Saigon Under $1 Street Food Adventure
Vietnam is a street food paradise, and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is where you can indulge in incredible flavors on a budget. Joined by Kimmy, a 23-year-old fashion designer and food lover who’s lived in Australia, Denmark, France, and now Vietnam, we explore 10 street foods, all under $1, showcasing the creativity of vendors who transform affordable ingredients into flavor-packed dishes. From savory to sweet, these foods are not just cheap—they’re dang delicious. Let’s dive into Saigon’s most affordable eats!
Food 1: Xoi Chien (25 cents)
At Mr. Bao’s 17-year-old cart, a favorite near schools, xoi chien is a crispy fried sticky rice patty cut in half and stuffed with minced pork, pork floss, liver pate, mayonnaise, chili sauce, fried onions, and a fried quail egg. The crunchy exterior contrasts with the sticky rice and salty, spicy fillings, delivering fast-food vibes for just 25 cents—or four for $1. Perfect for students on a budget.
Food 2: Nem Nuong (60 cents)
In Saigon’s “Little Cambodia” neighborhood, a street food haven with over 50 vendors, Mr. Lum’s nem nuong is a grilled beef meatball skewer wrapped around lemongrass. Selling up to 1,000 sticks daily after five years of perfecting his secret recipe, this juicy, caramelized treat has hints of sugar, salt, MSG, and annatto oil for its red hue. At under 60 cents, it’s a must-try Southern Vietnamese delight.
Food 3: Grilled Banana with Coconut Cream (60 cents)
Miss Kien’s dessert transforms simple ingredients into something irresistible. Sun-dried bananas are soaked in salt water, grilled until golden, and smothered in creamy, sweet coconut cream with a frosting-like sweetness and a touch of salt. For 60 cents, this rich, satisfying treat is a perfect balance of body and flavor, making you forget the bustling Saigon traffic.
Food 4: Vietnamese Empanada (50 cents)
At Miss Loan’s stall in a bustling market, this fried delight resembles a Vietnamese empanada. A flour batter encases stir-fried minced pork, mushrooms, and a quail egg, creating a flaky, crispy exterior with a savory-sweet, lighter-than-expected filling. Similar to a fried banh bao, it’s a steal at 50 cents and packed with juicy pork flavor.
Food 5: Rice Porridge with Toppings (4 cents base, toppings extra)
The cheapest dish on our list, this rice porridge (kanji) costs just 1,000 VND (4 cents) at a retro-style vendor. Alone, it’s bland, but toppings like salted duck egg, century egg, braised pork fat, dried fish, pickled cucumber, salted radish, or fried duck intestines elevate it. The chewy pork fat and marinated duck intestines are standouts, while the century egg adds a pungent kick. Total cost with toppings stays under $1, making it ideal for kids, the elderly, or anyone recovering from illness.
Food 6: Xoi Xac (70 cents)
Nicknamed “xoi xac” for the two markets surrounding it, this sticky rice dish is served on a banana leaf with soy sauce, scallions, fried shallots, ground peanuts, Chinese sausage, and pork floss. The sticky rice is underrated, and the peanut dust and micro-thin sausage slices add fragrant, fun flavors. At 70 cents, it’s a simple yet satisfying snack that screams Vietnamese creativity.
Food 7: Banh Canh (Under $1)
Miss Tom, a 30-year veteran, serves banh canh, a breakfast bowl of tapioca noodles, fried fish cake, blood cake, and pork knuckle in a savory pork bone broth. The soft noodles soak up the broth, while the spongy fish cake and blood cake (a childhood memory for Kimmy) add depth. Priced under $1, this resilient dish is a daily staple for many in Saigon.
Food 8: Mini Banh Mi (Under $1)
This tiny banh mi, half the size of a standard one, is stuffed to the brim with mayonnaise, liver pate, shredded chicken, ham, pork loaf, egg, pickle, cilantro, chilies, and a shomai topped with salted egg and tomato sauce. For under $1 (or three simpler ones for $1), it’s a protein-packed, meaty, livery party in your mouth, with the shomai stealing the show.
Food 9: Rice Paper Roll (7 cents)
Mr. Lauma, rolling 700 of these daily for 20 years, holds the title for Saigon’s cheapest roll at 1,500 VND (7 cents). Rice paper is layered with ground peanuts, dried shrimp, lettuce, basil, and steamed jicama, then rolled and served with hoisin sauce, sweet chili sauce, chilies, and peanuts. The thick, sweet-salty sauce and crispy peanuts make this chewy roll a flavor-delivery vehicle for just pennies.
Food 10: Banh Xeo (Chives Cake, Under $1)
In Saigon’s Chinatown, Miss Fullen’s 70-year-old family recipe for banh xeo (chives cake) is legendary. Steamed, pounded rice is stuffed with chives, taro, or jicama, fried on both sides, and topped with a fried egg. Doused in diluted sweet fish sauce and fresh chilies, this thick, pancake-like dish is chive-heavy and addictive for under $1.
The Verdict
These 10 dishes, all under $1, showcase Saigon’s street food ingenuity. From crispy xoi chien to juicy nem nuong and creamy grilled bananas, vendors use inexpensive ingredients like rice, bananas, and pork fat to create hurricanes of flavor and texture. The standout? The chives cake for its perfect balance of crispy, chive-packed goodness and the nem nuong for its caramelized, juicy bite. People don’t eat these because they’re cheap—they eat them because they’re delicious.
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Our 10-person Best Ever Food Review Show team works hard to deliver top-quality travel and food content twice weekly. Support us on Patreon for early video releases and private Q&As, or just keep watching—we’re thrilled you’re here! Follow Kimmy on Instagram for her fashion and food adventures, and let us know in the comments which dish you’re craving!