Regarding the most popular Vietnamese street foods, the obvious choice would be Vietnamese noodle soup, Pho. It has captured the hearts and the tastes of people around the world. Pho is known for its rich history and delicious combination of ingredients. Pho is a tasty Vietnamese soup that starts with a savory broth. They cook beef or chicken bones with herbs and spices like star anise, cinnamon, and cloves. The slow cooking gives the broth a depth of flavor that forms the soul of the dish.

The best part of Pho is the rice noodles. They are flat and smooth and soak up all the tasty broth. These noodles are wonderfully chewy and go perfectly with the tender slices of beef or chicken in the soup. The meat gets cooked to perfection when added to the steaming hot broth right before serving. Pho gets even better with fresh herbs like cilantro, basil, and bean sprouts on top. They give a burst of freshness and extra texture. Plus, they often provide you with lime and chili on the side.

Each region has its own special way of preparing Pho, with changes in the broth and extra things you can add. This shows how Vietnam's food is diverse and has many tasty variations. Certainly, nothing can compare to a delicious bowl of Pho to start the day. You can explore hidden side streets to find the best place to enjoy your Pho. It’s cheap, tasty, and widely available at all hours.

Main ingredients: beef or chicken or seafood, noodles, ginger, garlic, onion, and scallions

Recommended places: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam

Price range: around $2 to $4

Banh Mi is always included in the “must try” list of the most popular Vietnamese street foods. This tasty creation is a perfect blend of French and Vietnamese culinary influences, resulting in a unique and satisfying street food experience. With their cult following and delicious Vietnamese fillings, these sandwiches have long since crossed their homeland's borders, and Banh Mi shops are still popping up all over the world.

Banh Mi is a delicious Vietnamese sandwich that's a mix of French and Vietnamese flavors. It starts with a light and crunchy baguette, a bit like French bread. But what makes it truly Vietnamese is the tasty mix inside. Typically, it's filled with things like savory Vietnamese cold cuts, grilled meats such as pork or chicken, and lots of fresh herbs like cilantro and mint.

One of the secrets to Banh Mi's flavorfulness is its balance of flavors and textures. The soft and tasty meats go perfectly with the crunchy baguette. Then, there are fresh herbs and pickled veggies that add a refreshing and tangy flavor. Vietnamese folks often use pickled daikon radish and carrots to give it a crunchy and slightly sweet kick.

Main ingredients: baguette, coriander, hot peppers, pork or beef or seafood, garlic pickling

Recommended places: Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam

Price range: from $0.82 to $1.23

Grilled Pork with Vermicelli, known as "Bun Cha", is a popular street food delight in Vietnam. This tasty dish brings together a variety of flavors and textures, creating a satisfying culinary experience. Bun Cha is a pork and noodle dish that is intricately connected to Hanoi, where it is believed to have originated.

At the heart of Bun Cha is the grilled pork, which is marinated to perfection and then grilled to a smoky and savory goodness. The result is tender and flavorful pieces of pork that add a delicious protein punch to the dish. The dish combines three elements: a bowl of grilled pork meatballs served in a cold broth, a plate of rice noodles, and a combination of various fresh greens such as perilla leaves, lettuce, coriander, and morning glory.

To enhance the flavors, a bowl of dipping sauce is provided. This sauce typically combines fish sauce, vinegar, sugar, garlic, and chili, creating a sweet and tangy concoction with a bit of heat. Dipping each bite of grilled pork and vermicelli into this flavorful sauce elevates the overall taste experience.

Main ingredients: pork, rice vermicelli, fish sauce, scallions, garlic, white pepper, lemongrass, rice wine

Recommended places: Hang Than in Hanoi; Bui Vien in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Price range: around $2 - $5

Originating from the charming town of Hoi An, Cao Lau is a unique and flavorful dish that captures the essence of the region. The specialty of Cao Lau is the signature flat rice noodles. These noodles are different from typical rice noodles, as they are soaked in water from a specific well in Hoi An, giving them a distinctive texture and flavor. This well water is believed to be a key secret to the dish, making the noodles truly special.

A bowl of Cao Lau comes with steamed rice noodles, bean sprouts, thinly sliced roasted pork, and croutons prepared with the same ingredients as the noodles. There's also a small amount of savory stock. Cao Lau stands out because it has crispy rice crackers on top that make a delightful crunch. These rice crackers are made from rice paper, giving them a unique and satisfying crispiness.

To bring all the flavors together, Cao Lau is typically served with a savory broth made from pork and local herbs. When you pour this broth over the noodles, it doesn't just make them more flavorful; it also brings all the parts of the dish together in a perfect harmony of taste. The delicious broth not only complements the noodles but also adds an extra layer of depth to the succulent pork, fresh herbs, and crispy rice crackers.

