Top 10 Must Try Vietnamese Food

Summary

Vietnamese cuisine is celebrated for its fresh ingredients and balanced flavors. Top dishes include the globally popular Pho, a flavorful soup with beef or chicken broth and garnishes; Bánh Mì, a French-influenced sandwich with cold cuts and pickled vegetables; and fresh Spring Rolls with shrimp and herbs. Also featured are regional specialties like Bánh Xèo, a savory pancake with shrimp and pork, and Com Tấm, a broken rice dish with grilled pork and pickled veggies. These dishes showcase the unique flavors and techniques that make Vietnamese cuisine distinctive.

Takeaways

• 🍜 Pho is the most famous Vietnamese dish, originating from Hanoi, with a focus on a flavorful broth and customizable garnishes.
• 🥖 Bánh Mì is a signature street food reflecting French influence, featuring a lighter baguette with various fillings and pickled vegetables.
• 🍖 Nem nướng is known for its grilled pork patties marinated in fish sauce and spices, served with vermicelli noodles and a dipping sauce.
• 🌯 Goi cuon, or fresh spring rolls, are a popular appetizer made with rice paper rolls filled with shrimp, pork, and fresh herbs, served with a peanut dipping sauce.
• 🥞 Bún chả is a Hanoi specialty with grilled pork served with rice noodles, herbs, and a tangy dipping sauce.
• 🐟 Chả cá Lã Vọng is a Hanoi dish featuring grilled fish marinated in turmeric and served with rice noodles and a fish sauce dipping sauce.
• 🍝 Cao Lầu is a regional specialty from Hội An with a unique texture from water used in the noodle preparation, served with grilled pork and a sweet soy sauce.
• 🥞 Bánh khọt is a crispy rice flour pancake from Southern Vietnam, filled with shrimp and served with a sweet and sour dipping sauce.
• 🍲 Mi Quảng is a noodle dish from Central Vietnam with a turmeric-infused broth, served with a variety of proteins and vegetables.
• 🍚 Cơm tấm is a popular street food in Southern Vietnam, particularly in Ho Chi Minh City, served with grilled pork and pickled vegetables.

Q & A

What is the most famous Vietnamese dish mentioned in the script?

Pho is arguably the most famous Vietnamese dish and has gained popularity worldwide.

Where does Pho originate from?

Pho originates from northern Vietnam, specifically Hanoi.

What are the key ingredients in Pho's broth?

The broth is made by simmering beef or chicken bones along with charred onions, ginger, and blended spices such as star anise, cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom.

How is the meat typically prepared in Pho?

Thinly sliced meat, either beef or chicken, is cooked briefly in the piping hot broth before serving.

What are some common garnishes for Pho?

Pho is typically garnished with fresh herbs like cilantro and Thai basil, green onions, bean sprouts, lime wedges, and sliced chilies.

What is a Bon Me sandwich and how does it reflect Vietnamese culture?

Bon Me is a Vietnamese street food sandwich that reflects the country's French Colonial influence, using a lighter and airier baguette as the base.

What are the traditional fillings for a Bon Me sandwich?

Traditional fillings include cold cuts like ham, head cheese, or pate, grilled meats like lemongrass marinated pork, and tofu for vegetarians.

What is the main component of Banh Mi sandwiches?

The main component of Banh Mi sandwiches is a baguette, which is lighter and airier than its French counterpart.

How is the pork prepared for the dish called Nem Nuong?

The pork for Nem Nuong is usually marinated in fish sauce, sugar, and various spices, then grilled over charcoal for a smoky flavor.

What is the traditional accompaniment for Nem Nuong?

Nem Nuong is served with a side of vermicelli noodles, a dipping sauce made from fish sauce, sugar, vinegar, and water, and an assortment of fresh herbs and vegetables.

What are Goi Cuon, and what do they typically include?

Goi Cuon, or fresh spring rolls, are an appetizer made by filling soaked thin rice paper with cooked shrimp, thinly sliced pork, rice noodles, and fresh herbs such as mint, cilantro, and lettuce.

How are Banh Xeo pancakes typically served?

Banh Xeo pancakes are served with lettuce leaves, which are used to wrap pieces of the pancake, and a dipping sauce called Nuoc Cham made from fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, water, and garlic.

What is the main feature of Cha Ca fish dish?

Cha Ca is a dish featuring grilled fish marinated in turmeric, garlic, shallots, and fish sauce, served with cold rice noodles, a dipping sauce, and fresh herbs and vegetables.

What makes the rice noodles in Cao Lau unique?

The rice noodles in Cao Lau are unique due to being prepared using water from a specific well in Hoi An, giving them a distinct texture.

