Street snacksNationwide
Nem rán / Chả giò
Fried spring rollsnem zan / cha zaw·$1.50–3
The crisp, deep-fried rolls — "nem rán" in the north, "chả giò" in the south.
Pork, mushroom, glass noodle and vegetables wrapped in rice paper and deep-fried until blistered and crisp, served with a fish-sauce dip and herbs. The fried counterpart to the fresh gỏi cuốn, and a fixture at family meals and Tet. The northern "nem" uses a thinner, crackly wrapper; southern "chả giò" is often chunkier.
How to eat it well
- Wrap a hot roll with lettuce and herbs and dip in the nước chấm — the fresh greens cut the grease.
- Eat them straight from the fryer; they lose their crunch fast.
- A standard side to bún chả in Hanoi — order both.
Where it’s best
Nationwide. A bún chả lunch in Hanoi is the classic context.
Vegetarian & dietary
Usually pork; vegetarian (taro/mushroom) versions are common, especially around Tet.