In Vietnamese cuisine, roll (cuốn) is a popular dish that is easy to make and 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, have your hand on the delicious 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, produced in only several regions of Vietnam. Its texture is more persistent than the original one, giving a unique taste to the dish.
The fillings include boiled ham or bacon, vermicelli, and several Vietnamese greens originating 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
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, Da Nang
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 dish as mentioned above. However, there are some characteristics for you to distinguish.
Firstly, instead of the dewret rice paper, the rice paper used in Goi Cuon can be found easily at any local market or supermarket. Secondly, the stuffing is added with shrimp 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 a sour-sweet taste. Goi Cuon will be a great starter option among must-try Vietnamese rolls if you find it hard to resist the smell of fermented condiments.
Where to try Goi Cuon
In Ho Chi Minh City
Goi Cuon Tom Nhay
Address: 424 Lac Long Quan, Ward 5, District 11
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
Opening hours: 10 AM – 6:30 PM
rice: VND 8,000/roll
In Hanoi
Tiem An Van
Address: 24 Thanh Binh, Ha Dong District
Opening hours: 10 AM – 11 PM
Price: VND 45,000-85,000/serving with 5-10 rolls
In Da Nang
Chin’s Kitchen
Address: 154 Le Dinh Duong, Hai Chau District
Opening hours: 6:30 AM – 9 PM
Price: from VND 22,000
Madame Lan
Address: 4 Bach Dang, Hai Chau District
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: savory and sweet. Both are excellent midday snacks.
The savory Bo Bia is more popular than the sweet version. Its ingredients include rice paper, lap xuong (Vietnamese sausage), fried eggs, dried shrimp, vegetables, carrots, and jicama. These create a signature crunchy taste and colorful look that is incredibly appealing to kids.
Where to try Bo Bia in Ho Chi Minh City
Bo Bia Ly
Address: 120E Dinh Tien Hoang, Da Kao Ward, District 1
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
Opening hours: 3 PM – 8 PM
Price: VND 6,000/roll
Nem Lui (Grilled Pork Skewers)
Originating 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.
Each cook would have their 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: minced pork, tapioca flour, pineapple, and even fresh milk or liver. It would not be a simple challenge if you want to figure out what is included in this dish in one bite.
Like other must-try Vietnamese rolls, Nem Lui can be eaten with rice paper wrappers. Remember to add vegetables, especially pineapple and star fruit, which will give your experience a peculiar taste.
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
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
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
Opening hours: 10 AM – 10 PM
Price: VND 6,000/roll
Nem Lui & Banh Xeo Nguyen Khuyen
Address: 89 Nguyen Khuyen, Dong Da District
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
It has been a familiar dish to the locals for decades, appearing in daily meals and traditional special occasions such as Vietnamese Tet, Cha Gio, or Fried Spring Rolls.
There are numerous types of fillings for Cha Gio. They could be minced pork, seafood, vegetables, mushrooms, and fruits. You can eat it alone, dipping it in a tasty bowl of fish sauce, wrapping it with fresh greens, or using it with vermicelli to experience another dish named Bun Cha Gio.
Cha Gio is a popular dish you can find in many Vietnamese restaurants nationwide.
Cha Ram
Chả 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 whole shrimp with minced pork and shallots. To make it tastier, try adding some vegetables and dipping in chilly sauce or fish sauce with garlic.
Cha Ram usually appears in food stalls that offer Central Vietnamese cuisine. In addition, if you visit some provinces of Central Vietnam, such as Binh Dinh, Nha Trang, etc., you can find its packages in souvenir stores.
Pho Cuon
Pho, a beef noodle soup, is a staple of Vietnamese cuisine. Pho Cuon, the wrap-and-roll version, is also one of the must-try Vietnamese rolls and the Best Vietnamese Dish from Pho.
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 and 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
Opening hours: 6:30 AM – 11:30 PM
Price: VND 49,000/serving
Ngo 8
Address: 35 Truong Dinh, Ward 6, District 3
Opening hours: 3:30 AM – 10 PM
Price: VND 40,000/serving
In Hanoi
Pho Cuon 31
Address: 31 Ngu Xa, Truc Bach Ward, Ba Dinh District
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
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 on numerous menus in every corner of Vietnam. If you find one, don’t hesitate to try it out; you will not regret it!
Looking for an authentic experience with Vietnamese cuisine at hidden restaurants? Check out our Saigon Food Tour, which allows you to explore with local guides and visit places that you might barely see on any traveling sites.