In Vietnamese cuisine, roll (cuốn) is a popular dish which is easy to make, to eat, and super balanced in nutrition. Most of the must-try Vietnamese rolls have rice paper wrappers as an essential ingredient, while the fillings vary greatly – creating a beautiful diversity of Vietnamese rolls. During your limited time in Vietnam, make sure to have your hand on the appetizing rolls and have a bite.
Banh Trang Phoi Suong (Dewret Rice Paper) with Boiled Pork
As the most basic must-try Vietnamese rolls, you can easily create a self-made version at home. The rice paper wrapper is Banh Trang Phoi Suong – Dewret Rice Paper, which is specially produced in only several regions of Vietnam. The texture of it is more persistent compared to the original one, giving a unique taste to the dish.
A serving of Banh Trang Phoi Suong is a unique point
The fillings include boiled ham or bacon, vermicelli, and several particular Vietnamese greens originated from the forest. A small bowl of well-mixed Fish Sauce would compliment this dish perfectly.
Where to try Banh Trang Phoi Suong with Boiled Pork:
In Ho Chi Minh City
Hoang Ty
Address: 70-72 Vo Van Tan, Ward 6, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 10:30 AM – 11 PM
Price: from VND 130,000/serving
In Hanoi
Hoang Beo
Address: 1 Ho Dac Di, Nam Dong Ward, Dong Da District
Opening hours: 8 AM – 10 PM
Price: VND 50,000/serving
Other places in Vietnam
Hoang Tin – Da Nang
Address: 12 Le Hong Phong, Phuoc Ninh Ward, Hai Chai District, Danang
Opening hours: 6 AM – 10 PM
Price: VND 60,000
Nam Dung – Tay Ninh
Address: 90 Nguyen Van Rop, Trang Bang District, Tay Ninh Province
Opening hours: 8 AM – 10 PM
Price: VND 80,000
Goi Cuon
Goi Cuon is a darling in Ho Chi Minh street food culture and is a close sibling to the aforementioned dish. However, there are some characteristics for you to distinguish.
How Goi Cuon looks like
Firstly, instead of the dewret rice paper, the rice paper used in Goi Cuon can be found at any local markets or supermarkets at ease. Secondly, the stuffing is added with shrimps and common Vietnamese vegetable herbs. There are also more choices for the side sauces: Tuong Den (thick soy paste), Mam Nem (fermented fish sauce), or regular fish sauce with sour-sweet taste. If you find it hard to put up with the smell of fermented condiments, Goi Cuon would be a great starter option among must-try Vietnamese rolls.
Goi Cuon goes well with several different sauces
Where to try Goi Cuon
In Ho Chi Minh City
Goi Cuon Tom Nhay
Address: 424 Lac Long Quan, Ward 5, District 11, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 11 AM – 7 PM
Price: VND 8,000/roll
Goi Cuon Ba Dzu
Address: 26/26 Do Quang Dau, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 10 AM – 6:30 PM
Price: VND 8,000/roll
In Hanoi
Tiem An Van
Address: 24 Thanh Binh, Ha Dong District, Hanoi
Opening hours: 10 AM – 11 PM
Price: VND 45,000-85,000/serving with 5-10 rolls
In Danang
Chin’s Kitchen
Address: 154 Le Dinh Duong, Hai Chau District, Danang
Opening hours: 6:30 AM – 9 PM
Price: from VND 22,000
Madame Lan
Address: 4 Bach Dang, Hai Chau District, Danang
Opening hours: 9 AM – 9:30 PM
Price: VND 82,000
Also have: Nem Lui, Pho Cuon
Bo Bia
There are two versions of Bo Bia: the savory one and the sweet one. Both of them are excellent choices for a midday snack.
Colorful savory Bo Bia
The savory Bo Bia is more popular than the sweet version. Its ingredients include rice paper, lap xuong (Vietnamese sausage), fried eggs, dried shrimps, vegetables, carrots, and jicama. All of which creates a signature crunchy taste and colorful look, which is incredibly appealing to kids.
Sweet Bo Bia is usually sold around schools since it is a favorite afterschool snack for many kids
Where to try Bo Bia
Bo Bia Ly
Address: 120E Dinh Tien Hoang, Da Kao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 12 PM (noon) – 6:30 PM
Price: VND 7,000/roll
Co Hieu
Address: 37 Nguyen Phi Khanh, Tan Dinh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 3 PM – 8 PM
Price: VND 6,000/roll
Nem Lui
Originated from Central Vietnam, Nem Lui has captured the hearts of many people thanks to its delicious taste without making you bloated no matter how much you eat.
