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.
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.
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.
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.
Bún Thịt Nướng: Vietnamese Grilled Pork Vermicelli
Smoky grilled pork, cool vermicelli noodles, fresh herbs, peanuts, and nước chấm make bún thịt nướng one of Vietnam’s most satisfying noodle bowls.
Chả Cá Lã Vọng: Hanoi Turmeric Fish With Dill
A sizzling Hanoi classic of turmeric fish, fresh dill, noodles, peanuts, herbs, and bold Northern Vietnamese flavor.
Gỏi Cuốn: Vietnam’s Fresh Spring Rolls
Fresh, herb-packed, and dipped in sauce, gỏi cuốn is one of Vietnam’s cleanest and most refreshing bites.
Bánh Xèo: Vietnam’s Crispy Sizzling Pancake Worth Wrapping By Hand
A crispy golden Vietnamese pancake wrapped with herbs, greens, and dipped bite by bite.
Cao Lầu: Hội An’s Chewy Pork Noodles
Hội An’s cao lầu is a chewy pork noodle bowl built on texture, herbs, crispy noodles, and a small hit of savory sauce.
Bún Bò Huế: Vietnam’s Spicy Beef Noodle Soup From Huế
A fiery Central Vietnamese noodle soup with beef, lemongrass, chili oil, herbs, and serious depth.