Discover 9 must-try Vietnamese street foods loved by locals

If you ask us what makes people fall in love with Vietnam, our answer is almost always the same. It’s the food. Especially Vietnamese street food.

Not fancy restaurants. Not white tablecloths.

It’s the smell of grilled pork drifting through a small alley. It’s a plastic stool on a noisy sidewalk. It’s a bowl of noodles that costs less than a coffee back home but somehow tastes unforgettable.

Vietnamese food is all about balance, freshness, and everyday life. And the best way to understand it is to eat like locals do. On the street. Slowly. With curiosity.

Here are 9 Vietnamese street foods we think every traveler should try at least once while exploring Vietnam.

1. Bun Cha: Hanoi's Pride on a Small Plastic Table

If Hanoi had a signature street food, it would undoubtedly be bún chả.

You’ll usually smell it before you see it. Pork patties and slices of pork belly sizzling over charcoal grills, right on the sidewalk or in tiny alleys. The grilled meat is served with rice vermicelli, fresh herbs, and a light dipping sauce that’s sweet, sour, salty, and just a little smoky.

Locals often add fried spring rolls (nem) to the plate, dipping everything into the same bowl of sauce.

Price: $1.5–$2 per portion

Add fried spring rolls for about $0.50 each

2. Pho: More Than Just a Noodle Soup

Yes, phở is famous. But when you eat it in Vietnam, it feels different.

Locals usually enjoy phở early in the morning, when the broth is at its best. The soup is simmered for hours using beef or chicken bones, gently scented with star anise, cinnamon, and cloves. It’s light, fragrant, and surprisingly clean in taste.

A squeeze of lime or a spoon of garlic vinegar, a bit of chili, & pepper, and suddenly you understand why phở became the symbol of Vietnamese cuisine.

Price: Around $2 per bowl

3. Bánh Mì – The Vietnamese Street Food You Can Eat Anytime

Bánh mì is Vietnam’s gift to busy travelers and hungry locals alike.

A crispy baguette is stuffed with grilled meat, cold cuts, or eggs, then layered with pickled carrots, cucumber, cilantro, and chili sauce. Crunchy, savory, fresh, and slightly spicy.

It’s perfect for breakfast, lunch, or that “I’m hungry but don’t want to stop walking” moment.

Price: Around $1–$1.75 per banh mi

4. Bánh Xèo – The Crispy Pancake That Sizzles When It Hits the Pan

Bánh xèo literally means “sizzling pancake,” named after the sound it makes when the batter touches the hot pan.

Made from rice flour, coconut milk, and turmeric, this golden pancake is filled with shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts. It’s crispy on the outside, soft inside, and always served with a basket of fresh herbs and lettuce.

You tear it, wrap it, dip it, and eat it with your hands. A full sensory Vietnamese street food experience.

Price: Around $1 per piece

5. Xôi – Sticky Rice That Keeps Locals Going

Xôi is simple, humble, and deeply loved.

This Vietnamese sticky rice is steamed until soft and glossy, then topped depending on the version. Vegetarian xôi might include mung beans, peanuts, or coconut. Savory versions come with shredded pork, stewed pork, or chicken.

It’s filling, warming, and often eaten for breakfast or a quick lunch. If you see locals lining up early in the morning, you’re in the right place.

6. Banh Cuon – Light, Silky, and Perfect for Breakfast

Bánh cuốn is one of those dishes that looks simple but takes real skill.

Thin sheets of rice batter are steamed and rolled with minced pork, wood ear mushrooms, and shallots. The rolls should be soft, silky, and almost melt in your mouth.

They’re served with fish sauce, fried shallots, and sometimes Vietnamese pork sausage. A gentle, elegant side of Vietnamese street food culture.

Price: Around $1 per portion

7. Bun Đau Mam Tôm – A Love-It-or-Hate-It Classic

This one is for adventurous eaters.

Bún đậu mắm tôm is a combination of rice vermicelli, crispy fried tofu, and fermented shrimp paste sauce. The sauce has a strong aroma, but locals swear by it, usually mixing it with kumquat and chili.

It’s bold, unapologetic, and very Vietnamese. If you want to eat like locals, this is a rite of passage.

Price: $1.5–$2 per portion

8. Banh Bot Loc – Chewy Little Dumplings From Central Vietnam

Bánh bột lọc are small tapioca dumplings with a translucent skin, filled with shrimp and pork.

They’re chewy, slightly sticky, and usually served with a light fish sauce. Often wrapped in banana leaves, they’re perfect as a snack while wandering around town.

Price: Around $0.20 per piece

9. Bánh Rán – The Street Snack That Smells Like Childhood

You’ll often find bánh rán near schools or busy street corners.

These deep-fried glutinous rice balls are filled with sweet mung bean paste or sometimes savory pork. Crispy on the outside, chewy inside, and dangerously addictive.

Simple, nostalgic, and very local.

Price: Around $0.10 per ball

Eating Vietnamese Street Food Like a Local

Vietnamese street food is not just about eating. It’s about slowing down, watching life pass by, and sharing space with locals.

Sit on the small stool. Don’t worry about the noise. Follow the crowds.

And if you’re unsure what to order, just smile and point.

If you’d like to explore Vietnamese food with locals who know where to go and what to eat, don’t hesitate to hit us at Beyond Vietnam. We’d love to show you our favorite spots and stories, one bite at a time 😊

Walking street food tour in Hanoi by locals

Dung (Emma)

Beyond Vietnam