5 Vietnamese Dishes You Should Try

6/10/2024

Vietnamese cuisine is famous worldwide for its harmony in flavor combinations, ingredients, and culinary artistry. To truly experience the uniqueness of this cuisine, you must try the five dishes below. Each dish carries stories, culture, and culinary essence that will captivate anyone.

1. Phở – A Symphony of Traditional Flavors

Phở is not only a national dish but also a symbol of Vietnamese cuisine.

 A steaming bowl of phở, fragrant with broth simmered from beef or chicken bones for hours, is combined with soft rice noodles and thinly sliced meat cooked to perfection. Accompanied by green onions, fresh herbs, a squeeze of lime, and fresh chili, it creates a unique symphony of flavors that is both refreshing and rich. Notably, each region has its own way of making phở, such as Hanoi phở with its subtle taste or Saigon phở that is sweet and hearty.

2. Bún chả – A Play of Fire and Grilled Meat

Bún chả is not just a dish; it’s a delicate combination of the rich flavor of grilled pork over charcoal and the sweet and sour taste of the dipping sauce. The grilled pork is beautifully golden and aromatic, served with fresh noodles and various herbs. When dipping the grilled meat into a bowl of sweet and sour fish sauce, each bite of bún chả melts in your mouth with the blend of flavors. This dish was praised by former U.S. President Barack Obama and renowned chef Anthony Bourdain during their visit to Hanoi.

3. Bánh mì – The Revolution of Street Food

Vietnamese bánh mì is the clearest testament to the creativity and cultural fusion of East and West. With a crispy outer crust and a soft, fluffy inside, bánh mì is filled with various ingredients like grilled meat, pâté, Vietnamese sausage, fresh herbs, and a special sauce that creates the “soul” of the dish. Depending on the region, bánh mì can have different variations, but anyone will find it hard to resist the allure of this street food. Each bánh mì is not just food but a story of creativity in transforming Vietnamese cuisine.

4. Cà phê trứng – The Essence of Creativity

If there’s one drink you must try at least once in your life while in Vietnam, it’s cà phê trứng (egg coffee). The combination of strong black coffee and smooth, creamy egg foam creates an alluring beverage that balances a gentle sweetness from the egg with the bitterness of coffee. Enjoying egg coffee in the heart of Hanoi, amidst the ancient surroundings, allows you to appreciate the sophistication and remarkable creativity of Vietnamese cuisine, making each sip an inspiring journey of discovery.

5. Gỏi cuốn – A Love Song of Freshness

Gỏi cuốn (spring rolls) is the perfect choice for those who love light and fresh flavors. Each neatly rolled spring roll contains a mix of fresh shrimp, pork, noodles, and greens, all wrapped skillfully in thin rice paper. When dipped in a sweet and sour fish sauce or peanut dipping sauce, you’ll experience the freshness and crunch of the vegetables, the sweetness of the shrimp, and the richness of the pork. This dish is not only visually appealing but also offers a pure and refreshing sensation for the eater.

Each Vietnamese dish is not merely a flavor but embodies culture, emotion, and the creativity of its makers. From the rich depth of phở to the exquisite grilled flavor of bún chả and the limitless creativity of cà phê trứng, Vietnamese cuisine will undoubtedly leave a deep impression on anyone who tries it. Take the time to explore and experience these signature dishes, as it is the best way to appreciate the beauty of Vietnam and its people!