Buzz
Not only winning over even the most discerning international guests, but famous Vietnamese dishes also consistently feature in prestigious culinary rankings such as The Guardian, CNN, National Geographic, BBC, The Culture Trip, or Tripadvisor, praised for their delicious, unique flavors, and diverse ingredients.
Vietnam has long been an enticing destination for Asian cuisine, boasting a myriad of diverse and flavorful dishes. These famous Vietnamese dishes serve as a bridge to bring Vietnamese culture closer to friends from all over the world, showcasing a distinct identity that cannot be mixed. Besides well-known names like pho and banh mi, Vietnamese cuisine also offers countless tantalizing dishes that captivate international diners and fill Vietnamese people with pride whenever mentioned. Let's explore them right now!
Checklist of Mouth-Watering Famous Vietnamese Dishes
Pho
Surely, when it comes to famous Vietnamese dishes, pho takes the top spot as it is one of the national treasures of the S-shaped land, and also the most well-known dish internationally. Pho can be found everywhere, from humble street stalls to upscale restaurants and even overseas in many countries around the world. This dish continuously appears and is honored on major culinary rankings and forums.
Pho is one of the most famous dishes in Vietnam. Photo by @vietlifetj.
Vietnamese pho consists of three main components: broth, pho noodles, and toppings. The toppings can vary widely, from beef, chicken, to duck... Each place will have its own variation, but the common feature remains the broth simmered from bones, soft pho noodles, and thinly sliced meat. In addition to pho soup, there are various versions of pho such as dry pho, mixed pho, stir-fried pho... However, to enjoy the traditional flavor of Vietnamese pho, tourists can choose famous pho stalls in Hanoi like Bat Dan pho, Thin pho, Ly Quoc Su pho...
Pho is available in many places, but Hanoi-style pho is still beloved for its traditional flavor. Photo by @normaltus.
Bun cha
This is a Vietnamese dish that needs no introduction as most diners will know about it since it has topped countless food rankings. This dish leaves a strong impression due to its unique preparation and flavor. A traditional Vietnamese bun cha includes slightly fragrant grilled pork, fresh vermicelli noodles, aromatic herbs, and especially the distinctive broth.
Bun cha is a Vietnamese dish loved by many tourists. Photo by @eatwithbeann_
When dining, guests also need to know how to enjoy the dish properly to fully appreciate the flavor of bun cha. Simply take a portion of vermicelli noodles and dip it into the broth, then add some grilled meat and fresh vegetables before savoring. The flavor of bun cha is a harmonious combination of spicy, sour, salty, sweet tastes, along with the perfect blend of hot grilled meat, noodles, and fresh vegetables.
The bowls of broth for bun cha always have a rich flavor. Photo by @bachuaviahe.
Bun bo
Vietnam has many versions of bun bo, and it seems that every version is delicious and appealing to diners. The most famous one is bun bo Hue, a specialty of the ancient capital that easily captivates anyone. The allure of this dish comes from the characteristic orange broth made from peanut oil, the intense fragrance of lemongrass, and shrimp paste combined with the sweet and clear taste from simmered bones. A bowl of bun bo Hue always includes vermicelli noodles, beef shank, crab sausage, blood pudding, pork belly, and various accompanying vegetables such as shredded banana flowers, lettuce, and bean sprouts.
Bun bo Hue is renowned for its rich and distinctive flavor. Photo by @hphuong___.
In addition to the famous bun bo Hue, bun bo Nam Bo is also a beloved Vietnamese dish. Its ingredients include fresh vermicelli noodles, sautéed beef, roasted peanuts, and fresh vegetables. The tender and fragrant beef blends perfectly with the noodles, while the nutty flavor of the peanuts and the rich broth will leave diners with unforgettable memories.
Bun bo Nam Bo does not have a lot of broth but rather resembles a dry noodle dish. Photo by @eatwithbeann_.
Mi Quang
When it comes to the soul of Quang cuisine on Vietnamese soil, one cannot overlook the dish of mi Quang. Despite being a humble dish, its flavor is incredibly rich and enticing, suitable for any meal of the day, and seemingly never tiresome to eat.
Mi Quang is the soul of Quang Nam cuisine. Photo by @cookpadvn.
