The flavors and freshness of Vietnamese cuisine are irresistible. Youâll find a vendor selling something that looks and smells delicious on every corner. Itâs only natural that youâd want to sample it all, but unfortunately thereâs so many amazing foods in Vietnam that this may not be possible. Our recommendation is to try as much as possible, however below youâll find eight dishes that you simply cannot leave Vietnam without trying:
1. Pho

The most well-known Vietnamese food is probably Pho, and for good reason. This savory, satisfying soup is a staple in Vietnamese cuisine, and youâll primarily see people eating it for breakfast. However, feel free to order a bowl whenever you want; thereâs never a bad time for Pho. This beloved soup starts as rice noodles bathed in a tasty broth, typically followed by some form of beef (if youâre a vegetarian, skip the meat). The soup is then topped with bean sprouts and a spattering of greens like basil and green onion. Pho is served with salty, spicy, fermented fish sauce and a lime wedge. This is a popular dish thatâs been adapted in restaurants worldwide, however Pho is an absolute must-try in its country of origin.
2. Banh Bao

This soft, doughy, ball of steamed white bread is a common breakfast food or mid-day snack often sold from mobile street vendors. The bun is typically filled with pork and half a hard-boiled egg or quail egg, however there are many other varieties including BBQ pork, chicken, or vegetarian-friendly options. There are even sweet buns, stuffed with a custard-y filling, or the purple-colored buns which usually contain sweet potato.
3. Goi Cuon

These are the freshest spring rolls youâll ever taste. The transparent rice paper outside wraps up greens, coriander, pork, and prawn in a perfect bite-sized package. Gá»i Cuá»n is served with a savory dipping sauce topped with crushed peanuts and spicy chili peppers. Usually a little mint or basil accompanies the dish on the side. These are a great choice if youâre looking for a healthy appetizer. If youâre not too bothered about the calories, you can also order them deep-fried (called Nem RĂĄn or CháșŁ giĂČ).
4. Banh Cuon

Banh Cuon translates to âârolled cakeââ, which is a pretty accurate description of what it is. This scaled-up version of the spring roll packs a few more ingredients than its slimmer counterpart. The main components of the rolled cake is a ground meat (pork, chicken or shrimp) and various vegetables like mushrooms, bean sprouts, onion, and cucumber all wrapped up in a steamed translucent rice paper. Itâs a perfect grab-and-go snack favored among travelers who need to stay fueled and energized for all that sightseeing.
5. Vietnamese Coffee

If youâre looking to jump-start your day or need a little kick in the afternoon, look no further than Vietnamese coffee. Once you order a cĂ phĂȘ, youâll get to watch your drink brewed right in front of you. Youâll be served a petite glass coffee cup with a metal French drip plunked right on top of the glass. The dark roast slowly drips through the filter and into your cup. Itâs common for Vietnamese coffee to be served with condensed sweet milk on the side or already portioned out in the coffee cup. The combination of the milkâs sticky sweetness and the coffeeâs flavorful bitterness is unmatched by any other cup oâ Joe in the world.
6. Banh Mi

Best described as a French-Vietnamese fusion sandwich, this is one of Vietnamâs tastiest and cheapest quick meals. A French-style baguette is toasted with butter, spread with a salty pate, stuffed with fresh and pickled vegetables, and includes your choice of meat or protein filling (pork, fish, chicken, or egg/omelet). One of these will run you roughly $1, which means you can totally afford to come back for seconds.
7. Mi Quang

If a big bowl of carbs is what youâre craving then Mi Quang fits the bill. Rice noodles seasoned with turmeric and bone broth are topped with pork, quail eggs, and shrimp. Itâs served with a plate of greens (like many dishes in Vietnam) with basil, mint, and lettuce. Cheap and filling – just what every budget backpacker needs.
8. BĂĄnh XĂšo

Itâs hard to resist the sound and smell of pancake batter frying in a pan and thatâs exactly what makes BĂĄnh XĂšo one of Vietnamâs best foods. Literally translating to âsizzling cakeâ, BĂĄnh XĂšo is a cross between a sweet crepe and a savory omelet. The batter is made from rice flour, coconut milk, and turmeric. The mixture is fried in a skillet, then filled with bean sprouts, green onion, and thinly sliced pork or shrimp. This dish is typically served with a bunch of greens which you can use to wrap up torn off bits of the BĂĄnh XĂšo. Stuff a few mint or basil leaves in the wrap, then dunk it in the salty, fermented peanut sauce. Now youâre eating like a local!
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If thereâs one rule of thumb for traveling in Vietnam, itâs to come hungry and eat often. The only mistake you can make is leaving the country without trying one of our top 8 picks!
