Street Food $1 MENU in China Town!! (Vietnam)
Saigon Chinatown Street Food Dollar Menu Adventure
Street Food $1 MENU in China Town!! (Vietnam) Welcome to Saigon’s District 5, home to Vietnam’s largest Chinatown and one of the biggest in the world. Here, the fusion of Chinese and Vietnamese cuisines creates a unique street food scene. In this guide, I explore affordable dishes—most under $2, some even under $1—that showcase the vibrant, flavorful offerings of Chinatown’s bustling streets.
Food 1: Dim Sum ($0.47–$1.60)
At a bustling street-side stall, you’ll find some of the cheapest dim sum in Saigon. Options include shrimp shumai ($1.60), hargow ($0.47), mock crab with pork and seaweed ($0.47), and pork meatballs ($0.47). The hargow features delicate, translucent shrimp dumplings with a chewy wheat starch wrapper, bursting with garlic and shrimp. The oversized shumai, packed with bouncy shrimp and pork, is savory-sweet and unforgettable. The mock crab and pork meatball variations add unique textures and flavors, all served fresh from the steamer with soy sauce on the side.
Food 2: Egg Banh Cuon ($0.99–$1.50)
Banh cuon, a Cantonese-inspired steamed rice roll, is made fresh before your eyes. A rice batter is spread on a steaming drawer, topped with scallions, egg, and optional fillings like shrimp, beef, and minced pork for the “meat lovers” version ($1.50). The translucent roll is sliced, rolled, and served with soy sauce and chili paste. The plain egg version is a subtle flavor vehicle, enhanced by salty soy and spicy chili, while the meat-filled roll bursts with marinated beef, pork, and shrimp for a sweet, oily delight.
Food 3: Durian Fu ($0.25 each, 4 for $1)
This fried treat combines a wheat dough wrapper with a scoop of blended durian, the infamous stinky fruit. The dough is crimped and fried to a golden brown, sprinkled with sesame seeds. The result is a crispy, steamy bread with a fruity, overripe melon-like flavor from the durian. At just 25 cents each, it’s a must-try for durian lovers and a bold introduction for newcomers.
Food 4: Vegetarian Banh Bot Loc ($0.60)
A unique vegetarian dish made from steamed rice batter, formed into a thick, sticky mass and fried in a wok with oil. The vendor slices thin, crispy layers, coating them with sugar, crushed peanuts, and black sesame. The texture is a delightful mix of gooey mochi and crispy edges, with melted sugar and peanuts adding sweetness. This dish exemplifies Vietnam’s focus on texture as much as flavor.
Food 5: Egg Hugging Quail ($1.50)
This dish features quails fried in butter or oil, paired with unlaid quail eggs ranging from pea-sized to intestine-wrapped. The quail meat is fatty and juicy, with skin that bursts like a German sausage. The eggs offer a soft-boiled texture, with the intestine adding a livery, chewy bite. For just over a dollar, it’s a rare culinary experience, blending bold flavors and textures.
Food 6: Hakka Tribe Cake ($0.80)
Known as “man,” this Hakka specialty is a steamed rice batter cake with fillings like chive, taro, or cassava, topped with egg and fried in oil. Served with fresh chilies and sweet fish sauce, the chive version is classic and flavorful, with dried shrimp adding umami depth. The taro and cassava options are starchier but benefit from extra chili for kick. A fun, affordable snack to end the day.
Food 7: Pork Tongue Fried Rice ($2.10)
At a wok-frying stall, pork tongue is stir-fried with garlic, vegetables, pickles, onion, soy sauce, and a touch of broth, seasoned with salt, sugar, and MSG. Served with pre-dyed yellow fried rice, the dish is smoky and heavy, with the tongue offering a slightly gamey, tender pork flavor. While not as refined as Japanese wagyu tongue, it’s a delicious, affordable treat.
Food 8: Oyster Omelette ($2.90)
The priciest dish at just under $3, this omelette is loaded with 30–40 small oysters, mixed with egg, green onions, pepper, and a rice batter slurry. Fried on a hot plate with ample oil, it’s crispy, greasy, and slightly rare, with the oysters’ briny flavor shining through. Served with fish sauce, it’s a seafood lover’s dream and a perfect way to end the day.
The Verdict
Among these incredible dishes, the dim sum stands out as the most unforgettable. The shrimp-packed hargow, massive shumai, and inventive mock crab and pork meatballs are bursting with flavor and fat, making them some of the best dim sum I’ve ever had. For the price, they’re unbeatable.
Explore Chinatown with OneTrip
To dive deeper into Saigon’s street food scene, consider a OneTrip food tour in Saigon, Danang, or Hanoi. Explore the city on a motorbike, sampling dishes until you’re stuffed. Visit OneTrip for details.
Chinatown’s street food proves you can eat like royalty on a budget. From dim sum to durian fu, these dishes offer a taste of Vietnam’s rich culinary fusion for just a few dollars.
