Explore Saigon's culinary scene with 5 unique versions of rice noodle rolls, blending the familiar with the exotic.

Rice noodle rolls have long been cherished by many Vietnamese for their simplicity and deliciousness. However, not everyone knows that the traditional version (filled with minced pork, mushrooms, a few shrimp, and finely chopped chives) originated from northern Vietnam, while there are other equally enticing variations.

Embark on a gastronomic journey in Saigon to savor 5 diverse renditions of rice noodle rolls.

1. Beef sausage rice noodle rolls

This version hails from Quang Nam, a province in central Vietnam. The unique rice noodle rolls feature cinnamon sausage, pork sausage, fried sausage, fermented pork roll, shrimp cake, and flavorful Quang Nam beef sausage seasoned with spicy peppercorns, tantalizing any traveler's taste buds.

Address: Rice Noodle Rolls and Wet Cakes Ý Thiên, 274 Bà Hạt, Ward 9, District 10. Opening hours: from 3:00 PM to 12:30 AM. Beef sausage rice noodle rolls (30,000 VND/dish), beef sausage wet cakes (28,000 VND/dish).

2. BBQ grilled meat rice rolls

For those with a penchant for grilled meats, BBQ grilled meat rice rolls are an unbeatable choice. Stuffed with grilled pork, sesame seeds, and peanut sauce, what could be more delicious? You can find these BBQ grilled meat rice rolls at most Hue-style restaurants around Saigon, especially at Kim Long Rice Roll eatery.

The meat used in Kim Long rice rolls is typically pork belly, lean meat, and fat. The meat is thinly sliced, marinated with pepper, onions, fish sauce, and five-spice powder for about 3 hours. Then it's skewered and grilled over charcoal. The aroma of the grilled meat makes Kim Long rice rolls particularly enticing.

Address: Kim Long Rice Rolls, 80/86 Tran Quang Dieu, District 3.

3. Egg rice rolls

Making egg rice rolls requires skill. Egg rice rolls demand perfectly cooked egg yolks without breaking. After laying out the rice rolls, they're topped with minced lean meat sautéed with scallions,... served with broth simmered from bone marrow, seasoned with scallions, pepper, garlic, and chili.

Moreover, depending on the customer's preference, this egg rice roll dish can be prepared differently: by thinly spreading the egg on the rice sheet and then rolling it up.

While rare, you can find it at the following eateries:

Xuan Huong - 1 Song Da Street, Ward 2, Tan Binh District

Thien Huong - 155 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, District 1

Address: Thien Huong Rice Rolls, 155 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, District 1;

Xuan Huong Rice Rolls, 1 Song Da (intersection of Truong Son - Song Da, heading towards Tan Son Nhat Airport), Ward 2, Tan Binh District.

4. Chinese-style rice rolls

This version of rice rolls, commonly known as Steamed Rice Cake (steamed rice paper rolled without filling), sprinkled with fried shallots and shallot oil on top. This dish is served with pork sausage arranged separately on the plate.

Address: A small food stall at 13 Hau Giang Street, District 6.

5. Ant egg rice rolls

Perhaps the most unique rice roll dish consisting of 2 parts:

- Rice rolls filled with meat.

- Ca cuong oil: extracted from male ca cuong insects, poured into a bottle, when eating, use a toothpick to dip a little into the ca cuong oil bottle and then put it into fish sauce.

Ca cuong oil has a scent similar to cinnamon, and when mixed with fish sauce, it creates a unique and unparalleled dipping sauce.

Address: Hot rice rolls, 89 Ly Tu Trong, Ward Ben Thanh, District 1.

Tay Ho Rice Rolls, 127 Dinh Tien Hoang, Ward Da Kao, District 1

According to Saigoneer

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Reference: Travel guide from Mytour