TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. BEST FOOD IN VIETNAM
If you are visiting Vietnam for a few days and wondering what dishes to enjoy in the country’s diverse culinary landscape, what is the best food in Vietnam? The following suggestions will certainly be useful. This is a list of the most attractive Vietnamese dishes as voted by foreign tourists.
1.1. Pho
1.2. Bun Bo Hue - Hue Beef Noodle Soup
1.3. Banh Cuon - Rolls
Banh cuon is a delicately light dish consisting of a thin, soft rice flour crust filled with minced meat, wood ear mushrooms, and fried onions. It’s typically served with a sweet and sour dipping sauce, along with small portions of pork sausage and cinnamon sausage. Banh cuon is a popular breakfast option and can be easily found throughout Vietnam.
1.4. Banh My - Sandwiches
Vietnamese sandwiches are a delightful fusion of French and Vietnamese culinary traditions. They feature a crispy crust and a range of fillings including grilled meat, pork sausage, pâté, raw vegetables, and special sauces. This dish is not only convenient and quick but also bursts with rich flavors, making it popular among both locals and foreign tourists.
1.5. Bun Cha
Bun cha is a renowned dish from Hanoi, made with fresh rice noodles, flavorful grilled pork, meatballs, and sweet and sour fish sauce. It is traditionally eaten with raw vegetables and pickles to enhance the taste. This dish gained global fame when former US President Obama savored it during his visit to Vietnam in 2016.
1.6. Cơm Tấm - Vietnamese Broken Rice
Cơm Tấm is a specialty dish from Southern Vietnam, where rice is cooked from broken grains and served with grilled ribs, pork skin, egg rolls, and sweet and sour fish sauce. Adding a side of pickles and raw vegetables enhances the flavor and nutritional value of the broken rice. This dish is a staple in the daily meals of Saigon locals.
1.7. Hủ Tiếu - Noodle Soup
Hu Tieu is a popular dish in the South, known for its clear, sweet broth made from bones and shrimp. The noodles are chewy and served with meat, shrimp, quail eggs, and raw vegetables. Hu Tieu has many variations, such as Nam Vang Hu Tieu and My Tho Hu Tieu, each with its own distinct and attractive flavor.
1.8. Gỏi Cuốn - Rolls
Gỏi cuốn are a delightful and refreshing dish. They consist of a thin rice paper filled with shrimp, meat, vermicelli, and raw vegetables. What makes spring rolls special is the sweet and sour fish sauce, which gives them a unique and harmonious flavor. If you’re not accustomed to the taste of fish sauce, you can still enjoy spring rolls by having them with sweet and sour fish sauce.
1.9. Bánh Xèo - Crispy Vietnamese Pancake
Banh xeo is a popular snack enjoyed by many international tourists. It has a crispy crust made from rice flour, turmeric, and coconut milk, and is filled with shrimp, meat, bean sprouts, and green onions. When eating, people often wrap the banh xeo in raw vegetables and dip it in sweet and sour fish sauce. Banh xeo has a strong flavor of Central and Southern Vietnam.
1.10. Mì Quảng - Quang Noodle
Mi Quang – Quang noodles are a signature dish of Quang Nam. They are made with large, thick, and chewy noodles and have less broth than other types of noodles. The broth is rich and delicious, prepared with chicken, shrimp, and various spices. This dish is usually accompanied by grilled rice paper, fresh vegetables, and roasted peanuts, resulting in a unique and flavorful combination.
1.11. Chả Cá Lã Vọng - La Vong Grilled Fish
Chả cá Lã Vọng – La Vong Grilled Fish is a famous dish from Hanoi. The fish is marinated in spices, grilled until golden, and then stir-fried with onions and dill. This dish is usually served with vermicelli, raw vegetables, and shrimp paste mixed with lemon and chili. The delicious and rich flavor of La Vong Grilled Fish makes it unforgettable for anyone who has ever enjoyed it.
1.12. Cao Lầu
Cao Lau is a specialty of Hoi An. It features yellow, chewy noodles made from rice soaked in ash water. The broth of Cao Lau is rich and is served with char siu pork, raw vegetables, and crispy grilled rice paper. This dish is not only delicious but also embodies the typical culinary culture of Hoi An ancient town.
