Vietnamese food is so underrated and absolutely delicious - atleast, thats what everyone who has been to Vietnam will tell you. Not only is the food delicioous, it is considered very healthy (its no surprise that Vietnamese people are some of the least obese in the world as of 2024) thanks to the ingredients and the how they cook it!
This What to Eat in Vietnam thread is specifically to talk about Vietnamese food - the best dishes to try, the must-eat recipies and bizarre foods that others may tell you to avoid (or not even tell you about!).
Hopefully, it helps a hungry traveller with some inspiration (and information) to taste some incredible vietnamese specialties.
Some of the best places to try these dishes are the night markets in Hanoi Old Quarter (near Hoan Kiem Lake), in the Ho Chi Minh City Walking Street (Bui Vien area), Da Lat Night market and Hoi An Night market (after crossing the lantern bridge)
Here’s a list of the most popular Vietnamese foods that I can quickly recollect:
- Pho: Hanoi is the birthplace of pho, a flavorful noodle soup with beef or chicken, served with fresh herbs and lime
- Bun Cha: Grilled pork served with rice noodles, fresh herbs, and dipping sauce, a must-try Hanoi specialty
- Cau Lau: Special flat noodles cooked in a vegetable or beef broth for many hours (it is a Hoi An specialty)
- Cam Tam (Broken Rice): A popular dish of grilled pork, shredded pork skin, steamed egg, and pickled vegetables
- Banh Mi: A Vietnamese sandwich with a French influence, typically filled with grilled meat, pate, pickled vegetables, and cilantro in a crusty baguette
- Cha Ca: Grilled fish seasoned with turmeric and dill, served with rice noodles, peanuts, and herbs
- Che (Vietnamese Dessert): A sweet dessert soup with various ingredients like beans, fruits, and tapioca. You can also find a less-soupy version of this at many street food joints
- Banh Trang Nuong (Vietnamese Pizza): A popular Vietnamese street food made with rice paper, egg, sauces, and toppings from Da Lat, in southern Vietnam
And here’s a list of the most popular Vietnamese drinks:
- Egg Coffee: A unique Hanoi creation, featuring coffee topped with a creamy mixture of egg yolk and sweetened condensed milk
- Bia Hoi (Fresh Beer): Locally brewed draft beer, served in many street-side eateries
- Ruou Nep Cam (Sticky Rice Wine): A sweet wine made from fermented black sticky rice
- Ruou Sim (Rose Myrtle Wine): A fruit wine made from the rose myrtle fruit
Note for Vegetarians:
If you are vegetarian, ask for the “An Chay” version which is without meat or vegetarian. However, also specify no chicken, fish and egg that sometimes is considered vegetarian by the Vietnamese vendors.
Have you had any of these dishes? Which one did you like best? Want to suggest more Vietnamese foods? Share them here as responses/comments on this thread. This will be very helpful to fellow travellers and members of this travel community who are planning a trip to Vietnam.
