Explore Vietnam with a Gastronomic Journey: Indulge in 12 Amazing Rice Dishes

Vietnamese main dishes are transformed into incredibly special rice variations.

Rice is an essential component in every Vietnamese family meal. With the development of culinary culture, Vietnamese rice dishes are increasingly diverse with various cooking methods and variations depending on each region.

Join Vietnam travel to discover 12 characteristic rice dishes from different regions below!

Embark on a Culinary Adventure: Indulge in 12 Amazing Rice Dishes in Vietnam

1. Northwest Bamboo Tube Rice

The name 'bamboo tube rice' may sound simple, but it's actually a dish filled with artistic flair. To indulge in bamboo tube rice, one must venture to the Northwest, where ethnic villages of the Thai, Tay, Nung, Mong, Muong, Dao people reside - those who hold the essence of highland rice grains... 'Lam' in the local dialect means roasting something inside a bamboo tube. Bamboo tube rice is no exception. After putting rice into young bamboo tubes along with spring water, these tubes are roasted over fire. The bamboo used for cooking bamboo tube rice must be fresh so that when the rice is cooked, the grains acquire a slightly sweet taste and the distinctive aroma of bamboo. Bamboo shoots are usually chosen when they are neither too young nor too old.

With the expertise of local residents, the scent of fragrant rice indicates it's cooked. When eating, peel off the bamboo layer to reveal the rice core and cut it into beautiful round pieces. The rice can be dipped in sesame salt, peanut salt, or paired with savory dishes.

2. Sesame Salt Rice Balls

Simple, easy to make, affordable, filling, and long-lasting are the outstanding advantages of sesame salt rice balls. This dish was traditionally made by rural families in the evening for the next morning's breakfast or to carry along when traveling. Nowadays, people in Hanoi often buy sesame salt rice balls on the sidewalk, sold by vendors from various rural areas.

The preparation of this dish is quite simple. Rice for rice balls is washed three times to ensure whiteness. The rice is slightly softened for easier molding. When molding the rice, the maker wraps them in a white cloth, simultaneously shaping and rotating the rice balls to ensure they are evenly round. It's important to apply just enough pressure to firmly shape the rice balls.

Each portion of sesame salt rice balls costs 5,000 Vietnamese dong, or 7,000 dong if with shrimp floss. Sesame salt rice balls are a good choice for those with limited time and are very convenient to take away.

3. Ninh Binh Scorched Rice

Travelers visiting Ninh Binh usually come for the ancient capital of Hoa Lu and then indulge in the specialty dish of over 100-year-old Ninh Binh scorched rice.

Ninh Binh scorched rice stands out for its round, firm glutinous rice grains. To preserve the traditional flavor, it must be cooked in a cast iron pot over a wood stove, resulting in fragrant, golden, chewy, and delicious scorched rice. After sun-drying for 2 - 3 days, the scorched rice is deep-fried until crispy and consumed on the same day. It is accompanied by a variety of foods ranging from beef, pork to vegetables such as onions, mushrooms, carrots, and tomatoes.

4. Hue Clam Rice

Clam rice is one of the many specialties that people in Hue use to treat their distant guests. This simple dish consists of cold rice mixed with clams and a few assorted vegetables. The sweetness of the clams, the crunchiness of roasted peanuts, the aroma of raw vegetables, and the spiciness of chili together create the allure of this dish. It's safe to say that if you haven't tried clam rice in Hue, you haven't truly visited there.

5. Hue Forbidden Rice

Hue Royal Enclosure Rice represents the epitome of culinary artistry and rich culinary culture in Hue. Royal Enclosure Rice comprises various ingredients such as boiled pork, Hue-style pork sausage, fried eggs, shrimp, fermented pork roll; pickled vegetables; tomatoes, cilantro... Especially, the main component of this dish is rice cooked with fragrant, soft, high-quality rice grains.

With its harmonious flavor and faint royal decoration, Hue Royal Enclosure Rice leaves a lasting impression on diners after just one taste.