A traditional bowl of mi Quang typically consists of white or yellow noodles dyed with turmeric, fresh vegetables, rice crackers, and a filling made from chicken, pork, beef, snakehead fish, shrimp, or eggs. Each type of filling carries its own flavor, contributing to the diversity and increasing appeal of mi Quang, which is consistently voted by culinary experts as one of Vietnam's famous dishes that travelers should try.
A rustic dish with a delicate combination of ingredients that harmonize perfectly. Photo by @homnay_tuiangi_.
Cao lau
Cao lau stands out as a signature dish of Hoi An, almost exclusively found in Hoi An or Da Nang. This dish boasts a long history and is typically sold in small eateries lining the alleys of Hoi An.
Cao lau is a well-known specialty of Hoi An. Photo by @chiecbungdoifoodlover.
Cao lau shares some similarities with mi Quang, such as the minimal broth and the addition of fresh vegetables. However, it also has distinct characteristics that set it apart. Firstly, the cao lau noodles are opaque and firm, unlike the translucent or yellow mi Quang noodles. The meat component of cao lau is prepared similarly to char siu pork, with thinly sliced layers marinated to perfection. Additionally, the raw vegetables in cao lau often include a variety of bitter greens, adding to its unique flavor profile.
Cao lau boasts a distinctive flavor profile and shares some similarities with mi Quang. Photo by @bettyshanghai.
Banh xeo
Essentially, this is a signature dish of the cuisine in the Western region of Vietnam but has gradually gained popularity and become a favorite among international tourists.
This dish is very rustic yet incredibly appealing. Its common features, regardless of the region, include a crispy outer shell filled with shrimp, meat, bean sprouts, and green beans. However, the method of preparation and ingredients may vary depending on the locality. In the Southern region, banh xeo is often made larger with thin, crispy shells and can include coconut cream and mung beans. In the Central region, the pancakes are smaller, thicker, and may contain seafood in addition to the traditional ingredients.
The shimmering golden banh xeo always entices tourists. Photo by traveloka.
Crispy banh xeo is served with fresh greens, herbs, and sweet and sour fish sauce. Some places wrap the banh xeo in rice paper for consumption. The delicious aroma of banh xeo has captivated many foreign visitors, who believe this dish is a must-try when visiting Vietnam.
Banh xeo in the Central region is smaller and often filled with seafood. Photo by @thaochi95.
Broken rice
Broken rice is a specialty of Ho Chi Minh City, captivating diners with its irresistible blend of flavors. The hallmark of broken rice is the use of fractured or 'broken' rice grains, cooked to a slightly dry and non-sticky texture. It is served with various toppings such as grilled pork ribs, shredded pork skin, pork meatloaf, pickled vegetables, and a dipping sauce made with garlic and chili, which is why it's often referred to as 'com tam suon bi cha' (broken rice with ribs, shredded pork skin, and meatloaf).
Saigon broken rice is extremely famous. Photo by @homnay_tuiangi.
Broken rice is now available everywhere across the S-shaped land, with each region offering its own unique variations while maintaining the delicious taste and essential ingredients. This dish has been introduced and acclaimed as one of the best dishes in Vietnam by many reputable culinary websites.
A dish with diverse ingredients and rich flavors. Photo by @homnay_tuiangi_.
Fresh Spring Rolls
In Vietnam, fresh spring rolls are a popular choice for light to hearty meals due to their enticing flavors and convenience. Resembling fried spring rolls in appearance, fresh spring rolls use fresh ingredients. This dish consists of a soft rice paper outer layer, enveloping shrimp, boiled meat, fresh vermicelli noodles, and various raw vegetables such as coriander, mint, spring onion, or cucumber, carrot...
Vietnamese fresh spring rolls are a familiar choice for foreign tourists. Image: @damanfood
One interesting aspect of enjoying fresh spring rolls is that they do not have a fixed dipping sauce but can be customized according to preference, such as hoisin sauce, garlic chili sauce, peanut butter sauce, or fish sauce. Fresh spring rolls have a refreshing flavor, providing a delightful and light sensation due to being stir-fried without oil, coupled with plenty of green vegetables, making it especially beneficial for health. Therefore, it seems to be a staple dish for many Vietnamese people and international diners.
A refreshing dish with a variety of dipping sauces. Image: @_bkih98
Vietnamese Baguette
Apart from pho, Vietnamese baguette is another famous dish loved by many. It's a familiar dish for both Vietnamese and international tourists due to its delicious flavor, affordable price, and convenient takeaway option. In Vietnam, baguette is a popular street food with a crispy, fragrant crust and various fillings such as pate, beef sausage, pork sausage, cold cuts, fried eggs, grilled meat, roasted meat, meatballs, stewed offal, fish... combined with pickled carrots, fresh vegetables, pickles.
