10 Foods under $1 in Saigon Vietnam - Street Food Dollar Menu
10 Foods under $1 in Saigon Vietnam – Street Food Dollar Menu Join me and my friend Lal as we explore Saigon, Vietnam’s largest city, to discover 10 incredible street foods, each costing under a dollar. From savory to sweet, and sometimes a bit unusual, these dishes showcase the vibrant street food scene of Saigon, served fresh on sidewalks and street corners.
Food 1: Spring Rolls ($0.25 each)
Freshly moistened rice paper is filled with pork, shrimp, rice noodles, lettuce, herbs, and spring onions, then tightly rolled and served with peanut sauce. A globally recognized Vietnamese classic, these spring rolls are fresh, flavorful, and a top contender for the best street food. The sauce is salty, thick, and peanutty, complementing the crispy greens and herbs.
Food 2: Che ($0.60 per cup)
This frozen Vietnamese dessert is a delightful mix of black beans, white beans, mung bean puree, palm sugar, water chestnuts, green jelly, coconut cream, coconut milk, and ice. Mixing the ice with coconut milk creates a chewy texture and a mellow sweetness, with tapioca-coated water chestnuts adding a snappy crunch. It’s a refreshing treat you can sip or eat.
Food 3: Banh Trang Nuong ($1.00)
A unique mix of rice paper strips, beef jerky, Vietnamese coriander, shredded papaya, quail eggs, sweet jerky made from cow lung, citrus, sweet-sour sauce, and chili oil. Shaken together, it’s a bag of bold flavors and textures—sweet, salty, and spicy. Described as “Vietnam in a bag,” it’s a creative twist on traditional spring rolls.
Food 4: Shakin’ Spicy Mango ($1.00)
Mango gets a fiery makeover with fish sauce, shrimp salt, sugar, and freshly minced chilies. This recent invention delivers a punch of spiciness and saltiness, intensifying the fruit’s natural sweetness. It’s a bold, savory twist for those tired of plain fruit.
Food 5: Bap Xao ($0.90)
Corn sautéed in margarine with small dried shrimp, sugar, and spring onion, fried until crispy and served with chili sauce. The sweet and tangy chili sauce pairs perfectly with the margarine’s richness, creating a junk-food-like indulgence that’s hard to stop eating, thanks to the tiny spoon provided.
Food 6: Quail Eggs with Tamarind Sauce ($1.00)
Hard-boiled, partially developed quail eggs are served with minced chilies, garlic, oil, tamarind sauce, Vietnamese coriander, fried onions, and Morning Glory. Similar to balut, this dish offers a sweet-tart flavor with a natural crunchiness. It’s an adventurous bite that rewards the bold with outstanding flavors.
Food 7: Chinese Meatballs ($1.00)
Grilled pork balls wrapped in intestine lining, paired with Vietnamese coriander, chili sauce, mayonnaise, and papaya. Juicy, fatty, sweet, and salty, these meatballs are a flavor explosion when mixed with herbs and papaya. A delightful street food found across Asia, but distinctly Vietnamese here.
Food 8: Huk Dow ($1.00)
In Saigon’s Chinatown, these steamed buns are topped with soy sauce, chili sauce, Vietnamese coriander, and fried onions. Salty, chewy, and served with warm hospitality, they’re a Chinese-inspired treat that’s easy to love, especially when vendors make the experience extra welcoming.
Food 9: Bot Chien ($0.85)
Another Chinatown gem, this dish features sliced and fried rice cakes mixed with fried egg, sautéed spring onion, and shredded papaya. The starchy, crispy rice cake paired with egg evokes familiar breakfast flavors like hash browns, but with a unique Vietnamese twist.
Food 10: Savory Sticky Rice ($0.75)
Found on Saigon’s vibrant Bui Vien backpacker street, this hearty dish piles sticky rice with soy sauce, sautéed spring onion, liver pate, fried onion, quail egg, pork floss, Chinese sausage, pickled carrot, radish, and chili sauce. Loaded with toppings, it’s a chewy, salty-sweet meal perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Experience Saigon’s Street Food with OneTrip
For an unforgettable foodie adventure, check out OneTrip food tours in Saigon, Danang, and Hanoi. Ride through the city, explore diverse dishes, and eat until you’re stuffed. Visit OneTrip for more details.
Saigon’s street food scene proves you don’t need much money to eat like a king. Ten dishes, ten dollars, and a whole lot of flavor—Vietnam never disappoints!
