Vietnam is famous for numerous beautiful natural views and a variety of unique dishes. This is the reason why Vietnam is an ideal place for tourists to visit. An abundance of cuisine with unforgettable flavors has gradually brought Vietnamese culture closer to the world. The local foods in 63 provinces vary greatly. The great number of available dishes will make you confused.

So which Vietnamese food should you choose to enjoy? Here’s the answer; if you do not know how to get information related to the best local foods, Vietnamtour.in would like to recommend the list below.

Bun Cha – Hanoi-Style Grilled Pork with Rice Noodles

How to make Hanoi-Style Grilled Pork with Rice Noodles? For meatballs and grilled meatballs, you have to choose bacon and soft chuck meat. You can marinate the meats with fish sauce, pepper, and onions. After grilling, place them into the cup of sauce. The sauce must be a harmonious combination of the salty taste of fish sauce, the sweetness of sugar, the sourness of vinegar, and the spicy chili.

It doesn’t stop there; to get more flavors for a cup of sauce, people often add papayas and carrots. You should use some crushed peanuts and vegetables such as lettuce, marjoram, perilla, basil, etc. Still not convinced? I highly recommend it to you because it is cheap and easy to find in Hanoi.

Where to try

Bun Cha Huong Lien (aka “Obama Bun Cha”): 24 Le Van Huu Street, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi
Bun Cha Dac Kim: 1 Hang Manh Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

Bun Bo Hue – Hue-Style Beef Vermicelli Soup

Let’s jump right in; Hue-style Beef Vermicelli Soup is a dish with the typical taste of Hue. It is very sophisticated in the processing stage. A beef vermicelli soup bowl is abundant in the aroma of lemongrass, the spicy flavor of chili, the fatty taste of meat, meatballs, cooking oil, and pig blood curd.

First, the “soul” of Hue-Style Beef Vermicelli Soup is the soup. It is made by stewing pork bones and beef bones with some vegetables. The broth is clear, sweet, and not fat. Here’s the thing; the main spices of Hue-Style Beef Vermicelli Soup include sauce, lemongrass, chili, and fish sauce. Why is lemongrass used in this dish? The essential oils of lemongrass have a strong aroma to neutralize the smell of fish sauce. The beef mixes with a little fish sauce and pepper and then becomes soft and sweet.

Where to try

Bun Bo Hue O Cuong Chu Diep: 6 Tran Thuc Nhan Street, Vinh Ninh Ward, Hue
Bun Bo Hue Ba Tuyet: 47 Nguyen Cong Tru Street, Phu Hoi Ward, Hue

Quang-Style Noodle

Quang-Style Noodle is a dish that introduces you to Quang Nam and Central provinces. Quang-style Noodle is made from rice but has a distinct flavor. Quang Nam province is the origin of this kind of food. How do you make the noodles? Use delicious rice soaked softly in water, grind it into fine flour, make it into a piece of noodle, then slice horizontally to have thin noodles about 2 mm in width. Its color is white or yellow.

Quang-style Noodle includes shrimp, pork or chicken, crushed rice paper, roasted peanut, and spices. The delicious broth is a secret to making noodles go into your hearts. But wait, there’s more; this dish will be delicious if served with lettuce, lemon, chili, basil, cilantro, bean sprouts, chopped spinach, banana blossom, and herbs such as mint leaves, houttuynia, cabbage, coriander, and onion.

It is not hard for you to find out where to eat during your tour to Central Vietnam. You can come to Quang-Style Noodle food courts in Hoi An Ancient Town to enjoy the distinctive flavor of this dish.

Where to try

Mi Quang Ba Mua: 95 Nguyen Tri Phuong Street, Thanh Khe District, Da Nang
Mi Quang Thi: 208 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Son Phong Ward, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province

Sliced Pork Rolled With Rice Paper in Danang City

Sliced Pork Rolled With Rice Paper is a delicious specialty in Danang City. Its main ingredient is boiled pork. This dish will be great if you eat it with cucumbers, green bananas, lettuce, basil, peppermint, perilla, etc. And it doesn’t stop there; the unique attraction of this dish is anchovy sauce. But wait, you should use ginger, lemongrass, pineapples, chili, and carrots to make this sauce more appealing.

How do you eat it? First, spread rice paper. Next, arrange vegetables, cucumbers, green bananas, pineapples, and meat on the top of rice paper, then tightly wrap, dip in anchovy sauce, and enjoy your meals.

