Street Food: Takoyaki

Takoyaki is a Japanese treat with octopus and vegetables fried in rice flour and topped with sauces.  Many Japanese and Korean restaurants serve it, and it is also a common street food.

I don't have much to say about takoyaki, but I recommend it if you haven't tried it.  Just be careful--the inside stays hot for a while, it's easy to burn your tongue.

The map shows the three carts that I visit.  They open in the late afternoon.

It usually has mayo too, but I don't like mayo.

Street Food: (nameless) sticky rice cart

Many street vendors sell xôi, or "sticky rice."  It can be sweet, savory, fancy, simple... The varieties are endless.  This particular vendor, located across from Citimart on Waffle Street, has a good selection of both rices and toppings.  Her presentation is more professional than most, and her products are above average.

I became interested in this vendor when I noticed she was selling out around 7 AM (despite having a well-stocked cart).  That's quite early, even for Vietnam.

If you're looking for authentic Vietnamese culinary experiences, this business is a nice example.  Just make sure you get here early!

I had to arrive at 6:15 AM to catch her with this much on hand.

She wraps the rice in a cute little leaf.  Classy.

Mr Cuu does not exist, but Ms Sticky Rice is near the map pin.

Street Food: Bánh Mì Kebab Táo Đỏ

This sandwich stand serves pork meat from a kebab.  It has the traditional round baguettes available, but there is also the option for grilled flatbread.  The available vegetables include cabbage and lettuce, making the sandwiches taste a bit more "western" than some.

The sandwiches are pretty good here, and the business is popular with both locals and expats.

Banh Mi Kebab Tao Do is closed between 10 AM and about 3:30 PM, which is a normal schedule for sandwich stands in Thu Dau Mot.

A yummy sandwich.

The business is on the southeast corner of the street, near the market area.

Street Food: (nameless) fruit cup cart

This is the fruit lady.  There are many like her, but this one is ours.

It is easy to find carts selling fresh fruit in Vietnam.  This cart is directly across from Mos coffee.  My colleagues and I frequent her because she is friendly, her fruit is fresh, and her cart is clean.  (The man who is two storefronts east of her is grumpy, has older fruit, and lets his cigarette ashes get on the fruit while he prepares it.)

She is open for most of the day, although she may run low on some fruits later on.

Papaya, my personal favorite.

She is across the street from Mos.

Street Food: Bánh Kếp Miền Tây

This street food lady sells waffles for 6,000 VND each.

They are waffles.

I am told this is an authentic example of a traditional crepe batter, or something. I'm pretty sure they're just waffles. But they're yummy.

"Bánh Kếp Miền Tây" means "Pancakes, Western Style."

I feel the urge to start naming some of these nameless businesses.

They are waffles.

She is immediately south of MQ Coffee, on the same side of the street.

Street Food: MQ Coffee "Eggos"

MQ Coffee is a chain of coffee houses.  Many of them have recently started making Hong Kong-style "egg waffles."  They're just regular waffles with little bulbs full of chocolate, matcha, cheese, or whatever.  They taste good, and they are also fun to eat or share because you can easily break them up into bite-sized chunks.

MQ itself uses about 80% correct English, which is usually a sign of a legitimate business.

This is one of the businesses that lead me to designating this street: "Waffle Street."

Vy and I share a snack.

Google knows MQ Coffee.

Street Food: (nameless) milk-like drinks

Singular

Efficient, exceptional

Soy milk, mung bean milk, and basic snacks

A unique drink stand that gives Thu Dau Mot part of its special charm.

a nameless bean drink cart

A cheap glass of hot, unsweetened mung bean drink is one of my favorite things in Thu Dau Mot.  A corner vendor serving fresh bean drinks is not a common sight in Vietnam, and it helps that this one is quite good (plus thoroughly healthy).  This is one of the key endearing businesses that secures Thu Dau Mot a special place in my heart.

This vendor opens around 6:00 PM and stays open relatively late.  (I have visited as late as 9:45 PM.)

They have a good view of the fountain.

The vendor is just south of the roundabout, between Highlands and the Park.
It is easy to see because it is always busy.

Street Food: (nameless) bánh tráng cuốn

Favored

Delicious, convenient

Rice paper, eggs, vegetables

A rare pork-free example of a common street food.

a nameless banh trang cuon cart

"Banh trang cuon" means "rice paper rolls."
The contents vary from shop to shop, but this place is my favorite.

Conveniently located on the corner of Snack Street and Waffle Street, across from Com Tam 68.
They open around 2:30 PM.

Street Food: (nameless) bún thịt nướng

Enticing

Cheap, delicious

Grilled pork, grilled "nem" sausage, sandwiches

It smelled so good that we had to stop when we drove past.

a nameless bun thit nuong cart

("bun thit nuong" is grilled pork on a bed of noodles)

Location is approximate.  The cart is on the south side of the river.

Soup: Mai Súp Cua

Exceptional

Delicious, healthy

Just sup cua!

One of the top five best soup places I have ever eaten.

Mai Sup Cua

Note: She opens around 3:00 PM, but she often sells out by 7:00 PM.

This is a street cart on the east side of CMT8, a little bit north of a roundabout.