10 tasty Vietnamese snacks to must

Vietnam is a country known for its abundance of fresh cooking ingredients and a long tradition of creative cooking and preparation style. This diversity is even most evident in their snack collection. Vietnamese snacks are something critically unique, fascinating, and special that you cannot find anywhere else in the world. Let’s join with Karstplateau.com to check out 10 Vietnamese Snacks you should try.

1. Keo dua (Coconut candy)

Originating from the Mekong Delta, Keo Dua (coconut candy) is one of the most favorite sweet snacks of Vietnamese people. The lush coconut groves in the region provide the perfect ingredients for this dish, making it an integral part of the culinary heritage here.

What we have is a delicious, chewy candy, imbued with coconut flavor and sweetness in every bite. With its distinctive flavor, Keo Dua is now a treasured part of Vietnam’s culinary heritage.

2. Banh Đau Xanh (Mung Bean Cubes)

A sweet, melt-in-the-mouth green bean ball goes so well with cups of hot green tea that when Bao Dai, the last emperor of Vietnam, first happened to enjoy this divine dish, he was allowing people to print the royal symbol of a golden dragon on the packaging. 
This is a popular Vietnamese snack made from basic ingredients. It is made with mung bean flour, formed into small cubes, wrapped in foil, and sold in small packets.

3. Keo Cu Do (Peanut and rice paper brittle)

Renowned as Ha Tinh Province’s iconic delicacy, Keo Cu Do (Peanut and rice paper brittle) is an artisanal creation made from peanuts, ginger, and cane molasses. While the ingredients are simple, making this snack is a delicate procedure.

First and foremost, the cane molasses must be of the highest quality. Pure cane molasses is sweet and fragrant, with a honey-like texture. The cook will heat it in a pot until it melts and turns a golden caramel color, then quickly add the roasted peanuts and white sesame seeds to the caramel. Finally, the caramelized nut mixture is poured between two grilled rice papers.

The outcome is a harmonious fusion of sweet, chewy, and slightly spicy notes, accompanied by an irresistible fragrance. This rustic treat is often served with a warm cup of green tea.

4. Me Xung (Sesame Candy)

If you have a chance to visit Vietnam’s ancient capital, Hue, don’t forget to take home some Keo Me Xung (sesame candy). Made from peanut, sesame, sugar, and rice flour, these traditional Vietnamese snacks are characterized by their rich nutty flavor and satisfying chewy texture. 

To make this sweet treat, sesame seeds are roasted until they release their aromatic oil and turn golden brown. These toasted seeds are then mixed with sweet binding agents, pressed into molds, and cut into bite-sized pieces. To enjoy Keo Me Xung to its fullest, savor small portions while sipping some lotus tea.

5. O Mai (Dried fruits)

Among all the Vietnamese snacks, O Mai holds a special place. It refers to salted dried fruits such as apricots, plums, peaches, melon, or kumquat. After being carefully picked, these fruits are infused with a mixture of salt, sugar, and spices to elevate their natural sweetness while introducing a delightful hint of saltiness.

What makes o mai one of the most intriguing snacks in Vietnam is the diverse range of flavors and textures within each piece. As you take a bite, the initial burst of sweetness unfolds. Soon, you can feel the subtle touch of saltiness, which balances the sweetness.
O Mai used to be a rich man’s snack in Vietnam hundreds of years ago, but it can now be found in every Hanoi home, especially during Lunar New Year.

6. Com Chay (Crispy rice)

Com Chay is one of the most prominent specialties of Ninh Binh. Made from cooked rice sliced into circular shapes. Once cooled, these crusts are fried until they turn a beautiful golden hue. This crunchy snack is then served with various toppings and seasoned with an array of spices.
Deep frying rice creates a crunchy texture that goes wonderfully with fluffy strands of pork floss. Add a spoonful of spring onions and dig in! If you can handle the heat, get a bag of spicy crispy rice with chilli flakes. Interestingly, this savory treat was inspired by scorched rice, the crust of browned rice at the bottom of the pot.

7. Marou chocolate

Vietnamese marou’s chocolate has distinct flavor profiles of each origin because they are made from a combination of selected cocoa beans from various areas in southern Vietnam. Marou chocolate has won the hearts of travelers from all over. The beans are sourced from six Vietnamese provinces in the Mekong Delta and Central Highlands. With innovative flavors such as ‘Pho Spices’ and ‘Popped Rice’, Marou ensures every chocolate bar is not just an indulgence but also an exciting foodie adventure.

8. Hoa Qua Say (Dried fruits)

Another interesting fruit dish among Vietnamese snacks is Hoa Qua Say (dried fruit). Unlike apricots, which are seasoned with sugar and spices to enhance their flavor before drying, apricot fruits go through a simple process of removing moisture from fresh fruit. They often leave it to dry in the sun, air dry, or use a food dehydrator.

After processing, these fruits still retain most of their essence. You can expect to taste distinct fruit flavors, whether it’s the nuttiness of dried mango, the floral notes of dried pineapple, or the earthiness of dried apricots. Depending on the type of fruit and drying method, fruit can be chewy or crispy.

You can find popular Vietnamese snacks all over the country. However, Dalat dried fruits are especially famous for their special flavor and quality. When processed, the city’s strawberries, pineapples, and persimmons will create delicious dishes imbued with the essence of the highlands.

9. Banh trang tron (rice paper salad)

The famous snack in Vietnam not to be missed is Banh trang tron (rice paper salad). The main ingredients are rice paper and ingredients such as mango, chili sate, off, vegetables, onions, etc. Each salon has its own unique way of mixing. Mixed rice paper has become a popular snack, not only in Vietnam but also attracting international tourists. The chewy taste of rice paper, the sourness of mango, the flesh of peanuts, and the crunch of dried varieties make for an interesting experience.

There are many different types of mixed rice papers, from unprocessed such as tamarind rice paper, and onion rice paper, to processed ones such as traditional mixed rice papers, rolled rice papers, scrub mixed rice papers, etc. 

10.  Keo Doi (Pea roll candy)

Keo Doi (Pea Roll Candy) gets its name from its distinctive shape, resembling a slender, elongated stick or log. Like other Vietnamese snacks, the candy is typically made from simple ingredients such as glutinous rice flour, sugar, and peanuts.

What makes keo doi special is the white sugar coat, which gives it a distinctive crunchiness. Thanks to the coat, biting into this little treat offers a unique sensory experience. The initial resistance gives way to a delightful crunch that releases the nutty flavors and sweetness locked within.

Vietnamese snacks are a wonderful, delicious treat. Hopefully, this list of the most delicious Vietnamese snacks will be useful for you when traveling to Vietnam. Please share your experiences and stay tuned for more Vietnam travel ideas and experiences from Karstplateau.com.