2. WHAT TO DRINK IN VIETNAM?
Vietnamese cuisine offers not only delectable dishes, but also a variety of visually appealing and delicious beverages.
2.1. Cà Phê Sữa Đá - Iced Milk Coffee
Cà Phê Sữa Đá – Iced milk coffee is emblematic of Vietnamese coffee culture. It is made from strong black coffee and sweetened condensed milk, and then combined with ice cubes to create a sweet yet slightly bitter cup of coffee. The robust flavor of Vietnamese coffee, coupled with the creaminess of condensed milk, has resulted in a captivating and rejuvenating beverage, perfect for combatting the heat on scorching summer days.
2.2. Cà Phê Trứng - Egg Coffee
Egg coffee is a unique creation of Hanoians. It consists of black coffee mixed with egg yolks, sugar, and condensed milk. The smooth and rich egg cream layer sits on top of the strong coffee, creating a harmonious and unique combination. The delicious and rich flavor of egg coffee has won over not only locals but also international tourists.
2.3. Cà Phê Cốt Dừa - Coconut Coffee
Coconut coffee is a delightful blend of strong black coffee and rich coconut milk. The aromatic and smooth coconut milk complements the slightly bitter taste of coffee, resulting in a sweet and refreshing beverage. This popular drink is commonly enjoyed at coffee shops in Vietnam.
2.4. Bia - Beer
Beer is a popular drink in Vietnam, especially during gatherings, parties, and hot summer days. The country boasts many famous beer brands such as Saigon Beer, Hanoi Beer, and 333 Beer, each with its own unique characteristics. Saigon Beer has a sweet taste with a hint of bitterness from hops, while Hanoi Beer has a mild aroma and is not too bitter. 333 Beer is rich with a distinctive hop smell. Vietnam is home to many famous beer streets such as Ta Hien Street in Hanoi and Bui Vien Western Street in Ho Chi Minh City. Visiting these places will allow you to experience the bustling atmosphere and immerse yourself in the beer-drinking culture of the local people.
2.5. Nước Mía - Sugarcane Juice
Sugarcane juice is a popular beverage in Vietnam. It is made from freshly squeezed sugarcane and has a naturally sweet and refreshing taste. The juice is often served with ice, and a little kumquat is added to enhance its delicious flavor. This drink is ideal for cooling down and providing quick energy on hot summer days.
2.6. Fresh Coconut
Fresh coconut water is one of the most natural and nutritious drinks in Vietnam. It is taken directly from fresh coconuts and is sweet, cool, and rich in electrolytes. Enjoying a glass of fresh coconut water not only quenches thirst but also provides many nutrients that are beneficial to health, especially on hot days.
2.7. Fruit Juices
Vietnam is well-known for its delicious fresh fruits, making fruit juices a must-try when you visit. From orange, lemon, pineapple, apple, and pear juice to grapefruit and strawberry juice, each type offers a refreshing and nutritious taste. These juices not only satisfy your thirst but also provide essential vitamins and minerals for the body.
2.8. Trà Chanh, Trà Tắc - Lemon Tea, Kumquat Tea
Lemon tea and kumquat tea are simple but extremely popular drinks in Vietnam. Lemon tea has a light, sour taste of lemon combined with the sweetness of sugar, while kumquat tea has the characteristic aroma of kumquat. Both of these drinks provide a cool, refreshing feeling and are very suitable for cooling down on summer days.
2.9. RƯỢU NẾP - GLUTINOUS RICE WINE
Rượu nếp is a traditional Vietnamese wine made from fermented sticky rice. It has a rich, slightly sweet, and slightly spicy flavor, and is often used during holidays, Tet, and parties. Rượu nếp is not only a drink but also a part of Vietnamese culinary and festival culture.
Every dish and beverage embodies a story about the history, tradition, and love of Vietnamese food. When savoring these delicacies, visitors not only savor the wonderful taste but also immerse themselves in a part of Vietnamese culture.