Top 50 Vietnamese Dishes You Need to Taste

Vietnam’s cuisine is a complex spectrum of flavors, fresh products and unusual cooking styles to each region’s culture. It has elements of northern cuisine’s delicate fragrant herbs as well as the south’s aggressive spice. The beautiful mixture of flavors, that goes beyond the basic, of sweet, sour, salty and savory is perfectly embraced in their cuisine. There are classic fast foods such as ‘bánh mì, ‘phở, and the lighter alternatives like ‘bánh cuốn and ‘gỏi cuốn’ which show that eating in Vietnam is not merely for the sake of hunger but acts as a vessel for its able rich heritage and culture.

We will examine the Top 50 Vietnamese Traditional Dish You Must Try and dig deeper into the most appealing ones that have been enjoyed by the people throughout the world. From the fresh spring rolls full of aromatic herbs and spices to the clay pots simmering caramelized fishes, each of these works speaks volumes of the elaborate flavors and ancient techniques of cooking that are characteristic of Vietnam. Be it your first time tasting Vietnam food or an avid connoisseur, you will be guaranteed a wonderful experience with these dishes as they will tantalize your taste buds with delectable offers from the widely loved cuisine in Southeast Asia.

Here are brief descriptions of popular Vietnamese dishes:

1. Bánh mì

This iconic Vietnamese sandwich created due to French colonization features a flaky crusty baguette along with fillings such as pork belly or grilled pork, fish cake, meatballs, and fried onions with red pepper and pickles. It is characterized by savory, spicy, sweet and sour tastes, which are often made more intense by the addition of chilies.

2. Bánh cuốn

Steamed rice paper z-folds stuffed with minced pork and mushroom filling and crispy fried onions served with a thin shrimp dipping sauce (nước chấm). These rolls make a light and savory flavorful Vietnamese breakfast.

3. Gỏi cuốn (Spring Rolls)

Fresh spring rolls or summer rolls, as they are commonly referred to, are thin rice paper coverings packed with prawns, pork, rice vermicelli, and fresh ingredients. They are usually accompanied by a sauce, which may be either sweet hoisin or nuoc cham (fish sauce), among others.

4. Canh (Vietnamese Soups)

Typically light and appetizing, canh are rarely thick soups, mostly based on pork or seafood stock and stuffed with vegetables. A famous addition is a variant known as canh chua made from tamarind, pineapple, and tomatoes.

5. Phở

May the most representational Vietnamese dish – Phở – is a broth-based rice noodle soup usually served with beef or chicken. This dish is also accompanied with fresh bean sprouts, lime, and chili sauce.

6. Cháo

Cháo is a popular Vietnamese dish as a kind of rice porridge with the addition of meat or fish served. It has warming or filling characteristics that make it perfect for breakfast and sick days.

7. Cha Ca Ha Noi

This dish is a signature dish in Hanoi which includes grilled fish marinated in turmeric and rice vermicelli and peas, fresh greens, and sometimes this is cooked at the table itself.

8. Cá Kho Tộ (Caramelized Fish in Clay Pot)

This is a tropical fish dish slow cooked in a clay pot. Soy sauce, sugar, and black pepper are added to create the sweet and salty taste that rice lovers are invariably fond of.

9. Bánh Cam / Bánh Rán

Sesame seed coated deep fried sticky rice balls filled with sweet mung bean paste forming a crunchy exterior and chewy sweet insides.

10. Bánh xèo

The rice flour, turmeric, and coconut milk blend is spread in a thin crepe form and stuffed with pork, shrimp, and bean sprouts. This dish is mainly served with lettuce and fresh herbs and some dipped in nuoc cham.

11. Hoa qua dam

In desserts composed of various fresh tropical fruits, often accompanied by crushed ice and milk condensed with sugar. This particular delicacy is the ideal range of food for a scorching summer season – it is tasty and quenches thirst as well.

12. Banh khot

They are thin rice flour and coconut milk pancakes, with shrimps being their common topping. They are pan-fried until golden brown and garnished with herbs and a dipping sauce, intensifying the interplay of textures.