What are the key ingredients in Banh Khoai pancakes?

Banh Khoai pancakes are made from a mixture of rice flour, coconut milk, and turmeric, filled with cooked shrimp, mung bean, and scallions, and served with a sweet and sour dipping sauce.

How is Mi Quang dish characterized?

Mi Quang is characterized by wide flat rice noodles tinted yellow with turmeric, served with proteins like shrimp, pork, and chicken, and garnished with a turmeric-infused broth and fresh herbs.

What is the main component of Com Tam, a street food dish?

Com Tam is made from grains of rice that have been fractured during the milling process, typically served with grilled pork marinated in fish sauce, sugar, and lemongrass.

What are some of the garnishes for Com Tam?

Com Tam is accompanied by pickled vegetables like Daikon radish and carrots, a fried egg with a runny yolk, and a dipping sauce made from fish sauce, sugar, lime juice, and chili peppers.

Outlines

00:00

🍜 Top 10 Vietnamese Dishes

The paragraph introduces the top 10 must-try Vietnamese dishes, emphasizing the use of fresh ingredients and a balance of flavors. Pho, a famous noodle soup from Hanoi, is highlighted with its beef or chicken broth and garnishes. The Bánh Mì sandwich reflects French influence with its baguette and various fillings. Other dishes include grilled pork patties with vermicelli, fresh spring rolls, sizzling turmeric pancakes, grilled fish with dill, chewy rice noodles with pork, and broken rice with grilled pork. Each dish is described with its unique preparation and accompaniments, showcasing the diversity of Vietnamese cuisine.

05:03

🌮 Southern Vietnamese Street Food

This paragraph focuses on street food from Southern Vietnam, particularly crispy rice flour pancakes filled with shrimp and a sweet and sour dipping sauce. It also describes a noodle dish from Central Vietnam with a turmeric-infused broth and various toppings. Broken rice, a popular dish in Ho Chi Minh City, is served with grilled pork and pickled vegetables, accompanied by a dipping sauce. The paragraph encourages trying various dishes to appreciate the unique flavors and techniques of Vietnamese cuisine.

Keywords

💡Vietnamese cuisine

Vietnamese cuisine refers to the culinary practices and dishes originating from Vietnam. It is characterized by a blend of fresh ingredients, vibrant flavors, and a balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy tastes. The video script emphasizes the uniqueness of Vietnamese cuisine, showcasing its diversity through a list of must-try dishes, such as Pho and Banh Mi, which reflect the country's rich culinary traditions and the influence of various cultures.

💡Pho

Pho is a famous Vietnamese soup dish that has gained international popularity. It originates from northern Vietnam, particularly Hanoi. The dish is defined by its aromatic broth, made by simmering beef or chicken bones with charred onions, ginger, and a blend of spices. Pho typically includes thinly sliced meat and is garnished with fresh herbs and vegetables, allowing for customization. The script describes Pho as having regional variations, highlighting its importance in Vietnamese cuisine.

💡Banh Mi

Banh Mi is a Vietnamese sandwich that reflects the country's French colonial influence. It is characterized by a lighter and airier baguette filled with various cold cuts, grilled meats, or tofu, and topped with pickled vegetables, fresh herbs, and spicy chili sauce or jalapenos. The script mentions that this dish is an iconic street food, illustrating the fusion of Vietnamese and French culinary traditions.

💡Fresh herbs

Fresh herbs are an essential component of Vietnamese cuisine, adding flavor and aroma to dishes. The script mentions herbs like cilantro, Thai basil, and mint as common garnishes for dishes like Pho, enhancing their taste and allowing for personalization. Fresh herbs are integral to the vibrant and balanced flavors of Vietnamese dishes.

💡Char-grilled

Char-grilling is a cooking technique mentioned in the script, particularly in the preparation of dishes like Cha Ca (grilled fish) and Banh Xeo (sizzling cake). It involves grilling food over charcoal, which imparts a smoky flavor. This method is integral to achieving the desired taste and texture in many Vietnamese dishes, contributing to their distinct character.

💡Dipping sauce

Dipping sauces are a common accompaniment to Vietnamese dishes, allowing diners to adjust the flavor profile to their liking. The script describes various dipping sauces made from fish sauce, sugar, vinegar, and water, among other ingredients. These sauces are used with dishes like fresh spring rolls and Banh Mi, showcasing the importance of customizable flavors in Vietnamese cuisine.

💡Regional variations

Regional variations refer to the differences in dishes based on the geographical region of Vietnam. The script highlights how Pho, for example, varies by region, with the broth being the heart of the dish. This concept illustrates the diversity within Vietnamese cuisine and how local ingredients and cooking styles influence the final product.

