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Strolling through the bustling streets, amidst the glittering lights of Saigon, reveals a culinary world that cannot be ignored. Diverse, unique, and captivating are the adjectives that come to mind when describing Saigon's street food – an indispensable part of exploring the city's gastronomic culture. Join food reviewer Minh Trinh as she immerses herself in this street labyrinth, savors unique dishes, and blends seamlessly into the vibrant life of this city.
Grilled rice paper
For a long time, grilled rice paper has been one of the most popular street snacks among young people in Saigon. Each rice paper sheet is topped with various ingredients like eggs, scallion oil, sausage, and dried beef, offering a variety of flavors and eye-catching colors. They are widely sold at restaurants, on sidewalks, and by street vendors throughout Saigon.
You can find grilled rice paper snack carts everywhere on the streets of Saigon.
The unique aspect of this dish lies in its preparation process. The rice paper is grilled over hot charcoal, creating a crispy, flavorful crust. When enjoyed, the warm piece of rice paper in your hand is perfectly seasoned, with a sweet and sour, soft and fragrant taste. "Imagine sitting with friends by a fragrant grilled rice paper cart on a rainy Saigon afternoon, biting into a hot, crispy piece of rice paper – it's simply amazing," Minh Trinh shared.
Crispy grilled rice paper crackers cooked over hot charcoal.
With its affordable price and portability, grilled rice paper is becoming a favorite snack among young people in Saigon. This snack not only satisfies the taste buds but also provides a fun and memorable experience on your culinary exploration journey.
Saigon snails, more than just a dish.
"If you come to Saigon and haven't enjoyed the amazing flavors of street-style snail dishes, you can consider yourself to have missed half of your journey exploring this city. You might be surprised because Saigon isn't a coastal city, nor is it famous for its distinctive snail cuisine, but you'll understand why the locals are so passionate about eating snails when you experience it firsthand," Minh Trinh enthusiastically shared.
Step into the diverse world of snail dishes in Saigon.
Fresh snails, prepared in a variety of ways, offer amazing flavors. But eating snails isn't just about enjoying the food; it's also a cultural experience. You'll enjoy the feeling of sitting by the street, savoring the food, and chatting with friends in the vibrant atmosphere of Saigon. Saigon snails evoke intense emotions, from their aroma and taste to their preparation methods. While Hanoi snails are simply boiled or steamed with lemongrass and lime leaves, Saigon snails are a "feast" with over a dozen different preparation methods, each offering its own unique flavors: sour, spicy, salty, sweet... everything you could want.
Diverse cooking methods, impressive in every flavor.
No need to go to fancy restaurants; sitting by a roadside snail cart is also a popular choice for many Saigon snail lovers.
While savoring the snail dishes on the table, Minh Trinh said: "Each snail dish has its own 'perfect' way of preparation, but ultimately, the delicate sweetness of the snails, the sour and salty taste of the tamarind sauce, the spiciness of the chili, the distinctive aroma of garlic, the rich, creamy sweetness of the coconut milk… each flavor must be perfectly balanced, without any excess or deficiency."
Grilled skewers, a colorful feast.
In the evening, if you ask where young people in Saigon usually go, you'll almost certainly hear them say, "To eat grilled skewers!" More than just a dish, grilled skewers are considered a fun activity for young people, especially groups of friends. Whether day or night, hot or cold, you can always find bustling, crowded grilled skewer stalls all over Saigon's streets.
The grilled skewers are attractive and colorful.
The grills glowed red, flames and charcoal rising, creating a vibrant and exciting atmosphere. The rich aroma of grilled meat, okra, bread, and their signature sweet sauce was irresistible.
Skewered grilled food also carries a distinctive cultural meaning for the people of Saigon - a spirit of camaraderie and closeness. "It doesn't matter who you are, where you're from, your age, or your gender, as long as you love this food and participate in skewer grilling sessions with your friends, you'll experience the most fun and relaxed moments," Minh Trinh shared.
"Saigon-style grilled skewers have a distinctive sweet flavor," Minh Trinh shared.
Therefore, it's no surprise that grilled skewers have become a favorite dish among Saigon's youth, becoming one of the symbols of the city's distinctive lifestyle and culinary culture.
