Busy streets covered with a variety of stalls, colourful buckets, baskets filled with food, plastic stools and tables are in place, this familiar image can only be found in Vietnam. Bourdain, the late American chef, author, and travel documentarian, exclaimed when he was in Vietnam that “There is no better place to entertain the leader of the free world, in my opinion, than one of these classic, funky family-run noodle shops you find all over Hanoi”.
Pho rolls
Another special version of the well-known Vietnamese Pho but creating a unique taste that is hard to resist. Pho rolls in Hanoi are a must-try delicacy for any foodie visiting Vietnam’s capital city.
The rice noodles are made from a mixture of rice flour and cornstarch, shaped into thin strips, and steamed. The beef is marinated in soy sauce and other spices before being stir-fried with bean sprouts for added flavour. The rolls are even tastier when served with a dipping sweet and sour sauce made of fish sauce, sugar, minced garlic and chilli, pickled carrots, and green papaya.
Bun cha
A luncheon dish originated from Ha Noi – World’s Best Culinary City Destination. To navigate a bun cha stall, you should look for the clouds of meaty smoke. When street-side restaurants start grilling up small patties of seasoned pork and slices of marinated pork belly over charcoal fire.
Once meats are crispy and covered in charcoal smoke, they are served with a bowl of fish sauce-heavy broth, a basket of herbs and a helping of rice noodles. Bun cha sets often come with the delicious nem cua be – fried crab crispy spring rolls.
Banh mi
Vietnamese banh mi has captured every heart of foodie around the world, even the fastidious ones. Vietnamese people take banh mi to a different level and make it enjoyable in many ways.
A common Vietnamese crusty baguette will be filled with pickled local vegetables, pate, margarine, and protein to vary from roasted pork or chunks of meatballs, cold cut slices, grilled meat, cheese or eggs,… You can try banh my sot vang (banh mi beef stew). This dish is a hearty, spicy and aromatic broth with diced beef, carrot and lemongrass and can be eaten on its own with a warm baguette for dunking.
Xoi
Savoury sticky rice is a warm, hearty brekkie for everyone. The glutinous staple comes with any number of mix-ins (from slivers of chicken or pork to fried or sunny side-up eggs), but almost always with a scattering of dried shallots on top. You can try the sweet version of Xoi, made of black bean, green bean or lotus seeds with a pinch of sugar and coconut milk on the side.
Goi cuon
These delightful fresh summer rolls are a wholesome choice and a lovely meal for green lovers. When you are fed up with fried, meaty food, Goi cuon is a healthy dish to dig in. The translucent parcels are first packed with salad greens, a sliver of meat or seafood and a layer of coriander, before being neatly rolled and dunked in peanut sauce or sweet and sour sauce.
Bot chien
A favourite street snack in Ho Chi Minh City. Chunks of rice flour dough are fried in a large wok until crispy, then an egg is broken into the mix. It’s served with slices of papaya, shallots and green onions, before more flavour is added with pickled chilli sauce and rice vinegar. Bot chien is a popular afternoon snack and super.
Ca phe trung
The famous egg coffee has been well-known around the world. It can be enjoyed as a drink or a dessert. The creamy soft, meringue-like egg white foam perched on the dense Vietnamese coffee will make even those who don’t normally crave a cup of joe licking their spoons with delight.
Other street food to sample in Vietnam includes banh xeo (crispy pancake), che (sweet soup), tao pho (sweet tofu dessert), banh chuoi chien (fried banana cake),…
There’s no doubt to say, Vietnam’s best food is to be found in the out-door. You can find a delicious meal in any streets, valleys, corners in Vietnam and all you need to do is to pull up a plastic stool, be seated and enjoy.
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