Check our list of famous food in Vietnam: Goi Cuon (Spring rolls), Banh mi, Banh xeo (Vietnamese pancake), Bun Cha, Pho, Mi Quang …
Goi Cuon (Spring rolls)
Goi Cuon are translucent spring rolls packed with greens, coriander, and minced pork or shrimp. A southern variation has barbecued strips of pork wrapped up with a green banana and star fruit, and then dunked in a rich peanut sauce – every bit as tasty as it sounds.
Banh mi
Banh mi is one of the most popular street foods in Vietnam – and once you’ve read what goes into it, you’ll be desperate to try it out for yourself! The Vietnamese sandwich was first created during French colonial rule during the 19th century. Banh mi uses a French baguette and is filled with a delicious selection of ingredients.
Banh xeo (Vietnamese pancake)
These enormous, cheap and filling Vietnamese pancakes contains shrimp, pork, bean sprouts and egg. They are fried, wrapped in rice paper with greens and dunked in a fish sauce (Nuoc Cham) before eaten.
Bun Cha
Bun Cha is a Hanoi specialty. You’ll find bun cha at food stalls and street kitchens across the city. The pork is barbecued on an open charcoal brazier and served on a bed of cold rice noodles with assorted foliage and a broth.
Pho
The country’s great staple dish is Pho (pronounced “fuh”). This noodle soup can be eaten at any time of day but is primarily eaten at breakfast. It originated in the north of the country but is now a national dish of Vietnam. A bowl of Pho consists of a light beef or chicken broth flavoured with ginger and coriander, to which are added broad, flat rice noodles and spring onions. Meat-wise, slivers of chicken, pork or beef are then added.
Mi Quang
Mi Quang is an underrated and affordable noodle dish that’s a Hanoi specialty. Ingredients vary by establishment, but expect to see a simple bowl of meat noodles with additions like flavoursome oils, fresh sprigs of leaves, shrimp, peanuts, mint and quail eggs.
Com tam (Broken Rice)
Com Tam is served with either grilled/steamed/shredded pork (usually grilled), fish or simply a fried egg. And this being Vietnam food, it wouldn’t be complete without a squeeze of lime, a sprinkle of fresh herbs and a smattering of spring onion.
Banh Cuon (Filled Rice Batter Pancakes)
This is another interesting dish to try and can be found on many a street corner, but also in some of the fanciest Vietnamese restaurants in town. Originating in the north of Vietnam, it is a joy to watch the street sellers at work, producing these little bundles of joy.
Xôi (Sticky Rice)
Finally, a well-known staple in Vietnamese diets, comes from the more mountainous areas of Vietnam. Xôi has found its way into virtually every town and city across the country. Often eaten for breakfast, there are so many different versions of this dish it’s quite hard to keep up.
