12 Popular Vietnamese Cuisines That Everyone Should Try

 

In the past few years, Vietnamese food has become more and more popular around the world. You will be very surprised to know that spring rolls and bread rolls, which are quite popular in our country, are Vietnamese dishes.

Rice, noodles, fresh vegetable and herbs all play big roles in Vietnamese food, making it one of the healthiest cuisines in the world.

The best part about this cuisine is that it is delightfully textured, bright, very simple, made with fresh ingredients and enticing flavors.

Here are the most popular Vietnamese delicacies which everyone must try.

1. Pho

Pho (pronounced “Fuh”) is Vietnam’s national dish. The basic bowl of Pho consist of a light beef or chicken to which are added broth, flat rice noodles, spring onions with basil, mint leaves, and lime. It’s cheap, tasty and easily available at all hours.

2. Cha Ca

Seafood dishes are among the standouts of Vietnamese cuisine. Cha Ca, is a crispy turmeric-marinated fish that’s fried tableside in a pan with herbs.

What’s so special about Cha Ca is that in Hanoi a special street is dedicated to this dish, Hang Son Street was renamed as Cha Ca Street.

3. Banh Xeo

It is a crispy, stuffed rice pancake with a variety of savoury ingredient, which is very popular in Vietnam. Banh means cake while Xeo means flat.

To enjoy one like a local, cut into manageable slices, roll it up in rice paper and dunk it in whatever special sauce the chef has prepared for you.

4. Nem Ran/Cha Gio

Vietnam's bite-sized crunchy spring rolls. The crispy shell with a soft veggie and meat filling dunked in a tangy sauce gets the gastronomic juices flowing before a main course.

The most interesting part in Nem recipe is that it varies on different families and also different regions of Vietnam. No recipe is official, it depends on the custom of eating of each families.

5. Bon Bo Hue

Bon Bo hue is a popular Vietnamese soup containing rice vermicelli and beef. The dish is greatly admired for its balance of spicy, salty, and umami flavors.

The predominant flavor is that of lemongrass. Compared to Pho, the noodles are thicker and more cylindrical.

6. Banh Goi

Banh Goi is Vietnamese regional dumpling. These pockets of deep-fried goodness are often described as the equivalent as a Vietnamese samosa, depending on the nationality of the person explaining.

Inside the crispy exterior you'll find its filling of finely minced pork, mushrooms and vermicelli noodles. It is a very famous street food and enjoyed by masses.

7. Pho Xao

Vietnamese Stir Fry Rice Noodles with Beef is a delicious dish with tender and flavourful beef and soft rice noodles. It is much quicker and simpler to make than traditional pho soup.

And on top of that, it is healthier than other dishes, which makes it a must try for all the fitness freaks.

8. Ca Phe Trung

Vietnamese “Ca Phe Trung” is a beverage but locals usually treat it’s as a dessert due to its hybrid taste and nature. It is usually called “egg coffee".

The creamy soft egg white foam perched on dense Vietnamese coffee has a very pleasing taste but not overly sweet. The taste buds will definitely dance with joy when you will taste this taste dessert coffee.

 

9. Bot Chein

Bot Chein is a Chinese influenced pastry made all over the Asia and its Vietnamese version features tangy soy sauce on the side, rice flour cubes with fried eggs and assorted veggies.

It is a street side snack which is enjoyed by all age groups due to its mouth- watering flavors.

10. Bo La Lot

Fragrantly seasoned grilled rolls of beef wrapped up in wild betel leaf are a favorite Vietnamese snack which tastes heavenly when accompanied with your favorite drink.

It has a sweetly spicy aroma which appeals the hungry customers crossing the way and they have no choice other than gobbling it down.

11. Nom Hoa Chuoi

Vietnamese Banana Blossom Salad is a great combination between banana flowers, chicken and roasted peanuts.

It has a bigger punch due to addition of heavy and salty fish sauce dressing which makes it different than the other salads and a must try.

12. Hat De Nong

Who does not like a bowl of warm roasted chestnut, especially in a cold, rainy day. It brings lots of fond memories Christmas carols. Chestnuts are very popular in Vietnamese culture.

From all the Vietnamese, we can see that meals typically consist of several dishes usually steamed rice, soup, a meat or a fish dish, and a boiled or stir fried vegetarian dish which are eaten communally.

Noodles and vegetables are the standard diet in most households. The cooking in Vietnam is done with minimal use of oil and dairy and relies more on the light, fresh flavors of herbs and vegetables.

As a result, Vietnamese cuisine is considered one of the healthiest cuisines in the world. So everyone should try Vietnamese food at least once in their life.

Written by - Simranpreet Kaur Rattu

Edited by – Adrija Saha