Three 'best Vietnamese dishes on the planet' for Australian tourists

Australian tourists praised beef wrapped in betel leaves as "one of the best things on the planet" and eating banh xeo felt "like being in heaven".

Ben Groundwater, who lives in Sydney and has been to over 80 countries and is a food writer with over 20 years of experience, rates Vietnam as the place to find the best food at the cheapest prices, and has glowing reviews for three of Vietnam’s most famous dishes: beef in betel leaves, pho, and banh xeo.

Grilled beef wrapped in betel leaves on a charcoal stove. Photo: Khanh Thien

Ben said the perfect combination of sweet, salty, sour, crunchy and smoky flavors makes grilled beef wrapped in betel leaves "one of the best things on the planet." The dish consists of minced beef mixed with spices such as chives, garlic, black pepper, sugar, fish sauce, oyster sauce, and MSG, rolled in betel leaves and grilled. The beef rolls are best when grilled over charcoal.

According to Ben's research, beef wrapped in betel leaves is famous in the Southern region. The origin of the dish is believed to have originated in the Middle East and then spread to Vietnam. Initially, the dish consisted of minced spiced beef wrapped in grape leaves. However, when it came to Vietnam, grape leaves were not popular and were replaced by betel leaves.

Ben suggests that visitors to Ho Chi Minh City can visit Bo La Lot Phuong restaurant in District 4 to enjoy this specialty. In Australia, visitors can go to Gia Dinh restaurant in Marrickville, Sydney or visit Viet Kitchen in Melbourne.

In early 2023, a male tourist called pho "Vietnam's most precious culinary gift to the world", a delicious and sophisticated dish. Pho broth is simmered from beef bones, spices, onions, ginger and then poured over a bowl of white pho noodles. Then, the seller will arrange bean sprouts, sliced ​​beef, and herbs on top. Diners often add lemon and chili to this dish. "Pho has a special aroma. It is the taste of perfection".

For pho, Ben suggests that guests go to the Old Quarter in Hanoi or District 1 in Ho Chi Minh City. In Australia, there are some delicious pho restaurants such as Mekong Vietnamese Beef and Chicken Pho in Melbourne or Pho Ha Noi Quan in Sydney.

Vietnamese pancakes served with sweet and sour dipping sauce. Photo: Bui Thuy

Banh xeo is the next dish that makes Ben fascinated. "Compared to American-style banh xeo, Vietnamese banh xeo is more sophisticated and sophisticated," the male tourist commented. The dish is made from rice flour mixed with turmeric and water, then fried until crispy. During that process, pork, seafood, and bean sprouts are added to the filling. Banh xeo is cut into small pieces and eaten with raw vegetables and a sweet and salty dipping sauce. "Cut a piece of banh xeo, roll it in lettuce, herbs, and rice paper, dip it in the sauce. And you are in heaven," Ben described how to eat and feel after enjoying this famous Vietnamese dish.

Ben said that banh xeo has also appeared in Australia, diners can visit Vietnamese restaurants in Melbourne or Sydney to enjoy it.

Anh Minh (According to SMH )

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