Growing up, I tried Vietnamese food for the first time at a restaurant near my local beach. When I first tried their rice paper rolls, I fell in love, and it became one my favorite snacks! One of the best treats in the world to eat are Vietnamese snacks (although, Japanese snacks make a close runner up). Whenever I come across a new Vietnamese restaurant, I have to go inside and try out their food. Also, when I finally visit Vietnam, I'll know exactly what to order and look out for! Today, we'll be jumping in and talking about the 30 best Vietnamese Snacks to try out!
Aside from restaurants, I also love going to the Asian supermarkets and picking up bags of tasty treats! There are so many enticing colors, big bold words, and fun pictures to look at. It’s almost impossible to choose just one! If you or a friend has ever traveled to Vietnam, you’re probably eating the best street foods, snacks, and bringing back bags of treats in your luggage for the flight home. I know I’ve done it before! There are a huge variety of Vietnamese snacks to feed a sweet tooth or a savory lover! Both inside restaurants and in store! In fact, you may be eating some foods that you didn’t know were Vietnamese until now. Whether you’re new to the world of Asian snacking, or you want to try out some new flavors, we have put together the Top 30 Vietnamese Snacks for you to try! We challenge you to try them all! Are you excited yet? Let’s get snacking!
30 Best Vietnamese Snacks
1 - Rice Paper Rolls - Goi Cuong
All my life, I wanted to call these bad boys “egg rolls”, but realized that egg rolls are a different kind of snack in Vietnam! These are a must try if you’re inside a small shop and need a quick fill-up, or you have all the ingredients to make in your home. First of all, they’re easy to make, and fun to fill up! I love eating these with shrimp and pork, but my favorite filling is tofu, making it a flavorful vegetarian dish. After picking your meat, they’re typically filled with lettuce, vermicelli noodles, bean sprouts, mint garnish, or other vegetables! What really brings these rolls together is the peanut sauce dip. Once you try it, you’ll never order anything else again! So delicious, give it a try next time you’re in a restaurant in at the store. You won’t regret it!
2 - Egg Rolls - Chai Do/Cha Gio
Every Asian culture has their version of a delicious fried snack. For the Vietnamese, this egg roll snack is the one for you. It’s super addicting - once you bite into one of them, you can’t help but eat a couple more! Inside these egg rolls are grounded pork, yellow onion, wood ear mushrooms, and bean threads. They are perfect for bringing to parties, but if you’re looking for a quick snack, you can make them easily. I prepare them by rolling out 10-20 at once, fry the ones I want to eat immediately, and freeze the rest! When I want more in the future, I just take them out and throw them in a pan or deep fryer. Never easier!
3 - Meatball Lettuce Wraps
Lettuce wraps are a great way to get some veggies in your system, since it’s packed with flavor, nutrients, and protein! One of my favorite recipes for these meatball wraps uses pork sausages, but feel free to change things up with chicken, beef, or even make turkey meatballs! With the combined flavors of fish sauce, honey, and chili, this snack is one of my favorite foods. You can serve these lettuce wraps with nuoc cham sauce, a combination of garlic, red pepper flakes, sugar, lime juice, fish sauce, and water. It’s a sweet and savory snack that will fill you up nicely!
https://www.yummly.com/recipe/Vietnamese-Meatball-Lettuce-Wraps-1464180
4 - Deep Fried Prawns Spring Rolls
We can’t get enough of these delicious spring rolls, so if you’re a seafood lover and want to try something new, this snack is going to turn heads! It’s not like the original recipe, and I love it because it has a fried prawn crispiness to it, which really brings the rolls together. If you’re not able to find these at a restaurant, you’ll be able to eat them by purchasing prawns and coating them in bread crumbs. There’s an easy recipe online that will guide you in creating a savory and unique dish!
5 - Vietnamese Pickles
This is a Vietnamese 7 ingredients pickle mix, which is a tasty snack for after school, or a perfect pairing with a protein of your choice. To make this tasty pickle mix, all you need are carrots, daikon radishes, jalapenos, sugar, kosher salt, warm water, and rice vinegar! Keep them inside a large jar and this can last you a long time. Honestly, I love putting this over rice and eating it in between meals because sometimes I need a sour punch here and there. You can also eat it for breakfast by pairing hard boiled eggs with it. Feel free to serve this with some chicken, meatballs, or tofu also. Don’t knock it til you try it!
