Foreign magazine selects 10 Vietnamese dishes that tourists must try

The magazine commented that Vietnamese food is very different and unforgettable, from street vendors to high-end restaurants. The characteristics of Vietnamese food are salty, sweet, sour and hot. Vietnamese cuisine is one of the most attractive cuisines in Southeast Asia. And there is no need to wonder what the best food in Vietnam is, the magazine offers the following list of the 10 most famous dishes that tourists must try.

Spring rolls

A spring roll of greens, cilantro and sliced pork or shrimp. A southern variation features grilled pork slices served with green banana and star fruit, then dipped in a rich peanut sauce – it sounds too good to resist.

Spring rolls are often served as appetizers before the main course in Vietnamese restaurants. If you travel to the north, you can enjoy a fried roll called cha gio.

Bread

One of the most popular street foods in Vietnam and a must-try for any visitor to the country. Vietnamese bread (or Saigon bread) dates back to the French colonial period in the 19th century.

Banh mi is filled with green vegetables and a variety of fillings, including pate and often pork. Other fillings include beef, chicken, liver and tofu. Vietnamese banh mi is so good that it is sold all over the world, from London to New York.

Banh xeo

There are many variations of banh xeo in Vietnam but the most popular are the large pancakes in the South. They are cheap and filled with shrimp, pork, bean sprouts and eggs, fried crispy and served with greens, fish sauce…

Many foreign tourists bring banh xeo with them to enjoy on long trips by train or bus.

Bun Cha

A Hanoi specialty. You’ll find bun cha at street food stalls all over the city. The pork is grilled over charcoal and served with noodles, vegetables and dipping sauce.

This dish is often eaten at lunchtime, described as somewhat similar to meatballs but the combination of flavors is so appealing, there is nothing quite like it.

Noodle soup

The most famous dish in Vietnam is pho. This soup can be eaten at any time of the day but is mainly eaten for breakfast. Pho originated in the North but has now become the national dish of Vietnam. A bowl of pho consists of beef or chicken broth flavored with ginger and coriander, topped with rice noodles, green onions and various cuts of beef or chicken.

Pho in Vietnam can be found on almost every menu. Before you enjoy your meal, squeeze a slice of lime on top and add a little chili powder for extra flavor.

Cao Lau

One of Hoi An’s delicacies is cao lau, a dish of thick noodles, bean sprouts and toasted pork rinds in a light soup. Cao lau is flavoured with mint and star anise, topped with thin slices of pork, and served with crispy rice paper.

Legend has it that cao lau is cooked with water from a specific locality – which is why Hoi An is the best place to try it.

Fish cake

Cha ca, believed to have originated in Hanoi, is probably the most well-known dish. The main ingredient is white fish stir-fried with dill and spring onions, then served with rice noodles and a little peanuts.

In addition, Vietnam is also famous for its fish noodle soup made from sea fish. Da Nang is one of the best places to enjoy Vietnamese seafood dishes, including fish noodle soup.

Quang noodles

A famous dish in the Central region and now quite popular in other provinces, especially in Ho Chi Minh City. A simple bowl of meat noodles with additional ingredients such as fresh shrimp, peanuts, mint and quail eggs.

Broken rice

A favorite street food and almost only available in Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta provinces. Made from broken rice grains after the milling process, which were discarded in the past and have now become a famous street food.

Broken rice is served with grilled pork or simply fried eggs. And this is a Vietnamese dish, it would not be complete without a little lime, some fresh herbs and some green onions.