Top 7 Famous Vietnamese Rice Dishes That Will Stay in Your Memory

Rice with Clams is considered a signature dish of the people of Hue and Vietnam as a whole. With a perfect blend of royal and folk culinary traditions, this dish offers a unique, unforgettable taste. The people of Hue have always cherished this dish, which has become an integral part of their daily lives. The savory, sweet taste of Rice with Clams embodies the romantic spirit of Hue. Though made with cold rice, it retains its soft, sticky texture thanks to high-quality rice. The ingredients are simple: boiled clams, clam broth, herbs, banana flowers, sour starfruit, and more, yet the flavors are incredible. The addition of crushed peanuts, spicy chili, and the rich taste of fermented shrimp paste brings even more depth to this colorful and flavorful dish.

On Ung Binh Street in Hue, you'll find many shops offering Rice with Clams, but be cautious in your selection as some may not meet the standard. Mytour recommends Hoa Dong Rice with Clams, which is considered the best in the area. The rice is cooked and cooled, and the clams are large and flavorful. The broth is rich with a hint of clam sweetness and a slight spiciness. The first taste of Rice with Clams will be a delightful experience for anyone visiting this ancient capital. Be sure to stop by and try it out!

For centuries, the Vietnamese have believed that cooking in a clay pot preserves the most flavors. As a result, many dishes cooked in clay pots have become beloved specialties across the country. Crushed Rice Pot is one such dish. It’s not just rice cooked in a clay pot; before serving, the waiter will gently tap the pot with a small hammer, causing the clay to crack and fall away. What remains is a bowl of rice with a crispy, golden layer on the outside and soft, tender grains inside. Crushed Rice Pot is popular in cities like Hanoi, Vung Tau, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang, and is often paired with caramelized fish, water spinach soup, and eggplant with shrimp paste.

In Da Nang, the city famous for Crushed Rice Pot, make sure to visit Red Pot Rice Restaurant for an unforgettable experience. The restaurant is designed in a traditional Vietnamese style with rough red clay bricks that give a warm, cozy feel. The young and attentive staff will make your meal even more enjoyable. It’s a great choice for those who are picky about their food!

Broken Rice is a simple yet popular dish in Ho Chi Minh City, known for its delicious accompaniments such as grilled pork ribs, Vietnamese sausage, fried tofu, and pickled vegetables, making it hard to resist. This dish is unique because it's made from broken rice grains that are sifted separately and cooked over a traditional wood fire. Broken Rice is typically served on a plate or in a takeout box. While it's commonly eaten with a spoon and fork in the South, people from the North or Central Vietnam prefer using chopsticks.

Delicious Broken Rice Ho Chi Minh City is renowned for serving the most authentic and tasty broken rice dishes at affordable prices. Here, you can enjoy this everyday meal in a refined and elegant atmosphere, elevating the value of your meal. The freshest ingredients are carefully selected by the chef, who prepares the dish using a secret spice mix passed down through generations. The pork ribs are marinated to perfection, infused with the distinct flavors of Ho Chi Minh City, and grilled directly over charcoal. The rice used here is sourced from Saigon’s best rice fields, ensuring high quality and an aromatic flavor that will make your meal unforgettable. Be sure to visit and try it yourself!

Crab Fried Rice is a delightful fusion of familiar ingredients like rice, boiled crab meat, golden fried eggs, and a spicy chili-soy sauce. Together, these ingredients combine to create a homely yet rich flavor that captivates anyone who tries it for the first time. You can also make this dish at home by cooking rice, letting it cool, and then preparing the crab meat by stir-frying it with garlic, fish sauce, seasoning powder, and spices. Scramble the eggs and fry them until golden before cutting into small pieces. Then, sauté garlic in oil and add the rice, stir-frying it with the crab and eggs. Season to taste, stir well, and garnish with chopped scallions and cilantro. Serve it hot with pickled vegetables and sweet chili fish sauce or soy sauce for an incredible meal.

