Bo bia

Bo bia is one of those street snacks that tends to be overlooked by the average travelling street muncher. Maybe it’s due to its similarity in appearance to goi cuon, the famous Vietnamese fresh spring rolls. However, once you’ve had a few –- and you can have a few at one go – you’ll see why bo bia is a different roll altogether.

 

Bo bia looks like a mini-version of goi cuon with its distinctive rice paper wrapper, but this is where Vietnam’s influence ends and China take over. Inside, the roll bears a close resemblance to popiah, a Fujian-style fresh spring roll. While goi cuon relies on herbs like mint and chives to give it a bit of heft in the taste department, bo bia uses each filling ingredient to give a distinct taste not usually found in Vietnamese cuisine: the roll is filled with thinly sliced jicama and carrots, egg omelette ribbons, xa xiu or Chinese sausage and dried shrimp. The sliced xa xiu is placed in the last layer of the rice paper wrapper to give the roll its distinctive look. It’s served with a peanut flavoured dipping sauce reminiscent of the sauce served with goi cuon in Nha Trang. Fried shallots and chopped chillies round out the sauce.

 

 

Bo bia is a medley of flavours and textures. The jicama and carrot give the roll its crunchy texture, counterbalancing the egg’s softness. The somewhat fatty xa xiu adds a richness to the roll lacking in goi cuon.

 Most bo bia vendors can be found wandering the streets of Ho Chi Minh City on bicycles and you’ll probably hear them before you see them. These vendors only serve take-away portions, with everything placed in plastic bags. That is fine for the rolls, but it makes for a frustrating eating experience when trying to dip the bo bia into the sauce in the bag.

If you are looking for a red plastic stool experience, you can find a great bo bia stand at Ho Con Rua or Turtle Lake on Pham Ngoc Thach and Vo Van Tan, where you will get your dipping sauce in a proper cup. Since the rolls are the length of an index finger, most people order them in batches as just one doesn’t fill you up. Expect to pay 5,000 VND per roll.

See more

  • Goat Meat

    Traveling far and double-quick with poetic and fascinating landscapes in Ninh Binh without enjoying speciality of Ninh Binh goat meat is synonymous that you have not yet...

    Read more

  • Hu tieu Nam Vang

    Hu Tieu Nam Vang, Vietnam rice noodle with pork and seafood is one of the very popular street food dishes in Vietnam, especially in the south. With the great taste of...

    Read more

  • The street foods under 10000 VND

    Hanoi - especially the food - centric ones - notice the constant presence of edible stuff on their strolls around the Old Quarter and further afield. Street - side meat,...

    Read more

  • Nem nuong Dalat

    One of the most famous dishes in Dalat that you try is Nem nuong. If you have a chance to try once time, you will find another chance to try it again. 

    Read more

  • Western food in Halong Bay

    Similar to any other famous tourism cities in the world, besides its delicious local specialties Ha Long has a wide range of Western cuisine dishes to serve the increasing...

    Read more

  • Banh tam bi Bac Lieu

    There are many different places to sell banh tam bi but banh tam bi in Bac Lieu has an special taste that makes it become a famous food with both domestic and foreign...

    Read more

  • Ba Khia

    Ba Khia is a specialty food in Bac Lieu and you should not miss a chance to try this dish when traveling to Bac Lieu. There are many dishes that are cooked from this main...

    Read more

  • Bun thit nuong

    At first glance, a bowl of bun thit nuong can look a bit manic. A sprinkling of garnishes along with grilled meat are placed on top of a bed of noodles with some greens poking...

    Read more

  • Banh Trang Cuon Thit Heo

    Banh Trang Cuon Thit Heo is one of speciality in Danang . Its name has show the main material and the manner to eat it. One dish is simple but very tasty flavors,...

    Read more

  • Quai Vac cake

    Quai Vac cake has been existed for a long time and is sold along the streets in Phan Thiet . It is a rustic dish and delicious tasty. 

    Read more

Destinations

Most popular tours

Business info

  • Vietnam Local Guide

  • Address: 18th Floor, VTC Online Tower, 18 Tam Trinh Str.,Hai Ba Trung Dist., Hanoi, Vietnam
  • Email: info@vietnamguider.com
  • Phone: (+84) 0904989890
  • Hotline: (+84) 0904989890