Food

Top 7 Vietnamese Dishes You Should Try For Better Health

Vietnamese Dishes You Should Try

March 25th, 2019   |   Updated on June 25th, 2022

Vietnam is divided into many regions. In each region of the country, people have different appetites, which contributes to bringing the richness and diversity to Vietnamese dishes. For those who first Explore One Vietnam, deciphering a list of Vietnamese dishes. can be overwhelming. Therefore, I wanted to share my culinary experience with you. This article is a list of the ten traditional Vietnamese dishes that you should try.

 

1. Pho (Vietnamese Noodle Soup)

Pho (Vietnamese Noodle Soup)

Pho is the culinary essence of the Vietnamese people if you come to Vietnam without trying a bowl of Pho, especially Northern Pho, you will be like never come to Vietnam. As a traditional Vietnamese dish, Pho is one of the typical dishes for Northern Vietnamese cuisine. The processing of broth for Pho is the most important step. The traditional Pho broth needs to be simmered from bovine bone and some secret spices.

Northern Pho or, especially, Pho in Hanoi has a light sweetness from grilled ginger, anise and the aroma of beef cooked to the point. Hanoi Pho broth’s color is often clear, beef is thicky sliced, and the white noodles are tender, thin and soft on the tongue. This traditional flavor of Pho certainly will bring the most satisfying feeling for all tourists, even the most demanding one.

 

2. Com Tam (Broken Rice)

This simple meal, is one of the most popular dishes from South Vietnam at any time of the day, but particular in the morning. It is usually served grilled marinated pork chops. On top of the meat, there are several customary ingredients such as: finely sliced cucumber, tomato and pickled vegetables, fried egg, and grilled prawns.

Though you can find com tam on almost any Saigonese street corner, there are some outstanding places to find an extraordinary experience. Our favourite is hidden away from the usual tourist traps in the center in District 3 and the family running the restaurant for more than 40 years, with most of their reputation garnered from word of mouth praise. If you’re craving a cheap yet satisfying meal, be sure to check out this spot.

The address is 260 Vo Van Tan, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City and is reachable by a taxi in ten minutes from District 1.

 

3. Banh Mi (Bánh Mì)

Unlike Pho which hails from northern Vietnam, the Banh Mi sandwich originates from the southern part of the country, allegedly in Saigon. Though they’re available all over the country, you will find the best Banh Mi sandwiches in Vietnam’s southern and central cities.

Today the typical Vietnamese banh mi consists of mayonnaise, pate, sliced ham and pork, pickled vegetables, coriander, and hot sauce. The fusion of flavours between the Vietnamese fillings and French baguette makes this delicious meal a favourite of many.

Pro Tip: Be sure to eat a Banh Mi in Hoi An

Banh Mi Phuong
Address: 2B Phan Chu Trinh Street, Hoi An Town, Quang Nam Province

Banh Mi Madam Khanh
Address: 115 Tran Cao Van, Hoi An Town, Quang Nam Province

 

4. Bun Bo Hue

If you are a soup lover then you will be pleased to learn that Bun Bo Hue is another classic Vietnamese dish. Bún Bò Huế (or Hue beef noodle soup) has always been a popular staple food of the Vietnamese people, known widely for its exquisite and special taste. Like its name suggests, the dish originated from Hue city, and it makes use of various spices and herbs to bring about that very distinctive flavor.

There are delicious versions of it all over Vietnam, and in our opinion some of the best bun bo Hue in Ho Chi Minh City can be found. Take a visit to Nhan Tri (295 Le Hong Phong, Ward 2, District 5) which is only 15 minutes away from the center of Saigon, to discover the rich taste and large portions that are adored by locals.

 

6. Banh Xeo

This dish is a Vietnamese version of the famous French crepe. The wrapper is made of the coconut milk, Rice flour mixture and a bit of turmeric flour and the filling are pork, shrimps, bean sprout

Banh xeo is eaten with many different types of herbs, lettuce and the sweet fish sauce. The side of banh xeo in the South is much bigger than it’s in the Central. Locals usually gather with their group of friends or family to share the banh xeo and their stories together.

Price range:

45,000 – 60,000 VND (Banh xeo in the South)
5,000 – 15,000 VND (Banh xeo in the Central)

 

7. Bun Rieu (Tomato Crab Soup)

Tomato Crab Soup

The interplay between crab and tomato makes bún riêu a truly standout dish. A hearty soup bursting with acidity, the components of this meal include slippery bún, fresh crab meat, blocks of tofu and stewed tomatoes. Cooking an authentic bowl of bún riêu is a labour-intensive process.

After the crab meat is separated from the body, the shell is then pulverized using a mortar and pestle and then strained through to form the base of the broth. Floating around the bowl are pillowy clusters of minced crab combined with ground pork and egg that melt in your mouth.

Try it: Bún Riêu Cua Thanh Hồng, 42 Hòa Mã, Ngô Thì Nhậm, Hai Bà Trưng, Hanoi