10 most interesting dishes to try in Vietnam

Food in Vietnam – discover Vietnamese cuisine

Before traveling to Southeast Asia, it is not only worth reading a guidebook about Vietnam and learning about the most important attractions in Vietnam. It is also worth focusing on the cuisine, which is the true face of the Vietnamese people. In Vietnam, people love to eat, talk about food all the time, and meals are the most important part of the day. You will feel it on your palate, because every dish is aromatic, and the chefs put their whole heart into it. Traditional Vietnamese dishes are a delicious combination of the region's culture and foreign influences brought about by colonialism. Vietnamese cuisine places great emphasis on the harmony of flavors, striving for a delicate balance between the five basic tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and spicy. The dishes are characterized by a wealth of ingredients, fresh herbs and vegetables, as well as the use of fish sauce, rice noodles, and sticky rice. At the same time, there are strong regional differences in Vietnam: the North (Hanoi) focuses on balanced and salty-sour flavors, the center (Hue) is known for its most spicy and intricately decorated dishes, and the south (Saigon/Mekong Delta) prefers sweeter, more aromatic dishes that are very rich in herbs and coconut milk.

In a country like Vietnam, street food is cheap, delicious, and easily accessible. Compared to other Southeast Asian cuisines, Vietnam is at the top of the rankings, along with Thailand. Could there be any better recommendations? Probably not, because for years, Vietnamese food for tourists has been one of the best in the world. Vietnamese cuisine – what to try during your trip? Discover popular dishes in Vietnam that you must try during your vacation.

What to eat in Vietnam – 10 most interesting dishes to try

• Pho soup

Phở is the most popular Vietnamese soup and a source of national pride, traditionally made with clear beef or chicken broth, thin rice noodles, and slices of meat with herbs. Its many variations include: Phở bò (classic beef), Phở gà (chicken), Phở bò tái (with rare beef), and Phở bò chín (with long-cooked beef). You can buy Pho everywhere in Vietnam, and depending on the family preparing the soup, you will get a new version, passed down from generation to generation in the family.

• Bahn Mi

Banh Mi is a popular Vietnamese sandwich based on a crispy baguette (a mixture of wheat and rice flour), which combines the influences of French cuisine (baguette, mayonnaise) with the richness of Asian flavors. It is stuffed with grilled or boiled meat (pork, chicken) or tofu, pickled vegetables (carrots, daikon radish), fresh coriander, cucumber, and chili, and the whole thing is seasoned with a spicy sauce. It can be served in a million ways, is inexpensive, and will delight any European who misses real delicious bread while traveling in Asia.

• Nem Cuon (Goi Cuon)

Gỏi Cuốn (also known as Nem Cuon) are fresh spring rolls from Vietnam, served cold (or at room temperature), consisting of rice paper filled with lettuce, fresh herbs, pork or shrimp (or a combination of both) and Bun rice noodles. Depending on the restaurant or bar, you will either get ready-made spring rolls or the ingredients to compose your own meal, which is great fun when searching for your favorite flavor.

• Banh Xeo

A classic Vietnamese street food! Bánh xèo is a traditional Vietnamese crispy, large rice flour pancake with turmeric, stuffed with pork, shrimp, bean sprouts, and onions, and sometimes tofu, fried in a hot pan, which creates a characteristic “xèo” sound. It is served with lots of fresh herbs (mint, coriander, basil) and lettuce, in which pieces of pancake are wrapped and dipped in a sweet and sour fish sauce (nước chấm). They taste best from local stalls while walking around Hoi An.

• Bun Cha

Bún chả is a classic Hanoi dish consisting of grilled pork (small cutlets and bacon) immersed in an aromatic, hot, sweet, sour, and salty sauce based on fish sauce, served with Bún rice noodles and a basket of fresh herbs. A classic of Vietnamese cuisine, by many considered to be unjustly overlooked and a better showcase of the country than Pho soup.

