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| Top 10 must-try Vietnamese food. |
Food is at the heart of Vietnamese culture and Vietnamese food is one of the most popular cuisines in the world as it mixes together a range of flavors and tastes. When visiting Vietnam, it is essential to experience its unique cuisine. Here are the top 10 best Vietnamese dishes that you must try!
Here is a list of ten best food in Vietnam:
1. Pho (Noodle Soup)
2. Goi Cuon (Spring Rolls)
3. Banh mi (Vietnamese Sandwich)
4. Bun Cha (Grilled Meatballs)
5. Banh Cuon (Steamed Rice Cake)
6. Bun Dau Mam Tom (Noodle and Tofu with Shrimp Sauce)
7. Com Tam (Broken Rice)
8. Xoi (Sticky Rice)
9. Cha Ca (Turmeric fish)
10. Banh Xeo (Vietnamese Pancake)
Explore Vietnamese cuisine. Video: Vietnam.travel
Let’s explore the details:
1. Pho (Noodle Soup)
Pho is one of the most well-known examples of Vietnamese food. It is a popular dish in Vietnam and is considered a national dish. Pho consists of flat rice noodles in a flavorful broth, usually with chicken or beef. The taste and ingredients can vary across the country, and it is commonly served with sauces, herbs, and spices for customization.
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| Pho is the quintessential Vietnamese dish. Photo: willflyforfood |
There are regional variations of pho, with the northern version using wider noodles and more green onions, while the southern version has a sweeter broth and is topped with bean sprouts and a wider variety of fresh herbs.
How to eat Pho – a Newbie’s Guide
When enjoying pho, start by sipping the flavorful broth and tasting the meat. Season it to your liking with sauces and garnishes provided. It is acceptable and encouraged to slurp your noodles and broth as a sign of enjoyment. Add vegetable garnishes and tear them into pieces before adding them to your bowl.
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| How to best enjoy pho. Photo: Tim Gerard Barker/Getty Images |
2. Goi Cuon (Spring Rolls)
Goi Cuon, also known as spring rolls, are a refreshing and healthy dish. They are made by wrapping lettuce, herbs, and boiled meat or seafood in a rice paper. The rolls are then dipped in a sauce, which can vary depending on the chef. Goi Cuon are often served as starters in Vietnamese restaurants.
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| Goi Cuon is usually served as a starter in Vietnamese restaurants. Photo: Tochim/Shutterstock |
Goi Cuon can have different variations based on the choice of ingredients, but they are always served cold and provide a light and fresh flavor. They are a popular choice as an appetizer or a snack.
3. Banh Mi – Vietnamese Best Sandwich
Banh Mi is a Vietnamese sandwich that has gained popularity worldwide. It is made with a variety of fillings, including meat, vegetables, and sauces, all served on a crispy baguette. Banh Mi is known for its versatility and the ability to customize it to personal tastes.
Banh Mi is readily available in Vietnam, often found at street food stalls. It is a convenient and delicious option for those on the go. The combination of flavors and textures in Banh Mi creates a satisfying and flavorful sandwich.
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| Vietnamese Banh Mi. Photo: @joavietnam |
4. Bun Cha (Grilled Meatballs)
Bun Cha is a popular dish in Northern Vietnam. It consists of grilled meatballs served with rice noodles and herbs. The meatballs are marinated in a flavorful mixture before being grilled, giving them a delicious smoky flavor. Bun Cha is often enjoyed as a lunchtime food in Vietnam.
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| Bun cha – a special dish in Vietnam. Photo: Vietnam.travel |
This classic dish is a harmonious combination of cold rice noodles, grilled pork, fresh herbs, and a fish sauce-based broth. The noodles, pork, and herbs are eaten together, creating a satisfying and flavorful bite. Bun Cha is a must-try dish for meat lovers.
5. Banh Cuon (Steamed Rice Cake)
Banh Cuon is a steamed rice cake that is a delight to eat. It is made by wrapping large round sheets of steamed rice flour around minced pork and wood-ear mushroom. The rolls are then gently folded and chopped. Banh Cuon is often topped with dried shallots and served with a side bowl of fish sauce with pork sausage.
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| Photo: Vietnam.travel |
6. Bun Dau Mam Tom (Noodle and Tofu with Shrimp Sauce)
Bun Dau Mam Tom is a unique combination of noodles, tofu, and shrimp sauce. It is a popular street food dish in Hanoi and is often enjoyed as a snack. The dish is served with accompanying vegetables like marjoram and mint. The shrimp sauce adds a distinct and delicious flavor to the dish.
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| Bun Dau Mam Tom – a typical dish of Vietnamese cuisine. Photo: bestpricetravel |
Bun Dau Mam Tom is a favorite dish among Vietnamese people, and it can be enjoyed at any time of the day. The dish is often sold on the streets of Hanoi, where you can sit on a plastic chair and enjoy the fascinating flavors while engaging in conversations with locals.
7. Com Tam (Broken Rice)
Com Tam, also known as broken rice, is a famous Vietnamese dish from Ho Chi Minh City. It gets its name because it is made from rice grain fragments that were broken during processing. Despite its origins as a cheaper grade of rice, Com Tam has become a sought-after food item.
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| Com Tam, Vietnam food. Photo: Tonkinphotography/Shutterstock |
Com Tam is often served with grilled, steamed, or shredded pork, fish, or a fried egg. It is accompanied by lime, fresh herbs, spring onions, and a fish sauce or shrimp paste mixture. This dish is a popular street food snack in Ho Chi Minh City and offers a combination of flavors and textures that will satisfy your taste buds.
8. Xoi (Sticky Rice)
Xoi is a family of Vietnamese dishes made with glutinous or sticky rice. The rice is soaked, drained, and steamed to create various types of xoi, both savory and sweet. This versatile dish can be made with different ingredients and flavors, offering a range of options for every taste preference.
One popular variation is xoi bap, which is made with sticky rice combined with corn, fried shallots, crushed peanuts, and pork floss. Xoi is a filling and delicious dish that can be enjoyed at any time of the day.
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| Overflowing banana leaf of xoi bap in Hanoi. Photo: Willflyforfood |
9. Cha Ca (Turmeric Fish)
Cha Ca is a beloved dish in northern Vietnam and is named after the restaurant that made it famous over a century ago. It consists of turmeric-marinated catfish that is grilled and served with a generous amount of fresh dill. The dish is often accompanied by rice vermicelli, roasted peanuts, coriander, and a dipping sauce made with fish sauce, vinegar, and garlic.
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| Cha ca – one of most beloved food in Vietnam. Photo: Willflyforfood |
Cha Ca is a specialty dish that combines the smoky flavor of the grilled fish with the freshness of the herbs and the tanginess of the dipping sauce. It is a favorite of locals and has even gained recognition in popular travel books. Enjoying Cha Ca is a memorable culinary experience in Vietnam.
10. Banh Xeo: so-called “Vietnamese Pancake”
Banh Xeo may be called a “Vietnamese Pancake,” but its preparation is more complex than that of a traditional pancake. The dish starts with frying yellow rice flour, which gets its color from turmeric. The cooked rice flour is then filled with a variety of ingredients, creating a bulging pancake. Banh Xeo is typically served with fish sauce for dipping.
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| Vietnamese pancake. Photo: @choueatgolove |
Banh Xeo offers a delicious combination of flavors, with the crispy pancake, the flavorful fillings, and the tangy fish sauce. It is a unique and tasty dish that showcases the culinary diversity of Vietnam.
