Vietnamese food – 15 typical Vietnamese dishes

Vietnamese cuisine values ​​balance and most of its typical dishes represent this characteristic very well. The bitter, sour, spicy, sweet and salty mingle in delicious broths and spices, while rice can come in different shapes and textures. Many Vietnamese dishes are influenced by China, which occupied Vietnam for nearly a thousand years. It is also possible to see the legacies of French colonization, such as baguette bread and coffee.

Vietnam is a fascinating country to visit. The complex local phonetics and little-spoken English bring some obstacles to get out of the tourist route and really get to know it.

But if you want a tip, I advise you to overcome these barriers and venture into Vietnamese cuisine. The more you interact with local people, the more authentic your experiences will be, and you will be able to understand more about Vietnamese culture and food.

This guide to 15 typical Vietnamese dishes is to help you learn more about the flavors of Vietnam that go beyond the famous Vietnamese rolls and exotic foods.

The main typical dishes of Vietnam

1. Bún chả

Bún Chả are very thin rice noodles (Bún) with grilled pork (Chả) served in a surprisingly refreshing broth, a mixture of vinegar, water, fish sauce, sugar and carrot slices with green papaya. The dish accompanies a basket with various leaves and herbs, including lettuce, mint and shiso.

Bún Chả exemplifies Vietnamese cuisine very well: noodles, broths, leaves and herbs. Balance of flavors and dishes served in a way that you assemble and eat as you wish.

2. Phở

Phở is one of the most famous noodle soups in Vietnam. Phở (pronounced fan) refers to the long, flat rice noodle. In its main preparation Phở is served in an aromatic broth with pieces of meat and fresh herbs. The dish is so consumed that when someone says Phở, the association with the soup is immediate.

A cheap and easy meal to find around the streets of Vietnam. It is common to be consumed for breakfast, but goes well any time of the day. There are several versions with different meats, seasonings and preparation techniques. The secret is in the broth, a slow stew of spices with bone-in meat.

3. Bánh xèo

Bánh xèo is the name of these yellow pancakes (it looks like an omelette, but it’s not). Crispy crepes made with rice flour and turmeric stuffed with pork, shrimp and bean sprouts.

The size of the pancakes and the way they are served varies according to the region of the country. But I assure you, they are all delicious!

4. Bánh beo

Street food in the imperial city is fine! Bánh bèo was created in the city of Hue to serve the emperor, but today it is street food throughout central Vietnam. They are rice flour and tapioca flour masses steamed in small ceramic dishes that give it a rounded shape.

Once cooked comes the topping, which varies from city to city, cook to cook. The most traditional one has ground shrimp, pieces of pork crackling and chives. The special touch is in the sweet sauce served separately made with fish sauce, shrimp sauce, pepper and sugar.

5. Bánh cuốn

Do you see this rice dough? It’s done on time! Bánh cuốn is more common in northern Vietnam, it takes rice flour, water and a few drops of oil.

The more traditional version is stuffed with mushrooms and pork with fried onions on top. It is served with a basket of leaves and a type of sausage called Chả lụa .

6. Bò lá lốt

A minced meat dumpling wrapped in an aromatic leaf called lá lốt, also known as wild betel leaves (piper sarmentosum species).

The herbal smell of the rolls grilling is to whet your appetite.

7. Thịt kho

Caramelized pork belly served in clay pot. Its version with boiled eggs (Thịt kho tàu), is one of the typical dishes widely consumed during the lunar new year, the famous Tết party.

One of the secrets of this delicious dish is the marinade, which uses coconut water, fermented fish sauce, sugar, shallots and garlic as its main ingredients.

8. Cơm hến

Cơm hến is a rice dish with clams, peanuts and pork skin crackling. The dish takes the same name from the river islet where it is consumed, right in the middle of the Perfume River in Huế, in central Vietnam.

It’s that dish that needs to be consumed at source, a super authentic experience and off the tourist circuit.

9. Bánh hỏi

Almost a work of art, the noodles form a super delicate network. They are served with a basket of leaves and pork meat (sausages, skewers or pieces).

To eat, the process is the usual: the leaves serve as a base, inside the leaf you place the noodle, the pork, roll everything up, put it in the sweet and sour sauce and Nhac!

10. Bánh Bao Bánh Vạc

Bánh Bao Bánh Vạc, known as White Rose, is a dish unique to Hoi An in central Vietnam. It is so exclusive that even today the same family supplies most of the city’s restaurants. Secret and closely guarded recipe.

Rice pasta stuffed with shrimp, a delicacy only.

11. Bánh canh

Noodle soup made with rice flour and cassava starch. This starchy mixture and the thicker, rounder thickness of the noodle make all the difference. The soup can be made with different ingredients or a mixture of them: pork, fish cake, Vietnamese ham, crab, shrimp, tofu, etc.

The one we liked the most was the Bánh Canh Cuá Tôm with crab and shrimp (the coagulated pig’s blood always accompanies it).

12. Bún bò Huế

A cauldron of Bún bò Huế bubbles with flavors in harmony: spicy, acidic, salty, a touch of sweetness and lots of lemongrass. The name of the dish is practically its description: Bún (type of rice noodle) + Bò (meat) + Huế = noodle soup with meat, typical of Huế.

Favorite breakfast among locals to face a long day at work. The broth is made with meat and bones, lemongrass, fermented shrimp paste (mam tom), pepper and herbs.

13. Bánh mì

Bánh mì is a fusion of flavors from France and Vietnam, a legacy from the French colonization period. There are a thousand versions, but in general it works like this: the bread is half open, then comes the pâté (made with pork liver) and mayonnaise, then the meats and cold cuts, lots of coriander, pepper, vegetables like carrots and cucumber bring crunch and to finish a sweet and sour sauce.

One bite and presto, you’re in Vietnam!

14. Bánh khọt

Mini dumplings made with rice flour (sometimes even leftover rice), corn starch, turmeric and coconut milk topped with shrimp and chives.

It’s similar to Bánh xèo, but has the advantage of being bite-sized!

15. Kem xôi

Among so many typical Vietnamese dishes, I cannot fail to mention at least one dessert.

Glutinous rice made with pandan leaves. Coconut ice cream and burnt coconut chips are added. A very tasty mix of colors, smells and textures!

Bonus! Cà phê trứng

Cà phê trứng means coffee with egg, famous in Hanoi where the original recipe was made and internationally known as eggcoffee. The recipe for coffee with egg in addition to coffee beans, the robusta type, takes egg yolks, condensed milk and other ingredients that vary according to the establishment.

This Vietnamese dessert will blow your mind. Try making it at home, it’s easy!

How is the food in Vietnam?

The best word to describe Vietnamese food is balance. You will hardly find a dish that is more salty, bitter or excessively spicy as is the case with its neighbors. The final touch always using fresh herbs is another feature that makes Vietnamese food so unique.

Vietnam Tour Booking offer a truly premium level of service. Thank you to our customers for the positive word of mouth and continued patronage!