Top 7 Must-Try Dishes at Nguyen Hue Walking Street, Ho Chi Minh City

Poke is one of the latest food trends, rapidly gaining popularity among those who follow a healthy lifestyle. Unlike other healthy meals that focus mainly on vegetables, Poke features seafood toppings such as salmon, tuna, and shrimp, which creates a distinct and flavorful dish. For fans of Japanese cuisine, it’s easy to spot similarities between poke and donburi (rice topped with vegetables, meat, and sauce). Essentially, poke is a modern blend of Japanese and Hawaiian culinary traditions. At Nguyen Hue Walking Street, Poke has quickly become one of the most popular and flavorful choices. Imagine fresh, perfectly cut fish cubes soaked in special sauces, with sesame oil, onions, salt, and chili blending together to create a rich, mouthwatering taste that is also healthy. It's truly an ideal dish! Recommended location: Poke Saigon, 42 Nguyen Hue (2nd floor), District 1, HCMC Approximate price: 150,000 VND per bowl

Teppanyaki is a culinary performance where chefs cook directly in front of the diners on a steel or cast-iron griddle, a cooking style rooted in Japanese food culture. The art of Teppanyaki is a beautiful fusion of fire and fresh ingredients, with everything grilled right on the Teppan, creating a unique flavor experience. The Teppanyaki experience involves diners sitting around the Teppan table, where the chef stands inside and demonstrates the cooking process. These chefs are true artists, slicing and chopping ingredients with precision, skillfully tossing them in the air, and controlling the flames that leap up and die down quickly. Enjoying Teppanyaki is a feast for all five senses: watching the chef’s skillful performance, listening to the sizzle and the sound of the spatula on the hot griddle, inhaling the delicious aroma, feeling the warmth of the dish in your hands, and finally savoring the exquisite flavors with your taste buds. This is an experience that only Teppanyaki can offer. Recommended location: Kissho Restaurant, 14 Nguyen Hue, District 1, HCMC

Doughnuts are a beloved sweet treat that can be either fried or baked, enjoyed as a dessert or snack. Originating in Western countries, they are typically shaped like a ring with a hole in the center. The exterior is often coated in chocolate or icing, topped with colorful sprinkles or powdered sugar, making them visually appealing and delicious. There are two main types of doughnuts: the classic ring-shaped version without filling, and the filled variety, often stuffed with jam, custard, chocolate, or jelly. Both types can be decorated with chocolate, icing, cinnamon sugar, or garnished with dried fruits or shredded coconut, adding to their irresistible allure. In addition to the traditional ring shape, doughnuts can be made in other fun forms like flat discs, balls, or twists. They are commonly paired with a cup of milk or coffee but can be enjoyed at any time as a delightful snack. Recommended location: Dosh Doughnuts (3rd Floor, 42 Nguyen Hue, District 1, HCMC)

Ice cream hot pot has quickly become a popular treat in Ho Chi Minh City, offering a refreshing and delicious experience, especially during the hot weather. Similar to a traditional hot pot, this dessert features various flavors of ice cream arranged around a central bowl of syrup. A special set typically includes fruits and pastries such as waffles, creamo biscuits, strawberries, bananas, and avocados. The ice cream hot pot is served in a tray divided into sections, reminiscent of a traditional candy or jam tray. The staff then pours syrup into the center of the tray and lights a candle underneath. Two popular syrup flavors are chocolate and strawberry. After that, you can choose your favorite ice cream flavors and accompanying treats to place around the tray. You can dip the treats into the syrup, much like dipping meat into a hot pot sauce, and savor each ice cream flavor one by one, experiencing a refreshing, delightful sensation! Recommended location: Snowee Gelato, 39 Nguyen Hue, District 1, HCMC

Mixed rice paper salad, or "Bánh tráng trộn," originates from Tây Ninh, where it was originally made by combining leftover scraps of rice paper from production with a bit of oil, fried shallots, chili salt, and shrimp powder to create a simple snack for family meals. Over time, this dish has gained popularity and is now a street food staple, especially in Ho Chi Minh City. It can be found at nearly every corner, with Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street being a hotspot where it remains beloved by locals, especially students. This dish is made by cutting up sun-dried rice paper and tossing it together with dried beef, dried shrimp, quail eggs, mango, Vietnamese coriander, satay sauce, shrimp salt, and lime juice. The result is a savory, tangy, and spicy street food classic that perfectly captures the essence of Vietnam’s vibrant street food culture. While its humble origins on the streets of Vietnam make it a somewhat unsophisticated snack, its bold flavors continue to win over many. Despite concerns over cleanliness in street vendors, mixed rice paper salad remains an irresistible treat for the young people of Saigon, and stopping for a quick bite has become a cherished afternoon routine. Price: 15,000 VND per serving

Grilled rice paper, known as "Bánh tráng nướng," is a beloved street food in Vietnam that has quickly become a favorite in many regions of the country. With its simple yet delicious taste and versatile flavors, this crispy snack has captured the hearts of locals and tourists alike. What makes this dish so popular is its easy-to-make nature, combined with its ability to offer a satisfying and flavorful experience. Even visitors from abroad who stop by Vietnam can't resist the unique taste of this grilled rice paper. In Ho Chi Minh City, particularly at Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street, this dish is considered one of the best street foods, and its price is just as reasonable. Though the ingredients are simple and widely available, the combination results in a savory snack that is rich in flavor. To prepare, a piece of rice paper is lightly coated with golden, fragrant fried shallot oil. It’s then placed over a charcoal grill until crispy and warm. While grilling, the vendor adds fresh green onions and cracks an egg over the rice paper, spreading it evenly across the surface. The final result is a crispy, savory treat that perfectly embodies the essence of Vietnamese street food. Price: 20,000 VND per piece

Mango Shake, or "Xoài lắc," is a beloved street snack enjoyed not only by the youth but by people all across Vietnam for its irresistible sweet, sour, and spicy flavor combination. This snack is especially popular at Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street in Ho Chi Minh City, where it's highly rated by visitors for its unique taste. The flavor of Mango Shake is truly addictive — once you start eating, it's hard to stop. Despite its simple preparation, the result is a burst of flavor that encapsulates the essence of Vietnamese street food. To make Mango Shake, fresh mango is peeled and cut into pieces, then combined with a blend of seasonings such as fish sauce, Tây Ninh shrimp salt, and dried shrimp powder. Everything is placed in a container and shaken vigorously for about five minutes, creating a delicious, tangy, and spicy treat that perfectly represents the vibrant street food culture of Vietnam. Price: 20,000 VND per serving