Main ingredients: rice noodles, pork, greens and herbs, bean sprouts, garlic, onions, soy sauce, Cao Lau broth

Recommended places: Nguyen Hue in Hoi An, Vietnam

Price range: 30,000 VND – 50,000 VND/bowl (about $1.23 - $2)

A classic Vietnamese crowd favorite, Summer Rolls. These are not your typical fried spring rolls. Instead, they consist of translucent rice paper wrappers filled with various fresh and often raw ingredients. When moistened, the rice paper wrappers are made from rice flour and water, resulting in a slightly sticky and chewy texture.

Typically, Goi Cuon contains shrimp, herbs like mint and cilantro, rice vermicelli, and sometimes pork or other proteins. These ingredients come together to create a burst of flavors and textures in each bite. They’re often served with a peanut dipping sauce. This is made with a combination of hoisin sauce, peanut butter, and sometimes a dash of chili. The sauce adds a sweet and savory kick, enhancing the overall taste experience.

Goi Cuon is often enjoyed during warm weather because of its refreshing nature. It's a perfect snack or light meal that captures the essence of Vietnamese cuisine - fresh, flavorful, and a joy to eat. Whether you're strolling through the busy streets of Hanoi or sitting at a street-side stall in Ho Chi Minh City, savoring Goi Cuon is a delicious and authentic way to experience the vibrant street food culture of Vietnam.

Main ingredients: wrappers, shrimp, meat, vegetables and noodles, dipping sauce

Recommended places: Truong Cong Dinh Street in Da Lat, Vietnam

Price range: $1 for 3 - 4 rolls

Xoi is an interesting Vietnamese street food, that brings a warm and comforting feeling to the bustling streets of Vietnam. This popular dish revolves around sticky rice, a staple in Vietnamese cuisine. The magic of Xoi lies in its versatility. It can be enjoyed in various ways, from savory to sweet. Traditionally presented in a banana leaf, this dish holds a special place in the hearts and palates of the Vietnamese people.

Xoi is more than just a morning treat. It seamlessly transitions into a satisfying mid-day snack or a delightful dessert, offering a range of flavors to suit different preferences. The sticky rice base serves as a canvas for a multitude of toppings, from mung beans, fried onions, and shredded chicken for savory renditions to coconut, sugar, and mung bean paste for those with a sweet tooth.

This delectable creation is not just a simple rice dish; it's a cultural experience that varies across regions. Enjoyed in diverse ways, Xoi is a go-to for a quick and affordable breakfast on the bustling streets of Vietnam. Its on-the-go nature makes it a popular choice for those looking for a scrumptious start to the day.

Main ingredients: sticky rice, salt, beans, peanuts, meat or chicken

Recommended places: Nguyen Huu Huan street in Hanoi; Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Price range: 20,000 VND to 40,000 VND (from $0.82 to $1.64)

Banh Xeo is a savory Vietnamese dish that can be best described as a crispy Vietnamese pancake or crepe. The word “Xeo” describes the sizzling sound when pouring the rice batter into the hot oil. This dish is popular in Vietnamese cuisine and is enjoyed as a casual meal, often served as a snack or main course.

The signature element in these nutritious cakes is rice flour, which is combined with water, turmeric powder, and coconut milk or coconut cream to form a thick yellow dough. Additional ingredients, most commonly green onions, bean sprouts, shrimp, and cubed pork or beef, are stir-fried before adding the mixture to the pan. The cake is fried in a pan at a low temperature and gently folded in half, keeping the ingredients safely inside the pancake.

Although the ingredients vary somewhat depending on the location, banh xeo is consumed across Vietnam. The traditional way to serve it is special - usually with veggies like lettuce, carrots, and cucumbers. They add a bit of fresh parsley, mint, and cilantro to make it extra tasty. The famous sauce (Nuoc Cham), which is usually served with Banh Xeo, is created with fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, chopped chili peppers, and garlic. Even though some people might prefer to use chopsticks to eat Banh Xeo, the greatest way to enjoy it is with your hands.

Main ingredients: rice flour, scallions, bean sprouts, shrimp, and cubed pork or beef

Recommended places: Da Nang, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Price range: 20,000 VND – 25,000 VND (~ 1$)

Bun Dau Mam Tom is a popular street food in Vietnam that's all about tasty contrasts. This dish features vermicelli noodles (Bun) served with a variety of fried tofu, pork sausages, and sometimes pork belly. What gives it a unique kick is the dipping sauce called Mam Tom, made from fermented shrimp paste.

Here's how it goes down: you grab some noodles, mix in the crunchy fried tofu and pork, and then dip this combo into the zesty Mam Tom sauce. It's like a flavor explosion in your mouth – you get the softness of the noodles, the crunch of the tofu, and the savory goodness of the pork, all balanced by the tangy punch of the shrimp paste.