💡Banh Xeo

Banh Xeo, or sizzling cake, is a Vietnamese savory pancake with a crisp texture. The script describes it as being made from a batter of rice flour, water, and turmeric, filled with shrimp, pork, and fresh herbs, then cooked until crispy. This dish exemplifies the use of turmeric in Vietnamese cuisine and the importance of texture in dishes.

💡Com Tam

Com Tam is a dish from southern Vietnam, particularly Ho Chi Minh City, featuring broken rice served with grilled pork marinated in fish sauce, sugar, and lemongrass. The script mentions it as a popular street food dish, accompanied by pickled vegetables and a dipping sauce. Com Tam represents the street food culture and the use of broken rice in Vietnamese cuisine.

💡Fresh spring rolls

Fresh spring rolls, or Goi Cuon, are a popular appetizer in Vietnamese cuisine. The script describes them as made with thin rice paper filled with shrimp, pork, rice noodles, and fresh herbs, served cold with a dipping sauce. This dish is an example of the light and refreshing aspects of Vietnamese cuisine, often served as a starter.

💡Broken rice

Broken rice refers to grains of rice that have been fractured during the milling process, resulting in a different texture than whole grain rice. The script mentions it in the context of Com Tam, a dish where broken rice is served with grilled pork and pickled vegetables. Broken rice is a staple in southern Vietnam and represents a practical use of rice that might otherwise be considered inferior.

Highlights

Vietnamese cuisine is known for its fresh ingredients, vibrant flavors, and a delicate balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy tastes.

Pho is the most famous Vietnamese dish, originating from Hanoi, with a focus on its aromatic broth made from simmering bones and spices.

The garnishes for Pho include fresh herbs and vegetables, allowing customization of the dish to individual tastes.

Bánh mì is an iconic Vietnamese street food, reflecting the country's French colonial influence.

Bánh mì's lighter baguette is filled with cold cuts, grilled meats, and topped with pickled vegetables and fresh herbs.

Porchetta features grilled pork marinated in fish sauce, sugar, and spices, served with vermicelli noodles and a dipping sauce.

Gỏi cuốn, or fresh spring rolls, are a popular appetizer made with rice paper rolls filled with shrimp, pork, and fresh herbs.

Bánh xèo is a savory pancake made with rice flour, water, and turmeric, filled with shrimp, pork, and fresh herbs.

Cao Lầu is a regional specialty from Hoi An, featuring thick rice noodles and marinated, grilled pork.

Banh bot loc is a street food snack from Southern Vietnam, consisting of crispy rice flour pancakes filled with shrimp and mung bean.

Mi quang is a noodle dish from Central Vietnam, featuring wide flat rice noodles served with proteins and vegetables.

Broken rice is a popular street food dish in Southern Vietnam, typically served with grilled pork and pickled vegetables.

Com tam is a dish that includes a dipping sauce made from fish sauce, sugar, lime juice, and chili peppers.

Vietnamese cuisine offers a vast and diverse range of culinary experiences.

The flavors and techniques of Vietnamese cuisine are unique and worth exploring.

