In Vietnam, street food is more than just a popular culinary scene – it’s a way of life. From early morning markets to roving vendors and bustling sidewalk stalls, the country is known for its mouthwatering street food. If you’re wondering where to start, this handy guide will equip you with all the tools you need to navigate Vietnam’s street food scene like a pro.
Eat When the Locals Do
To find the best food in Vietnam, follow the locals’ lead and eat when they do – that means eating early. After mealtimes, the city can become eerily quiet, making it difficult to find a satisfying meal. On the other hand, eating together with the locals guarantees a fun and authentic experience.
Head out just after sunrise to savor piping hot noodles, hearty rice porridge, or sticky rice cakes dipped in peanuts. The areas near markets are excellent spots to find morning vendors catering to schoolchildren, market sellers, and locals heading to work.
From 11:30 am to 1 pm, Vietnam’s lunch stalls come to life. Look for the ever-reliable “cơm bình dân” – a choose-it-yourself eatery offering an array of family-style dishes like fluffy omelettes, garlicky greens, caramelized fish, and roasted pork, all laid out for display and heaped on plates of hot rice. Trust us, it’s worth it!
As the clock strikes 5 pm, the city’s restaurants and stalls begin to set up on the sidewalks for the dinner crowd. Between 6 pm and 8 pm, you’ll find a tantalizing array of flaming hotpots, grilled seafood, and barbecue sessions in the balmy evening air. Remember, the busier the stall, the more likely it’s worth the wait.
Choose Your Stalls Wisely
While there are well-known eateries that travellers love, like Hoi An’s Banh Mi Phuong and The Lunch Lady in Ho Chi Minh City, it’s worth trying new places during your travels. If you come across an interesting stall down an alley, use these criteria to evaluate its quality:
- Is the setup – tables, floors, utensils – clean and organized?
- Are the ingredients or dishes nicely presented, colorful, and fresh?
- Is there a crowd of local customers either eating or waiting to be served?
If the answer to these questions is “yes,” then you’ve found a good spot. Place your order and enjoy the flavors Vietnam has to offer.
TIP: In Vietnam, many stalls specialize in just two or three dishes perfected by the owner-chef. If you’re unsure what to order, don’t be afraid to request whatever the next table is having.
Brush Up on Vietnamese Street Food Etiquette
Eating street food in Vietnam comes with its own set of unspoken rules, which are simple and forgiving, especially for newcomers. One rule you can always rely on is “eat first, pay later.” Place your order at the front, then choose your table or stool to sit. It’s perfectly normal (and even wise) to give your chopsticks or spoon a quick wipe before you start eating. You can also use your chopsticks to sample shared dishes on the table. As you eat, you can dispose of dirty napkins, squeezed limes, or herb stems in the bins below. Once you’re finished, lay your chopsticks together on top of your bowl.
For small stalls, diners usually ask for the total and pay the chef directly on their way out. In some cases, a server may come to your table and do a mental tally of your bill. Trust them – they do this every day. It’s not common for local food stalls to provide a written tab, but you can ask for it if needed.
TIP: During peak times, it’s common for other diners to join you at your table. In these cases, a smile is all the interaction that’s required.
Get Savvy About Condiments and Sauces
Condiments are essential to the Vietnamese dining experience. On your table, you’ll often find a jar of light fish sauce, a jar of garlic and chili in vinegar, and perhaps a jam-like chili paste, freshly chopped chili, limes or calamansi, or even pungent shrimp paste. These condiments allow you to customize your meal according to your taste.
With noodle dishes, you’ll receive a side serving of herbs and leafy greens like mint, cilantro, basil, and lettuce – all free of charge. You can fold these into the broth or toss them with dry noodles for added crunch and aroma. When it comes to rolls, you’ll be offered a stack of rice paper and larger leaves for rolling and dipping. Dipping sauces can range from tangy tamarind to sweet-and-salty fish sauce and roasted peanut sauce. Your server will be more than happy to guide you on the right pairing.
TIP: Instead of soy sauce, the Vietnamese prefer a few drops of fish sauce to season their meals. There are countless grades and varieties of fish sauce, and it’s a staple in any Vietnamese kitchen.
Try Some Basic Vietnamese Words
When you’re not indulging in delicious bites, it’s useful to know a few common Vietnamese phrases to express yourself. Here are some phrases that every traveler should know:
- Anywhere in Vietnam, a confident “em ơi!” will get a server’s attention.
- Vegetarians in Vietnam should learn the words “không thịt” (no meat) and “ăn chay” (vegetarian food) to use during their travels.
- “Ngon quá” means “very delicious.”
- When indicating your preferences, ask for “một suất” (one serving) or “một cái này” (one of these).
- “Trà đá” is iced green tea, which is served instead of water in Vietnamese stalls nationwide. In colder weather, you may prefer “trà nóng” (hot tea) to accompany your meals.
- When you’re ready to leave, say “tính tiền” to request the bill.
Happy eating!
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