Top Vietnamese Appetizers to try in 2026

Vietnamese meals often begin with small plates that tease the palate. On the streets of Hanoi or in markets of Hue, tables fill with light dishes of fresh spring rolls, tiny rice cakes, crispy fritters and more. Eating these appetizers is kind of a social experience in Vietnam where friends gather around plates of rolls and herbs, dipping and sampling each other’s food.

Each starter reflects its region from the cooling herbs of the North, the zesty chillies of the South to the refined flavours of Central Vietnam.

Where to Find Vietnamese Appetizers

Morning markets and street corners are good bets. Dawn in Hanoi might find vendors grilling pork patties or setting up trays of banh cuon (steamed rice crepes). By evening, street-food alleys in every city sizzle with cha gio (fried spring rolls) and nem nuong (grilled skewers). Casual eateries often list several starters on a chalkboard menu.

In Hanoi’s Old Quarter you’ll see small shops selling fresh rolls and rice cakes, while in Saigon’s food districts vendors fire up banh xeo (savoury pancakes) and goi cuon wraps.

Tip: Appetizers are often eaten with your hands or chopsticks, so a quick wipe of your hands is appreciated.

Top Vietnamese Appetizers

• Goi Cuon (Fresh Spring Rolls) - Rice-paper rolls filled with prawns, pork, vermicelli and a fresh herb mix. Light and healthy, they come with a peanut or fish-sauce dip.

Cha Gio Are Crispy Golden Rolls Filled With Pork

• Cha Gio (Fried Spring Rolls) - Crispy golden rolls packed with pork, shrimp and vegetables. They made TasteAtlas’s global top-100 appetizers list. Served piping hot, they’re perfect with lettuce and a splash of chilli fish sauce.

Banh Cuon Vietnamese Steamed Rice Rolls

• Banh Cuon (Steamed Rice Rolls) - Originating in Hanoi, these silky rice crepes are rolled around ground pork and wood ear mushrooms. They come with a side of nước chấm dipping sauce and crispy fried shallots on top.

Nem Nuong Grilled Pork Sausages Famous in Central Vietnam

• Nem Nuong (Grilled Pork Sausages) - A specialty of Central Vietnam, these are skewers of seasoned pork grilled on lemongrass sticks. Eat them wrapped in rice paper with cucumber, herbs and a sweet-spicy dipping sauce.

Bo La Lot Is a Betel Wrapped Beef Dish

• Bo La Lot (Betel-Wrapped Beef) - Minced beef grilled in aromatic betel leaf parcels. Each bite is fragrant and smoky.

Banh Khot Are Mini Crispy Rice Flour Pancakes

• Banh Khot (Mini Pancakes) - Small crispy rice-flour pancakes topped with a shrimp. These Southern treats are served on lettuce and herbs to wrap and dunk in sweet-chilli fish sauce.

Banh Beo Are Small Steamed Rice Cakes From Hue

• Banh Beo (Hue Steamed Rice Cakes) - Tiny steamed rice cakes from Hue, topped with spicy minced shrimp, crispy shallots and a drizzle of fish sauce. The pop-in-mouth texture is delightful.

• Banh Uot (Flat Rice Sheets) - Similar to banh cuon but cut into wide noodles or sheets. Topped with bean sprouts, herbs and served with a side of dipping sauce.

Canh Ga Chien Nuoc Mam Fried Chicken Wings From Vietnam

• Canh Ga Chien Nuoc Mam (Fried Chicken Wings) - A Ho Chi Minh City speciality: crispy chicken wings tossed in sweetened fish sauce with chillies and garlic.

Tip: In Hoi An try Banh Pate So which is a mini flaky pastry filled with seasoned meat (a remnant of French influence).

Prices and Hours

• Prices: Very affordable. A plate of rolls or small bites usually costs 30,000-60,000VND (£1-£2). Larger items like banh xeo or banh cuon might be £2-£3.

• Opening Hours: Some appetizers are breakfast-only (like banh cuon early in Hanoi). Others, like fried rolls and noodle wraps, are available all day. Street-food alleys peak at lunchtime and early evening.

• Best Season: No strict seasonality - these dishes are eaten year-round. In hot weather, fresh rolls (goi cuon) are refreshing; in cooler months, fried rolls and hearty soups are popular.

FAQs

Are Vietnamese appetizers spicy?

Some are mild (fresh rolls, banh cuon) while others are spiced up by dipping sauces or chillies on the side. You can always add chilli from the communal pot if you like heat.

Where are the best places to try them?

Look for dedicated streets or markets. In Hanoi, the stretch near Hang Be Market has lots of options. In Saigon, try Nguyen Thai Binh street near Ben Thanh. And in coastal cities like Nha Trang or Hue, restaurants and street stalls specialize in local small plates.

Can I find vegetarian appetizers?

Absolutely. Many dishes can be made vegetarian: spring rolls with tofu, rice pancakes with mushrooms, and noodle rolls with egg or tofu. Just say “khong thit” (no meat) when ordering.

When should I eat appetizers?

Anytime you’d have a starter or a snack! Morning markets sell bánh cuốn, while fried and grilled appetisers are popular for lunch and dinner. Most stalls start by 8am and go until late evening.

What’s the difference between an appetizer and a snack here?

They overlap a lot. We call them “appetizers” in a meal setting, but you’ll also see people grabbing them as street snacks. The same dish (like spring rolls) can serve as both a starter at dinner or a quick bite during the day.