Top 3 Unique street food in Ho Chi Minh

Written by Dagyeom Youn

‘Food’ isn’t just a necessity in our lives - it’s a way of understanding the diverse culture in different regions. In one of the busiest cities in Vietnam, what do people eat to save time but keep the taste? To answer the burning question, I visited district 1 to find some local street food. Follow my quick guide through the top 3 most unique street foods in Ho Chi Minh city.

1. Bánh tráng nướng (Vietnamese pizza)

Image credits: By the author

If you wanna understand Vietnamese traditional food, you have to start with Bánh tráng nướng. You can often find these in street stalls, wherever you are. There is pork floss (adds depth to the dish), dried shrimp (makes chewy texture), spring onion (aromatic base), and more depending on your taste. It is really similar to the typical pizza we know, but instead of the dough, it has grilled rice paper as the base which makes the dish more crispy and full of flavor.

2. Mini sponge cake

Image credits: By the author

These mini sponge cakes are baked in a small pan. It has a crispy texture on the outside and chewy on the inside. The wholesome, buttery flavour melts in mouth, more than enough to be a must-try dessert in Ho Chi Minh.

3. Bún bò huế (rice noodles with beef)

Image credits: By the author

Bún bò huế is one of the most historic dishes in Vietnam, originated in Huế. Vietnamese people love Bún bò huế and although I am a foreigner, I can totally understand that. Here’s why: the broth base is simmered with beef bones giving that deep, traditional taste, the rice noodles(bún) are thick and round, perfect match with the base, and fresh herbs like cilantro or Thai basil that you cannot forget when cooking Vietnamese food.

These signature dishes, Bánh tráng nướng, mini sponge cake and Bún bò huế are the map of Vietnam,

representing the rich tradition and diversity. The ingredients

reflect on the remarkable history, we see the beauty through the flavors.