The cost is about $3 for 7 or 8 rolls, which can make you feel full after eating. It is quite cheap, isn’t it? The dish is very popular in Danang, so you can easily find some restaurants or street vendors to enjoy.

Where to try

Quan Tran: 300 Hai Phong Street, Thanh Khe District, Da Nang
Ba Mua Restaurant: 19 Tran Binh Trong Street, Hai Chau District, Da Nang

Spring Rolls

If you’re looking for a traditional delicacy that served in Vietnam for hundreds of years now, then look no further than Spring Rolls. These mouth-watering rolls are a mixture of minced pork, mushroom or jew’s ear wrapped in rice paper. The chefs have to fry them until the cover is brown and crunchy. You can taste spring rolls immediately once it’s deep-fried, but it is even better when you dip these rolls in a small bow of seasoned Vietnamese fish sauce. Beyond the fun crunchy sounds when eating, the unique flavors of Spring Rolls are impeccable.

Where to try

Nha Hang Ngon: 160 Pasteur Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Nem Cua Be: 92 Tran Phu Street, Ngo Quyen District, Hai Phong

Banh Xeo

Banh Xeo is one of the favorite Western-friendly dishes to most of the tourists to Vietnam thanks to its exclusive flavor and reasonable price. It is a special kind of Vietnamese pancake, which is made of rice flour and turmeric. Inside the pancake, we often have minced pork, shrimp and beansprouts. Banh Xeo is served with a bowl of dipping fish sauce, vegetable pickles, and fresh herbs. You can also add more spices, pepper, chili, vinegar or sugar to fulfill your own taste.

Where to try

Banh Xeo: 46A Dinh Cong Trang Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Banh Xeo Ba Duong: K280/23 Hoang Dieu Street, Hai Chau District, Da Nang

Banh Mi

Banh Mi is widely well-known all over the world as an attractive baguette of Vietnam. Banh Mi can be found in every corner of the country, from the rural towns of Northern Vietnam to the bustling cities of Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi, to the tranquil land of Mekong Delta. There are many types of Banh Mi in Vietnam so you will have a lot of choices depending on your own tastes. Banh Mi is often packed with vegetables, Vietnamese sausages, BBQ Pork, cucumber, and some spicy sauces. At only $1.5, you will have nothing better than a jam-packed banh mi in Vietnam.

Where to try

Banh Mi Huynh Hoa: 26 Le Thi Rieng Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Banh Mi 25: 25 Hang Ca Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

Hu Tieu Nam Vang

This noodle dish is derived from the Chinese people, but during the past few decades, this dish has gradually absorbed into the culinary culture of Vietnamese people with many different variations.

The main ingredient of this dish is pork, shrimp, sliced pork, chopped pork, and pork ribs broth. Depending on the processing of the region, this dish may be added with quail eggs, squid, pork liver,… But the most characteristic of this dish is the special aroma of fried garlic. Thanks to such a small and important ingredient, a bowl of Hu Tieu has a delicious taste that is hard to find in any other dish.

Where to try

Hu Tieu Nam Vang Nha Trang: 4A Nguyen Thien Thuat Street, Tan Lap Ward, Nha Trang
Hu Tieu Nam Vang Thanh Xuan: 133A Le Thi Rieng Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Xoi Xeo

When wandering around the streets in Hanoi, it’s not hard to spot a vendor selling Xoi Xeo – the cheapest and top-rated Vietnamese street food for breakfast in Hanoi.

The special feature of Xoi Xeo is sticky rice seed, yellow-seeded by soaking with turmeric. These fragrant sticky rice seeds when given to customers will be added with green bean slices and pureed grips prepared in advance. Finally, fried onion is sprinkled all over the dish. It’s even better when Xoi Xeo is wrapped in a lotus leaf as it used to be in the past. It is good to enjoy a small package of sticky rice, taste fleshy of the bean paste blended with sticky rice along with the crunch of the fried onion.

Where to try

Xoi Yen: 35B Nguyen Huu Huan Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
Xoi Xeo Mut: Situated at 6A Hoang Sa Street, Ho Chi Minh City

The Vegetable Hotpot in Dalat

If you are a vegetarian, Dalat is a good place for you to visit. You will have a memorable experience when trying the vegetable buffet in Dalat. Green vegetables in Dalat are very fresh. You can eat a vegetable buffet with different tastes of hot pots. This dish is an ideal option when dining in the late and cold evening with a temperature of about 15 degrees Celsius.