13. Bun bo nam bo

This appetizing dish contains dry noodles salad with fried beef, green herbs, vegetables, nuts, and seasonings, finished with mouth-watering fish sauce. It is not only light but full of flavors making it one of the meals for the Vietnamese people.

14. Bun bo Hue

Beef noodle soup, or ‘Bún bò Huế,’ is probably originated from Hue city. The broth is flavorful with lemongrass, chili, with shrimp paste and is usually taken with beef, pork, and thick rice noodles.

15. Bo luc lac

This dish, colloquially referred to as 'shaking beef,' presents bits of beef stir-fried with garlic and green onions. Usually, it is accompanied with rice, salad, and/or dipping sauce.

16. Banh goi

A savory snack and oftentimes an appetizer, this particular pastry is deep-fried and stuffed with minced pork mixed with mushrooms and a vermicelli noodle. It resembles a small cushion in shape.

17. Nom hoa chuoi

This is a tangy and spicy banana flower salad enriched with green papaya, carrots, greens, and either chicken or shrimp in the mixture. Fish sauce is provided for dressing, and peanuts are used for garnish, introducing a fresh, crispy, and salty honesty.

18. Com suon nuong

It is a very basic preparation of pork chops placed over a bed of rice grains that have been broken up into bits. The meat is tenderized through marination and cooked on a grill to create a sumptuous meal common in the southern region of Vietnam.

19. Nem ran/cha gio

These cracked earthy shell spring rolls usually contain shrimps, pho along with mushrooms. Many Vietnamese also use lettuce and herbs to cover these, adding a sour fish sauce to dip into.

20. Pho cuon

This dish is a center cut of spring roll. It is a thinner version of the classic Pho rolled with stir fried beef, bean sprouts, and herbs in fresh rice noodle sheets. It comes along with a mouth watery sauce to dip in.

21. Ga nuong

Barbeque chicken is seasoned with honey and spices and grilled to achieve a crunchy layer on the skin while ensuring that the insides remain soft and juicy. This is an appetizing option to suddenly crave fast food fried chicken.

22. Pho xao

Thin rice noodles wok-fried with veggies and protein of your choice. This dish is less heavy than other noodle bowls offered on the menu and is more of a balance of flavors that is salty and fresh.

23. Ca phe trung

Egg coffee Vietnam is a frothy beverage made of egg yolks that has thick foam on the top of strong brewed coffee. Owing to its flavor and consistency, it is generally regarded as a dessert.

24. Bo la lot

Minced meat is wrapped in betel leaves which are spiced before grilling. These aromatic leaves have a milder peppery scent which makes this dish a delicious delicacy enjoyed with either rice or vermicelli.

25. Xoi

Sweet or savory sticky rice, sometimes topped with mung beans, chicken or pork. It's a popular breakfast or snack food in Vietnam.

26. Ca tim kho to

This is a vegetarian dish whose main ingredient is eggplants, tofu, and it is cooked using a mud pot when most of the ingredients are soy sauce, tomatoes, garlic spices, and almost everything that has a strong flavor. It is quite a heavy meal and is nicely complemented with a bowl of steamed rice.

27. Bot chien

A street food favorite in Southern Vietnam, this dish consists of fried rice flour dough cakes topped with an egg, green onions, and served with pickled papaya and chili sauce.

28. Hat de nong

Roasted chestnuts: an acquired taste which most of the time street vendors serve to the clients to keep them warm in cold during winter months.

29. Banh bao

Steamed buns filled with a savory pork mixture, sometimes including quail eggs or mushrooms. They are a popular snack and often sold by street vendors.

30. Ga tan

A medicinal-style chicken soup made with herbs like ginseng and jujubes. It’s considered a restorative dish, ideal for recovering from illness.

31. Bánh Chưng / Bánh Tét

These sweet rice balls have many different names since they are usually eaten during the celebrations for the Lunar New Year. They are filled with pig meat and moong beans and covered in a banana leaf.

32. Com rang

Vietnamese fried rice is a practical dish that uses broken rice, which is often combined with vegetables, eggs and sometimes meat or seafood. Vietnam fried rice is usually stir fried with soy sauce and often accompanied with pickles to enhance the taste and add some crunch.

