Discovering the Delicious Cuisine of Vietnam

Vietnam is a country that is known around the world for its delicious and unique cuisine. With traditional Vietnamese dishes from pho to banh mi, there is something to please everyone’s taste buds. But did you know that Vietnamese food varies widely depending on which region you are in? In this blog, we’ll explore the diverse and delicious range of amazing food that Vietnam has to offer.

We’ll begin in the northern region of Vietnam which is known for its flavorful northern dishes like pho and banh cuon. Pho is a type of rice noodle soup that can be served with beef or chicken and herbs, while banh cuon is steamed rice rolls filled with ground pork. Both are very popular among locals! We’ll also check out some other traditional dishes such as bun cha (grilled pork over noodles), cha ca La Vong (fried fish with turmeric), and banh mi (Vietnamese sandwiches).

Heading south, we’ll explore the cuisine of Central Vietnam. Here you’ll find delicious dishes like the ever-popular banh xeo (crispy crepes filled with pork, shrimp and bean sprouts), bun oc (snail noodle soup) and cao lau (noodles with pork and vegetables). These dishes are usually served with fresh herbs such as mint, basil or cilantro, adding a unique flavor to each dish.

Finally, we’ll venture to the southern region of Vietnam where some of the spiciest dishes can be found. Dishes like Hu Tieu Nam Vang and thit heo quay (roasted pork) will satisfy even the most adventurous eaters! Read on to find out more about the local specialties you can try in the north, central and south of Vietnam.

The North of Vietnam

In northern Vietnam, locals love to eat dishes like bun cha (grilled pork served with noodles) and banh cuon (steamed rice rolls filled with pork).

Banh cuon

Originated in Hanoi and is a popular breakfast dish. It is made with a combination of pork, mushrooms and shallots wrapped in thin rice noodles. The mixture is then steamed and served with fish sauce and fried onions.

Rosie of Discover Your Vietnam:

“I love the flavor of banh cuon! It’s a great combination of flavors that comes together perfectly. The pork, mushrooms and shallots all have distinct flavors that blend nicely when combined in the rice noodles. The fish sauce and fried onions add a nice kick of flavor that rounds out the dish.”

Bun cha

Also a Hanoi specialty, but it can be found all around the north of Vietnam. It consists of grilled pork patties accompanied by a bowl of vermicelli noodles and fresh herbs such as mint, basil and cilantro. The dish is usually served with pickled carrots and daikon radish on the side, which adds a nice crunch to the meal.

Danny of Discover Your Vietnam

“I really enjoy the combination of flavors found in bun cha. The grilled pork patties have a great smokiness to them, and the herbs give it an incredible aroma. The pickled carrots and daikon radish provide the perfect contrast in texture with the noodles and meat. It’s one of my favorite dishes from northern Vietnam!”

Pho

Perhaps the most famous dish from northern Vietnam. It’s a soup made with rice noodles, thinly sliced beef or chicken and herbs such as star anise, cinnamon, ginger and onion. It’s usually served with a plate of fresh herbs such as mint, basil and cilantro as well as chili slices and lime juice that you can add to the soup.

Nicole of Discover Your Vietnam

“I love the comforting flavor of pho! The combination of spices in the broth with the fresh herbs makes it a truly unique dish. The beef or chicken gives it a nice protein boost, while the noodles provide a great texture to soak up all the delicious flavors.”

Cha ca la vuong

Another dish that’s popular in Hanoi. It consists of fried fish with turmeric served over vermicelli noodles and dill. The dish is usually accompanied by a side of fish sauce and peanuts.

Danny of Discover Your Vietnam

“Cha ca la vong is a delicious dish! The fish has a great flavor from the turmeric and is complemented by the crunchy peanuts. The noodles add a nice texture, while the dill gives it an extra level of freshness.”

The Central Coast of Vietnam

Central Vietnam offers a variety of local specialties including bun bo hue, banh xeo (Vietnamese crepes) and locals love to eat dishes like cao lau (a noodle soup) and banh bot.

Bun bo Hue

Bun Bo Hue, a spicy beef noodle soup that is usually served with pork, lemongrass and chili peppers. It has a unique flavor due to the combination of the beef and lemongrass. It is a hearty dish that can easily be shared with a group of people.

Rosie of Discover Your Vietnam

“I really enjoy the bold flavors of bun bo hue! The spices make it a hearty and flavorful soup that is sure to warm you up. The herbs add a bright flavor and smell, while the beef and pork give it a nice protein boost. My favorite dish Vietnam has to offer!”

Banh xeo

A savoury crepe made with pork, shrimp, beansprouts and mung beans. It is then fried in a wok until crispy and served with herbs such as mint and basil. Banh xeo is often eaten with rice paper so that you can wrap up the ingredients in a neat package before eating it.