6. Tam Ky Chicken Rice

Venturing through the scorching heat of Central Vietnam, along National Highway 1A passing through Tam Ky, is a warm invitation from the locals along with the renowned specialty, Tam Ky chicken rice.

While there are countless varieties of chicken rice, Tam Ky Chicken Rice stands out with its exquisite difference from the ingredients to the preparation method. The chicken must be free-range, small but firm and tender, with thin skin. The rice must be fragrant, cooked with chicken broth infused with a hint of turmeric for an enticing golden color, firm yet not sticky. When fully cooked, the chicken skin is glossy, the meat inside is tender but not mushy.

A plate of Tam Ky Chicken Rice resembles a culinary masterpiece with the yellow hue of the rice, the white of the chicken meat, the green of cilantro, and parsley, recreating the harmonious and tranquil scenery of the Central Vietnamese countryside.

7. Danang Claypot Rice

Originating from the Central region, Danang claypot rice has spread throughout the country due to its uniqueness in taste. Despite being a simple dish, its meticulous and elaborate preparation has won over many enthusiasts.

To achieve delicious claypot rice, one must first find a suitable claypot with a tight-fitting lid, free from warping or tilting. Rice is washed thoroughly before being cooked in the claypot until done. Once the water is absorbed, the rice is further buried in ash or charcoal for about 20 minutes to fully cook. Enjoying claypot rice with dishes like braised fish in pepper sauce, braised pork, and a bowl of fresh green soup, any discerning diner would be pleased.

8. Saigon Broken Rice

Broken rice, once considered a meal for the poor, has become a famous dish of Saigon with various enticing accompaniments such as ribs, offal, meatloaf, and nem... For Saigonese, indulging in broken rice never gets old.

Broken rice was once referred to as poor man's rice because it was made from broken grains, but nowadays, fresh rice must be ground to produce enough broken grains to serve millions of diners. A plate of broken rice accompanied by ribs, shredded pork skin, meatloaf, egg, scallion oil, and fish sauce will numb your taste buds with its deliciousness.

9. Phu Quoc Herring Rice

The rustic dish of Phu Quoc island fishermen has gradually become a specialty whenever someone mentions this tranquil island. Essentially, herring rice is just mixed and stir-fried rice with marinated herring, innovated from the daily white rice of the locals. The key to this dish is frying the herring in a pan after golden garlic and onions with white rice. Once fried, the rice is served with finely sliced cucumber, fresh vegetables, and sliced tomatoes, accompanied by pre-made fish sauce. This is a delicious, protein-rich dish with a unique and memorable flavor.

10. Ben Tre Coconut Rice

Mention Ben Tre and one thinks of dishes made from coconut. Particularly, the locals have turned their everyday rustic rice into an exotic specialty by combining it with coconut - coconut rice.

The cross-sectioned coconut shells serve as containers for rice and coconut water used to cook the rice. Then, the rice and water are steamed to preserve the full fragrance and sweetness in each grain. With the cute white coconut shells and the fragrant, slightly sweet aroma of the rice blending with the rising smoke, it's hard for all your senses to resist the allure.

11. Fried Rice

Fried rice is a common dish found in every region. Each place has its own cooking method, contributing to the diversity and richness of fried rice dishes across the country. Fried rice not only embodies the essence of Vietnamese cuisine but also serves as a way for Vietnamese people to fully utilize leftover rice to create enticing dishes.

Basically, to make fried rice, you can use leftover cold rice, heat oil or lard in a pan, sauté garlic and onions until fragrant, then add rice and stir-fry with spices. You can combine fried rice with a variety of other ingredients such as eggs, seafood, beef, pickled vegetables, bell peppers, sweet corn...

12. Nị Rice

This is a traditional dish of the Cham, Chau Giang, An Giang people, often served with ca pua - a dish made from beef. Nị rice is a combination of rice and milk, with a hint of dried grapes to enhance the flavor. Nị rice - ca pua has a fragrant milk aroma, sweet and creamy taste, combined with the nutty flavor of roasted peanuts and the spiciness of chili that delights diners.

Source: webtretho

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Reference: Travel Guide by Mytour