8 Must-Try Vietnamese Dishes

If you are a food lover, Vietnam is a paradise for you. Vietnamese food is not only delicious, but also healthy, balanced, and diverse. The north of Vietnam has been influenced by colder climate. As a result, the dishes of this region tend to be more subtle and less spicy compared to other regions. Moving to the center, which was once the imperial capital, you’ll find the dishes more elaborate and spicy. In South, the dishes are known for their sweet and sour flavors.

In this article, let’s explore 8 must-try Vietnamese dishes that will make you fall in love with Vietnamese cuisine. These dishes are not ranked in any order of preference or popularity, but rather grouped by region. You can find these dishes in most restaurants or street stalls in Vietnam or abroad. However, some dishes are more authentic and tasty in their original places of origin.

Pho

Have you ever wondered what makes Vietnamese pho so unique? Pho is probably the most famous and popular Vietnamese dish in the world, and for good reason. It is a fragrant and filling soup made with rice noodles, broth, meat, and herbs that can be enjoyed anytime of the day.

The secret to a perfect bowl of pho lies in the balance of flavors – the rich, savory broth, the tender rice noodles, and the fresh garnishes. However, you can also customize your pho to suit your personal taste and preference.

To enjoy phở like a local, you should add some lime juice, chili sauce, fish sauce, and vinegar to your broth to adjust the flavor to your liking. You should also add some bean sprouts, basil leaves, cilantro, and green onions to your bowl for some crunch and freshness. And don’t forget to dip your meat in some hoisin sauce or sriracha sauce for a spicy kick.

Bánh Mì (Vietnamese Sandwich)

Banh mi was created during the French colonial period in Vietnam, when the Vietnamese adapted the French bread and added their own local ingredients and flavors. Banh mi has evolved over time and now has many variations and toppings to suit different tastes and preferences.

And don’t be surprised if it comes out in different version, especially in the southern region where has a broader range of fillings, including a wider variety of cold cuts, grilled meats, and even fried eggs. Southern Banh Mi tends to be more diverse and experimental in terms of ingredients.

Cha Ca

Cha ca is a grilled fish dish that is a specialty of Hanoi. It is made with turmeric-marinated fish (usually catfish or snakehead) that is grilled over charcoal and then served on a sizzling pan with dill, scallions, peanuts, and rice noodles. Once it’s done, they serve it on a sizzling pan with dill, scallions, peanuts, and rice noodles.

Cha ca has a long and interesting history in Hanoi. It was invented by the Doan family in the 19th century and served in their restaurant, which is still operating today. The dish was so famous that the street where the restaurant is located was renamed Cha Ca Street. The dish was also praised by the American writer Anthony Bourdain, who called it “the best thing he ever ate in Vietnam”.

If you’re planning a trip to Hanoi, you simply have to try cha ca. And the absolute best place to have it is at Cha Ca La Vong, the original restaurant run by the Doan family. It’s a must-visit! But don’t worry, if you can’t make it there, you can also try Cha Ca Thang Long. It’s another popular restaurant known for its delicious cha ca.

Banh Xeo

Banh xeo is a delicious and crispy pancake that comes from southern Vietnam. It’s a popular specialty that locals enjoy. The batter for banh xeo is made with rice flour, turmeric, coconut milk, water, and oil. After frying the batter in a big pan, it’s filled with tasty ingredients like pork, shrimp, bean sprouts, mushrooms, and mung beans. To make it easier to eat, the pancake is folded in half and cut into smaller pieces.

The name “banh xeo” translates to “sizzling cake” in Vietnamese, which refers to the sound the batter makes when it hits the hot pan. While banh xeo originally came from the central region of Vietnam and was influenced by French crepes, the southern version is larger and thinner.

To enjoy banh xeo, you can wrap a piece in lettuce and herbs, and then use rice paper to hold it together. It’s common to dip the pancake roll into a sauce made with fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, garlic, and chili. This adds a savory and tangy flavor that complements the crispy pancake perfectly.

Bun Cha

Bun cha is a grilled pork and noodle dish that is a specialty of Hanoi. It is made with minced pork patties and sliced pork belly that are grilled over charcoal and then served with rice noodles, herbs, pickled vegetables, and a dipping sauce made with fish sauce, vinegar, sugar, garlic, and chili.

Bun cha is a popular and delicious dish that is usually eaten for lunch or dinner. It was also the dish that former US President Barack Obama and celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain shared when they visited Hanoi in 2016. The dish was so well-received that it was nicknamed “Obama Bun Cha” by some locals.

Goi Cuon( Fresh Spring Rolls)

Goi cuon is a fresh and healthy spring roll that is a specialty of the south of Vietnam. It is made with rice paper that is soaked in water and then wrapped with various ingredients such as shrimp, pork, vermicelli, lettuce, herbs, and more.

Goi cuon means “salad roll” in Vietnamese, because of the freshness and crunchiness of the ingredients. Goi cuon is a light and refreshing snack that is perfect for hot weather or as an appetizer. It is also low in calories and high in nutrients.

When enjoying goi cuon, it’s common to dip them in a tasty sauce made with hoisin sauce, peanut butter, water, vinegar, sugar, garlic, and chili. Some people like to enhance the sauce with fish sauce or lime juice for added flavor.

Bun Bo Hue

Bun bo hue is a spicy and flavorful beef and noodle soup that is a specialty of Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. A bowl of Bun bo Hue includes rice vermicelli, beef shank, pork knuckle, pig’s blood, lemongrass, shrimp paste, chili oil, and herbs.

Bun bo hue means “noodles with beef from Hue” in Vietnamese, because of the origin and main ingredient of the dish. Bun bo hue is usually served with lime wedges, banana blossoms, bean sprouts, cilantro, mint, and basil to add to your liking. You can also add more chili sauce or fish sauce to adjust the spiciness or saltiness of the soup.

Nem Ran/Cha Gio

Nem ran/cha gio is a popular fried spring roll in Vietnam, enjoyed in both the northern and southern regions. It’s a delightful treat made with rice paper or wheat flour wrappers filled with a medley of ingredients like minced pork, shrimp, crab, mushrooms, carrots, vermicelli, and fragrant herbs. These rolls are then deep-fried to perfection, resulting in a satisfyingly crispy and irresistible dish.

The name of this delightful creation varies depending on the region. In the north, it is known as nem ran, while in the south, it goes by the name cha gio. Alongside the name, there are slight differences in the wrappers and fillings used. Up north, rice paper is the wrapper of choice, and the filling tends to be more savory and meat-focused. Meanwhile, in the south, wheat flour wrappers are used, and the filling leans towards a sweet and seafood-based flavor profile.

Conclusion

Vietnam has so much to offer for food lovers, from its rich and diverse dishes to its fresh and flavorful ingredients. Whether you are visiting Vietnam or eating at a Vietnamese restaurant near you, you should definitely try these 8 must-try Vietnamese dishes that will make you fall in love with Vietnamese cuisine.

Thank you for reading this article and I hope you found it useful and interesting. If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to leave them below. I would love to hear from you and your experiences with Vietnamese food. Have a great day and happy eating!