• Bun Bo Hue

Bún bò Huế is a famous, very spicy soup from the Central Vietnam region (Hue), characterized by thick rice noodles, beef, pork knuckle and/or crab cutlets, as well as a rich broth seasoned with lemongrass and fermented shrimp paste (mắm ruốc) and a generous portion of chili. One of the best soups you can try in Vietnam.

• Ca Kha To

Cá Kho Tộ is a sweet and spicy Vietnamese dish consisting of fish (often catfish or carp) slowly simmered in a rich, deep amber sauce made from caramelized sugar, fish sauce, coconut water, garlic, and shallots, resulting in an extremely delicate, aromatic fish and a thick, addictive sauce, perfect for serving with cooked jasmine rice. It is a staple dish in Vietnamese homes and is usually served with rice and fresh vegetables. If you love aromatic fish dishes, you will fall in love with this dish from the first bite!

• Com Tam

Cơm Tấm is a popular South Vietnamese dish consisting of broken rice, i.e., small, broken rice grains that were once considered inferior rice but are now valued for their ability to absorb flavors. It is served with spicy accompaniments such as marinated grilled pork chop (sườn nướng), steamed pork and egg patty (chả trứng), shredded pork skin (bì), fried egg, fresh vegetables (cucumber, tomato), marinated carrots, and drizzled with aromatic spring onion oil, all combined with a sweet and sour fish sauce (nước chấm). Perfect for lunch.

• Mi Guang

Mì Quảng is a dish from the regions of Central Vietnam, especially Da Nang and Hoi An, consisting of rice noodles served with pork or chicken, shrimp or fish, seasoned with fish sauce, pepper and garlic, often with additions such as hard-boiled egg, fresh vegetables, nuts, and chili peppers. Aromatic and delicious!

• Che

Chè is the general name for Vietnamese street desserts that are somewhere between a soup and a pudding, often full of tropical flavors and local additions, and served cold or warm. A popular variant, chè ngô (sweet corn), is a dessert made from corn kernels cooked in sweet water, thickened with starch and topped with coconut milk. However, this is not the only version, and especially at Vietnamese night markets, everyone can find a dessert to suit their taste. It is best to try those with local fruits, such as dragon fruit.

BONUS: Coffees – Ca phe sua da (traditional Vietnamese coffee) and Ca Phe Trung (Egg Coffee). What are they? Traditional Vietnamese coffee, known as “Vietnamese coffee,” is a strong black coffee combined with condensed milk. It comes in a distinctive brewer and you have to wait a while for it to be ready. It is delicious both hot and cold. Cà Phê Trứng (coffee with egg) is a classic Vietnamese coffee with the addition of creamy foam made from whipped condensed milk and egg yolk. It is particularly popular in Hanoi, where it is also known as kogle mogle coffee. In my opinion, it is one of the best types of coffee you can try!

Where is the best place to try local dishes in Vietnam?

You can find places to eat in Vietnam at every turn. Street bars, luxury and ordinary restaurants, street food stalls, or small eateries – there is plenty to choose from! Where is the best place to try authentic local Vietnamese dishes? It's best to try local dishes in inconspicuous street bars and bazaars in large cities to experience the real cuisine of the locals, not just restaurant dishes. Of course, it is also worth visiting restaurants, especially in coastal regions, where you can eat the best seafood and fish. Look for places with long queues of locals – that's the best recommendation!

