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Vietnam is emerging as a destination of choice for Muslim travelers around the world, especially from the neighboring Southeast Asian countries. With over 70 thousand Muslims living across the country, Muslim friendly and Halal restaurants can easily be found in the major cities. Halal Vietnamese snacks on the other hand, are less of a common sight due to the shortage of Halal-certified supplies. Hence, if you are a Muslim setting out to Vietnam for the first time, you may be wondering what unique snacks to bring home, without having to fret over ingredients that you are not able to consume. As always, we have done some research to bring you these 7 recommendations of the best Muslim-friendly and Halal locals snacks from Ho Chi Minh city.
SALTED EGG YOLK ROASTED RICE PUFF
If you are a big fan of the rich, savory, and creamy texture of the ever popular salted egg chips, then Snack de Saigon’s roasted rice puff with salted egg yolk will win you over. Enhanced by the fresh and sweet aroma of young green rice from the Northern region, each bite will transport you directly to Vietnam, where you can embrace the smell of the green rice field when autumn comes. Not only are these ingredients plant-based and halal-friendly, the tasting profile also delivers a hearty and piquant kick to wake up your taste buds.
Where to get it
- Xing Fu Tang: 44 Nguyen Hue Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District. 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
- Sugar Cafe and Bakery: 100 Mac Thi Buoi Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District. 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
Halal status: Muslim-friendly – no meat
MAROU CHOCOLATE
Described by the New York Times as the worlds’ most exquisite single-cru chocolate bars you have ever tasted , Marou is the top-tier chocolate maker who has continuously produced premium and home-grown farm-to-bar chocolates since 2011. Each cocoa bean is specially selected from six distinct localities across the country, including the Mekong Delta region. This is where the cocoa pods fully thrive as nourished by the alluvial soil and rewarding climate. The plant-based input of all Marou Chocolate bars is carefully sourced without any form of meat involved, so both vegans and Muslims can enjoy these delectable bars without worry.
Where to get it
- Check out Marou’s distributor partner in these cities and find your nearest store.
Halal status: Muslim-friendly – no meat
KASHEW CHEESE
Made of wholesome plant-based ingredients, Kashew cheese is a one-of-a-kind Muslim-friendly snack from Vietnam you should add to your shopping bag. Unlike any other cheeses using dairy as the main input, this nutty produce is incorporated with cashews that are locally sourced in Vietnam. Together with other locally produced ingredients such as hickory, chili, herbs, and turmeric, every bite of this true artisan nut cheese produces a complexity in flavors that will leave you begging for more. Kashew Cheese, is also committed to sustainability with their plastic-free packaging.
Where to get it
- Try it yourself at their little deli in Thao Dien, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City, or order online if you are short of time.
Halal status: Muslim-friendly – no meat
CASHEW NUTS
Rich in fiber, plant protein, and heart-healthy fat, cashew nuts are extremely popular amongst travelers to Vietnam, and especially for Muslim tourists. These healthy snacks are famously harvested from Dong Nai and Binh Phuoc, where the humid tropics and fertile red soils make it most ideal for nurturing its flavor and texture. When shopping for cashew nuts, do note that the nuts sold with brown skins on contain a higher nutritional value, while the bright peeled ones have usually been washed off with chemicals. As most of the cashew nuts in the region come from Vietnam, you will find prices here lower as well.
Where to get it
- Check out the nearest branch from the retail network of Co.Op Mart, Vin Mart, Big C, or Mega Market for pre-packed cashew nuts.
- Ben Thanh market offers freshly packed cashew nuts by weight.
Halal status: Muslim-friendly – no meat
ONG BA MACADAMIA
On the subject of high quality nuts produced in Vietnam, macadamia should be the next one that springs to your mind. As the queen of all nuts, macadamia packs a serious health punch with a buttery and subtle sweetness to comfort your taste buds. Derived directly from the farms of Central Vietnam, Ong Ba Macadamia is famous for its smooth, buttery texture and uniquely creamy taste. Years of pioneering and innovation in the production of macadamia has won Ong Ba domestic and international recognition as a top global brand. Even though the “classic” taste remains its most popular flavour, you can choose to have it salted, or coated with honey or dark chocolate.
Where to get it
Halal status: Muslim-friendly – no meat
BEN TRE COCONUT CANDY
Hailing from the coconut kingdom of Ben Tre, coconut candy is one of the most famous sweets in Vietnam. This creamy and fragrant bonbon is a rich mixture of palm sugar and coconut milk. Each piece comes out in bite-size, and is wrapped around with a thin coat of edible rice paper, somewhat similar to the famous rabbit white candy. The most popular place to grab some of these plant-based sweet treats is Ben Tre province in the Mekong Delta. You can take a tour to these factories, and observe how coconut candies are produced. They are also available in multiple flavors such as durian, pandan, or chocolate.
Where to get it
- Mekong Delta coconut factories
- Check out the nearest branch from the retail network of Co.Op Mart, Vin Mart, Big C, or Mega Market.
Halal status: Muslim-friendly – no meat
DELTA COCONUT CHIPS
Produced by Beinco, a Halal-certified company specializing in coconut-based products, Delta coconut chips are non-GMO, gluten-free and have no preservatives added. The fun, crunchy, and appetizing taste of Delta coconut chips is an excellent companion for an afternoon tea break or a weekend picnic. Simply enjoy it in its original form, or top it up a notch by adding a few slices to your daily salad and smoothies. Delta coconut chips are available in its pure and authentic original taste, but for those who love a fiery kick, the spicy garlic butter flavor will surely delight your taste buds.
Where to get it
- Check out the nearest branch from the retail network of Co.Op Mart, Vin Mart, Big C, or Mega Market; or get it on Shopee.
Halal status: Halal certified
SATRAFOODS - HALAL CERTIFIED STORE IN HO CHI MINH CITY
If you are looking for just 1 place to satisfy your snacks-loving friends and family back home, this is the place to visit. Certified by the Muslim community in Ho Chi Minh City, SatraFoods is located smack dab in the heart of District 1, where you can stroll around the shelves and grab your favorite snacks. Boasting over 300 Halal products, SatraFoods will come in handy whenever you need to shop for some local snacks for family and friends. Most of these Halal-certified goodies vary around processed foods, packaged snacks, fruits, fast foods, daily meals, fashion, and even souvenirs.
Where to get it
- 49 – 51 Phan Chu Trinh Street, Ben Thanh ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
Halal status: Halal certified
With our curated list above, we hope that your Halal snack hunting has become much easier. Therefore, it’s time to hit the nearest store near you, to pick out your favorite Muslim-friendly snacks before boarding the plane.
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