People in Vietnam really enjoy Bun Dau Mam Tom because it brings together different textures and strong flavors. It's something they often share with friends, turning it into a social and enjoyable street food experience. o, if you're wandering the streets of Vietnam and spot this dish, don't miss the chance to dive into a bowl of Bun Dau Mam Tom and savor the unique taste of Vietnamese street food culture.

Main ingredients: vermicelli noodles, fried tofu, pork, Mam Tom sauce

Recommended places: Hang Khay Street, Hoan Kiem in Hanoi, Vietnam

Price range: from about 30.000 VND – 60.000 VND (~1 – 3$)

Hue, the former capital of Vietnam during the Nguyen dynasty, is the source of one of the most well-known Vietnamese street foods: Spicy Beef Noodle Soup (Bun Bo Hue). You don't need to travel to Hue to experience the most genuine flavor of this meal because it is already available across all of Vietnam's provinces and cities, particularly in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

It consists of pork and beef bone broth, bun noodles, lemongrass, shrimp paste, lime juice, and a variety of herbs. The soup's flavor is described as rich and complex, and it has a lot more spice than other Vietnamese soups. This broth is sweeter than any other noodles, the naturally sweet flavor comes from baking pork bone for hours.

The noodles in Bun Bo Hue are bigger, making the dish extra filling and delicious. This makes it perfect for any meal of the day – whether you want a comforting lunch or dinner or a satisfying breakfast. The large noodles go great with the tasty broth and tender beef, making it a versatile and delightful choice that everyone can enjoy.

Main ingredients: beef, pork, noodles, lemongrass, shallots, garlic, onion, shrimp paste

Recommended places: Tran Cao Van in Hue, Quang Trung Street in Hanoi, Vietnam

Price range: around 30.000 VND to 60.000 VND (approximately 2$)

Com Tam, also known as Broken Rice, is a popular street food in Vietnam that's loved for being simple and tasty. The name "Broken Rice" comes from using fractured rice grains, which were once considered inferior but turned into a culinary delight. The dish typically includes a bed of broken rice topped with grilled pork (often shredded), a Vietnamese pork sausage called "Cha" and crispy pork skin. It's often served with fresh herbs, pickled vegetables, and a side of fish sauce for that extra kick of flavor.

The texture of broken rice is smaller than that of regular rice. A variety of toppings, including grilled pork chops, deep-fried fish patties, shredded pork skin, and fried eggs, are typically served with Com Tam. Lime wedges, chopped spring onions, and mint are typical garnishes. Slicing tomatoes and cucumbers, pickled veggies, or dipping sauces are typically given as side dishes.

If you're exploring the vibrant streets of Vietnam, don't miss the chance to savor a plate of Com Tam. It's a simple yet satisfying dish that captures the essence of Vietnamese street food culture, where good food brings people together for a tasty and joyful experience. Previously, the farmers and their families would either consume these broken rice grains or use them as animal feed.

Main ingredients: broken rice, grilled pork, Vietnamese pork sausage (Cha), crispy pork skin, fresh herbs and vegetables, fish sauce

Recommended places: Dang Van Ngu street, Ward 10, Phu Nhuan district in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Price range: 30.000 VND – 55.000 VND (around 2$

Banh Cuon, a delightful Vietnamese street food, features thin and silky steamed rice rolls stuffed with a flavorful mixture of pork and mushrooms. The process begins by spreading a thin rice batter over fabric stretched across a pot of boiling water. As it cooks into a delicate sheet, the skilled hands of street vendors expertly fold the rice paper, creating these light, translucent rolls.

Typically served with a side of fresh herbs, bean sprouts, and a dipping sauce made with fish sauce, lime, garlic, and chili, Banh Cuon offers a refreshing and satisfying eating experience. The combination of soft rice rolls, flavorful filling, and the zesty dipping sauce creates a balance of textures and tastes.

Banh Cuon is like Vietnam's delicious secret. Whether you're grabbing a quick bite or having a light meal, these rice rolls are all about simple and tasty goodness. You'll see them everywhere at the lively street stalls – it's not just about the amazing cooking skills; it's the love and warmth of Vietnamese street food culture that makes them so popular. So, if you're out exploring the streets of Vietnam, make sure to dive into a plate of these awesome Steamed Rice Rolls.

Main ingredients: rice batter, pork, mushrooms, herbs, bean, dipping sauce

Recommended places: To Hien Thanh Street, Hai Ba Trung District in Hanoi, Vietnam

Price range: from 15.000 VND to 30.000 VND (approximately 2$)

Banh Beo is like a little burst of happiness in Vietnam. These small steamed rice cakes look like cute saucers and come topped with shrimp, crispy pork skin, and green onions. The real magic happens when a bit of savory fish sauce is added – it's a flavor explosion. Banh Beo isn't just about eating; it's like a happy dance for your taste buds.