6 - Vietnamese Squid Salad
Also known as Goi Muc, this is the perfect starting dish for summer time. It’s refreshing, and it’s healthy, so who could ask for more?! In Vietnam, dishes that have prawns or pork are popular, so keep on the lookout when you’re in the country and trying out the best dishes over there! Of course, squid is also a common meat in Vietnamese cuisine. In the meantime, you can find these foods in some Vietnamese restaurants, or just buy some squids and make it at home! The texture of the squid will compliment the crunch you get from the salad! Definitely give this a try at home or when you’re in Vietnam!
http://vietnamesefoody.com/vietnamese-squid-salad-goi-muc-recipe
7 - Vietnamese Baguette
Let’s get this bread! There is nothing better than the taste of a fresh and warm baguette. As we all know, this baguettes filled with meat and vegetables makes a staple Vietnamese dish: Banh Mi. If you’re just looking for a snack, this is a recipe that can kickstart your cooking. You can always add onto it later, should you have all the ingredients for said-sandwich. Once you take a bite into the crunch of this baguette, you’ll be begging for more! Do note, this is a 5 hour process to make bread, so I always like to make multiples at once and keep them from getting stale. Yum yum!
8 - 3 Mien Instant Noodles
If you’re in Vietnam and want to take home your supply of snacks, these instant noodles are a must on your bucket list! The brand is “Gomex” and the noodles are called 3 Mien! There are multiple flavors that come with powder and seasoned oil. It’s easily made in 3 minutes, and it’s a delicious snack. Flavors include: Hot Sour, Lobster, Shrimp, Vegetarian, Minced Pork, Beef, and Chicken. Wow! Such variety, you’ve gotta try them all!
9 - Bahn Khot - Mini Pancakes
These tiny mouthfuls will not disappoint! You’ll easily be able to find these little ones throughout all the streets of Ho Chi Minh City, where you can eat to your heart’s content! It’s perfect since the crunchy outside is made with coconut milk, and is filled with shrimp, spring onions, and mung beans. Not sure about you, but I’m drooling for some already! You can easily make these at home using a takoyaki pan (or a bahn khot pan if you own one!) If you’re in Vietnam, eat some at Bahn Khot Co Ba Vung Tau in District 3. Trust us, you’ll love it!
10 - Hoa Qua Dam
If you have a sweet tooth like I do, this snack also doubles as a dessert favorite in Vietnam. It’s both a drink and dessert, and you can find it anywhere throughout the city! It’s a fruit cup that can range between strawberries, watermelon, mango, apple, pineapple… and we can go on with ingredients! Then, it’s topped with syrup, lychee, tapioca, you name it! Lastly, it also has yogurt, so it’s deliciousness all packed inside one cup! After you eat the first one, you might want seconds… or thirds even! Some famous places to find this treat in Vietnam are at 5 Hang Chi Alley, or even 187 Chua Lang. It’s perfect for after school snacks, after work snacks, or a vacation snack!
11 - Banh Cuon
One of my favorite Vietnamese snacks hands down is a bahn cuon- also known as a rolling cake. Think of it like a crepe, filled with pork and mushrooms, and finally topped with fried green onions. With the easy recipe below, you’ll be making the best snacks around town! It’s flavorful, best served hot, and even better dipped in fish sauce! You’ll thank me later!
https://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/banh-cuon
12 - Ca Tim Kho To
This wonderful catfish is usually prepared in a clay pot, but feel free to recreate it using whatever pan you have! This dish is especially popular in Southern Vietnam, with an abundance of seafood going around. I'm a seafood lover myself, so the mild taste of catfish pairs wonderfully with notes of fish sauce, soy sauce, coconut juice, and chili. This is a great breakfast or mid-day snack for those that love tons of flavor in one entree. I can honestly eat the fish by itself, but feel free to throw it over some lettuce, rice, pasta, whatever your heart desires! Enjoy!
