What Are the Top Vietnamese Dishes You Need to Try Today?
Vietnamese cuisine is renowned for its fresh ingredients, bold flavours, and healthy dishes. The culinary traditions of Vietnam have been shaped by a rich history and diverse cultural influences, resulting in a variety of dishes that are beloved worldwide. Whether you’re a seasoned foodie or new to Vietnamese cuisine, here are some top Vietnamese dishes you must try today.
1- Phở (Vietnamese Noodle Soup)
Phở is perhaps the most famous Vietnamese dish internationally. It’s a fragrant noodle soup consisting of broth, rice noodles, herbs, and meat, usually beef (phở bò) or chicken (phở gà). The magic of phở lies in its broth, simmered for hours with bones, star anise, cinnamon, and other spices to develop a deep, complex flavour.
How to Enjoy Phở
Phở is typically served with fresh herbs like Thai basil, cilantro, bean sprouts, lime wedges, and chilli peppers. You can customize your bowl by adding these ingredients to taste. Squeeze some lime, add a few chilli slices for heat, and toss the herbs for freshness. It’s a comforting and satisfying dish that’s perfect for any meal.
2- Bánh Mì (Vietnamese Sandwich)
Bánh mì is a delicious fusion of French and Vietnamese cuisine. It starts with a crispy baguette, a remnant of French colonial influence, filled with various ingredients. Typical fillings include pork, pate, cucumber, pickled carrots, daikon radish, cilantro, and a touch of mayonnaise.
Variations of Bánh Mì
There are many variations of bánh mì, so you can find a version that suits your taste. Some popular options include:
- Bánh mì thịt nướng: Grilled pork
- Bánh mì xíu mại: Meatball
- Bánh mì gà: Chicken
- Bánh mì chay: Vegetarian, often featuring tofu or mushrooms
3- Gỏi Cuốn (Vietnamese Spring Rolls)
Gỏi cuốn, also known as fresh spring or summer rolls, are light and healthy snacks or appetizers. They consist of rice paper rolled with shrimp, pork, vermicelli noodles, and fresh vegetables like lettuce, mint, and basil. They are often served with a dipping sauce made from hoisin sauce, peanut butter, and chilli.
Making Gỏi Cuốn at Home
These rolls are relatively easy to make at home. Soak the rice paper in warm water until soft, then layer your ingredients and roll them up tightly. The key is to keep the ingredients fresh and balanced.
4- Bún Bò Huế (Spicy Beef Noodle Soup)
Bún bò Huế is a spicy, savoury soup originating from the central Vietnamese city of Huế. It features thick rice noodles in a rich, tangy broth flavoured with lemongrass, shrimp paste, and chilli oil. The soup is typically garnished with thin slices of beef, pork hock, and sometimes congealed pig’s blood.
The Unique Flavors of Bún Bò Huế
This dish stands out for its spicy and robust flavours, contrasting with the lighter taste of phở. It’s often served with fresh herbs, lime wedges, and chilli slices to customize the heat and tanginess to your preference.
5- Bánh Xèo (Vietnamese Sizzling Pancake)
Bánh xèo is a savoury Vietnamese pancake made from rice flour, turmeric, and coconut milk, filled with shrimp, pork, bean sprouts, and green onions. “bánh xèo” means “sizzling cake,” referring to the sound it makes when the batter hits the hot skillet.
How to Eat Bánh Xèo
Bánh xèo is typically served with a plate of fresh lettuce, herbs, and rice paper. To eat, cut a piece of the pancake, wrap it in lettuce and herbs, and dip it in a tangy fish sauce-based dipping sauce (nước chấm). It’s a fun and interactive dish that’s both crispy and flavorful.
6- Chả Giò (Vietnamese Fried Spring Rolls)
Chả giò, or Vietnamese fried spring rolls, are a popular appetizer. They are made from rice paper filled with ground pork, mushrooms, glass noodles, and vegetables, then fried until golden and crispy. They are typically served with a dipping sauce made from fish sauce, vinegar, sugar, and garlic.
Tips for Crispy Chả Giò
For the crispiest chả giò, ensure the oil is hot enough before frying and don’t overcrowd the pan. You can also try double-frying them to maintain their crispiness.
7- Cơm Tấm (Broken Rice)
Cơm tấm, or broken rice, is a staple of southern Vietnamese cuisine. It features broken rice grains, traditionally considered lower quality but have a unique texture. The rice is typically served with grilled pork chops, shredded pork skin, fried eggs, and pickled vegetables.
Enjoying Cơm Tấm
The dish is often accompanied by fish sauce mixed with lime, chilli, and sugar, which you can drizzle over the rice for added flavour. The tender pork, the slightly chewy rice, and the tangy fish sauce create a delightful meal.