Wait! The most delicious vegetable buffet is served at Léguda Buffet Restaurant, located on Floor 1, Dalat Cable Car Station, Dalat city. Price ranges from 39,000 VND to 200,000 VND (about from $1.68 to $8.61), which is affordable, even for those with a tight budget. For those who are not vegetarian, you can order pork, beef, seafood or pork ribs to eat along with the fresh vegetables on the table.

Where to try

Lau Thap Cam Dalat: 26 Hoang Hoa Tham Street, District 10, Da Lat
Lau Chay Hoa Sen: 6 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, District 1, Da Lat

La Vong Grilled Fish

La Vong grilled fish is a type of fish cake made from sliced fish. Fresh catfish is commonly used because it has fewer bones, sweeter flesh, and a fragrant taste. After being cleaned, the fish is filleted on both sides to get the meat, which is then thinly sliced and marinated with spices. Next, the fish is grilled using a wire grill. During the grilling process, it is necessary to fan the fire and turn the pieces evenly so that both sides are cooked thoroughly.

To fully enjoy the flavor of this dish, you must eat it immediately after it is grilled and the oil is still hot. La Vong grilled fish is usually served with rice vermicelli, fermented shrimp paste, various herbs, dill, and roasted peanuts. To fully enjoy the flavor of this dish, you must eat it immediately after it is grilled and the oil is still hot.

Where to try

Cha Ca La Vong: 14 Cha Ca Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
Cha Ca Thang Long: 21 Duong Thanh Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

Pho

Pho is a traditional dish and also one of the most famous foods in Vietnam. The main ingredients of Pho are noodles and broth, along with beef or chicken. The broth of Pho is meticulously prepared, combining special spices to create an unforgettable delicious flavor. Additionally, pho is served with condiments such as soy sauce, pepper, lime, fish sauce, chili, etc. Pho Hanoi and Pho Nam Dinh were recognized as national intangible cultural heritage in 2024. Moreover, Pho has also received many other prestigious international awards.

Where to try

Pho 10 Ly Quoc Su: 10 Ly Quoc Su Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
Pho Dinh: 25 Nguyen Van Cu Street, Thanh Khe District, Da Nang
Pho Hoa: 260C Pasteur Street, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City

Cao Lau

Cao Lau is a Vietnamese dish that is famous in the central region. It can be considered a specialty of the ancient town of Hoi An. Cao Lau is a type of yellow noodle served with a small amount of broth (made from pork bone). The accompanying ingredients include char siu pork, shrimp, pork, some fresh herbs, and crispy rice crackers. Cao Lau consists of three parts: the noodles (made from wheat flour), the broth, and the toppings, and is usually eaten with fresh herbs. The name “Cao Lau” means a luxurious delicacy enjoyed on a high floor. In other words, diners can enjoy the dish while taking in the beautiful scenery of Hoi An from above.

Where to try

Cao Lau Ba Met: 26 Thai Phien Street, Minh An Street, Hoi An
Cao Lau Thanh: 12 Thai Phien Street, Minh An Street, Hoi An

Egg Coffee

Hanoi egg coffee is a perfect combination of the bitterness of coffee and the sweetness of egg yolk. The main ingredients of egg coffee include Espresso, Arabica or Robusta coffee, egg yolk, sugar, and condensed milk. The meticulous preparation process, combined with these ingredients, creates a Hanoi egg coffee with an irresistible taste that leaves a deep impression from the first sip. Any visitor to Hanoi cannot forget the flavor of egg coffee here.

Where to try

Giang Cafe: 39 Nguyen Huu Huan Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
Cafe Dinh: 13 Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

Crab Noodle Soup

Crab noodle soup is a traditional Vietnamese dish, widely known both domestically and internationally. The crab paste is made from crab roe, ground crab meat, and is cooked with sour tamarind, tomatoes, lard, vinegar, fish sauce, salt, and scallions. Crab noodle soup is often enhanced with a bit of shrimp paste for a richer flavor and is typically served with fresh herbs. This dish has a light, tangy taste, making it a favorite among Vietnamese people, especially in the summer. On the streets of Vietnam, there are many vendors selling crab noodle soup.

