In the evolution of history, Vietnamese food has inherited the essence of Chinese and French cuisines, combined its regional and climatic characteristics and finally formed a cuisine of its own unique style. Vietnamese food is well known for its delicacy and freshness. Vietnam boasts abundant food sources, natural spices and elaborate food preparation skills. As cuisine has become one of the country’s most charming parts, some Vietnamese dishes have won the recognition and praise of food lovers all over the world. There is also countless delicious street food throughout the country. When facing a wide variety of Vietnamese food, you may face difficulties in choosing. So we have selected some Vietnamese food that you can't miss during your trip.
When it comes to Vietnamese food, we'd better first mention Pho. Pho (pronounced as a combination of the words "fur" and "foe") is a popular and typical Vietnamese dish that you can get almost anywhere in Vietnam. To be more specific, Pho is a Vietnamese noodle soup, usually served with beef or chicken. The soup includes noodles made from local rice and is often served together with Vietnamese basil, mint leaves, lime, chili sauces, and bean sprouts that are added to the soup by the person who is dining. Pho is often eaten for breakfast, but also makes a pleasant lunch or satisfying light dinner. This soup, in all its variations, is miraculously delicious and enjoyable.
Pho
In Vietnamese food, Goi Cuon and Nem Ran are among the most popular and delicious of the hundreds of local dishes that locals and foreigners alike enjoy. But these two kinds of rolls are not the same. Goi Cuon is Vietnamese cold Spring Roll with fresh shrimp and meat. This classic snack is known by many names, spring roll, salad roll or fresh roll. Whatever you want to call it, it's fresh, delicious, healthy, and one of the favorite things to eat. It’s usually served with Vietnamese dipping sauce or hoisin dipping sauce. And Nem Ran (or chả giò as it is known in the South) is Vietnamese Fried Spring Roll with crisp and appetizing appeal. Nem Ran is even a little more popular as it is hard to attend a Vietnamese wedding or Lunar New Year party without seeing a tray loaded with these fried rolls.
Spring Rolls
As we have mentioned, Pho might be the most well-known Vietnamese food but Bun Cha is the best choice for you when it comes to lunchtime in Hanoi-the capital city. You can just follow the clouds of barbecue smoke after 11 a.m. to trace the delicious food. Then street-side restaurants start barbecuing small pieces of seasoned pork and slices of marinated pork belly over a charcoal fire. Once they're done and crispy the morsels are served with a bowl of a fish sauce-heavy broth, a basket of fresh vegetables and a helping of rice noodles.
Bun Cha
As known to all, Baguette (French bread) originated in France. Banh Mi is a street food consists of Baguette stuffed with various ingredients. You can regard it as a Vietnamese way to enjoy French Baguette. Banh Mi is not a stranger for those who have visited Vietnam before because you can easily find it in many streets side stalls. The ingredients inside Baguette are various according to different parts of the country. They can be carbohydrate and fat in North Vietnam while they may become fried eggs, local sausages, chili sauces and pickled vegetables in the south. The key principle is that you just put the things you like inside Banh Mi.
Banh Mi
Cha ca, another famous Vietnamese food, is most well known in Hanoi. People in Hanoi deem Cha ca to be so extraordinary that a whole street in the capital city has been named after these fried bits of fish. This namesake street is home to Cha Ca La Vong, where you will be entertained with sizzling chunks of fish seasoned with garlic, ginger, turmeric and dill on a hot pan table side.
Cha Ca
This is another Vietnamese food closely related to France. You can regard it as French Crepe in a Vietnamese Style. So a wonderful banh xeo is first to be a crispy crepe. Then people put pork, shrimps, bean sprouts as well as the garnish of fresh herbs into it. Finally locals roll it up in rice paper or lettuce leaves and dip it in the sauce specially prepared by the chef. It is really typical of most Vietnamese cuisines.
Banh Xeo
This pork noodle dish, a specialty from Hoi An, is somewhat like the different cultures that harmoniously coexisted in the ancient trading port. The harmonious mixture can be regarded as the essence of Vietnamese food. The thicker noodles remind you of Japanese udon, the crispy won-ton crackers and pork are typical Chinese, while the broth and herbs are obviously Vietnamese. Even the water used to cook has the story. Authentic cau lao is made only with water drawn from the local well-Ba Le.
Cao Lau
Although glutinous rice is a common street snack all over Asia, it is taken as a meal in Vietnam. As the main course, chicken rice is one of the most popular delicacies. You will be pleased to enjoy glutinous rice with tender chicken strips, a handful of fresh vegetables and chives. Locals often sprinkle a little soy and sesame seeds on top to add a better taste.
Banh Khot
Vietnam has a proud civilian coffee culture. Local people add a variety of ingredients to create low-cost delicious coffee. In the old alleys and houses in Hanoi's old town, ice, drip pots and dust of time collide together to create a charming atmosphere. There is a special coffee which you can’t find in other countries so that you must have a try here. That is the egg coffee, with a whipped egg served over hot coffee. It is really refreshing for you during a long journey. Many visitors will often miss the flavor of egg coffee after they leave Vietnam.
Egg Coffee
Vietnamese beer may not be the best in taste in the world. But it’s truly the cheapest beer in Southeast Asia, and even on the planet. Usually Vietnamese beer contains only about 3% alcohol, which makes it as easy to drink as water. It has almost no preservatives because of its rapid consumption. It is also very cheap from about 30 cents per glass, and you can add a little money to upgrade to better categories of beers. So be sure to experience the local beer when you are travelling in Vietnam.
Vietnamese Beer
Maybe you have been attracted by Vietnamese food already. Are you planning a trip now? We have chosen excellent resources like famed restaurants in every city of Vietnam, which gives you the chance to taste these unique delicacies. In the meantime, our professional and experienced travel consultant will be helpful to you in choosing the destinations, activities and accommodation to make your trip in Vietnam pleasant.
Check out the following itineraries which will give you a starting point for your trip to Vietnam could entail:
Yummy Vietnam: 8 days Ho Chi Minh City - Can Tho - Da Nang - Hoi An
Our creative itinerary ideas will give you some travel inspirations. We will definitely tailor make unique trip for you and there are many more options available.