Dishes in Vietnam – the most important questions before your trip

Once you have discovered the most delicious dishes in Vietnam, it is worth asking yourself a few questions that may definitely be on your mind before or during your vacation trip:

• How does the cuisine of northern and southern Vietnam differ? The cuisine of northern Vietnam is definitely less spicy and has a more neutral taste, uses less sugar and chili, and shows influences from Chinese cuisine. Southern Vietnam is characterized by very aromatic, spicy, and sweeter dishes, which are rich in exotic fruits, fresh herbs, sugar, and coconut milk. These differences are also due to cultural influences – the North is dominated by the traditional Chinese balance of flavors (sour and salty), while the South shows clear influences from French and Khmer cuisine.
• Which Vietnamese dishes are vegetarian? Vietnamese cuisine offers many vegetarian options, such as mushroom Pho, Bánh mì stuffed with tofu and eggs, banana flower salad, egg omelets, aromatic tofu, as well as various versions of spring rolls and dishes with boiled or fried vegetables, such as bamboo shoots and cabbage with ginger.
• What street food should you try in Hanoi? In Hanoi, the culinary capital of Vietnam, you must try Phở (bò or gà) – an iconic rice noodle soup, perfect for breakfast, as well as Bún chả – grilled pork (cutlets and bacon) served in a bowl with aromatic fish sauce, herbs, and rice noodles, which is a classic of this city. Other street foods worth trying include: Bún đậu mắm tôm – fried tofu with noodles and an intense fermented shrimp sauce (for the brave), Bún riêu – a slightly sour soup made from river crab paste, Xôi xéo – sticky yellow rice with mung bean paste, and desserts such as Chuối chiên (banana in batter) and Kem caramen (Vietnamese caramel flan).
• Why is pho so famous around the world? Phở has gained worldwide fame because it is the national pride of Vietnam and an institution whose simple yet ingenious beef broth seasoned with local spices (such as anise, cinnamon, and ginger) is able to warm you from the inside out, something that Vietnamese people long for even at the ends of the earth. It is valued for its perfectly clear and essential broth and the harmonious combination of delicate ingredients, which makes it a universal dish, while offering many regional variations.
• Is food in Vietnam spicy? Food in Vietnam varies in spiciness depending on the region: northern cuisine is definitely less spicy, while dishes from the south and center of the country are very aromatic and often spicy with generous use of chili.
• Which Vietnamese dishes are the most exotic for tourists? The most exotic Vietnamese dishes for tourists include Tiết canh (fresh blood pudding), insect dishes, or dishes made from exotic animal parts, such as pieces of fish with dill (Chả cá Lã Vọng), as well as unusual fruits such as durian, but also dishes with unusual textures, such as tapioca dumplings Bánh Bột Lọc.

Travel to Vietnam and around the world with Two Continents

If you are planning a vacation in Vietnam, you cannot miss other interesting destinations on this continent. One of them is the United Arab Emirates, and in particular Dubai, which is very often a stopover city on the way to Vietnam. You can opt for a short sightseeing tour during your layover or a longer stay while traveling with the Two Continents travel agency, which offers the best attractions in Dubai, accommodation in Dubai in private apartments, and trip packages to Dubai, including accommodation, a package of attractions, travel insurance, and tour guide assistance throughout your stay. Combine Dubai with Vietnam and experience the unforgettable vacation of a lifetime!

Questions and answers (FAQ):

• What are the most popular dishes in Vietnam?

The most popular dishes in Vietnam vary depending on the region of the country, but several dishes have become popular among tourists: Pho soup, Bahn Mi, Nem Cuon (Goi Cuon), Banh Xeo, Bun Cha, Bun Bo Hue, Ca Kha To, Com Tam, Mi Guang, Che, and Ca phe sua da and Ca Phe Trung coffees.

• What is worth eating in Vietnam for the first time?

During your first visit to Vietnam, it is worth trying dishes such as aromatic Pho soup, crispy Bahn Mi baguette, fresh Goi Cuon spring rolls, yellow Banh Xeo pancakes, and Com tam lunch dish.

• What are the traditional Vietnamese drinks?

In Vietnam, you can drink traditional beverages such as nước mía, or sugar cane juice, nước đang, or bitter water, which is actually an herbal drink, cafe trứng, or coffee with egg, otherwise known as the famous egg coffee, ca phe, or strong coffee, usually with condensed milk and rice alcohol. Rice wine is particularly popular.