10 Street Food In Ho Chi Minh City That Drool Every Foodaholic

21 Jun 2023

Written by

Ho Chi Minh City is colourful and vibrant in terms of history, heritage and culture. So is its delicious and tempting street food scene. A paradise for food lovers; Ho Chi Minh City offers exclusive local food, adorned with unique recipes and fantastic taste. Take a look at the amazing options of street food in Ho Chi Minh City and get ready for an overwhelming tummy pleasing experience.

Mouth-watering street food in Ho Chi Minh City

For a true culinary experience and delight, book any street food tour Ho Chi Minh City offers. From fish to beef, tofu to dessert; you taste everything. If you really want to experience the authentic local food, that the city has in store, book the vespa street food tour in Ho Chi Minh City. Vespa is a sightseeing tour agency, that offers specialised guided food tours, across the various streets and night markets of Ho Chi Minh.

1. Banh Mi: A delicious local sandwich

Image Source

As a quick bite to pacify sudden hunger pangs, the best go-to meal or the most popular street food in Ho Chi Minh City; nothing can beat Banh Mi. It is basically a fusion food, where pieces of roasted pork, rice pate, chillies, pickles and aromatic coriander are wrapped inside French baguette. This local sandwich variant is sprinkled with generous amount of soy sauce which makes the taste sour, sweet and tangy.

Best places to have Banh Mi: Little Saigon, Depot48 and Banh Mi Hong Hoa

Cambodia Vietnam Honeymoon Packages on TravelTriangle

Visit Cambodia- Vietnam for your honeymoon and enjoy gorgeous beaches, sparkling bays, colonial structures, stunning landscapes, and colorful culture. Experience luxury at at low cost.

2. Bun Mam: A tummy and soul filling meal

Image Source

Locally called ‘Vietnamese gumbo’ this is another must eat in Ho Chi Minh City, if you wish to indulge with the local street food delicacies. Bun Mam is a thick fermented fish and vermicelli soup, available in most of the street food market in Ho Chi Minh City. Other than vermicelli and fish broth, the soup contains crispy pork bellies, squids, tender prawns, herbs and raw vegetables; which makes it tasty, healthy and tummy filling.

Best places to have Bun Mam: Bun Mam Mien Tay and Ben Thanh Street Food Market

Must Read: 14 Festivals In Vietnam That Are All About Glitz, Glam, And Grandeur

3. Goi cuon: A sumptuous appetizer

Image Source

When pork, prawn and vegetables is wrapped within Vietnamese bánh tráng- we get Goi Cuon. This is a form of fresh local spring roll and certainly the best Ho Chi Minh City street food, you cannot miss. Also known as Nem Cuon or salad roll, Goi Cuon is served with peanut sauce which enhances the taste manifold.
Best places to have Goi cuon: Amble down Tran, Bánh cuốn Hải Nam and Bot Chien Dat Thanh

4. Cang cua and oc: A must try for all non-vegetarians

Image Source

This is more of an evening snacks and extremely popular among locals and tourists. Cang cua and oc is nothing but grilled and barbequed crab claws and snails, sprinkled with sea salt, lime and chilli flakes. Sometimes Cang cua and oc is deep fried with coating of garlic, sugar and chilli. If you are a real foodie and ready to try offbeat items from the list of best food in Ho Chi Minh City, Cang cua and oc should be your top priority.
Best places to have Cang cua and oc: Any food van in Vinh Khan Street

5. Banh xeo: Finger-licking street food

Image Source

If you are to mention one Vietnamese street food in Ho Chi Minh City, that all must try; name
Banh xeo. Locally translating into ‘sizzling cake’ Banh xeo is a savoury crepe, made of deep-fried pork fat with a batter of flour, turmeric and water. Finally, the pork is mixed with bean sprouts, folded and served with lettuce leaves and a sweet chilli fish sauce, which make it super tasty and flavoursome. Are you already drooling?
Best places to have Banh xeo: Bánh Xèo 46A Đinh Công Tráng and Bánh Xèo Zòn Pancake

6. Com tam: A hearty meal

Image Source

We have discussed about quite a few Ho Chi Minh City street food, that are served as starters or appetizers in Vietnam. Now it’s time for a wholesome meal. And when we talk about it, the first thing that comes to mind is Com Tam. It is sticky rice served with either pork, fried egg, chicken or prawn, as per your choice. It is a whole meal, that let you stay full for longer hours.

