Vietnamese street food is one of the culinary experiences that is both delicious and affordable. Just take a few steps and you’ll have countless options. Especially when you have the opportunity to travel to Saigon, you will be amazed and nostalgic for the flavors of Saigonese street food. Let’s explore Saigonese Street Food together with VLS!
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Bánh mì Sài Gòn
The Saigonese bánh mì is perhaps the perfect breakfast, lunch, or dinner option when diners are seeking a quick, compact meal that still provides enough nutrition. The bánh mì in Saigon is slightly denser to leave room for the filling inside. Fillings typically include cold cuts, roasted pork, shredded pork skin, various accompanying vegetables, some condiments, along with characteristic sauces. The sauce may be made from fish sauce, soy sauce, depending on the seller’s recipe, making this dish more enticing than ever.
Cơm tấm (Broken rice with grilled pork)
When in Saigon, just ask the locals for their top pick among the city’s specialties, and you’ll likely hear “cơm tấm” as the immediate answer. It’s a beloved breakfast choice among Saigonese, but nowadays, it’s enjoyed throughout the day. Cơm tấm stands out with its use of broken rice, a reminder of Vietnam’s past hardships.
A plate of cơm tấm typically includes a variety of components, tailored to individual tastes. However, it often features a succulent grilled pork chop, flavorful shredded pork skin, a piece of steamed pork loaf, pickled vegetables, and a drizzle of fragrant spring onion oil. All of these elements come together beautifully, enhanced by a sweet and spicy fish sauce, creating an irresistibly delicious dish with a rich cultural history.
Súp cua
Súp cua is a beloved snack choice among many in Saigon. Made with ingredients like crab meat, straw mushrooms, quail eggs, and bamboo shoot powder, along with flavorful spices such as cilantro and ground pepper, first-time diners might find its taste a bit unfamiliar, but they quickly become hooked on this nourishing dish. After every rainy afternoon, the súp cua stalls in Saigon’s alleys are bustling with visitors.
Phá lấu
Phá lấu, a dish made from offal such as stomach, intestines, lungs, liver, heart… marinated in spices, then fried until golden and simmered until tender. Coconut milk is the main ingredient of the broth, adding sweetness and richness to the stew. When enjoying phá lấu, diners often pair it with bread, creating a uniquely delicious flavor that only Saigon can offer. You can find phá lấu in every small alley throughout the streets of Saigon. It’s a popular and enticing street food that attracts both local and international visitors to this vibrant and dynamic city.
Bột chiên
The dish bột chiên is crafted with simplicity, using a blend of fried flour, eggs, shredded papaya, soy sauce, and green onions. Its crispy texture, coupled with soy sauce, enriches its savory and aromatic taste. Many visitors to Saigon have marveled at this seemingly uncomplicated yet uniquely flavorful dish, made from readily available ingredients and a straightforward cooking process. Visit Saigon on rainy days, when the air is cool, and indulge in the allure of this delightful bột chiên.
Gỏi cuốn
In 2011, the American CNN travel website ranked gỏi cuốn at 30th place in the Top 50 most delicious dishes in the world. This dish captivates even those who aren’t fond of vegetables due to its harmonious blend of fresh greens with tender, sweet meat, all dipped in a tangy, spicy, and sweet fish sauce.
Like other Saigonese street food, gỏi cuốn comes at a very affordable price, usually around 8,000 – 10,000 Vietnamese dong per roll, making it a healthy option after indulging in various oily dishes during your days in Saigon.
Bánh tráng trộn
Bánh tráng trộn is known as a popular Saigonese street food, made from rice paper dried in the sun and cut into small strips. When eaten, it is mixed with shredded green mango, finely chopped laksa leaves, and sprinkled with a little Tay Ninh shrimp salt, squeezed with some tamarind juice. Additionally, a bit of fried shallot oil, peanuts, and toasted dried shrimp are added for a richer flavor. Furthermore, it is often served with boiled quail eggs and a few strips of dried beef.
Hột vịt lộn
Hột vịt lộn (balut) is the Southern name, while in the North, it’s called trứng vịt lộn. This dish is incredibly nutritious, affordable, and delicious. It’s a common dish found in the daily lives of local people across the country. It’s quite special for visitors to Saigon, as boiled hột vịt lộn is served with shredded herbs, ginger, a sprinkle of peanuts, and soy sauce, creating a memorable and rich flavor. Especially enticing are the roasted tamarind-coated hột vịt lộn. This delicious, nutritious, and affordable street food is sought after in Saigon, as it’s easy to eat and offers a unique taste experience.
Saigonese street food is full of choices for you. If you are a foodie, Saigon is the best place to experience the authentic and flavorful dishes.