https://www.hungryhuy.com/ca-kho-to-recipe-vietnamese-braised-fish/
13 - Bot Chien
Fried rice cakes, probably the best of the best when it comes to street food! It’s popular among the afterschool or the late night crowd, since it’s made with rice flour dough and fried to perfection. Once it’s crispy, mix in egg, green onions, and fresh green papaya. I like to think of these babies as Vietnamese hashbrowns, perfect for an after work snack. It can also work as a light meal if you don’t want a full dish. You can find this savory snack throughout all of Saigon, or at the Cho Ban Co Market. Not to mention, it’s super affordable, so definitely try it out when you’re visiting Vietnam! https://migrationology.com/bot-chien-vietnam/
14 - Vietnamese Crispy Dumplings - Banh Goi
This is the perfect snack for when summer dies down and the colder weather comes in. They’re shaped like little potstickers, or tiny cakes even. These dumplings are deep fried. The outer shell is made with water and rice flour. Next, throw in some glass noodles, wood ear mushrooms, and add minced pork. Once you crimp and fold your dumplings, you can throw these into the oiled skillet or fryer, and you’re good to go. Give them a try and you’ll see why Vietnamese snacks are to die for!
http://vietnamesefoody.com/vietnamese-crispy-dumplings-banh-goi
15 - Vietnamese Chestnuts - Hat de Nong
This delicious street food is something you’ll see throughout Asia. The smell of roasted chestnuts being roasted over a huge wok or open fire is such a fun sight in Vietnam! Look out for these by the smell of the air - you won’t be able to miss out.
16 - Bahn Bao
You may be familiar with this snack if you’ve eaten at another Asian restaurant. Well, the Vietnamese like to spice things up, so this isn’t your ordinary bao bun! Inside are hard-boiled quail eggs, with minced meats. You’ll be able to find these throughout the streets of Vietnam through walking vendors; just remember that what you pay for is what you get! If it’s cheaper, it most likely has less filling than other priced buns with meats, eggs, and other fillings!
17 - Com Chay - Rice Crispys
When we think about rice crispy, we think of a sweet cereal made with marshmallows. For the Vietnamese, rice crispy takes on a whole new meaning! That’s right- the ones we’re talking about are flattened rice, fried until yellow. Next, they’re combined with beef, heart, or kidney, vegetables, peppers, and salt. You can find these tasty cakes at Hoa Dang, or throughout the streets of Ninh Binh.
18 - Che Ba Ba
If you’re someone that likes to eat dessert for a snack, look no further. This delicious dessert is sweetened by coconut milk, and filled with bean jelly, fruits, tapioca, and ice. We found a delicious recipe that’s made in your instant pot, so you can bring Vietnamese food right to your table!
19 - Fried Tofu with Tomato Sauce
Also known as Dau Hu Chien Sot Ca Chua, everyone in Vietnam loves this tofu dish. It’s the perfect vegetarian snack and it’s made with simple ingredients. The recipe I have here is made with mochiko flour, also known as glutinous rice flour. I love eating this dish by itself, but you can always eat these over rice. Lastly, the recipe provided in this article is gluten free! If you’re in the country, you can find this savory snack at Chim Sao, Hanoi!
https://wanderingchopsticks.blogspot.com/2010/05/dau-hu-chien-sot-ca-chua-vietnamese.html
20 - Nom Hoa Chuoi - Vietnamese Banana Blossom Salad
This isn’t your basic salad snack! These are made with banana flowers, papayas, onions, bell peppers, mint leaves, and more! With the recipe provided, you can substitute your banana flowers with lettuce, kale, red cabbage, or whatever is inside your local supermarket. You can eat these throughout street vendors in Hanoi. It’s a perfect and refreshing snack that will fill you up before your next meal!
21 - Vietnamese Coffee - Ca Phe Sua Da
When it comes to your daily dose of caffeine, nothing can compare to Vietnamese style coffee! I may be biased, but I think that it’s one of the best styles of coffee in the world! It’s strong, fragrant, and flavorful. The preparation process, bean blend, and culture that goes into this coffee gives it a distinct taste and flavor. First, the ground course beans are put into a phin, French drip filter. The beans are weighed down with a lid, and hot water is added inside. Once the coffee is brewed, the icing on the cake (or coffee, we should say) is the sweet condensed milk. Once you try this, you can’t go back! I consider this a snack because sometimes, it’s all I need to get my day going! Don’t be shy, give it a try!
