Vietnam is a gastronomical adventure. The distinctive flavours, fresh ingredients from vegetables to meats and seafood, and unique palate is an absolute treat for foodies. Located in the South East of Asia, Vietnam, undoubtedly, has one the best street food scenes.  

I was a little apprehensive of indulging in the street food in Vietnam due to my allergies. However, I fell in love with the diverse cuisine. The use of fresh ingredients in each dish and the beautiful palate captivated me.  A recent survey voted the Vietnamese national dish, the Pho, as one of the top five street foods in the world. Good enough reason to gulp down the Pho, right? 

Seafood and beef is prevalent in most of the dishes, especially if you’re dining on the street. If you are allergic to seafood or are a vegetarian, don’t fret. There are several options for you to gorge on. Just ensure you check with the servers or use a translation app. 
INDIANS: You will find a few Indian restaurants in Hanoi that serve a good home meal.

Pho
Declared as the national dish of Vietnam, Pho is a bowl full of broth with rice noodles, herbs and meat of your choice such as beef or chicken. Its subtle flavours are warmly inviting and comforting. The popular dish is easily available on street carts and restaurants. 

Bahn Mi
A fusion of the French baguette and local ingredients, the Banh Mi is a staple bread-based grab-on-the-go food. This Vietnamese version of a sandwich has a variety of veggies including fresh cucumbers, onions, pickled carrots and jalapenos or meat of your choice with a special sauce of mayo, lime juice, siracha and sesame oil. The soft bread neatly stuffed with crunchy veggies will fill your tummy but still leave you craving for more. 

Xoi Ga/Sticky Rice with Chicken
Xoi Ga or sticky rice with chicken is a quick and easy recipe. The chicken is either boiled or fried. Its minimal ingredients pack a lot of flavour. The crunch of the vegetables balances well with the soft rice. Xoi Ga is available in almost all restaurants but the best, homely dish is available on street carts.

Also read: A guide to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam

King Roti
Crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy inside, these sweetish buns are the perfect snack while walking the streets of the Old Quarter area. They come in a variety of flavours, like chocolate, matcha and vanilla. King Roti is a popular bakery in Hanoi and always has people waiting to grab the buns.

Rice Paper Cake
The name may be misleading as this dish is nothing like a cake, but it is an amazing, delicious snack to grab on-the-go. It is essentially a round rice paper first roasted and then stuffed with seasoned vegetables and yummy dips. It is completely vegetarian, so people with food preferences can eat without a worry.

Vietnamese Egg Coffee
No food post about Vietnam is complete without mentioning one of their most popular exports — the Egg Coffee. This traditional drink is made with egg yolks, condensed milk and, of course, coffee powder. The yolk is beaten to form a foamy froth and then placed over coffee. Although many people are not comfortable with the idea of mixing eggs with coffee, this drink is a must-try when visiting Vietnam.

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