Tasty specialties of North Vietnam in Saigon

Bun Dau Mam Tom (Noodle with fried tofu and shrimp paste)

If you eat right on the street, you will be served “bun dau” in a medium-size tray, with everything on it. Just squeeze some drops of kumquat on your sauce, dip rice noodles, pieces of tofu or ham into the sauce, and don’t forget the herbs.

The simple combination of various flavors: hot, tasty tofu, cold, fresh noodles, spicy, sour and sweet dipping sauce and nice smell from Vietnamese balm herb. makes “bun dau” unique, especially in the cold weather in Hanoi. Currently, this dish is very popular in Saigon.

Besides famous bun dau mam tom stores such as Hong Ha, A Vung, Co Khan, Lam Bo, etc., tourists can visit a store at Cau Go (Phan Xich Long Street, Phu Nhuan district), Trang An (Hoang Dieu Street, district 4). It costs VND30,000 - VND50,000/course.

Bun Cha (Grilled pork balls with vermicelli)

Bun cha has two types: pork balls and pork pieces. They are grilled on charcoal fires. Grilled pork meat is served with vermicelli and raw vegetables. The dish is served in two bowls: one for vermicelli and the other for dipping sauce together with grilled pork balls, green carrot, papaya, etc.

Famous bun cha shops are located on Ly Tu Trong street, Ly Chinh Thang street, Vo Van Tan street, Bach Dang street, Hoang Dieu street, etc. at the price of VND25,000 - VND40,000/course.

Roasted Duck

Roasted duck in Northern style is added with mac mat leaves. This kind of leaf will be added inside the duck’s stomach and then it is sutured and fixed by a skewer. 

Ducks are roasted on hot charcoal within one or two hours. Then, the taste of mac mat leaves is absorbed from the inside out and spreads around. 

The dipping sauce is prepared from fish sauce, minced garlic, chili, etc. and served with basil and cucumber.

You can find this dish on Huynh Tan Phat Street (District 7), Bach Dang Street (Tan Binh district) at the price of VND 150,000/duck.