22 - Bun Cha Gio
This traditional pork noodle salad is topped with fresh veggies and nuoc cham! You’ll get a huge dose of carbs, vegetables, and protein with this dish. In our opinion, this is the God of snacks. Since I’m one for spicy dishes, this is a must try, must eat when you’re in Vietnam. If you can’t keep the cravings away at home, don’t worry! Here’s a recipe below to satisfy your needs. You’re welcome!
https://www.aspicyperspective.com/spicy-food-for-spicy-personality/
23 - Banh Cam - Sesame Rice Balls
This is one of my favorite snacks growing up; every day after school I’d go to my local bakery and pick some up. You’ve probably seen these before at your local dim sum place, but they’re also roaming the streets in Vietnam! Bahn cam means “orange cake”, to signify that they resemble oranges, not because it’s orange flavored. I love the makeup of this snack because the outside is a warm, gold, crispy rice flour skin, and the inside is chewy, rich, and tasty with the flavor of mung beans. If you’re in northern Vietnam, these are also called Banh Ran. Eat these tasty guys with some Vietnamese coffee, tea, or water.
https://www.hungryhuy.com/banh-cam-banh-ran-recipe-vietnamese-fried-sesame-balls/
24 - Banana, Coconut, and Tapioca Dessert
Vietnam is great at balancing sweet and savory foods. This great pass time snack is for all my sweet lovers in the world! It’s a puddling-type of dessert made with bananas and coconut cream. The recipe takes less than an hour, so you can serve this up any day and any time! When you’re in town, these are called Che Chuoi, and you’ll be able to find these easily. When making these at home, definitely do a test run of the tapioca balls a couple times, especially if its your first time cooking it! Enjoy!
https://www.hungryhuy.com/vietnamese-banana-coconut-tapioca-dessert-che-chuoi/
25 - Bahn Tet
This is a delicious savory or sweet cake made from mochiko flour rich. My favorite part about this snack is that they are wrapped in banana leaves, like a long and cylinder shape! Other fillings for this snack include mung beans, or pork filling. To eat, simply remove the banana leaf and cut the cake how you like. You can feast on these during the Lunar New Year, or find them in bakeries. Delish!
26 - Vanphat Mit Say - Jack Fruit Chips
For those of you that are tired of basic potato chips, Vietnam makes delicious Jackfruit chips, which you’d be able to find at the supermarkets! I love jackfruits, especially because they’re on the vegan side of food. Luckily, they’re also sold online! If you’re saving buying souvenirs until you’re actually in Vietnam, we also found a similar recipe to hold you off. Dig in!
https://www.instructables.com/id/Tasty-And-Crispy-Jackfruit-Chips/
https://www.amazon.com/Jackfruit-Chips-Mit-Say-8-8oz/dp/B00886ETA0
27 - Banh Chat Pia Cake - Dau Sau Rieng
This is a snack for those that love exotic and tasty flavors. Durian cake, most known for their distinct smell, is popular among Vietnam and Asian countries. For those that haven’t tried it, it's creamy and sweet flavor in your mouth. You can easily find these throughout Asian supermarkets and stores. Stock up and share them with your friends and family! Don’t knock it till you try it!
28 - Rong Vang Minh Ngoc - Green Bean Cakes
A lot of family that visited Vietnam brought these for us; there’s multiple flavors that you can try! It’s a biscuit made with green beans, sugar, vanilla flavors, and oil! Try these out whenever you’re in the market (literally), or in Vietnam! Many people online said it tastes great, so definitely give a go!
29 - Wonderfarm Bird’s Nest
This right here is a white fungus bird’s nest drink. It also has genuine bird saliva inside it! Those that have had this drink can describe it as having a chunky, thick, and rich texture. It’s also sweetened with sugar, and tastes just like vanilla. This is a very unique drink within Vietnamese culture, and definitely something you can brag about once you tried it out!
30 - Made In Nature Coconut Chips
These toasty and crispy snacks are made with toasted Vietnamese cinnamon, coconut, and maple syrup. They taste just like French toast, so it’s a delicious snack, especially with kids! These snacks are organic, tasty, and great for you! It’s definitely tasty, so once you start, you probably can’t stop eating these yummy treats! You can find these at non-ethnic grocery stores, online, or just about anywhere!