Where to try

Bun Rieu Cua Ganh: 29 Hang Giay Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
Bun Rieu Cua: 7B Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Khot Cake

Khot cake is a distinctive type of cake from Southern Vietnam, specifically a specialty of Vung Tau. Khot cake is a unique combination of seafood, fresh herbs, and the rich flavor of sweetened fish sauce. It is usually made from rice flour or tapioca flour. The filling of Khot cake typically consists of fresh small shrimp, of moderate size, with the shells removed. The cakes are also topped with a bit of crispy shrimp and fragrant scallion oil.

The dipping sauce served with Khot cake is usually made from fish sauce mixed with warm water, garlic, and lime juice. The rich, sweet, and sour taste of the sauce creates a perfect flavor that makes bánh khọt distinct from any other dish.

Where to try

Banh Khot 14: 14 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Banh Khot Hai Thuong: 15A Le Loi Street, District 7, Vung Tau City

Banana Flower Salad

Banana flower salad is a familiar dish in Vietnam. It is one of the rustic, countryside dishes that is rich in rural flavor and is popular in all three regions: North, Central, and South. Today, this dish has appeared on the menus of large and small restaurants throughout Vietnam. It has become one of the dishes that carry a traditional, simple, and refreshing taste.

This dish offers a harmonious blend of four flavors: salty, sweet, sour, and spicy. When eaten, it has the slightly astringent taste of banana blossom, the aroma of fresh herbs, the crunchy texture of pig’s ear, and a hint of the nuttiness of peanuts. Served with sweet and sour fish sauce, it leaves a lasting impression on those who try it.

Where to try

Nom Hoa Chuoi 65: 65B Nguyen Van Cu Street, Long Bien District, Hanoi
Nom Hoa Chuoi Ha Noi Xua: 21 Hang Than Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi

Vietnamese Steamed Rice Rolls

Vietnamese steamed rice rolls (or Banh Cuon) is a distinctive dish in Vietnamese cuisine, featuring a thin rice sheet rolled with various fillings inside. The Banh Cuon wrapper is typically made from a mixture of rice flour, tapioca starch, and sometimes even potato starch, all finely ground.

Banh Cuon is usually served with Vietnamese pork sausage, cinnamon sausage, fermented pork, cucumber, and bean sprouts, accompanied by sweet fish sauce or served with broth made from simmered bones. Each region’s version of Banh Cuon has its own unique flavor.

Where to try

Banh Cuon Gia An: 29 Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Hai Chau District, Da Nang
Banh Cuon Thanh Van: 14B Phan Chu Trinh Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
Banh Cuon Tay Ho: 26B Thuy Khue Street, Tay Ho District, Hanoi

Saigon Broken Rice

Saigon broken rice is a dish with the main ingredient being broken rice. Broken rice is the fragment of rice grains, which occurs during the milling process and includes both rice bran and the germ. This results in a dish that is both flavorful and nutritious. Fish sauce can be considered the soul of the dish, and its preparation varies depending on regional tastes. Saigon broken rice is usually served with grilled pork, eggs, egg meatloaf, and thinly sliced pork skin mixed with roasted rice or corn powder.

Where to try

Com Tam Ba Ghien: 84 De Tham Street, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Com Tam Sai Gon: 110 Nguyen Tri Phuong Street, Ward 9, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City
Com Tam Binh Dan: 50 Nguyen Cong Tru Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Iced Milk Coffee

Vietnamese iced coffee is extremely familiar to Vietnamese people. Vietnamese coffee is different from that of other countries around the world. It has a simple, deep essence like the Vietnamese people themselves, yet it is impressively distinctive due to its refined and unique flavor. Vietnamese people use sweetened condensed milk, which enhances the rich flavor of the coffee.

Additionally, the method of making Vietnamese iced coffee is very special. Vietnam uses finely ground coffee, which is placed in a traditional drip filter (phin) and hot water is poured over it. Each drop of the rich, thick coffee drips through the special filter and blends with the condensed milk to create a robust cup of iced coffee. Many people add ice according to their preference, and this is also the preference of most Vietnamese people.

Where to try

Cafe Giang: 39 Nguyen Huu Huan Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
The Workshop: 27 Ngo Duc Ke Street, District, Ho Chi Minh City
Cafe Do: 110A Le Loi Street, Hai Chau District, Da Nang

Conclusion

When traveling to Vietnam, you should visit some popular destinations or cities to try the dishes I mentioned above to learn more about the essence of Vietnamese food culture. These cuisines demonstrate the creativity of the local people and their efforts to offer unique traditional dishes. Book our Vietnam tour packages today to indulge in exquisite Vietnamese cuisine while marveling at the stunning scenery.

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