Nem Lui and how a whole serving of it can look like
Each cook would have their own recipe for Nem Lui. The soul of the dish lies in the charcoal-grilled skewers made from the mixture of seasoned minced pork, sometimes added with shrimp. The sauce also plays an important role. Besides the fish sauce as the base, the cook would decide which other ingredients to join; they can be minced pork, tapioca flour, pineapple, and even fresh milk or liver. If you want to figure out what is included in this dish in one bite, it would not be a simple challenge.
Like other must-try Vietnamese rolls, you can eat Nem Lui with rice paper wrappers. Don’t forget to add the vegetables, especially the pineapple and star fruit, which would offer a peculiar taste to your experience.
Where to try Nem Lui
In Ho Chi Minh City
Nem Nuong Nha Trang Be Thao
Address: 1237/31 Hoang Sa, Ward 5, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 10 AM – 10:30 PM
Price: VND 39,000/serving
Co Nga – Nem Nuong Ninh Hoa
Address: 389 Nguyen Thai Binh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 9:30 AM – 9 PM
Price: VND 60,000/serving
In Hanoi
Tu Xeo
Address: No.5, 167 Doi Can Alley, Doi Can Ward, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi
Opening hours: 10 AM – 10 PM
Price: VND 6,000/roll
Nem Lui & Banh Xeo Nguyen Khuyen
Address: 89 Nguyen Khuyen, Dong Da District, Hanoi
Opening hours: 11:30 AM – 7 PM
Price: VND 5,000/roll
Other places in Vietnam
Nem Lui Dang Van Quyen – Nha Trang
Address: 16A Lan Ong, Xuong Huan Ward, Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province
Opening hours: 7 AM – 9 PM
Price: VND 45,000/serving
Bun Thit Nuong & Nem Lui Ba Ty – Hue
Address: 81 Dao Duy Tu, Hue City, Hue Province
Opening hours: 2 PM – 7 PM
Price: VND 8,000/roll
Cha Gio
Appearing from daily meals to traditional special occasions such as Vietnamese Tet, Cha Gio, or Fried Spring Rolls, has been a familiar dish to the locals for decades.
There are numerous types of fillings for Cha Gio. They could be minced pork, seafood, vegetables, mushrooms, and even fruits. You can eat it alone dipping in a tasty bowl of fish sauce, or wrap it with fresh greens, or use it with vermicelli to also experience another dish named Bun Cha Gio.
Cha Gio can also have lots of different looks and fillings
Bun Cha Gio – Spring rolls with rice vermicelli
Cha Gio is a popular dish that you can find in many Vietnamese restaurants across the country.
Cha Ram
Cha Ram is originated from Binh Dinh Province and looks like a miniature version of Cha Gio. Each roll of Cha Ram is just as “big” as your pinky finger, and the fillings are also simplified: only a full shrimp with minced pork and shallots. To make it tastier, try having it with some vegetables and dipping in chilly sauce or fish sauce with garlic.
Cha Ram is like a mini Cha Gio
Cha Ram usually appears in food stalls that offer Central Vietnam cuisine. In addition, if you have chances to visit some provinces of Centre Vietnam such as Binh Dinh, Nha Trang,…, you could find packages of it in souvenirs stores.
Pho Cuon
Pho as the beef noodle soup is a staple of Vietnamese cuisine and Pho Cuon, the wrap-and-roll version, is also one of the must-try Vietnamese rolls and Best Dishes from Pho.
Pho Cuon is appealing, both by its look and taste
It can be very colorful
Though most of the Vietnamese rolls are somehow related to the rice paper wrappers. The outside of Pho Cuon is a square slice of Pho, hugging lettuces and beef inside. Some other ingredients such as fried egg, carrots,… can be added to make it more attractive.
Where to try Pho Cuon
In Ho Chi Minh City
Pho Hai Thien
Address: 14 Bui Vien, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 6:30 AM – 11:30 PM
Price: VND 49,000/serving
Ngo 8
Address: 35 Truong Dinh, Ward 6, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 3:30 AM – 10 PM
Price: VND 40,000/serving
Check out our private motorbike tours with professional local guides
|
In Hanoi
Pho Cuon 31
Address: 31 Ngu Xa, Truc Bach Ward, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi
Opening hours: 6 AM – 11 PM
Price: VND 65,000/serving
Pho Cuon Huong Mai
Address: 25-27 Ngu Xa, Truc Bach Ward, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi
Opening hours: 9 AM – 10 PM
Price: VND 60,000/serving
Conclusion of Must-try Vietnamese Rolls in Vietnam
Must-try Vietnamese rolls can be spotted in numerous menus in every corner of Vietnam. If you find one, don’t hesitate to try it out and you will not regret it at all!
Looking for an authentic experience with Vietnamese cuisine at hidden restaurants? Check out our Saigon Food Tour to explore with local guides for chances to visit places that you might barely see on any traveling sites.