When you visit Phu Quoc, you absolutely must try this dish at Bé Ghẹ Floating Restaurant! You’ll be amazed by the delicious flavors and the attentive service provided by the staff. The seafood here is not only fresh but also affordable, and visitors can even purchase some to take home as souvenirs. Another must-try at the restaurant is the Garlic Fried Prawn, known as 'Bề Bề,' which is a real delicacy. The menu also features many other great dishes at reasonable prices. Besides the famous crab from Hàm Ninh and garlic-fried prawns, the restaurant also serves Tram mushrooms, a super nutritious ingredient with many health benefits.

Lam Rice is a popular dish in the daily meals of the mountain people, especially in the Northwestern region of Vietnam. This unique dish is also easy to prepare; you simply soak sticky rice, such as glutinous rice, and place it into fresh bamboo tubes. Then, cover it with Dong leaves and roast it over a fire. When the bamboo tubes start to char and the aroma of the fragrant rice fills the air, the Lam Rice is ready. Once the bamboo tubes have cooled slightly, carefully peel away the outer layer to reveal the soft, fragrant rice inside. The rice, served with a sprinkle of roasted peanut salt or sesame salt, offers a delightful taste of the mountains – a rustic yet unforgettable culinary experience.

In Hanoi, you can try this delicious specialty from the Northwest at Gác Bếp restaurant. With the essence of regional flavors, Gác Bếp has become a popular spot for corporate gatherings, reunions, or those who simply love the charm of the mountainous regions. In the heart of Hanoi, if you’re craving the authentic taste of the Northwest, head to Gác Bếp Quan Hoa for great food and warm hospitality.

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The Crispy Rice from Ninh Bình has a history of over 100 years, dating back to the late 19th century, and has become a beloved specialty of the ancient capital. The key to making this dish is in the rice itself. It must be cooked with just the right amount of water, achieving the perfect sticky texture before it can be crispy. Once the rice is done, only the crust at the bottom of the pot is kept. The pot is then rotated while cooking, ensuring an even crisp. The best pots are large and thick, often cast iron, which helps create the golden, crunchy crust. After sun-drying for two or three days, the crispy rice is stored in a dry place. When ready to eat, it’s fried until golden and enjoyed the same day. This dish is often served with stir-fried beef, pork kidneys, or heart, accompanied by vegetables such as onions, carrots, mushrooms, and tomatoes. The combination of crispy rice and flavorful toppings is sure to delight.

If you visit Ninh Bình, you’ll find plenty of places selling crispy rice, but not all of them are famous for it. We recommend Thăng Long Ninh Bình Restaurant, where you can enjoy this local dish at an affordable price without compromising on quality. The restaurant offers a spacious, airy setting with attentive and friendly service. It’s definitely worth a visit when you’re in Ninh Bình.

The name of this dish might sound simple, with just two main ingredients – rice and chicken. However, the Hội An Chicken Rice is much more than just cooked chicken and rice; it is a blend of flavors and textures that make it irresistible to anyone who tries it. This dish comes in two main variations: shredded chicken or chicken drumsticks. Both are known for their tender, flavorful meat. The sight of a golden, crispy-skinned chicken leg, paired with fragrant, sticky rice, fresh herbs like cilantro and perilla leaves, and finely sliced white onions, will instantly captivate you. To heighten the flavor, a sprinkle of black pepper is added just before serving. Every plate of this dish is accompanied by a bowl of savory chicken soup with finely chopped gizzards and a sweet broth, complemented by pickled papaya for an added twist. This dish perfectly showcases the culinary artistry of Hội An.

If you visit Hội An, don’t miss the chance to try this iconic dish at Ba Buoi Chicken Rice, considered one of the best spots in the city for this local specialty. Many international visitors have also made their way here to taste this rare dish. To create the perfect chicken rice, the chef selects only the freshest, free-range chicken, ensuring the meat is tender, juicy, and full of flavor. The rice is cooked with the chicken broth, giving it a rich golden color and a natural, savory taste. The dish is served with fresh herbs from the famous Trà Quế vegetable village, known for its cleanliness and fragrant produce. You won’t be disappointed when you visit!