Discover Traditional Food in Vietnam: Typical Dishes & Main Cuisine Highlights

04/10/2024

Embark on a culinary journey through Vietnam and discover the rich flavors of its traditional food in Vietnam. From the iconic pho to the beloved banh mi, Vietnam’s cuisine is a vibrant fusion of fresh ingredients, bold spices, and time-honored techniques. Whether you're a foodie or simply curious, these typical dishes offer a true taste of the country’s cultural heritage

Traditional Vietnamese dishes 

  • Banh mi
  • Pho 
  • Chung Cake 
  • Translucent Spring Rolls (Goi Cuon)
  • Hue Beef Noodle Soup (Bun bo Hue)
  • Broken Rice (Com tam)
  • Hanoi Specialty (Bun cha)
  • Sticky Rice (Xoi)
  • Vietnamese Pancake (Banh Xeo)
  • Vietnamese Steamed Rice Rolls (Banh Cuon)

Banh mi - A Vietnamese Street Food Delight

traditional food in Vietnam

Banh mi is a popular street food in Vietnam, renowned for its delicious combination of flavors and textures. With a crispy exterior and a soft interior, filled with various savory ingredients, bánh mì offers a unique and satisfying culinary experience.

Popular Types of Banh mi:

  • Bánh mì thịt: The most common type, filled with grilled pork, pâté, and vegetables.
  • Bánh mì chả cá: Filled with fried fish cakes, herbs, and vegetables.
  • Bánh mì trứng: Filled with a fried egg, vegetables, and condiments.

Pho - A Vietnamese Culinary Icon

Pho is a quintessential Vietnamese dish that has gained global recognition for its delicious flavors and satisfying aroma. With a flavorful broth, tender noodles, and succulent meat, pho offers a delightful culinary experience.

Popular Types of Pho:

  • Phở bò: The most common type, made with beef broth and thinly sliced beef.
  • Phở gà: Made with chicken broth and chicken meat.
  • Phở tái: Served with rare beef that is cooked upon contact with the hot broth. 

Chung Cake - The Soul of Vietnamese Tet

Chung Cake is one of the most significant symbols of Tet, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year. With its square shape representing the Earth and Heaven, bánh chưng holds deep meaning, symbolizing family reunion and togetherness. 

Enjoying Chung Cake: 

Chung cake is typically cut into square pieces and served with pickled leeks and carrots. The taste of bánh chưng is a harmonious blend of savory pork, sweet mung beans, and the fragrant aroma of the dong leaves.

Translucent Spring Rolls - A Vietnamese Delight

Goi cuon, also known as Vietnamese spring rolls, is a popular and refreshing dish that showcases the vibrant flavors and textures of Vietnamese cuisine. These delicate rolls are filled with a variety of fresh ingredients, wrapped in rice paper, and served with a dipping sauce.

Hue Beef Noodle Soup - A Flavorful Hue Delicacy

Hue Beef Noodle Soup is a renowned Vietnamese noodle soup that originates from the ancient city of Hue. Known for its bold and complex flavors, this dish is a must-try for any food lover visiting Vietnam.

Broken Rice (Com tam) - The Iconic Street Food of Saigon

Broken Rice is a popular and iconic street food in Vietnam, especially in the South. Although its name might suggest broken rice (which it literally is), the taste of com tam is incredibly delicious and diverse.

The taste of Broken Rice is unique, combining the sweetness of the grilled meat, the sourness of the pickled vegetables, the richness of the fried shallots, and the saltiness of the fish sauce. The variety of accompaniments makes each serving of Broken Rice a distinctive and delightful experience 

Bun cha - A Hanoi Delicacy

Bun cha is a quintessential Vietnamese dish, particularly popular in the North. It's a delightful combination of grilled pork, sweet and sour fish sauce, and fresh herbs, creating a truly unforgettable flavor.

How to Enjoy Bun cha:

  • Blanch the noodles: Briefly immerse the rice noodles in boiling water.
  • Arrange herbs: Place the fresh herbs on a plate.
  • Assemble: Put noodles in a bowl, top with grilled pork, and pour the fish sauce over it. Enjoy with the fresh herbs.

Sticky Rice (Xôi) - A Vietnamese Culinary Staple

Sticky Rice is a traditional Vietnamese dish made from sticky rice. With its distinctive chewy texture and diverse flavors, xôi has become a familiar and beloved food enjoyed for breakfast, snacks, and even during special occasions and festivals.

Popular Types of Xôi

  • Xôi gấc: A vibrant red sticky rice made with glutinous rice soaked in gấc fruit, often served with braised pork or mung beans.

  • Xôi đậu xanh: Sticky rice cooked with mung beans, offering a sweet and creamy flavor.

  • Xôi gà: Sticky rice paired with shredded chicken, creating a flavorful and nutritious dish.

  • Xôi xéo: A yellow-colored sticky rice typically served with mashed mung beans and fried shallots.

  • Xôi ngũ sắc: Sticky rice dyed with natural colors from ingredients like pandan leaves, beets, and purple rice, often symbolizing good fortune

Vietnamese Pancake (Banh Xeo)

Banh Xeo is a Vietnamese specialty loved for its delicious flavor, crispy texture, and unique way of eating. It's a pancake made from rice flour, filled with shrimp, pork, bean sprouts, onions, and more.

Each region in Vietnam has its unique version of bánh xèo, making it a diverse and flavorful dish.

  • Southern Bánh Xèo: Larger, with more fillings, and often served with rice paper and fresh herbs.
  • Central Bánh Xèo: Smaller in size, with fewer fillings and typically served with rice paper and herbs.
  • Northern Bánh Xèo: Crispy crust, fewer fillings, and often served with a sweet and sour fish sauce.

Vietnamese Steamed Rice Rolls (Banh Cuon)

Banh Cuon is a traditional Vietnamese dish that has been cherished for generations. It consists of thin, translucent rice flour sheets that are steamed to perfection, creating a delicate and flavorful experience. Banh Cuon is typically served with a variety of fillings, such as minced pork, wood ear mushrooms, fried shallots, and fresh herbs, offering a delightful combination of textures and tastes.

After indulging in the mouthwatering array of traditional Vietnamese cuisine, why not extend your adventure to some of Vietnam's tourist destinations? Discover the unspoiled beaches of Nha Trang, soak in the coastal charm of Ha Long Bay, or stroll through the captivating ancient streets of Hoi An and Da Nang to enrich your Vietnam travel experience.

And if you're planning to visit Vietnam, make sure you have your visa ready! It's an essential step to ensure a smooth journey, so don't forget to apply for a visa in advance to avoid any last-minute hassles.

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