A bowl of street-side bun thit nuong cha gio (grilled pork with spring rolls and vermicelli) in Ho Chi Minh City priced at 70,000 VND (around 2.85 USD) has won over two British tourists, who said it was “the best dish we’ve had in HCMC.”

Danny and Diggy, two travelers from the UK, recently visited Ho Chi Minh City. In addition to sightseeing, they immersed themselves in the city’s rich street food scene, which left a strong impression.

One standout experience for them was enjoying bun thit nuong for breakfast. They described the dish as a must-try when visiting Vietnam.

The pair found their way to a small street-side eatery on Nguyen Trung Truc Street in Ben Thanh Ward, where they were introduced to the dish.

Diggy shared that a close friend who works as a chef had recommended the eatery, saying it was the first stop he always makes when returning to Ho Chi Minh City.

Upon arriving, Diggy was struck by the authentic street dining atmosphere, and guessed the place had likely been open for many years.

Danny said he felt right at home eating on small plastic chairs on the sidewalk - an iconic part of the local dining culture.

At the eatery, they ordered two full servings of bun thit nuong cha gio.

The bowls featured grilled pork, fried spring rolls, pickled vegetables (carrot and daikon), scallion oil, crushed peanuts, and fresh herbs. The dish is served with sweet-and-sour fish sauce poured over the top before mixing.

Danny described the fried spring rolls as hot and crispy, with flavorful fillings that were rich and slightly spicy.

He praised the grilled pork for being tender, juicy, slightly sweet, and smoky.

“I could eat even more of this grilled pork and would definitely come back for another bowl,” he said.

Diggy echoed his enthusiasm, praising the combination of fresh vegetables like cucumber and lettuce that added a refreshing balance to the dish.

“The spring rolls were amazing - so crispy! I really love this dish. It’s hard to even describe how good it is,” she said.

She went on to declare the spot as “the best” and the bun thit nuong here as “the best dish I’ve had in Ho Chi Minh City.”

“I’m really satisfied and will definitely return,” she added.

The couple said the 70,000 VND price was fair and matched the quality.

According to locals, the eatery is well-known in Ben Thanh Ward (formerly part of District 1), popular among both domestic and international visitors.

Even Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray has visited the eatery twice and praised the bun thit nuong as her favorite dish.

The owner, Vo Thi Thu Van, 53, shared with reporters that her eatery has been operating for around 20 years, serving customers from morning until evening.

Originally from what is now Vinh Long Province (formerly Ben Tre), Van brings a Western Mekong Delta flavor to her dishes, including a unique recipe for grilled pork, spring rolls, and fish sauce.

The grilled pork is made from fresh, daily-sourced pork shoulder. The meat is cleaned, thinly sliced, marinated with familiar seasonings, then skewered and grilled over hot charcoal.

“The meat is grilled twice - once lightly to seal in freshness, then fully grilled when customers place their orders. This keeps the meat hot and juicy,” Van explained.

This technique helps save time while ensuring the meat remains tender and succulent, not dry or overcooked.

The fried spring rolls are another standout, with crispy wrappers and rich fillings made from crab meat, taro, and other ingredients.

The fish sauce served on the side is considered a signature element of the dish. It is thick, balanced in sweet and sour flavors, and delicately fragrant with pickled scallions.

The pickled shallots are snowy white, crunchy, and mildly sweet - adding contrast and keeping the dish from feeling too heavy.

Thao Trinh