Cuisine: Vietnam's 15 Must-Try Dishes
Discover Vietnam's 15 must-try dishes
Rich and diverse, Vietnamese cuisine is deliciously fragrant, thanks in large part to the abundant use of aromatic herbs and spices. Its flavors and spice blends are intense. Each region has its own culinary traditions. Here is a taste of the main traditional Vietnamese dishes we’ve selected for you.
SPRING ROLLS
Nem Vietnamese cuisine gastronomy SoGuide One of the most famous specialties, also known as “cha gio” in southern Vietnam. There are three traditional nem fillings: pork, chicken, or shrimp. The filling in the imperial Vietnamese recipe is prepared with pepper and salt, without soy sauce, nuoc-mâm, or spices. The whole thing is rolled up in a rice paper wrapper.
BÁNH MÌ
A Vietnamese sandwich served on a table The famous Bánh Mì “wheat bread” is a typical sandwich from southern Vietnam. Warm and crispy, it is usually made with bread made from wheat and rice flour. It is also filled with various ingredients such as cilantro, carrots, cucumbers, meat, pâté, mayonnaise, and chili peppers.
TÀU H?
Several plates of Vietnamese desserts on a table Tàu H? is a delicious dessert made from curdled soy milk and flavored with ginger. It can be enjoyed hot or cold, as a dessert or for breakfast. Depending on the region of Vietnam, it has different names: in the North it is called tào ph?, in the center it is called ??u h?. In the South, it is called Tàu h?, and it is traditionally served with tropical leaves or coconut juice.
BÚN TH?T N??NG
A blue plate topped with meat and vegetables Popular and beloved in Vietnam, Bún Th?t N??ng consists of rice noodles, vegetables, grilled meat, and a spring roll served with a sweet sauce. It can be enjoyed anywhere and at any time of day?!
PH? BÒ
No need to introduce the famous Ph? soup from Hà N?i—it is the quintessential symbol of Vietnamese cuisine. This chicken, beef, or pork broth typically includes bean sprouts, rice noodles, and other herbs. In fact, this popular dish is enjoyed for both breakfast and dinner.
L?U BÒ
A broth simmering in its pot in Vietnam Another Vietnamese culinary specialty is hot pot. This traditional dish corresponds to several East Asian varieties of stew. The broth is simmered with beef, seafood, or even goat meat.
GOI CUON
Spring rolls served on a green plate in Vietnam The famous spring and summer rolls, G?i Cu?n, originate from southern Vietnam. They are one of the most popular Vietnamese dishes. Fresh and light, they consist of pork, shrimp, herbs, and rice vermicelli. This mixture is then wrapped in rice paper and served at room temperature.
BÚN CH?
A bowl of broth and a plate of noodles and vegetables from Vietnam A popular dish in Hanoi, the capital of northern Vietnam, Bún Ch? is prepared and sold everywhere in street food stalls and restaurants. It consists of grilled meatballs that are then dipped into a broth with carrots, rice noodles, bean sprouts, mint, and peanuts.
BÁNH CU?N
Steamed dumplings on a white rectangular plate from Vietnam Bánh Cu?n is one of the typical popular dishes of northern Vietnam. These are Vietnamese dumplings made from rice flour. They are stuffed with meat and black mushrooms and are also sprinkled with fried onions. They are best enjoyed hot and drizzled with nuoc-mâm sauce. In Vietnam, they are eaten for breakfast.
BÁNH T?MBÌ
A black plate garnished with steamed dumplings and vegetables from Vietnam Several variations of Bánh Bèo exist depending on the city in central and southern Vietnam. Made from rice flour and steamed, only the filling varies. Bánh Bèo originated in the city of ??ng H?i (central Vietnam), where they are sold throughout the city at very reasonable prices.
C?M T?M S??N
A plate of meat with rice and vegetables from Vietnam A typical dish consisting of rice, meat, and a fried egg, C?m T?m s??n is sold primarily on the street. It is also known in France as “Rice with Three Treasures.” It is a delicious and very popular dish from southern Vietnam, particularly in Ho Chi Minh City. It is typically eaten in the morning, but also for lunch and dinner.
CÁ KHO T?
A black plate topped with fried fish and chili peppers in Vietnam In Vietnam, Cá Kho T? is a very popular dish. Very simple to prepare and delicious, this dish is made with various local fish such as panga, snakehead fish, and catfish.
BÕ BUN
A bowl of Bõ Bun served in a white bowl with Asian chopsticks in Vietnam Bõ Bun is a delicious dish originating from southern Vietnam. It consists of cold rice noodles, raw vegetables, various aromatic herbs, and strips of beef sautéed with lemongrass. The beef is lightly pan-seared.
DURIAN ICE CREAM
Durian is a famous fruit in Vietnam Enjoy some delicious durian ice cream in Saigon. Durian is a very famous fruit in Asia, especially for its creamy texture but also for its strong, distinctive smell reminiscent of “aged Camembert.”
COFFEE
Two cups of coffee on a table overlooking a lush green landscape in Vietnam Finally, coffee is a must-try in Vietnam. In some cities, coffee shops line the streets. There are also two types of coffee: Cà Phê S?a Dá, served iced with condensed milk; and Weasel coffee, which is one of the most expensive coffees in the world. To buy coffee, you can visit the B?n Thành Market in Ho Chi Minh City.
