10 Vietnamese Street Food, Cheap and Irresistible

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Exploring the cuisine of different countries is a never-ending adventure. One of the challenges is often the high cost, but street food offers a fantastic and affordable way to experience local flavors. In Vietnam, known for its distinctive and delicious street food, there are ten must-try local dishes. Citing various sites, these top Vietnamese street foods are a great way to sample the best of what this Southeast Asian country has to offer.

10 Vietnamese Street Food

1. Pho

Pho is a comforting traditional Vietnamese noodle soup that can be found in many places. This meal offers a tasty combination of rice noodles, rich broth, fresh herbs, and protein toppings such as beef or chicken. It is the most famous Vietnamese dish and contains a complete condiment. Known for its warming and relaxing effect on the stomach, pho was originally made to be eaten at breakfast time. 

2. Banh Mi

The typical Vietnamese sandwich, banh mi is one of the most popular dishes. Enjoying Banh Mi wouldn't be such a hassle because the French baguette wraps it all up. Once you take a big bite, you'll find fresh vegetables, tender meat, salty cheese, smooth butter, and spicy chili sauce all inside the baguette. 

3. Bun Cha

If you go to Hanoi, you might see everyone enjoying their bun cha at lunchtime. This street food consists of grilled pork, chewy rice noodles, herbs, and a dipping sauce. It can be eaten in two ways: wrapped in lettuce before dipping into the sauce, or mixed with the dipping sauce and eaten on its own.

4. Goi Cuon

Vietnamese spring rolls have been a hot topic lately. The classic Vietnamese dish consists of chewy rice paper wrapped around fresh vegetables and meat (shrimp or pork.) It is served deep-fried or fresh for the healthier option. Most importantly, dip in the dipping sauce to make the taste even richer.

5. Banh Xeo

Banh Xeo, the Vietnamese-style crispy crepe, is a must-try dish in Vietnam. Its signature crispness comes from frying the rice flour batter in a hot pan. This savory treat is packed with a delicious mix of ingredients, including shrimp, pork, onions, and bean sprouts, creating a flavorful and satisfying taste. It is usually enjoyed in slices, wrapped in lettuce and herbs, and dipped in Vietnam's signature fish sauce.

6. Cao Lau

Cao Lau is endlessly praised for its unique and unforgettable taste. Each bowl offers a delightful blend of udon-like noodles, tender grilled pork, fresh greens, and crispy golden croutons. But this dish is exclusive to Hoi An, and there's a reason why. The noodles get their distinctive texture and flavor by being made with water drawn from the ancient Ba Le well and mixed with a special ash native to Hoi An.

7. Ca Phe Trung

Who would have thought that coffee and egg could make such a delicious drink? The Vietnamese did! A beloved Vietnamese specialty ca phe trung strikes the perfect balance between creamy richness and subtle bitterness. Enjoying a cup of ca phe trung is a great way to start the day.

8. Banh Bao Vac

Banh Bao Vac, also known as white rose dumpling, is a Vietnamese food that originated in Hoi An. The plating of banh bao vac is very appetizing, such as the rose-shaped dumpling and the fried garlic as a garnish. 

There are two types of dumplings served on a plate of banh bao vac. The first is banh vac, a dumpling filled with shrimp, garlic, lemongrass, and spring onion. The second is banh bao, which is filled only with pork and mushrooms.

9. Che

If you're craving a sweet dessert, you must try che. This refreshing dessert drink can come in many forms, including pudding, drinks, or soup. Che is usually colorful and has many flavors. The best thing about che is that you can add all kinds of toppings, from fruit to jelly. 

10. Bo Kho

If you're looking for a spicy kick, try bo kho. This savory meat stew is packed with flavor and includes vegetables for a refreshing touch. The richness of bo kho comes from its broth, which is infused with various Asian spices such as coriander and lemongrass. Bo kho can be served with any carbohydrate, such as noodles or rice.

CNN | Klook

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