Baguette is a distinctive street food in Vietnam. Image: @siriluk.
Even today, there are even more variations such as tapioca baguettes, cocoa baguettes... To enhance the richness of the bread, people may spread butter or drizzle water, sprinkle salt and pepper according to taste. It's because of this diversity that this dish has excellently made it to the top of many reputable street food rankings. In Vietnam, you can find delicious baguettes everywhere because it's a national dish that cannot be missed.
With a wide range of toppings, the flavor of the baguette is also diverse. Image: @phucvo98
Lã Vọng Grilled Fish Cake
Not as famous as pho or bun cha, but Lã Vọng grilled fish cake is also a name that makes many diners crave whenever mentioned. Those who have had the chance to taste it will surely find it hard to forget the distinctive flavor of the rich and fragrant fish cakes, harmoniously blended with the aroma of dill.
Lã Vọng Grilled Fish Cake uses simple ingredients. Image: cookpad
While other types of cakes are made from meat, Lã Vọng grilled fish cake is made from firm and fresh fish pieces marinated with caramelized fish sauce, turmeric, galangal, shrimp paste, sugar, then grilled briefly. Afterwards, the cake is stir-fried in a pan with plenty of dill and spring onions. When eating, it's served with vermicelli, fermented shrimp paste, various raw vegetables, and roasted peanuts.
The golden-fried cake combined with the aroma of dill is distinctive. Image: @mightyinthemitten
Vermicelli with Fermented Shrimp Paste
It's rare for any Vietnamese dish to generate as much intriguing debate as vermicelli with fermented shrimp paste, even when it has 'gone abroad,' it's still talked about with a very perplexing contrast: 'smells like hell, tastes like heaven.' Nevertheless, vermicelli with fermented shrimp paste remains the epitome of Vietnamese cuisine due to its captivating flavor.
Despite causing much controversy, vermicelli with fermented shrimp paste has now become a Vietnamese specialty favored by tourists. Image: @phuonganhuni.
The soul of this dish lies in the divine bowl of fermented shrimp paste with a very distinctive aroma, a deeply pungent smell of shrimp paste that may not initially appeal to many diners but its taste easily wins them over. Alongside shrimp paste, the dish includes ingredients such as vermicelli, various raw vegetables like lettuce, cucumber, perilla leaves... Toppings include fried tofu, fried pork intestines, green rice flakes cake, boiled pork hock meat, sour fermented pork sausage, blood sausage... These ingredients blend together to create an irresistibly delicious flavor that once tasted, diners find difficult to resist.
Fermented shrimp paste is the soul of the renowned Vietnamese dish vermicelli with fermented shrimp paste. Image: @eatw2mint.
Spring Rolls
For Vietnamese people, spring rolls are a traditional dish that is very familiar. Whether it's on the dining table, at gatherings, especially during family meals or Tet holidays, this dish is always indispensable. Spring rolls are also a Vietnamese dish greatly loved by foreigners and have even become a favorite for many diners.
Spring rolls are a traditional dish that almost every Vietnamese person knows how to make. Image: @Nidang8x
The process of making this dish is quite meticulous, but the taste is incredibly enticing. Traditional spring rolls are made with rice paper for wrapping on the outside, filled with ground meat, sausage, glass noodles, wood ear mushrooms, eggs... seasoned with spices and then rolled into cylindrical shapes before being fried until crispy. The spring rolls have a delicious, fragrant, and tempting taste, which can be enjoyed with fresh vegetables dipped in sweet and sour sauce. Currently, besides traditional spring rolls, Vietnamese people also innovate with various ingredients such as shrimp spring rolls, crab spring rolls, cheese spring rolls, snails, squid, crab...
The crispy spring rolls with rich fillings are tempting to anyone. Image: Cookpad
What stands out and is remarkable can easily be noticed in the famous Vietnamese dishes above, thanks to the harmonious combination of ingredients as well as the skill of the chefs who have created the soul of Vietnamese cuisine with very distinctive characteristics leaving a mark on the world culinary map.
Hồng Thọ
According to Vietnam Sports Newspaper
Posted by: Đậm Nguyễn Thị
Keywords: Must-Try Famous Vietnamese Dishes That Catch International Attention
