Top 10 Vietnamese Dishes You Must Try

Vietnam is one of the great cuisines of Asia, famous for its diversity and richness in flavours and forms of dishes. Vietnamese specialities appeal to even the most demanding international tourists and always appear in top dish lists voted by The Guardian, CNN, National Geographic, BBC, The Culture Trip, Tripadvisor...

Below are the top 10 delicious dishes you must try when coming to Vietnam.

1. Phở - The Iconic Rice Noodle Soup

No tourist comes to Vietnam without ever hearing about Pho. Just taste it and they will surely be conquered. Pho is not simply a dish but also a symbol of Vietnamese culinary culture, famous around the world for its unique flavour and richness in variations.

Vietnamese Pho consists of three basic elements: broth, Pho noodles and filling. The filling can be beef, chicken, duck... and even different types of seafood.

Each region of Vietnam has its own unique way of processing and mixing, creating diversity and richness in flavour. What all versions of Pho have in common is the delicious broth, simmered from bones and seasoned with natural spices, soft noodles and thinly sliced meat.

In addition to the traditional version, Pho also has many other variations such as dry Pho, mixed Pho, and stir-fried Pho... with a unique flavour of this dish.

Where to find the best Phở:

• If you want to enjoy traditional flavours, famous Pho restaurants in Hanoi such as Pho Bat Dan, Pho Thin, and Pho Ly Quoc Su will definitely not disappoint you.

2. Bánh Mì - Vietnamese Baguette Sandwich

Besides Pho, Banh Mi is also a must-try delicious dish when coming to Vietnam, always attracting the love of many people, not only local people but also international tourists. The characteristics of Vietnamese baguette are its delicious taste, affordable price and convenience when taken away.

Inside the crispy, fragrant baguette are many types of fillings such as pâté, beef patties, pork rolls, ham, fried eggs, grilled meat, roasted meat, shumai, pha lau, fish... combined with pickles and raw vegetables. Nowadays, Vietnamese baguette sandwich has many strange versions such as tapioca baguette, and cocoa baguette...

To add flavor, people often spread butter on the inside of the baguette, or pour water over the filling and sprinkle salt and pepper according to personal taste. The variety helps this dish score points on many world prestigious street food rankings.

Where to find the best Bánh Mì:

• In Vietnam, visitors can find delicious bread everywhere because it is an essential dish in daily life.

3. Cơm Tấm - Broken Rice with Grilled Pork

This is a very easy-to-eat dish that is facile to find in Saigon and the Mekong Delta provinces and can be eaten at any time of the day.

The special feature of broken rice is that the rice grains are broken. When cooked, the rice will be just soft enough and not too dry. The soul of this dish is the thick, sweet fish sauce. The variety of toppings such as grilled ribs, pork skin, egg rolls and pickles also create unmistakable characteristics.

Broken rice has spread throughout the South with many unique variations but still retains its appeal and indispensable basic ingredients. Although it doesn't get as much attention as Pho, Bun cha, Cha ca... Com Tam - Broken rice is actively shared by travel bloggers as an interesting experience when exploring Southern cuisine. It is considered one of the most delicious dishes in Vietnam.

Where to find authentic Cơm Tấm:

• Com Tam Ba Ghien, Com Tam Nguyen Van Cu, Com Tam Ba Cuong, Com Tam Sa Bi Chuong... are delicious broken rice addresses that you should visit.

4. Bún Bò Huế - Spicy Beef Noodle Soup from Hue

If you come to this S-shaped strip of land and miss Hue beef noodle soup, it would be a pity and it deserves to be at the top of Vietnamese cuisine. The rich sweetness mixed with the spicy taste of the broth combined with pork trotters, beef shank, and crab rolls... will make diners crave until the last bite.

Hue beef noodle soup has a strong, characteristic flavour from cashew oil, lemongrass, and shrimp paste, combined with the sweetness of stewed bones. Hue beef noodle bowl usually has all the ingredients such as vermicelli, pork leg meat, crab patties, blood cake, and pork belly... and is served with vegetables such as shaved banana blossom, lettuce, and bean sprouts...

Where to find authentic Bún Bò Huế:

• Although you can easily taste Hue beef noodle soup in all provinces and cities of Vietnam, the best place to eat it is still in Hue - where the dish was born. You can go to Dong Ba market or visit restaurants in Hue City to enjoy this speciality.

5. Cao Lầu - Noodles with Barbecued Pork in Hoi An

One of the most attractive features of Hoi An is its street cuisine. And when mentioning Hoi An cuisine, it is impossible not to mention Cao Lau - a speciality of this city. This noodle dish has yellow noodles, different from other Vietnamese noodles. This dish will include bean sprouts and grilled pork rinds in a light soup. Cao Lau is flavoured with mint and star anise, topped with thin slices of pork, and served with crispy rice paper.

What really creates the special taste of Cao Lau is still a mystery. Some people say the secret ingredient is the water taken from the Ba Le well, but no one is sure about this except the people living in Hoi An.

Where to savor authentic Cao Lầu:

• Cao Lau dish is widely sold in sidewalk stalls and small alleys in Hoi An.

6. Cơm Gà - Hoi An Chicken Rice

When mentioning Hoi An specialities, the typical chicken rice dish cannot be ignored. Considered an outstanding culinary symbol, Hoi An chicken rice has conquered not only locals but also tourists from all over to enjoy.