33. Banh uot thit nuong

These fresh rice paper rolls are scrumptious and filled with tasty grilled pork chunks that have been marinated in a sweet savory sauce, and some herbs are added before serving with a spicy sauce. The food is resplendent yet simple and is usually described as an appetizer or snack.

34. Bun cha

Another popular Hanoi dish is bun cha which is made of rice vermicelli served with grilled minced meat pork alongside fresh herbs, pickled vegetables and a dipping sauce named nuoc cham. Generally this preparation is also served along with meat filled deep fried spring rolls.

35. Lau

A Vietnamese hot pot is a dish that allows the diners to cook meat, seafood, or vegetables into a hot broth which is placed at the center of the table. It is an interesting way of taking a meal where there are also sometimes sauces for dipping the meat and also noodles for the soup.

36. Bun dau mam tom

This dish shows off marrow tofu, rice, and vegetables and a slimy fermented shrimp paste known as mam tom. It is the type of dish that has mixed opinions from the people because of this dippings sauce, but is enjoyed by the people who like those strong flavors.

37. Com chay

These crispy rice cakes are usually made from leftovers of rice. They are cut into slices and deep-fried, usually accompanied by toppings such as pork floss, sauce of chili, and some herbs. It’s a dry, salty munchie, or an appetizer.

38. Bo bit tet

Vietnam’s version of beefsteak, often served sizzling hot with a fried egg on top, and accompanied by fries, pâté, or bread. The dish is usually flavored with soy sauce and pepper in order to integrate both French and Vietnamese aspect.

39. Che

This dessert is a soupy and sweet pudding made out of all sorts of ingredients; beans, fruits, and coconut milk to mention a few. There are also many different kinds, which are commonly served chilled or with ice.

40. Cao lau

A dish that comes from the central region of Vietnam in the form of thick noodles with pork, garlic, vegetables, and deep-fried rice crepes in the layer, rendering contrast in the texture as well.

41. Rau muong

This stir-fried water spinach recipe may be an uncomplicated dish, but it is a favorite among many. Adding garlic and at times, chili, enhances the flavor as a vegetable accompaniment.

42. Canh bun

A noodle soup similar to bun rieu, featuring crab paste, fried tofu, and water spinach in a flavorful tomato broth. The dish is rich and savory, with a balance of textures from the various ingredients

43. Dau phu sot ca chua

In this meatless curry, tofu is cooked in a spicy tomato gravy and served. It is an easy to prepare dish but offers great satisfaction as a dish based on soft tofu and appetizing sourish tomatoes.

44. Mi xao bo

A blend of stir-fried egg noodles enriched with beef and vegetables and savory sauces that further enhance the taste. The texture of the noodles is almost crispy adding a juxtaposed textural experience to the tender beef and vegetables​.

45. Bún Thịt Nướng

Grilled pork, vermicelli noodles, fresh herbs, and fish sauce dressing create a mouth watering street food ensemble. It is refreshing and full of flavors with the distinct taste of smoked meat in the background.

46. Bún Riêu

This is a dish consisting of noodles in a soupy dish prepared with a broth that is made with tomatoes, crabs, and usually served with tofu, pork, and star-shaped vermicelli noodle. This is a dish that is clearly red in color and rather sour and salty in flavor.

47. Mi Quang

A specialty from the Quang Nam region, this dish features wide yellow rice noodles in a flavorful broth with pork, shrimp, and herbs. It’s often garnished with peanuts and sesame crackers for extra crunch

48. Hủ Tiếu

A light and sweet broth, typical of southern Vietnamese noodle soups, usually comes with shrimp, pork, and vegetables. It is an adaptable dish that offers many different regional versions and ingredient variations.

49. Bánh Bột Lọc

These chewy tapioca dumplings are filled with shrimp and pork, and are typically served with a fish sauce dip. The translucent dough gives them a distinctive, delightful texture.

50. Mì Vịt Tiềm

A dish of braised duck with egg noodles in soup, made with a dominant herbal flavor, that is influenced by the Chinese culture. The duck meat is normally seasoned and cooked until soft whereas the soup is infused with various Chinese herbal medicines for flavor.

Source : Saiga

https://saigaeatery.com/best-vietnamese-food