until golden crispy. Khoai tây lốc xoáy has a crispy outer layer, soft and fluffy inside, sprinkled with various seasoning powders such as cheese, plum, seaweed, and chili powder… creating many different flavors.
Khoai tây lốc xoáy is a delicious snack, suitable for snacking or enjoying with friends.
Price reference: 15,000 – 25,000 VND/skewer
Golden crispy fried tornado potato served with spicy chili sauce is incredibly delicious.
Sụn Gà Rang Muối (Salt-Roasted Chicken Cartilage) – “Super Addictive” Beer Snack
Sụn gà rang muối is a familiar street snack, loved for its crunchy texture, bold salty flavor, and distinctive aroma of lemongrass and chili.
Chicken cartilage is cleaned, chopped into bite-sized pieces, deep-fried until golden crispy, then roasted with salt, lemongrass, chili, garlic, and lime leaves, creating an irresistibly delicious sụn gà rang muối.
Sụn gà rang muối has the bold salty flavor of salt, the spiciness of chili, the aroma of lemongrass, garlic, lime leaves, and the crunchy texture of fried chicken cartilage. This dish is a “super addictive” beer snack, suitable for enjoying with cold beer.
Price reference: 30,000 – 45,000 VND
Da Heo Chiên Nước Mắm (Fish Sauce Fried Pork Skin) – Ideal “Snack” for Drinkers
Da heo chiên nước mắm is a familiar street snack, especially popular in Vietnamese beer joints and street vendors. Pork skin is scraped clean of hair, boiled, cut into bite-sized pieces, deep-fried until golden crispy, then simmered with fish sauce, sugar, garlic, and chili, creating a bold and delicious da heo chiên nước mắm.
Da heo chiên nước mắm has the bold salty flavor of fish sauce, the spiciness of chili, the aroma of garlic, and the crispiness of fried pork skin. This dish is an ideal “snack” for drinkers, or used for snacking while watching movies or reading books.
Price reference: 45,000 – 70,000 VND
Fish sauce fried pork skin is incredibly flavorful and satisfying.
Mực Rim Me (Tamarind-Glazed Squid) – “Excellent” Appetizer on the Drinking Table
Mực rim me is a familiar street snack, loved for its bold sweet and sour flavor, crispy squid, and fragrant fried garlic.
Fresh squid is cleaned, scored in a dragon scale pattern, stir-fried until firm, then simmered with tamarind sauce made from ripe tamarind, sugar, fish sauce, chili, and garlic. Mực rim me has an eye-catching reddish-brown color, crispy squid, bold sweet and sour tamarind sauce, and fragrant fried garlic.
Mực rim me is an “excellent” appetizer on the drinking table, or used for snacking and enjoying with friends.
Price reference: 45,000 – 70,000 VND
Khoai Lang Que (Sweet Potato Fries) – “Crispy Childhood” Snack
Khoai lang que is a familiar street snack, loved for the sweet and nutty flavor of sweet potatoes, and the attractive crispy outer layer.
Sweet potatoes are steamed, mashed, shaped into long sticks, and deep-fried until golden crispy. Khoai lang que has a crispy outer layer, soft and sweet filling inside, dipped in chili sauce or ketchup, creating a delicious snack.
Khoai lang que is a “crispy childhood” snack, always loved by many generations of Vietnamese people.
Price reference: 20,000 – 30,000 VND
Crispy sweet potato fries, a childhood snack.
Above is a list of more than 30 famous street snacks in Vietnam, each with its own distinctive flavor, contributing to the diversity and richness of Vietnamese street food. Hopefully, through this article, you will have more suggestions to explore and enjoy the delicious street snacks when you come to Vietnam.