Vietnam Street Food – aside from awesome sites and exciting activities, Vietnam is also known for having one of the most delicious dishes – may it be for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snacks. cà phê sữa đá, cà phê đá, bánh mì, bánh xèo, and phở – these are just some of the most common foods and drinks Vietnam is known for. But aside from these, there are other unpopular dishes that one must try when in Vietnam; these are found along the different streets and alleys around the several districts of Saigon. Here are some of the dishes you must try next time you’re in Vietnam:
Bánh khọt
This crispy savory snack originated in Vung Tau, a usual weekend-getaway city that’s 2-3 hours away from downtown Ho Chi Minh. It is considered as the smaller version of Bánh xèo, which is also called as Vietnamese crepe. Bánh khọt is made from rice flour, cornstarch, and coconut milk. It gets its yellowish color from turmeric. These small bites can either be topped with shrimp or minced pork. You can eat it as it is, or wrap it with lettuce and dip it into nước mắm, Vietnamese fish sauce, to complete the taste.
- A commonly-visited place for this is at: Bánh khọt Cô Ba Vũng Tàu
- 40B Trần Cao Vân, Phường 6, Quận 3
Bánh hỏi
Bánh hỏi hails from the Binh Dinh, the south-central part of Vietnam. It is made up of grilled meat, thinner rice vermicelli noodles, greens, fish sauce, and scallion oil. This dish is eaten in many different ways; some eat it with cold and rolled rice noodles, some eat it with chả giò (spring rolls), and others eat it with different kinds of meat like chicken, pork, duck, or beef.
- Try banh hoi at a popular local eatery at: Bún Thịt Nướng Chị Tuyền
- 175 Co Giang, P. Co Giang Q1
Chả giò
Whether it’s served alone or together with other noodle dishes, chả giò is among the local and tourist favorites. In the north, it is commonly known as nem rán. Chả giò is deep-fried rice paper filled with ground pork, mushrooms, and vegetables. Some also put fish, chicken, seafood, and tofu instead of pork. No matter what the filling is, these bites are best enjoyed when dipped in nước chấm, a sweet, sour, and salty staple dipping sauce.
- Try cha gio at: Bún Thịt Nướng Chả Giò Bà Thêm
- Hẻm 88 Nguyễn Huệ, Q1
Bột Chiên
Bột Chiên translates to fried dough. Bột means fried, and chiên means dough. It is a fried rice flour cake cooked with eggs and chives. The main ingredient is the rice flour that comes in different shapes and sizes; some have it in thick strips or cubes, while others have it in an irregular shape. It can come off as a tad oily, so it usually comes with soy sauce and papaya on the side. This dish can be eaten any time of day, but many stalls that sell bột chiên are open towards the late afternoon.
- Try bột chiên at a local favorite eatery at Bot Chien Dat Thanh
- 277 Vo Van Tan P.5, District 3
Not only do these dishes taste good, but the stories behind them will also take you on a journey around the different cities in Vietnam. Try visiting these eateries or sidewalk stalls and taste different flavors next time you’re in Vietnam.
Fabulous Hanoi of Vietnam. An Unforgettable Travel Experience
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