What To Eat In Vietnam
A growing guide to Vietnamese dishes, street foods, sauces, herbs, snacks, noodles, rice plates, soups, desserts, and regional specialties worth knowing. Start with the classics, then keep going deeper.
Chè Chuối: Vietnam’s Banana Coconut Tapioca Dessert
Creamy coconut milk, tender banana, and chewy tapioca make chè chuối one of Vietnam’s most comforting desserts.
Bún Quậy: Phú Quốc’s Fresh Seafood Noodle Soup
Fresh noodles, island seafood, and a fiery sauce you mix yourself make Bún Quậy one of Phú Quốc’s essential dishes.
Canh Chua Cá: Southern Vietnam’s Sweet And Sour Fish Soup
A bright tamarind fish soup filled with pineapple, vegetables, and the unmistakable flavors of Southern Vietnam.
Cá Kho Tộ: Southern Vietnam’s Caramelized Clay Pot Fish
Tender fish, black pepper, and savory caramel sauce make this Southern Vietnamese classic impossible to eat without rice.
Xôi Mặn: Vietnam’s Savory Sticky Rice Breakfast
Warm sticky rice, smoky sausage, rich scallion oil, and crispy shallots make xôi mặn one of Vietnam’s most satisfying breakfasts.
Bánh Tráng Nướng: Đà Lạt’s Crispy Grilled Rice Paper Snack
Smoky, crispy, and loaded with savory toppings, bánh tráng nướng is the street snack every traveler should try in Đà Lạt.
Bánh Đa Cua: Hải Phòng’s Red Rice Noodle Soup With Crab
Chewy red rice noodles, fragrant field-crab broth, fresh greens, and crisp toppings make bánh đa cua one of Hải Phòng’s essential dishes.
Cơm Hến: Huế’s Spicy Baby Clam Rice
Cool rice, tiny clams, fiery chili, herbs, and crunch make cơm hến one of Huế’s most unforgettable dishes.
Bánh Khọt: Vũng Tàu’s Crispy Mini Coconut Pancakes
Crispy, coconut-scented, and wrapped in fresh herbs, bánh khọt is one of Vũng Tàu’s essential dishes.
Chả Giò: Vietnam’s Crispy Fried Spring Rolls
Crispy, savory, and wrapped with fresh herbs, chả giò is one Vietnamese dish every traveler should try.
Mì Vịt Tiềm: Vietnamese Duck Noodle Soup With Deep Herbal Broth
A dark, herbal Vietnamese duck noodle soup with tender roasted duck, springy egg noodles, and deep Chinese-Vietnamese flavor.
Nem Nướng: Vietnam’s Grilled Pork Sausage Wraps
Smoky grilled pork, fresh herbs, rice paper, and rich dipping sauce make nem nướng one of Vietnam’s most satisfying street food wraps.
Cà Phê Sữa Đá: Vietnam’s Iced Milk Coffee And Daily Ritual
Vietnam’s iced milk coffee is strong, sweet, cold, and built for slow mornings on the sidewalk.
Bánh Căn: Central Vietnam’s Mini Rice Pancakes Worth Hunting Down
Tiny charcoal-cooked rice pancakes from Central Vietnam, served hot with dipping sauce, herbs, and serious street food charm.
Bún Mắm: Southern Vietnam’s Fermented Fish Noodle Soup
A bold Southern Vietnamese noodle soup built on fermented fish broth, seafood, herbs, and Mekong Delta flavor.
Bánh Bèo: Huế’s Steamed Rice Cakes And Central Vietnamese Street Food
Tiny steamed rice cakes from Huế topped with dried shrimp, crispy pork, scallion oil, and fish sauce.
Bánh Canh Cua: Vietnam’s Thick Crab Noodle Soup
A silky, crab-rich Vietnamese noodle soup with thick chewy noodles and serious comfort food energy.
Bún Riêu: Vietnam’s Crab And Tomato Noodle Soup
A bright, tangy Vietnamese crab and tomato noodle soup loaded with herbs, rice noodles, tofu, and deep street food flavor.
Bánh Cuốn: Vietnam’s Steamed Rice Rolls
Silky steamed rice rolls, savory pork filling, fried shallots, and nước chấm make bánh cuốn one of Vietnam’s great breakfast dishes.
Bò Kho: Vietnam’s Beef Stew Made For Baguette
A rich, fragrant Vietnamese beef stew served with crusty baguette, bò kho is one of Vietnam’s most comforting dishes.