While some countries are known for their innovative new dishes and modern culinary skills, Vietnam is famous for its centuries-old recipes, from pho to banh mi.
Here are the most delicious traditional Vietnamese dishes that visitors must try when coming to this beautiful country.
1. Pho
Pho can be said to be the most popular dish in Vietnam. You can find pho shops in every street, alley and as a breakfast, lunch, dinner and late night snack…
No matter the time of day, you can also eat pho. Pho is made from rice flour, hot broth and is popular with beef and chicken. The taste of pho can vary from region to region and restaurant to restaurant. Herbs and spices are kept separately, you can season your pho as you wish.
2. Banh Mi
A unique combination of two French and Vietnamese cuisines, banh mi is now popular throughout Vietnam. Like pho, Vietnamese eat banh mi at any time of the day and are a convenient street food.
Filled with meats (or eggs), pâté, fresh vegetables and sauces placed in the middle of a crusty bun for a unique dish. Nowadays, banh mi has entered 5-star hotels and is popular with international tourists.
3. Bun Cha
This dish is a combination of rich grilled pork, fresh vermicelli and mixed fish sauce, along with sliced papaya, carrots and herbs. Diners often prepare some of their own food by dipping fresh vermicelli into a bowl of hot broth.
If you come to Hanoi, just search for “Bun Cha Obama” and you will find a pretty famous restaurant. It’s the same place, in 2016, former US President Barrack Obama had dinner with super chef Anthony Bourdain.
4. Banh Cuwe
If you have to vote for the most meticulous dish in Vietnam, then banh cuon is surely at number 1. The rice paper is thinly coated, soft, fluffy and hot, rolled up, inside containing ground pork.
Finely chopped pork, just dip it in fish sauce and you will have a hot morning. The appeal of this dish is not only in the good taste but also in the attractive processing. Diners can watch the owner steam the exquisite cakes just before the dishes are served.
5. Spring rolls
With the majority of traditional Vietnamese dishes fried, grilled and boiled, diners can change their palate by indulging in something a little fresher. Nowhere better than spring rolls.
These delicate spring rolls are typically made with green vegetables, shrimp, and pork, served with a sweet and spicy peanut-based dipping sauce.
6. Hu Tieu
Many people still argue about the origin of this dish but obviously, if you wake up in the morning in Ho Chi Minh City or the Mekong Delta provinces, then noodle soup is the popular dish.
Hard or soft noodles, served with clear broth and raw vegetables, pork; Some stores even add pork heart and liver. In the simplest terms, Hu Tien can be described as “pork bone soup”, but everything from the type of bread to the choice of meat seems to vary from place to place. All we know is that noodle soup is “great” in every way.
7. Banh Xeo
Banh xeo has different versions, small in the center and large and thick in the south. The filling includes bean sprouts, meat of all kinds like pork, duck; served with raw vegetables and mixed fish sauce.
However, don’t be fooled by its healthy appearance, banh xeo is a fried dish with a lot of fat.
8. Che
Chè contains many ingredients, both savory and sweet, but it can be described as a “sweet dessert soup.” Variations on the dish include anything from beans and jellies to tapioca and coconut.
You can find Chè any time of year, but Chè is said to be best served with a scoop of shaved ice on a hot day.
9. Mi Vit Tiem
This roast duck dish with soft egg noodles is perhaps less famous than dishes like pho, banh mi… – but no less delicious. Pot noodles are influenced by Chinese cuisine but still infused with classic Vietnamese spices and flavors.
10. Bia Hoi
Although it’s not a dish, bia hoi deserves a place on this must-try list. Bia Hoi is a type of beer that is usually poured directly from a large keg at local breweries. Coming to Hanoi on hot summer days, you can easily see the sidewalks crowded with people sipping cold beer on miniature plastic stools.