Best places to have Com tam: Com Tam Phung, Cơm tấm An Dương Vươngand Com Tam Ba Ghien

7. Banh trang nuong: If you love pizza, go for it!

Image Source

Are you a pizza lover and want to explore the street food in Ho Chi Minh City district 1? Then do not miss to have Banh trang nuong. A flat rice cracker, which expands when heated; Banh trang nuong is delicious and soul filling. Though it can be consumed without any accompaniments; traditionally Banh trang nuong is served with noodles or local vermicelli. In Vietnam, Banh trang nuong is available in many varieties which include prawn, sesame seed, sweet milk and dried spinach.
Best places to have Banh trang nuong: Bánh cuốn Hải Nam and Banh Mi Hong Hoa

8. Bo la lot: Of incredible recipe and taste

Image Source

Ba la lot is pepper flavoured minced beef wrapped in betel leaf. Local people eat Ba la lot in rice paper, or wrapped in lettuce or with cold vermicelli and consider this as one of the best foods in Ho Chi Minh City. Always ask for nuoc cham- the authentic chilli fish sauce, that enhances the taste of Ba lo lot manifold.
Best places to have Bo la lot: Quán Ăn Cô Liêng and Bánh cuốn Hải Nam

9. Pho: Utterly delicious

Image Source

Undoubtedly, as the top-rated Vietnamese street food in Ho Chi Minh City, Pho tempts locals and tourists alike. Served with raw beef, blanched vegetables and brisket and sprinkled with herbs, pepper and chilli, lime and fish sauce, this piping hot soup is a perfect option if your heart is craving for some soul food.

Best places to have Pho: Pho Le 2 303-305 Vo Van Tan, District 3

10. Banh tet: Something sweet, something special

Image Source

Ideally, we should end the list of best food in Ho Chi Minh City streets with something sweet. Banh tet is made from banana and sweet red beans, placed in the middle of some flattened sticky rice, wrapped up in banana leaf and finally grilled on a barbeque. You can get this dish at any van for street food in Ho Chi Minh City district 1. Try this with sprinkled sesame seeds and custard-like sauce made from coconut milk. We are sure that you can’t have only one!

Best places to have Banh tet: Saturday street food market on Phạm Ngu Lao street, District 1

Further Read: 14 Festivals In Vietnam That Are All About Glitz, Glam, And Grandeur

Every street food in Ho Chi Minh City is tempting, tasty and not to be missed. Make sure to visit must eat restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City, during your Vietnam holiday with Travel Triangle.

Frequently Asked Questions Street Food In Ho Chin Minh

Which is the best soup served in Ho Chin Minh City?

Pho is delicious and mouth-watering hot soup, it is one of the top-notch served in Ho Chin Minh city. This soup is served with raw beef, boiled vegetables, some herbs and peppers along with lime and chili sauce. It is the best option for having soul food.

Which is the most rated sweet street dish in Ho Chin Minh city?

Banh tet is something sweet and tasty, it is a delight for people who loves sweet dishes. It is made up of bananas and sweet red beans, wrapped in banana leaf.

Which is the best pizza offered in Ho Chin Minh city?

If you are a pizza lover, never miss the opportunity to taste Banh Trang nuong served in the streets of Ho Chin Minh. It is a flat rice cracker when heated it expands. It comes in several options like prawn, sesame, spinach and many more.

Name the best starter served in Vietnam.

Com Tam is the best appetizer or starter served in the streets of Ho Chin Minh city. It is time for a wholesome meal, it is basically rice served with egg or prawn according to your taste. This meal keeps your tummy full for a long time.

Which is a must-try street dish to try in Ho Chin Minh city?

Banh Mi is a must dish to eat when you are in Vietnam. It is made up of deep-fried pork with a batter of flour, turmeric, and water. It is well mixed with lettuce leaves and bean sprouts.

Which is the best non-vegetarian dish served in the streets of Ho Chin Minh city?

Cang Cua and Banh Canh the top-notch non-vegetarian evening snack served in the streets of Vietnam. It is a barbeque and grilled crab and snails, sprinkled with chili flakes and lime, it is a deep-fried dish with a coating of garlic and ginger.