5 Vietnamese dishes you won't want to miss!
1. Pho
No trip to Vietnam would be complete without a bowl of pho. This delicious noodle soup is one of the most famous and popular Vietnamese dishes. There are plenty of variations but in general noodles are served in broth with herbs, spices and slices of meat. Your pho will usually also be accompanied by a bowl of fresh herbs, chilli sauce and lime wedges, so you can tailor it to your own tastes. This combined with the regional variations mean it’s well worth trying pho everywhere you go and finding your favourite.
2. Bun Bo Hue
Pho is far from the only noodle dish on the menu in Vietnam. Bun Bo Hue, the traditional dish of the former capital Hue in central Vietnam is a tasty beef and noodle soup, fragrant with lemongrass. Just like pho, once you’ve tried this aromatic rice noodle soup, you’re probably going to have it a few more times and the usual accompaniments of spring onion, lime and chilli sauce mean you can enhance the flavours that suit your taste buds.
3. Banh Xeo
Sometimes referred to as ‘Vietnamese crepes’, these thin, crispy pancakes should definitely make your list of dishes to try while in Vietnam. If you come across these sizzling away at a street food stall, don’t be deceived by their simple appearance. These tasty rice flour pancakes, which can be stuffed with a variety of fillings, are one of the best Vietnamese dishes there is. If you’re visiting Hue, be sure to try the region’s speciality Banh Khoai. These pancakes are similar to Banh Xeo but slightly thicker and smaller.
4. Banh Mi
Vietnam’s history has had a huge influence on its food culture. One of the most famous examples of this is Banh Mi. This tasty sandwich demonstrates the French-influence as banh mi is a type of baguette. Meanwhile the fillings can often be a real fusion, including a mixture of meats, vegetables and condiments, from pâté to chilli sauce. Whichever fillings you opt for, there’s no doubt that banh mi makes the perfect lunchtime snack.
5. Ca Phe Trung
There are so many amazing Vietnamese foods, but no list of Vietnamese dishes would be complete without mentioning Ca Phe Trung, or egg coffee. It might not sound the most appetising idea but once you’ve tried this velvety smooth caffeine hit, you’ll wonder why you haven’t been drinking egg coffee your whole life (and why there still isn’t an egg coffee shop back home!).
So, there we have it, five of the best Vietnamese dishes to get your taste buds dancing with delight. This list, however, is far from comprehensive and Vietnam truly offers a unique and tantalising opportunity for foodies. What’s more, there is a huge variety of ways to immerse yourself in a Vietnamese culinary adventure. From thrilling vespa tours in Ho Chi Minh City to cooking classes with local families, street food tours in Hanoi to more rural farm-to-table experiences, there’s certainly something for everyone. Have we tickled your tastebuds? Contact Jen to find out more and get planning your Vietnam tour.
Written credit to Sarah Bowtell of Zanjabeel Translations.
