Top 10 Vietnamese cuisine

Vietnamese cuisine is one of the most diverse and delicious in the world, with influences from China, France, Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand. It is characterized by fresh herbs, aromatic spices, rice, noodles, seafood, and meat, often cooked in a balance of salty, sweet, sour, and spicy flavors. Here are some of the most popular and iconic dishes that you should try when you visit Vietnam.

1. Pho

Pho is the national dish of Vietnam, a fragrant and filling soup made with rice noodles, broth, herbs, and meat. It is typically eaten for breakfast, but can be enjoyed any time of the day. There are many variations of pho, but the most common are pho bo (beef pho) and pho ga (chicken pho). The broth is simmered for hours with spices such as star anise, cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom, and then ladled over the noodles and meat. The dish is served with a plate of fresh herbs, bean sprouts, lime wedges, and sauces such as fish sauce, hoisin sauce, and chili sauce, which you can add to your liking.

2. Banh mi

Banh mi is a Vietnamese sandwich that combines French and Vietnamese elements. It consists of a crusty baguette filled with various ingredients, such as pate, ham, grilled pork, chicken, tofu, eggs, cheese, mayonnaise, cilantro, cucumber, pickled carrots, and daikon. Banh mi is a popular street food that can be found in every corner of Vietnam, and each region has its own specialties and variations. Some of the most famous banh mi are banh mi thit (meat sandwich), banh mi op la (egg sandwich), and banh mi cha ca (fish cake sandwich).

3. Bun cha

Bun cha is a grilled pork and noodle dish that originated in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. It consists of grilled pork patties and slices, served with a tangy dipping sauce, rice vermicelli noodles, and fresh herbs. The dish is usually eaten at lunchtime, and you can find many bun cha stalls along the streets of Hanoi. To eat bun cha, you dip the noodles and pork into the sauce, and wrap them with lettuce and herbs. You can also add some fried spring rolls (nem ran) for extra crunch and flavor.

4. Goi cuon

Goi cuon, also known as summer rolls or fresh spring rolls, are a light and healthy appetizer or snack. They are made with rice paper wrappers, filled with rice noodles, lettuce, mint, basil, shrimp, pork, or tofu, and rolled into a neat package. They are served cold, with a peanut sauce or a fish sauce for dipping. Goi cuon are a refreshing and satisfying way to enjoy the fresh and vibrant ingredients of Vietnamese cuisine.

5. Banh xeo

Banh xeo is a savory pancake that is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. It is made with rice flour, coconut milk, turmeric, and water, and cooked in a large skillet with oil. The batter is spread thin and then topped with various fillings, such as pork, shrimp, bean sprouts, mushrooms, and mung beans. The pancake is then folded in half and cut into pieces. Banh xeo is served with a plate of lettuce, herbs, and a fish sauce for dipping. You can wrap the pancake pieces with the lettuce and herbs, and enjoy the contrast of textures and flavors.

6. Cao lau

Cao lau is a noodle dish that is unique to Hoi An, a historic town in central Vietnam. It is made with thick and chewy noodles, which are said to be made with water from a special well in the town. The noodles are topped with slices of roasted pork, crispy pork skin, bean sprouts, herbs, and a savory sauce. The dish is also garnished with fried shallots and peanuts, and served with a small bowl of broth on the side. Cao lau is a hearty and satisfying dish that reflects the cultural and culinary diversity of Hoi An.

7. Cha ca

Cha ca is a fish dish that originated in Hanoi, and is named after a famous restaurant that specializes in it. It is made with chunks of fish, usually catfish, marinated in turmeric, galangal, garlic, and fish sauce, and then fried with dill, spring onions, and peanuts. The dish is served on a hot plate, with rice noodles, fresh herbs, and a fish sauce for dipping. Cha ca is a fragrant and flavorful dish that showcases the use of herbs and spices in Vietnamese cuisine.

8. Banh cuon

Banh cuon is a steamed rice crepe that is filled with minced pork and wood ear mushrooms. It is a popular breakfast dish in northern Vietnam, and is often sold by street vendors. The crepes are made by spreading a thin layer of rice batter over a cloth stretched over a pot of boiling water, and then adding the filling and rolling them up. The crepes are then cut into bite-sized pieces and served with a fish sauce, fried shallots, and cilantro. Banh cuon is a delicate and delicious dish that melts in your mouth.

9. Com tam

Com tam, also known as broken rice, is a dish that is made with rice grains that are broken during the milling process. The rice is cooked with water and chicken stock, and then served with various toppings, such as grilled pork chops, shredded pork skin, fried eggs, pickled vegetables, and scallions. The dish is also accompanied by a fish sauce, which you can drizzle over the rice and toppings. Com tam is a simple and satisfying dish that is a staple of southern Vietnam.

10. Che

Che is a sweet dessert soup that can be enjoyed hot or cold. It is made with various ingredients, such as beans, tapioca, jelly, fruits, coconut milk, and sugar. There are many types of che, each with its own name and flavor. Some of the most popular are che dau xanh (mung bean soup), che troi nuoc (glutinous rice balls with mung bean filling), che ba mau (three-color bean soup), and che chuoi (banana and tapioca soup). Che is a refreshing and delightful way to end a meal or cool down on a hot day.