Exploring Unusual Snacks in Vietnamese Convenience Stores

Vietnamese cuisine is known worldwide for its vibrant flavours, fresh ingredients, and unique culinary techniques. However, beyond the renowned pho and banh mi, Vietnam offers a wide array of snacks that surprise and delight both locals and tourists. Convenience stores in Vietnam, such as Circle K, FamilyMart, and VinMart, are treasure troves of unusual and fascinating snacks that reflect the country’s rich cultural tapestry.

Dried Squid (Mực Khô)

Dried squid is a popular snack in Vietnam, often found in convenience stores packaged in vacuum-sealed bags. This snack, with its chewy texture and umami-rich flavour, is typically enjoyed with a cold beer. The squid is usually seasoned with a blend of spices, making it both savoury and slightly spicy. The most popular brand is “ Bento “ which comes in small and large sized packs with a variety of flavours.

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Seaweed Snacks (Rong Biển)

As in many parts of Asia, seaweed snacks are a common snack. There are a wide range of flavours available- some of which can be very spicy! The seaweed is crispy and light, making it a perfect snack to munch on any time of the day. Convenience stores in Vietnam offer a variety of seaweed snacks, ranging from small rectangles of seaweed to long rolls to seaweed wrapped around small rice crackers.

Fish Jerky (Cá Khô)

Fish jerky is another seafood-based snack that you’ll encounter in Vietnamese convenience stores. Made from various types of fish such as mackerel or anchovies, the fish is marinated in a mixture of spices and then dried to create a chewy, flavourful snack.

Sweet Potato Chips (Khoai Lang Lát)

Vietnamese sweet potato chips are a delightful alternative to regular potato chips. They come in a variety of flavours, including sweet, salty, and spicy. Made from thinly sliced sweet potatoes that are fried to a crisp, these chips provide a combination of natural sweetness mixed with seasoning.

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Green Bean Cakes (Bánh Đậu Xanh)

Green bean cakes are a traditional Vietnamese snack that has found its way into modern convenience stores. These cakes are made from mung beans, and sugar, and are sometimes flavored with pandan or coconut. They have a dense, crumbly texture and a mildly sweet flavour. Often enjoyed with tea, green bean cakes are individually wrapped, making them a convenient snack to carry around.

Vacuum packed spiced boiled eggs ( trứng luộc tẩm gia vị đóng gói chân không)

Vacuum-packed spiced boiled eggs are a relatively new snack in Vietnam however are very popular. These eggs are prepared by boiling, then marinating them in a blend of Vietnamese spices such as star anise, cinnamon, and chili. Once fully infused, the eggs are vacuum-packed to maintain their freshness and taste for about six months.

Chicken feet (chân gà đóng gói chân không )

This snack gets a bit of getting used to! The chicken feet are carefully cleaned, marinated in a blend of traditional Vietnamese spices including garlic, chilli, and lemongrass, and then cooked. Once prepared, they are vacuum-packed to lock in freshness and enhance their shelf life.

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Durian Snacks (Bánh Tráng Sầu Riêng)

Durian, known as the “king of fruits,” is famous for its strong smell ( of smelly socks and sewage ) and unique taste – which is totally different to the smell! In Vietnam, you can find various durian flavoured snacks such as durian chips and durian-filled pastries and sweets. As durian fruit is quite expensive, this is a great way for you to try durian without needing to commit to something more costly.

Banh Trang Me (Sesame Rice Paper)

Sesame rice paper is a versatile snack that can be eaten plain or used as an ingredient in other dishes. It’s made from rice flour and sprinkled with sesame seeds, giving it a slightly nutty flavour. In convenience stores, you can find packs of sesame rice paper that are ready to eat. Some variations include additional flavours like shrimp or chili, making them a tasty and crunchy snack.

Lotus Seed Snacks (Hạt Sen)

Lotus seeds are a traditional snack in Vietnam, often enjoyed for their health benefits as they are considered to be good for digestion and to enhance overall health. These seeds are either dried or roasted and sometimes seasoned with salt or sugar. They have a mildly sweet and nutty flavor, and a crunchy texture. Convenience stores offer them in small, easy-to-carry packs.

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Rice crackers (bánh gạo)

This is perhaps the most popular snack in Vietnam. These crackers are made from glutinous rice, which is steamed, flattened, and then sun-dried before being toasted or fried. They come in a very wide range of flavours from jacket potato flavour to honey flavour with everything else imaginable in between –( as well as just plain )

They can be purchased as a small or a large size pack, with each pack having individually wrapped rice cakes, making it easy to transport.

Coconut Candy (Kẹo Dừa)

Coconut candy is a traditional Vietnamese sweet.. Made from coconut milk and sugar, these candies have a rich, creamy texture and a wonderful coconut flavour. They are often wrapped in edible rice paper and come in various flavors, including pandan and durian.

Overall, Vietnamese convenience stores are brimming with a variety of unusual and intriguing snacks that reflect the country’s diverse culinary heritage. From dried squid to durian chips, these snacks offer a unique taste of Vietnam’s rich culture and flavours. So, next time you find yourself in a Vietnamese convenience store, be sure to try some of these unusual snacks and embark on a flavourful journey.