Top 17+ Must-Try Vietnam Food Dishes You Can't Miss

Vietnamese food dishes are a true reflection of the country’s rich culture and diverse culinary traditions. Each meal carries with it a story of local ingredients, regional specialties, and generations of culinary artistry. In this article, we will take a closer look at some of the most popular and delicious Vietnam food dishes that capture the heart and soul of the country's cuisine.

1. Vietnamese Noodle Soup (Pho)

Pho is a traditional Vietnamese dish made primarily of broth from beef or chicken bones, rice noodles, and various accompaniments such as beef, chicken, fresh herbs, bean sprouts, and green onions, along with condiments like lime, chili, and hoisin sauce.

The dish offers a rich, savory flavor, with the broth being sweet and aromatic from hours of simmering. Depending on your preference, you can adjust the flavors with additional spices such as hoisin sauce, soy sauce, or chili paste. Pho is famous across Vietnam, especially in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, each known for its distinct style of pho.

• Price range: VND 30,000 to VND 60,000
• Where to try:
  • Pho Ly Quoc Su Ha Noi - No. 156 Vo Chi Cong Street, Tay Ho District, Hanoi
  • Pho Hoa - No. 260C Pasteur Street, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City

Traditional Vietnamese dishes (Source: Internet)

2. Banh Mi

Banh Mi is a popular Vietnamese sandwich made with a crispy baguette filled with a variety of ingredients such as cold cuts, Vietnamese sausage (cha lua), pate, fresh vegetables, cucumber, chili, and condiments like mayonnaise and fish sauce. This sandwich offers a perfect balance of flavors, with the crunchiness of the bread contrasting with the smooth richness of the fillings.

The combination of savory meats, aromatic pate, and fresh vegetables makes it a satisfying meal with a hint of spice from the chili. Banh Mi is famous throughout Vietnam, particularly in Ho Chi Minh City and the southern regions.

• Price range: VND 15,000 and VND 30,000
• Where to try:
  • Banh Mi Huynh Hoa - 26-30 Le Thi Rieng Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
  • Banh Mi Phuong - No 2B Phan Chu Trinh Street, Cam Chau Ward, Hoi An Ancient Town
  • Banh Mi Nguyen Sinh - No. 201AB Doi Can Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

Popular street food dishes in Vietnam (Source: Internet)

3. Rice Vermicelli With Grilled Pork (Bun Cha)

Bun Cha is a popular Vietnamese dish consisting of grilled pork (either pork belly or pork meatballs) served with rice vermicelli noodles, fresh herbs, and a side of dipping sauce made from fish sauce, sugar, vinegar, and chili.

The grilled pork is smoky and tender, with a caramelized exterior, while the rice vermicelli provides a soft, delicate texture. The dipping sauce adds a perfect balance of sweet, salty, and tangy flavors, elevating the dish.

• Price range: VND 30,000 to VND 50,000
• Where to try: Bun Cha Huong Lien - 24 Le Van Huu Street, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi

Bun Cha is most famously served in Hanoi, where it is considered a local specialty (Source: Internet)

4. Banh Nam

Banh Nam is a traditional Vietnamese dish from the central region, consisting of steamed rice flour cakes filled with savory ingredients like shrimp, pork, and sometimes mushrooms, all wrapped in a banana leaf. The cakes are typically served with fish sauce or soy sauce and garnished with herbs. The dish offers a delightful combination of soft rice flour with the flavors of the savory fillings and tangy sauce.

• Price range: VND 15,000 to VND 30,000
• Where to try: Banh Beo Nam Loc Ba Do - 08 Nguyen Binh Khiem Street, Phu Hiep Ward, Hue City

Banh Nam is most famous in Hue, where it is a popular snack or appetizer (Source: Internet)

5. Banh Beo

Banh Beo is a Vietnamese dish consisting of small steamed rice cakes topped with dried shrimp, pork, fried onions, and fish sauce. The rice cakes are soft and chewy, with a mild flavor, while the toppings add a salty, crunchy, and savory contrast. Banh Beo is a beloved dish in the central and southern regions of Vietnam, particularly in Hue and Da Nang.

