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Top 10 Traditional Vietnamese Dishes One Cannot Miss When In Vietnam

Delicious Vietnamese cuisine

Don’t want to burn a hole in your pocket but still looking to explore a foreign land? Don’t worry! We bring to you a gorgeous country from South East Asia, Vietnam. One of the most sorted-after and tranquil holiday locations, the country will spoil you for choices in pristine beaches, Buddhist pagodas, gigantic rice fields, bustling cities and mouth-watering traditional Vietnamese dishes. Moreover, the easy Vietnam Visa online process and cheap flights to Vietnam are also some of the perks of visiting the country.

Vietnam holds a lot of cultural and historical history which is a treat to explore. Experience the rich war history and vibrant Vietnamese culture by browsing through the best of our Vietnam Tour Packages. One of the most significant aspects of Vietnamese culture is the traditional Vietnamese dishes that have been savoured by locals and foreigners alike over the years. While many Asian cities are synonymous with great food, Vietnam stands out. Vietnamese cuisine mainly has a lot of meat, with spices and herbs, mainly packing the 5 prominent flavours.

These are the top 10 traditional Vietnamese Dishes you cannot afford to miss when on a trip to Vietnam:

1. Phở

Couple Eating Phở in Vietnam
Image Credit: gpointstudio

Phở is one of the Vietnamese dishes that are famous worldwide while representing Vietnamese culture in the pop world. The Vietnamese national dish, Phở comprises of flat rice noodles, ginger and coriander flavour broth served with either beef or chicken. For vegetarians, the available options are tofu and veggies. This dish can be eaten at any time of the day but is usually eaten for breakfast. You can also add limes, spices, sauces and herbs to raise the flavours.

2. Bánh Mì

Vietnamese Traditional Dish – Bánh Mì
Image Credit: Huy R

Representing the French colonialism of the 19th century, the Bánh Mì is also known as a Saigaon Sandwich. Starting with a crispy French baguette, it is filled with greens, pork, paté, tofu, fish and a moreish sweet sauce. Bánh Mì is one of the most popular Vietnamese dishes you can find everywhere, but nothing can beat the taste of this popular Vietnamese street food from a street food stall in Ho Chi Minh City.

3. Goi Cuốn

Assorted Goi Cuốn with Various Fillings
Image Credit: Elena Eryomenko

On the list of Vietnamese dishes, the Goi Cuốn is one of the freshest servings. Goi Cuốn is popularly served as a starter or a side dish in Vietnamese restaurants. Unlike traditional spring rolls, these are crispy and translucent and have a wide variety of fillings to offer, right from fruits, vegetables, pork, fish, shrimp, etc. Dunk these little flavour-filled rolls in peanut or fish sauce to elevate the experience.

4. Bánh Khọt / Bánh xèo

Crispy ,Savory Vietnamese Crepes – Bánh xèo
Image Credit: Huy R

Would you rather indulge in a savoury pancake rather than a sweet one? Then a Bánh Khọt is one of the must-try dishes. These savoury pancakes are flavoured with turmeric and other spices and packed with flavours of pork belly, shrimp, or other stir-fried vegetables. Bánh Khọt or Bánh xeo are the best to try in Ho Chi Minh City. They are also a great snack for long bus and train journeys through the country.

5. Ca Phe Trung

Vietnamese Special Egg Yolk Coffee
Image Credit: Efired

This world-famous coffee drink deserves a spot on the list of traditional Vietnamese dishes to try when in Vietnam. Ca Phe Trung translated to Egg Coffee and is traditionally prepared with egg yolks, sugar, condensed milk and robusta coffee. All these ingredients make it more of a drink than a coffee drink. Coffee lovers must try this at one of the local cafes in Vietnam.

6. Cao Lau

A Bowl of Cao Lau from Hoi An
Image Credit: Walaiporn Paysawat-Mizu

The Central region arguably has the best food in Vietnam, especially Hoi An’s speciality Cao Lau. A flavourful bowl full of almost Japanese-style thick rice noodles, bean sprouts and crispy pork-rind croutons hailing from Chinese influences served with Vietnamese noodle soup. The delicacy is also topped with mint and star anise.

Legends say that authentic Cao Lau is made using water from one particular well in Hoi An, making it a wholesome experience.

7. Bun Cha

Traditional North Vietnamese Bun Cha
Image Credit: Mikolaj Michalak

Another one of the delicious Vietnamese dishes, Bun Cha from street stalls and street kitchens is a lunchtime Hanoi speciality. A mix of flavourful charred pork served in a bed of cold rice noodles with veggies like carrots and papayas and seasoned with herbs, you will not be able to resist the smokey smell in the air. Cook your food by dipping it into a bowl of steaming broth and relish the best of Vietnamese cuisine.

8. Banh Chung

Making of Banh Chung
Image Credit: Vietnam Stock Images

If you are visiting Vietnam during Lunar New Year, Banh Chung should definitely be on your list of dishes to try in Vietnam. Made with simple agricultural ingredients, with pork and mung bean filling, this sticky rice cake is a traditional Vietnamese food all over the country. This dish symbolises respect not only for Vietnam’s ancestry but also for the earth.

9. Chè

Variety of Chè in Vietnam
Image Credit: NDQ

A traditional Vietnamese sweet dish, Chè can be a Vietnamese sweet beverage, dessert, stew or pudding. You can choose from a variety of options like kidney beans, tapioca fruit, grass jelly, mung beans, coconut cream, etc. However, Vietnamese locals would argue that the best way to enjoy Chè is with a scoop of crushed ice on a hot day.

10. Cha Ca

Eating traditional Vietnamese Dishes – Cha Ca
Image Credit: Eunice Yeung

Seafood is a staple in Vietnamese cuisine, so you have to try the Cha Ca in Hanoi. Magie fish sautéed in butter with dill and spring onions, then served with rice noodles and a scattering of peanuts. Sounds delicious right?

If you are a seafood fan don’t miss out on the specialities of Da Nang.

These are some of the traditional Vietnamese dishes that will let you in on the vast Vietnamese cuisine and culture. Some other Vietnam specialities also include Mi vit tiem, Rau Muong, Banh Bao, Mi Quang, Com tam, etc.

Whether you choose a street-side stall or a fancy restaurant in Hanoi, cheap hotels or lavish homestays in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam is surely going to be a wonderful experience for you.

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