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.