• Price range: VND 20,000 to VND 40,000
• Where to try: Banh Beo Nam Loc Ba Do - 08 Nguyen Binh Khiem Street, Phu Hiep Ward, Hue City

It is often eaten as a snack or appetizer, usually served with chili sauce or fish sauce for extra flavor (Source: Internet)

6. Banh Bot Loc

Banh Bot Loc is a traditional Vietnamese dish made from tapioca flour, resulting in chewy and translucent dumplings. It is a popular snack or appetizer in central Vietnam, particularly in Hue.

The dumplings are typically filled with shrimp, pork, and sometimes mushrooms, and are often served with a side of fish sauce or chili sauce for dipping. The soft and chewy texture of the dough contrasts beautifully with the savory filling, and the dipping sauce adds a burst of flavor.

• Price range: VND 15,000 to VND 30,000
• Where to try: Bot loc La Que - 28 Vo Liem Son Street, Truong An Ward, Hue City

You can find it at local street food stalls or markets (Source: Internet)

7. Banh Xeo

Banh Xeo is a crispy Vietnamese pancake made from rice flour, turmeric, and coconut milk, filled with a combination of shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts. The pancake is golden brown and crispy on the outside, while the inside is savory and slightly sweet from the coconut milk. It is often served with fresh lettuce and herbs, allowing you to wrap the pancake and dip it in a fish sauce-based dipping sauce.

• Price range: VND 30,000 to VND 50,000
• Where to try:
  • Banh Xeo Ba Duong - 280/23 Hoang Dieu Street, Hai Chau Ward, Danang City
  • Banh Xeo 46A - 46A Dinh Cong Trang Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Banh Xeo is popular throughout Vietnam, especially in the southern and central regions (Source: Internet)

8. Mi Quang

Mi Quang is a unique noodle dish from Quang Nam Province in central Vietnam, known for its bold and aromatic flavors. It features rice noodles served with a variety of meats such as shrimp, chicken, or pork, along with fresh herbs, peanuts, and a small amount of rich, turmeric-infused broth.

• Price range: VND 30,000 to VND 50,000
• Where to try: Mi Quang Ba Mua - 95A Nguyen Tri Phuong Street, Thanh Khe Ward, Danang City

The dish is typically garnished with crispy rice crackers, adding a crunchy contrast to the soft noodles (Source: Internet)

9. Com Tam

Com Tam, also known as broken rice, is a beloved Vietnamese dish made from fragmented rice grains, which are typically paired with grilled pork (either pork chop or pork skewers), but can also include other meats like chicken, beef, or shrimp. The dish is often served with pickled vegetables, fresh herbs, and a side of fish sauce.

The broken rice has a slightly chewy texture that contrasts with the crispy, savory grilled meat. Com Tam is widely popular in Ho Chi Minh City and southern Vietnam, where it is enjoyed as a quick and flavorful meal.

• Price range: VND 30,000 to VND 50,000
• Where to try: Com Tam Ba Ghien - 84 Dang Van Ngu, Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City

Simple yet incredibly stimulating dishes for the taste buds (Source: Internet)

10. Hu Tieu

Hu Tieu is most famous in southern Vietnam, particularly in Ho Chi Minh City. This is a versatile noodle soup that can be served dry or with broth, depending on the region. It typically features a mix of meats such as pork, shrimp, or beef, along with rice noodles, herbs, and fried shallots. The broth, if served, is rich and savory, often flavored with fish sauce and other spices..

• Price range: VND 30,000 to VND 50,000
• Where to try: Hu Tieu Thanh Dat - 34 Co Bac Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

The dish is served with lime, chili, and fresh herbs to enhance the flavor (Source: Internet)

11. Vietnamese Sticky Rice (Xoi)

Xoi is a versatile and beloved Vietnamese dish made from sticky rice, often served with a variety of savory or sweet toppings. The savory versions typically include ingredients like grilled pork, fried shallots, mung beans, and boiled eggs, while the sweet variations feature coconut milk, sugar, and sesame. The sticky rice is soft and chewy, making it a satisfying base for a range of flavors. Xoi is enjoyed throughout Vietnam, with popular versions found in Hanoi and the northern regions.

• Price range: VND 15,000 to VND 30,000
• Where to try:

• Xoi Yen - 35B Nguyen Huu Han Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
• Xoi Bat - 08 Hoang Hoa Tham Street, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City

Sticky rice is a popular breakfast dish among Vietnamese people (Source: Internet)