Nicole of Discover Your Vietnam

“The crispy crepe is a great contrast to the soft ingredients inside, while the fresh herbs give it an incredible aroma. It’s a delicious snack or meal that’s perfect for any time of day!”

Cao lau

A noodle soup that originates from Hoi An, which was once an important trading port in Vietnam. The soup consists of thick noodles topped with pork slices, bean sprouts, egg and herbs. It is usually served with fish sauce or chill.

Rosie of Discover Your Vietnam

“I really enjoy the unique flavor of cao lau. The noodles have a great texture and are complemented by the pork and egg slices. The herbs give it an earthy taste, while the fish sauce or chilli provide an extra kick of heat. It’s a delicious dish that is sure to satisfy your tastebuds!”

Bun mam

A type of fermented fish noodle soup that originates from the central coast of Vietnam. It can be found in restaurants all around the north, but it is best experienced in Hue. It is made with a broth that is infused with lemongrass, chilli and tamarind, and it is often served with a side of Vietnamese herbs.

Danny of Discover Your Vietnam

“I love the bold flavors of bun mam. The lemongrass and tamarind give the soup a delicious citrusy flavor, while the chilli adds a bit of heat. The fermented fish provides an interesting texture, while the herbs provide an extra layer of flavor. It’s a hearty dish that will leave you feeling satisfied.”

Bun oc

A type of snail noodle soup that is popular in the central coast of Vietnam. The soup consists of thick noodles, snails, mushrooms and bean sprouts. It is usually served with herbs such as mint and basil, adding a unique flavor to each bowl.

Nicole of Discover Your Vietnam

“The snails are tender and have a slight sweetness to them, while the mushrooms add an earthy flavor. The herbs give it a refreshing taste, while the bean sprouts provide a nice crunch. It’s a delicious dish that never fails to satisfy my cravings!”

The South of Vietnam

The south of Vietnam features dishes that are quite different from those in other parts of the country. Here you will find southern cuisine like bun rieu (crab noodle soup) and banh mi (Vietnamese sandwich).

Bun rieu

Made from tomatoes, tamarind paste and crab meat cooked together with rice vermicelli noodles. The end result is a savoury soup topped with fried tofu and slices of soursop fruit for extra flavour.

Rosie of Discover Your Vietnam

“The combination of tomatoes, tamarind and crab is delicious, while the soursop adds a tartness to it. The fried tofu provides a great crunchy texture, while the rice vermicelli gives it body. It’s an incredibly flavourful dish that I could eat again and again!”

Banh mi

A popular street food in southern Vietnam. It consists of a baguette stuffed with marinated pork, pickled carrots and daikon radish, fresh cucumber and herbs. The bread is usually toasted until crispy before the ingredients are added, making it a delicious snack or light meal.

Danny of Discover Your Vietnam

“I find banh mi to be incredibly appetizing. The crispy bread contrasts nicely with the succulent pork and crunchy vegetables, while the herbs add a freshness to it. It’s an incredibly tasty sandwich that’s perfect for any time of day!”

Canh chua ca

A type of sour fish soup that originates from the Mekong Delta. It is usually made with either freshwater or saltwater fish and mixed with pineapple, tomatoes and okra. The soup is then flavoured with tamarind for a balanced sweet and sour flavour.

Nicole of Discover Your Vietnam

“The tamarind adds a slight sweet and sour taste, while the pineapple provides a unique sweetness. The fish and okra give it a hearty texture, while the tomatoes add an extra layer of flavour.’

Hu Tieu Nam Vang

A popular noodle dish found throughout southern Vietnam. It typically consists of thin rice noodles served with pork or shrimp in a spicy broth. The noodles are usually topped with shallots, garlic and peanuts for extra texture and flavor.

Rosie of Discover Your Vietnam

“The broth is flavorful and slightly spicy, while the toppings add a nice crunch to it. The pork or shrimp gives it a hearty texture, while the noodles provide a nice base for all of the flavors.”

Com tam

Consists of grilled pork or chicken, shredded pork skin, egg, fried spring roll and vegetables. This dish is usually served with fish sauce or chilli sauce. Com tam is usually eaten for breakfast, but can be enjoyed any time of the day.

Nicole of Discover Your Vietnam

“The grilled pork or chicken adds a great smoky flavor, while the shredded pork skin and egg add a nice crunchy texture. The vegetables add just the right amount of freshness.”

No matter what part of Vietnam you visit, there’s sure to be delicious traditional Vietnamese dishes to try! With its variety of flavourful dishes and different regional specialties, Vietnam cuisine is sure to delight any food lover. Try something new today and explore the amazing tastes of Vietnamese cuisine! Happy eating!

Go to Home