Transcripts

Vietnamese cuisine is known for its

fresh ingredients vibrant flavors and a

delicate balance between sweet sour

salty and spicy here are top 10 must try

Vietnamese dishes

Pho is arguably the most famous

Vietnamese dish and has gained

popularity worldwide the dish originates

from northern Vietnam specifically Hanoi

and its Regional variations the broth is

the heart of this dish made by simmering

beef or chicken bones along with charred

onions Ginger and a blended spices such

as starinese cinnamon cloves and

cardamom thinly sliced meat beef or

chicken is cooked briefly in the piping

hot broth before serving the soup is

typically garnished with fresh herbs

like cilantro Thai Basil and green

onions along with bean sprouts lime

wedges and sliced chilies allowing

diners to customize their bowls to their

taste

Bond me the Bon me sandwich is an iconic

Vietnamese street food that reflects the

country's French Colonial influence the

baguette which is lighter and airier

than its French counterpart is the

foundation of the sandwich traditional

fillings include various types of cold

cuts such as ham head cheese or Pate

grilled Meats like lemongrass marinade

pork or Tofu for a vegetarian option the

sandwich is then topped with pickled

Daikon radish and carrots cucumber

slices fresh cilantro and spicy chili

sauce or jalapenos creating our

harmonious combination of flavors and

textures

this dish is believed to have originated

in Hanoi and is a favorite among locals

and visitors alike puncha features small

grilled Patties or slices of seasoned

pork usually marinated in fish sauce

sugar and various spices which are

grilled over charcoal for a smoky flavor

the pork is served with a side of coral

vermicelli noodles a dipping sauce made

from fish sauce sugar vinegar and water

and an assortment of fresh herbs and

vegetables such as lettuce mint and

cilantro diners can either dip the

noodles and meat into the sauce or mix

everything together in a bowl koi corn

or fresh spring rolls are a popular

appetizer in Vietnamese cuisine the

rolls are made by soaking thin rice

paper in water briefly to make them

pliable then filling them with a

combination of ingredients that usually

include cooked shrimp thinly sliced pork

rice noodles and an assortment of fresh

herbs such as mint cilantro and lettuce

the rolls are served cold and are often

accompanied by a dipping sauce made from

hoisin sauce peanut butter and water

sometimes garnished with crushed peanuts

koikon is a light and refreshing dish

perfect for warm weather or as a starter

before a heavier meal bonsio bonsio is a

Vietnamese savory pancake with a crisp

delicate texture the name bonzio

translates to sizzling cake due to the

sound the batter makes when it hits the

hot pan the batter is made from a

mixture of rice flour water and turmeric

which gives the pancakes their signature

yellow Hue the pancake is typically

filled with shrimp pork bean sprouts and

fresh herbs then fold it in half and

cooked until crispy bonzio is a

traditionally served with lettuce leaves

which are used to wrap pieces of the

pancake and a dipping sauce called milk

Jam made from fish sauce lime juice

sugar water and garlic the combination

of flavors and textures make bonsio a

delicious and satisfying dish Choco

lavong Choco lavong is a famous dish

from Hanoi featuring grilled fish that

has been marinated in a mixture of

turmeric garlic shallots and fish sauce

the fish is typically a firm white flesh

variety such as catfish or tilapia yeah

it is grilled or pan fried until

slightly charred and then served in a

sizzling hot plate with generous amounts

of fresh dill and green onions

accompanying the dish are cold rice

noodles a dipping sauce made of fish

sauce sugar and vinegar and additional

fresh herbs and vegetables such as

lettuce and mint the dish is typically

enjoyed by placing some fish herbs and

noodles onto a lettuce leaf then dipping

the bundle into the sauce before eating

cowlo Gallo is a regional specialty from

the ancient town of hoi on in central

Vietnam the dish features thick chewy

rice noodles that are often prepared

using water from a specific well in the

town giving them a unique texture the

noodles are served with thinly sliced

pork that has been marinated and grilled

as well as crispy croutons made from the

same noodle dough the dish is topped

with fresh herbs like mint and cilantro

as well as bean sprouts and lettuce a

Tangy slightly sweet sauce made from soy

sauce pork broth and various spices is

drizzled over the top bringing all the

flavors together bonkot is a popular

street food snack from Southern Vietnam

consisting of miniature crispy rice

flour pancakes the batter is made from a

mixture of rice flour coconut milk and

turmeric giving the pancakes their

vibrant yellow color the pancakes are

cooked in a special pan with small round

indentations which help them achieve

their signature shape and crispy texture

each pancake is filled with cooked

shrimp mung bean and scallions then

topped with a sweet and sour dipping

sauce called noctum made from fish sauce

lime juice sugar water and garlic the

dish is typically served with an

assortment of fresh herbs such as mince

and cilantro which can be used to wrap

the pancakes before dipping and eating

mikwang is a noodle dish native to the

Guang Nam province in Central Vietnam it

features wide flat rice noodles that are

tinted yellow with the addition of

turmeric the noodles are served with a

variety of proteins such as shrimp pork

and chicken as well as vegetables like

lettuce mint and bean sprouts the dish

is topped with a flavorful turmeric

infused broth which is typically made

from pork or chicken stock fish sauce

and various spices mikuang is garnished

with crushed peanuts crispy rice

crackers and fresh herbs like basil and

cilantro adding a layer of texture and

flavor to the dish

or broken rice is a popular street food

dish in southern Vietnam particularly in

Ho Chi Minh City broken rice is made

from grains of rice that have been

fractured during the Milling process

resulting in a slightly different

texture than whole grain rice comptam is

typically served with grilled pork that

has been marinated in a mixture of fish

sauce sugar and lemongrass the dish is

also accompanied by pickled vegetables

such as Daikon radish and carrots as

well as the fried egg with a runny yolk

a dipping sauce made from fish sauce

sugar lime juice and Chili Peppers is

drizzled over the top or served on the

side tying all the flavors together

these are just a few examples of the

vast and diverse culinary offerings of

Vietnam be sure to try as many dishes as

you can to truly appreciate the flavors

and techniques that make Vietnamese

cuisine so unique

foreign

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