The special thing about this chicken rice dish is the sophistication in its preparation, helping visitors enjoy plates of fragrant rice, soft chicken meat and natural rosemary flavour. The rice is cooked soft, delicious, and extremely fragrant, the chicken is shredded, the skin is thin, and the meat is fragrant with the scent of onions, fried onions, salt and pepper, and coriander. The dish is presented with onions, sour papaya, Tra Que herbs, soy sauce and chilli sauce, plus soup mixed with chicken heart, liver and kidneys.

Where to try authentic Cơm Gà:

• Tourists coming to Hoi An can visit Ba Buoi chicken rice, Ba Nga chicken rice, and Anh Xi chicken rice restaurants to enjoy this culinary speciality.

7. Mì Quảng - Central Vietnamese Turmeric Noodles

Mi Quang is a special delicacy of Da Nang and Quang Nam regions, often sold at small roadside shops in Hoi An ancient town. This is also one of 12 Vietnamese dishes recognized for their Asian culinary value.

Mi Quang has some similarities with Cao Lau but the broth is used less and is often accompanied by raw vegetables.

Mi Quang has a characteristic yellow colour, is not as shiny as Cao Lau and has elasticity. Mi Quang filling is usually made from pork but is sliced thinly and covered with spices to create a wonderful yellow crust. Raw vegetables often include many types of bitter vegetables, creating a unique flavour when enjoyed.

Where to find authentic Mì Quảng:

• Mi Quang can be found in many restaurants in Hoi An, but the most famous and most authentic bowls of Quang noodles are at Mi Quang 1A, Mi Quang Ba Vi and Mi Quang Ba Mua.

8. Bánh Xèo - Crispy Vietnamese Pancake

Banh Xeo originates from the West of Vietnam and has become a symbol of Vietnamese cuisine, loved by international tourists.

The characteristic of Banh Xeo is a combination of simplicity and appeal. This dish usually has a crispy fried crust, inside is a filling including shrimp, meat, bean sprouts and green beans.

In addition to some common ingredients, each region has its own unique way of making ingredients. In the South, Banh Xeo is often made large and has a thin, crispy crust, with sesame seeds and coconut shells added to the filling. On the contrary, in the Central region, Banh Xeo is usually smaller, the crust is thicker and the filling often contains seafood.

Banh Xeo makes diners fascinated with the crispy taste of the crust, combined with green vegetables, raw vegetables and sweet and sour fish sauce. Some places also roll Banh Xeo in rice paper to create a unique experience. The delicious taste of Banh Xeo has made many international tourists unforgettable and consider this one of the must-try delicacies when coming to Vietnam.

Where to taste authentic Bánh Xèo:

• Banh Xeo in each region has a different characteristic, moreover, this dish is also widely sold and available everywhere. Therefore, you should try the Banh Xeo shops you see in the places you visit.

9. Bún Chả - Grilled Pork with Rice Noodles

Tourists who love Vietnamese cuisine are no strangers to Bun Cha, one of Vietnam's traditional dishes recognized and loved on many of the world's top culinary rankings. The top 10 delicious summer dishes by CNN, the top 10 best street foods in the world by National Geographic... are the titles achieved by Vietnamese Bun Cha.

The specialness of Bun Cha lies in its unique preparation and rich flavour. This dish includes pork grilled over charcoal, fragrant, accompanied by fresh vermicelli, herbs and especially rich, flavorful broth.

Just dip the vermicelli into the broth, and combine it with grilled meat and raw vegetables, you will experience a unique flavour, a combination of many flavours such as spicy, sour, salty, sweet, a perfect combination of hot grilled pork, soft vermicelli and fresh vegetables. That is what makes Bun Cha so special.

Where to sample authentic Bún Chả:

• Bun Cha Tuyet 34, Bun Cha Huong Lien, also known as Bun Cha Obama, Bun Cha Sinh Tu, and Bun Cha with bamboo sticks To Hieu... are attractive addresses that you should visit to enjoy this speciality dish.

10. Cha Ca La Vong - Fried fish with turmeric and dill

This is a famous dish and often appears on lists of delicious dishes and destinations in the world. Author Patricia Schultz included Cha Ca La Vong in the book "1,000 Places to See Before You Die". After that, American news agency MSNBC shortened that list and placed Cha Ca La Vong restaurant in Hanoi at number 5 in 10 places you should know before you die along with 9 other famous places and festivals in the world.

The uniqueness of La Vong grilled fish patties lies in they patties made from firm freshwater fish, not from meat like regular patties. The fish is marinated with galangal juice, turmeric, shrimp paste and sugar, then lightly grilled.

Next, the patties are stir-fried in a pan with dill and green onions, creating a harmonious mixture of flavour and taste.

When enjoying, you can combine La Vong grilled fish patties with vermicelli, shrimp paste, raw vegetables and roasted peanuts.

Where to indulge in Cha Ca La Vong:

• In Hanoi, in addition to Cha Ca La Vong restaurant, many Cha Ca brands are also popular with tourists such as Cha Ca Thang Long, Cha Ca Anh Vu, Cha Ca Lao Ngu...

Conclusion

Above are the delicious dishes that foreign visitors should try when coming to Vietnam. If there are any dishes you have not yet enjoyed, try them on your upcoming trips to Vietnam.

So, chúc ngon miệng! Enjoy your meal!

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