In addition to savory cakes, Hoi An is the only place where you can find sweet variants of them. Traditionally, Banh Beo is consumed from a porcelain bowl with a bamboo spoon. An excellent Banh Beo is said to have an indentation in the middle that is designed to keep the savory, tasty stuffings. This is why some people refer to it as the Vietnamese equivalent of tapas.

To enjoy Banh Beo, you typically use a spoon to lift the mini rice cake and its toppings, dip it into a tasty fish sauce with a hint of lime and chili, and savor the great bite. These little candies are a visual feast as well as a feast for the senses. Therefore, if you ever find yourself meandering through Vietnamese streets, make sure to sample Banh Beo. They are a little but amazing treat that represents the core of Vietnamese street food culture.

Main ingredients: fresh shrimp, rice powder, salt, minced garlic and chili, fresh onion in pork fat, fish sauce, sugar

Recommended places: Vo Thi Sau in Hue, Vietnam

Price range: about 27.000 VND to 40.000 VND (~ 1,1 – 1,6$)

Egg Coffee is a famous Vietnamese street food that's a treat for coffee lovers. This special brew combines strong Vietnamese coffee with a creamy and frothy egg mixture. It has its origins in Hanoi, and the name of this dish makes tourists, so curious that many say they must try it when visiting Hanoi.

To make this delicious concoction, the coffee is brewed using a traditional drip filter, resulting in a strong and flavorful cup. What makes it stand out is the egg component—a mixture of egg yolks, sweetened condensed milk, and sometimes cheese—all whipped together until it becomes a foamy, meringue-like topping. The egg mixture is then carefully spooned on top of the rich coffee, creating a velvety and creamy layer.

This dish combines the richness of eggs with the aromatic goodness of coffee. It's especially tasty when enjoyed warm. Hanoi is said to be the first place this delicious treat first appeared, and even today, you can find it in old and famous coffee shops in the city. These places have become well-known and loved by both locals and visitors who want to experience the real taste of Egg Coffee.

Main ingredients: coffee, eggs

Recommended places: Dinh Tien Hoang Street in Hanoi, Vietnam

Price range: from 15,000 VND to 40,000 VND (about 1 – 2$)

A popular street food that will satisfy your sweet tooth and your love of variety is Che, the delicious Vietnamese sweet soup. This confection is a sweet treat that is widely enjoyed and available in a wide variety of flavors and textures. Che is a great beverage that remains on the palate, whether it is heated up for a cold day or cooled down to combat the heat.

Vietnamese Che dishes can be any type of traditional sweet soup, drink, pudding, or other custard-like dessert that is served hot or cold and has a base of either water or coconut cream. Rice and grains, beans and pulses, cereals and tubers, and a variety of jellies and fruits are also used to make Che.

As you wander through the lively streets of Vietnam, you'll likely encounter street vendors proudly presenting their Che selections. Take advantage of the chance to lose yourself in the sweet world of Che, where each bite takes you on an enjoyable journey through the varied and wonderful world of Vietnamese street food.

Main ingredients: beans, coconut milk, fruit, young green rice

Recommended places: Phan Boi Chau Street in Hanoi, Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

Price range: around 20.000 VND - 30.000 (about $1 per dish)

Deep-Fried Glutinous Rice Balls (Banh Ran) are a beloved and widely loved Vietnamese snack, famous for their interesting combination of textures and flavors. This tasty treat consists of glutinous rice flour balls, typically filled with sweet red bean paste, creating a burst of sweetness in every bite. The magic happens when these morsels are deep-fried in hot oil, creating a crispy exterior that contrasts beautifully with the soft, chewy meat inside.

A distinctive touch to the filling is the use of jasmine flower essence, a traditional flavoring that imparts a fragrant and aromatic quality to the snack. To add an extra layer of goodness, the fried balls are rolled in sesame seeds, enhancing both the flavor and texture. Beyond the sweet version, Banh Ran also comes in savory varieties. These oval-shaped delicacies are often served with a dipping sauce made from a mixture of fish sauce, sugar, vinegar, chili, and garlic. The savory provides a balance, with the dipping sauce providing the perfect blend of salty, sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors to enhance the overall flavor experience.

Banh Ran is a delicious snack that embodies Vietnamese culture, whether you're enjoying the sweet version with its fragrant jasmine scent and crunchy sesame seeds or the savory version with a delicious dipping sauce. Popular street cuisine that attracts locals and tourists highlights the wide and delectable variety of Vietnamese cuisine.

Main ingredients: rice flour, red bean paste, sugar, Jasmine flower essence, sesame seeds; or pork, vermicelli, green papaya, carrot, lettuce, herbs, wood ear mushroom

Recommended places: Hai Ba Trung Street in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

Price range: under $1