Top 11 Street Food You Must Try In Saigon, Vietnam

street food in saigon
Collins
Collins 
Published
| 5 min read

Saigon, Vietnam, is steeped in history and culture. It is one of the most dynamic places in Vietnam. Vietnamese cuisine is rich, complex, and a palate spoiler. It varies from region to region, and each meal is a delight. There are so many meals to try, and it is almost impossible to come up with a definitive list of the best meals to eat. One way that you can savor as many of these meals as possible is by checking out the different street vendors. Street food is a big business in Saigon, and you can find several world-class restaurants run by world-renowned chefs. As you traverse the beautiful city of Saigon, it would be a disservice not to savor some of the wonderful meals that the streets offer. Here is some of the best street food you must try in Saigon, Vietnam.

1. Pho (local soup)

Pho in Saigon
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user androog used under CC BY 2.0

If you crave some soul food, this hot soup is an excellent option that you will enjoy. The dish is arguably a top-rated Vietnamese street food you can find in Saigon. It is street food that attracts locals and tourists alike. It is served with raw beef, blanched vegetables, and brisket. It is also spiced with different herbs, lime and fish sauce, pepper and chili, and other excellent spices. A noodle soup full of flavor and texture, Pho is a famous dish for excellent reasons!

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2. Grilled pork patties

Vietnam grilled pork patties. You must try it!!!

Posted by Lucky Quan on Thursday, 9 March 2017

This meal is for a hot summer night. It can be enjoyed in a wide variety of ways and can be prepared along with several spices to add some zing. To create these juicy pork patties, baking soda is mixed into the ground pork. This makes the meat to retain moisture and plays a large part in providing the crunchy, crispy taste. The grilled pork patties can be seasoned with shallot, sugar, pepper, and fish sauce. A traditional way of preparation is soaking the grilled pork patties in the sauce. It has an incredible taste.

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3. Grilled octopus

Grilled Octopus on Wangfujing St.
Source: Photo by user shankar s. used under CC BY 2.0

Grilled octopus is a simple yet delicious dish. Most people fall in love with it from the first bite, and you will too. It has a remarkable flavor that you will not forget in a hurry. The octopus goes through various processes before the final result is achieved. To enjoy the meal, you can add Vietnamese mint, use Satay, and sprinkle some pepper and salt. You can also enjoy it using chili sauce.

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4. Bánh xèo (savoury crepes filled with pork and bean sprouts)

Banh Xeo, Eden Center
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user https://www.flick... used under CC BY 2.0

Banh xeo is a crispy crepe that is filled with pork, shrimp, and bean sprouts. To improve its taste and flavor, it is garnished with fresh herbs that are reminiscent of authentic Vietnamese recipes. You can eat it like every other dish, but to truly enjoy it, eat it like a local. This is done by cutting it up into manageable slices, rolling it up in rice paper or lettuce leaves, then dunking it in any sauce of your choice, or any sauce the chef decides to conjure for your enjoyment.

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5. Mì vịt tiềm (egg noodles with duck in a deeply aromatic broth)

Mì vịt tiềm
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user SauceSupreme used under CC BY 2.0

Mi vit tiem is egg noodles with duck, and unlike some of the other Vietnamese street food, it needs to be prepared by a professional to be truly enjoyed. To get this delicious food right, the duck legs must be cooked until they are tender, marinated, flash-fried, and then simmered in the broth. For an even better taste, some chefs decide to re-fry the legs just before serving.

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6. ốc hương ràn muối ớt (fried sea snails with salt and chilli)

ỐC HƯƠNG GIÒN NGON. Ốc hương biển rang muối ớt, không có khô ran trơ trốc muối mà từng con mướt mượt, mút chụt chụt...

Posted by Gánh Hàng Rong Online - Nghe thèm, Nhìn khoái, Ăn Ghiền on Saturday, 15 July 2017

Many of the locals love to eat snails, and no wonder, these creatures are delicious, especially when served with salt and chili. The snails come in different shapes and sizes from Vietnam’s freshwaters. The snails are stir-fried in a hot pan, coated in a mix of salt, chili, and lime juice. The snails are similar in texture to squid. It comes with outer seasoning that tastes salty, spicy, and a bit sour.

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7. Sò điệp nướng mỡ hành (grilled scallops with spring onions and peanuts)


If you seek an inspiring appetizer meal to eat on the streets of Saigon, then you will be hard-pressed to find anything better than this meal. These Vietnamese scallops are also referred to as sò điệp nướng mỡ hành. They come from a seaside village in Southeast Vietnam. Although tiny, they are full of flavor. They are grilled on the barbecue and coated with lard, fish sauce, peanuts, and spring onions.

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8. Sườn heo ngũ vị (pork ribs in five spice marinade)

CANH SƯỜN NẤU CHUA Nguyên liệu: - 300 g sườn non - 5 quả sấu xanh - Hành lá, tỏi băm, gia vị. Cách làm: - Sườn non...

Posted by Bếp Gia Đình on Saturday, 23 April 2016

These pork ribs are amazing. To prepare them, they are marinated in a combination of soy sauce, white wine vinegar, honey, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and importantly, five-spice powder. After preparation, they are served either as an appetizer or as a main dish. It delivers a crispy taste and can be enjoyed with an ice-cold beer. Try out this street food with friends, and rest assured that it is going to be a big hit.

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9. Bột chiên (fried rice flour cubes)

Bột chiên tại Sài Gòn
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Tonbi ko used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Bot chen is a popular street snack that is loved by night prowlers and students that reside around Saigon. It is prepared using chunks of rice flour dough. The flour dough is fried until it is crispy, then an egg is broken into the fried mixture. It is left to cook for a while. It is a delicious snack made even better when served with slices of pawpaw, green onions, and shallots. To add flavor and more character to the bite, pickled chili sauce is introduced as well as some rice vinegar.

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10. Bò lá lốt (grilled beef rolled in aromtic betel leaf)

Bò nướng lá lốt tại Manchester
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Minh28397 used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Bo la lot is a delicious street food that is made by wrapping minced meat in a betel leaf. If you think that tastes great, wait till you try it. It has a pleasant peppery flavor and can be eaten in a variety of ways. The minced beef is lightly spiced and seasoned, and the whole combination is wrapped into thin tubes. The method of cooking makes it a fantastic food as it is grilled over charcoal so that it cooks through the middle and is slightly charred on the outside. In most cases, it is accompanied by nuoc cham, which is a sweet chili fish sauce. Each bite is an absolute delight.

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11. Hủ tiếu Nam Vang noodles

Hủ tiếu Nam Vang
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user SauceSupreme used under CC BY 2.0

Hiu tieu Nam Vang noodles come in a wide variety of options, and that is the beauty of this street food. It can be tapioca noodles, white rice noodles like those in Pho noodle soup, or the thin Chinese egg noodles. The noodles come with a wide variety of toppings, depending on the chef’s preference. Some of the toppings include wonton dumplings, fried shallot, pork ribs, and more.

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Have a remarkable culinary experience in Saigon

Saigon is rich in history and culture and is one of the most bubbling spots in Vietnam. Here, you will find modern architecture and enjoy the exciting nightlife. You also have the opportunity to enjoy some of the best culinary experiences you will ever have. Visit with your friends or family and enjoy a great time trying these delicious street foods in Saigon, Vietnam.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
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Colins is a quiet individual who always tries to find the meaning and beauty of things around his environment. This passion has led him to begin his journey in photography and hiking nature...Read more

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