Vietnam’s culinary legacy is as diverse as its culture. While pho and banh mi are famous worldwide, the Vietnamese food scene is brimming with hidden culinary treasures. This guide dives deep into 20 traditional Vietnamese dishes every traveler should savor, from hearty noodle soups to sizzling street foods.
1. Pho (Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup)
Pho is a flavorful beef noodle soup made with a rich broth simmered for hours with star anise, cinnamon, and beef bones. Topped with fresh herbs and a squeeze of lime, it’s a national favorite that’s as comforting as it is delicious.
2. Banh Mi (Vietnamese Sandwich)
Banh mi is a crispy baguette filled with pickled vegetables, cold cuts, pâté, and herbs. Regional variations offer creative fillings like grilled pork, meatballs, or scrambled eggs.
3. Bun Cha (Grilled Pork with Noodles)
Bun Cha is Hanoi’s signature dish featuring charcoal-grilled pork served with vermicelli noodles, herbs, and tangy dipping sauce. This flavorful dish gained global fame after Anthony Bourdain dined here with President Obama.
4. Bun Bo Hue (Spicy Beef Noodle Soup)
Bun Bo Hue is a robust and spicy noodle soup from Hue. Its broth is made with beef, lemongrass, shrimp paste, and chili oil, served with thick rice noodles and a medley of meats.
5. Cao Lau (Hoi An Noodles)
A Hoi An specialty, Cao Lau is made with chewy rice noodles, tender pork slices, crispy croutons, and fresh herbs. The secret lies in the local well water used to prepare the noodles.
6. Mi Quang (Turmeric Noodles)
Mi Quang is a Central Vietnamese dish featuring turmeric-infused noodles topped with shrimp, pork, peanuts, and herbs. It’s served with a small amount of broth and crispy rice crackers.
7. Com Tam (Broken Rice)
Com Tam, or broken rice, is a classic Saigon dish topped with grilled pork, fried egg, pickled vegetables, and fish sauce. It’s a satisfying street food staple popular for breakfast or lunch.
8. Xoi (Sticky Rice)
Xoi is Vietnamese sticky rice, available in sweet or savory versions. Popular varieties include Xoi Xeo (mung beans) and Xoi Gac (red sticky rice), often enjoyed during Tet celebrations.
9. Goi Cuon (Fresh Spring Rolls)
These fresh spring rolls are filled with shrimp, pork, noodles, and herbs, wrapped in rice paper, and served with a peanut dipping sauce. They’re a healthy and refreshing starter.
10. Cha Gio (Fried Spring Rolls)
Cha Gio are crispy deep-fried spring rolls filled with minced pork, shrimp, mushrooms, and vegetables. They’re perfect as an appetizer or snack when paired with fish sauce.
11. Banh Xeo (Sizzling Pancake)
Banh Xeo is a crispy pancake made from rice flour, turmeric, and coconut milk. It’s stuffed with pork, shrimp, and bean sprouts, served with lettuce wraps and herbs for a fresh, crunchy bite.
12. Banh Cuon (Steamed Rice Rolls)
Banh Cuon are delicate steamed rice rolls filled with pork and mushrooms, topped with crispy shallots. They’re served with fish sauce and slices of Vietnamese pork sausage.
13. Nem Nuong (Grilled Pork Skewers)
Nem Nuong are flavorful pork skewers grilled over charcoal. They’re often served with rice paper, herbs, and peanut dipping sauce for a hands-on dining experience.
14. Bo La Lot (Beef in Betel Leaves)
Bo La Lot is spiced ground beef wrapped in betel leaves and grilled until smoky. The leaves add a unique herbal flavor, making this dish a favorite for BBQ lovers.
15. Banh Beo (Water Fern Cake)
Banh Beo are steamed rice cakes topped with minced shrimp, fried shallots, and fish sauce. These bite-sized treats are perfect for sharing.
16. Ga Nuong (Grilled Chicken)
Vietnamese grilled chicken is marinated in lemongrass, garlic, and fish sauce, then charcoal-grilled for a smoky, savory taste.
17. Lau (Hot Pot)
Vietnamese hot pot, or Lau, is a communal dish featuring a bubbling broth filled with seafood, meats, vegetables, and noodles. It’s perfect for sharing.
18. Banh Bot Loc (Tapioca Dumplings)
These translucent tapioca dumplings are filled with shrimp and pork, served with sweet fish sauce. They’re a chewy, flavorful snack popular in Central Vietnam.
19. Chao Ga (Chicken Porridge)
A comforting dish made with slow-cooked rice porridge, shredded chicken, and herbs. It’s a popular breakfast option in Vietnam.
20. Che (Vietnamese Dessert Soup)
Che is a sweet dessert soup made with beans, jellies, coconut milk, and tropical fruits. It’s served cold or warm, depending on the season.
Where to Experience These Vietnamese Dishes
Join Vespa Adventures’ food tours across Vietnam for an unforgettable culinary experience:
