3 Vietnamese Dishes Among Asia’s Best Mixed Dishes 

10/10/2024

In the list of 86 salad dishes selected by the Taste Atlas world food map in August, three Vietnamese dishes made the cut: Gỏi Bò (Beef Salad), Gỏi Tôm Thịt (Shrimp and Pork Salad), and Phở Trộn (Mixed Pho). Taste Atlas describes these dishes as salad-style preparations, though different regions may refer to them as gỏi, nộm, or trộn.

Gỏi Bò ranks 13th and scores 3.9 out of 5 points. The culinary atlas describes it as a traditional Vietnamese dish consisting of beef, lime leaves, fresh chili, coriander, mint leaves, cucumber, carrots, and tomatoes, all mixed with a dressing made of lime juice, fish sauce, chili sauce, and sugar. The beef is typically the tenderloin, sliced thin, marinated with spices, and stir-fried (or pan-seared) before mixing. Gỏi bò is usually served while the beef is still warm.

The other two dishes rank 20th and 21st, each receiving a score of 4 points. Gỏi Tôm Thịt is a combination of fresh vegetables such as green papaya, green mango, banana flower, lotus stem, cucumber, mixed with boiled pork and shrimp. Other common ingredients include spicy chili, crushed roasted peanuts, and shredded carrots to make the dish more appealing and colorful.

Meanwhile, Phở Trộn is a variation of traditional pho, but served dry, with only a small amount of sweet and sour dressing, rather than swimming in broth like the traditional pho. Phở trộn can be served with beef or chicken and is a dish originating from Hanoi, popular during the summer. It is often garnished with peanuts, fresh chili, and lime juice when served.

The 86 best salad dishes in Asia were chosen based on over 2,500 votes. This serves as a way to promote local delicacies, inspire pride in traditional cuisine, and spark curiosity among diners who have yet to try them.