12 Tasty Vietnamese Food Dishes you have to try!
Although sometimes dwarfed by its neighbours, many spectacular Vietnamese food dishes in Vietnam are definitely worth trying.
But what are those dishes, and why should you give them a go?
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What is traditional Vietnamese food?
Traditional Vietnamese food is a vibrant and diverse cuisine deeply rooted in the country's history and traditions. It uses fresh ingredients such as fish sauce, rice stick noodles, and oyster sauce together with vegetables and meats, creating a harmonious balance of flavours.
Food is an integral part of Vietnamese culture, reflecting the values of family, community, and hospitality. This results in some surprising flavour combinations that delight both locals and visitors alike.
Known for its noodle soups and spring rolls, there's a lot more variety in Vietnamese cuisine than you might expect at first glance. We discovered this first hand a few years back on a road trip from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi.
Regional Variations in Vietnamese Cuisine
Vietnam's cuisine varies greatly from north to south, each region offering its unique flavours and specialties.
The North is known for its subtle and balanced flavours with dishes like bún chả and phở. Central Vietnam is famous for its spicy and bold dishes such as mì quảng and cao lầu. The South features sweet and vibrant flavours, exemplified by dishes like bánh xèo and cơm tấm.
Exploring these regional differences adds depth to your culinary journey through Vietnam.
#1 Pho Noodle Soup
Probably the most well-known Vietnamese dish outside of Vietnam, pho is a classic noodle soup dish. As popular in Vietnam as outside the country, you can find pho at just about every restaurant, food stall and home kitchen country-wide these days. No one can quite decide on the origins of pho, but because of this, you can find many variations of the noodle dish across the country.
Made with beef, rice noodles, and broth, with herbs to season, we find it a great introduction to Vietnamese food. If you're inspired to make pho at home, check out our selection of authentic Vietnamese ingredients to get started. And it doesn't have to be confined to lunch or dinner, either - we've even had it for breakfast!
#2 Banh Mi
One of social media's favourite Vietnamese food dishes, banh mi is the ultimate street fusion food. Putting a Vietnamese twist on the classic sandwich, you can find this dish at most food stalls and cafes in Vietnam presumably due to its French influences. It's a great go-to lunch item no matter where you buy them.
A crusty bread roll packed with Vietnamese cold meats (often chicken or pork), pate, and an abundance of veggies, you can't go wrong!
#3 Vietnamese Spring Rolls (Goi cuon)
A truly classic Vietnamese dish, goi cuon is our go-to starter whenever we see it on the menu. Made with rice paper, shrimp, rice vermicelli, and an assortment of vegetables, goi cuon is an absolute treat. And not just to eat! It looks like a work of art on the plate - colourful and inviting!
They're a refreshing change from the fried variety and a must-try for any shrimp lovers. Although they typically come served with a peanut sauce, we love them with fish sauce or sweet chilli too!
#4 Cao Lau
A dish that originated in Hoi An, Cao Lau's flavour profile is a little different than many other Vietnamese dishes. Its thick, chewy noodles ensure the sauce clings to them for every bite. Often topped with delicious char siu (barbecued) pork and deep-fried rice crackers, you get a crunch almost akin to pork crackling. Although it's a bit of an indulgent dish, it's absolutely worth trying if you find yourself in Vietnam.
#5 Bun Cha
Not always the most aesthetically pleasing Vietnamese dish, bun cha is absolutely one of the tastiest! The speciality of Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, bun cha is best eaten in small restaurants alongside the busy city streets.
Traditional bun cha includes: rice vermicelli noodles, seasoned pork patties, and caramelised pork belly slices, served with a vegetarian broth. And there are many ways to approach it. Sometimes, you'll find the noodles served in the broth, or dip the noodles into the broth separately. The latter gives the noodles a chewier and stickier texture - but absolutely delicious!
#6 Mì Quảng
Mì quảng is a popular and well-loved alternative to pho. This Vietnamese noodle dish originated in central Vietnam and is known for its large, flat, turmeric-flavoured noodles, which give the dish a distinct golden hue.
Mi quang is usually served with a small amount of broth and is seasoned with fish sauce, shallot, garlic, and a good helping of black pepper. Most mi quang will be served with shrimp, chicken, or pork. After, it's topped with peanuts and served with a crispy black sesame rice cracker.
#7 Banh Canh
This thick noodle dish is a must-try dish, especially if you try it on the colder winter days (not that Vietnam gets many of those). The noodles are made from either tapioca flour or a mixture of tapioca flour and rice flour, giving them a chewy texture which we found to be reminiscent of Japanese udon.
It's a simpler noodle dish, consisting of thick noodles in a rich and savoury pork broth, often served with meat or seafood. But, despite its simplicity, it's still wholly delicious.
#8 Xoi (Sticky Rice)
Most of the dishes we've highlighted have been focused on noodles - but Vietnam loves its rice too! Being among the top ten consumers of rice in the world, it's no surprise that they have a dish or two solely dedicated to rice.
Xoi, or Vietnamese sticky rice, is one of the most varied and diverse Vietnamese foods. It is eaten daily in many different ways - in fact, every city claims their own unique version of xoi. But, simply it's a delicious sticky rice served with many tasty toppings. You can find both savoury and sweet versions of xoi.
#9 Com Tam
A Vietnamese rice dish traditionally made from broken rice grains. This gives the rice a uniquely fluffy texture. Although com tam can be made in a variety of different ways, the most traditional includes grilled pork, egg meatloaf (Chả trứng), and an array of vegetables. Paired with a dipping sauce on the side, it's a very varied dish!
#10 Bánh Xèo
Bánh Xèo is a traditional street food in Vietnam. A crispy rice pancake, usually stuffed with pork, prawns, onion, and bean sprouts, it's a delight. When served at a restaurant, you'll often get a side of salad and some dipping sauce. If you're partaking in Vietnamese street markets, then expect a large pancake, stuffed with various fillings, with some dipping sauce on the side.
We can't recommend this more, especially if you want to change things up!
#11 Bánh Flan
This one probably isn't a completely new dish to you. Flan is a common dessert in many places around the world. One of those places is Vietnam.
In Vietnam, banh flan is a common dessert served on special occasions. The love for this dessert comes from French influence, but nevertheless, Flan now holds a much-beloved spot in Vietnamese cuisine.
#12 Chè
Chè is a wide variety of desserts that include sweet soups and puddings. You can find various types of Chè throughout Vietnam, using fruit, jelly, coconut milk and mung beans in interesting and delicious ways.
Final Word
When it comes to Vietnamese food dishes, there are endless options to excite your taste buds - noodles, rice, breads, you name it!
As fellow food enthusiasts, we encourage you to get going on this flavourful journey as soon as you can.
The next time you spot a Vietnamese restaurant or find yourself in a street market, why not try one of these delightful dishes? Who knows, you might discover a new favourite!