8- Bún Thịt Nướng (Grilled Pork with Vermicelli)
Bún thịt nướng is a refreshing dish featuring grilled pork served over a bed of vermicelli noodles, fresh vegetables, and herbs. It’s often topped with crushed peanuts and fried shallots for extra texture and flavour.
Customizing Your Bún Thịt Nướng
You can customize this dish by adding more vegetables, like cucumber and bean sprouts, or opting for different proteins, such as grilled shrimp or tofu, for a vegetarian option. The dish is typically served with fish sauce-based dressing, which combines all the flavours.
9- Cao Lầu (Hoi An Noodles)
Cao lầu is a regional specialty from the city of Hoi An. This dish features chewy noodles made with water from a specific regional well, giving them a unique texture. The noodles are topped with slices of pork, fresh herbs, and crispy croutons and are often served with a small amount of broth.
The Unique Ingredients of Cao Lầu
The authenticity of cao lầu is closely tied to its ingredients, mainly the water used to make the noodles. While it’s difficult to replicate precisely outside Hoi An, you can still enjoy the unique flavours and textures that make this dish special.
10- Bánh Căn (Mini Pancakes)
Bánh căn is small, savoury pancakes made from rice flour and cooked in a particular mould. They are typically topped with various ingredients such as shrimp, squid, or quail eggs and served with a dipping sauce made from fish sauce, lime, garlic, and chilli.
How to Serve Bánh Căn
These mini pancakes are best enjoyed hot off the mould. They are usually served with fresh herbs, lettuce, and a dipping sauce, making for a delightful and interactive eating experience.
11- Bò Lúc Lắc (Shaking Beef)
Bò lúc lắc, or shaking beef, is a dish featuring marinated beef cubes stir-fried with garlic, onions, and bell peppers. “shaking beef” refers to the shaking motion used to stir-fry the beef in the hot pan.
Serving Suggestions for Bò Lúc Lắc
This dish is often served with a side of rice or a fresh salad, and it’s expected to squeeze some lime juice over the top before eating to enhance the flavours. The beef is tender and flavorful, making it a favourite among meat lovers.
12- Canh Chua (Sour Soup)
Canh chua is a tangy and flavorful soup made with tamarind, pineapple, tomatoes, and various vegetables. It often includes fish or shrimp and is garnished with fresh herbs like cilantro and rice paddy herb.
The Refreshing Taste of Canh Chua
The tamarind’s sourness and the pineapple’s sweetness create a balanced and refreshing flavour profile. This soup is typically enjoyed with rice and can be a great way to start or complement a meal.
13- Xôi (Sticky Rice)
Xôi, or sticky rice, is a versatile dish that can be savoury or sweet. It is made from glutinous rice and can be combined with various ingredients. Standard savoury versions include xôi mặn (sticky rice with tasty toppings like pork and sausage) and xôi gà (sticky rice with chicken). Sweet versions might include xôi lá dứa (pandan-flavored sticky rice) or xôi đậu xanh (sticky rice with mung beans).
Making Xôi at Home
To make xôi, glutinous rice is soaked and steamed until tender. It can then be mixed with other ingredients and served as a main dish or dessert. The texture of sticky rice is chewy and satisfying, making it a favourite among many.
14- Bánh Bèo (Water Fern Cakes)
Bánh bèo are small, steamed rice cakes topped with various ingredients, such as minced shrimp, scallions, and crispy shallots. They are often served with a side of fish sauce for dipping.
How to Enjoy Bánh Bèo
These bite-sized cakes are usually served in small dishes, making them perfect for sharing. Spoon some topping onto each cake and dip it in the fish sauce for a delicious bite.
15- Chè (Vietnamese Dessert Soup)
Chè is a popular Vietnamese dessert that comes in many varieties. It is typically a sweet soup or pudding with beans, fruit, coconut milk, and jelly. Some popular types of chè include chè đậu đỏ (red bean sweet soup), chè bắp (corn sweet soup), and chè thái (fruit cocktail with coconut milk).
Enjoying Chè
Chè can be enjoyed warm or cold, making it a versatile dessert for any season. It’s often served in a bowl or glass and can be layered with different ingredients for a colourful and tasty treat.
To Sum Up
Vietnamese cuisine offers a rich tapestry of flavours and textures, ranging from light and fresh to bold and hearty. Each dish tells a story of Vietnam’s culinary heritage and cultural influences, making it a fascinating and delicious journey for any food lover. Whether you’re trying phở for the first time or indulging in the complex flavours of bún bò Huế, these top Vietnamese dishes are sure to delight your taste buds and leave you craving more. So, why not start your culinary adventure today and explore the vibrant world of Vietnamese cuisine?
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