I'll be the first to admit - Vietnamese food is nothing like that of Thailand. Thai food is loved by people from around the world all thanks to its fiery, well-seasoned dishes. Each bite is a burst of delightful flavours, making it exceedingly hard to put the spoon down. Well, Vietnamese food is notably different. While it is on a par with other Southeast Asian cuisines in terms of colour and vibrancy, it however, lacks in flavours - but that isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Vietnam is said to have one of the healthiest ethnic food in the world. It is ridiculously low in fat, mostly free of gluten, and is loaded with many types of essential vitamins and minerals. It is also capable of boosting the immune system while aiding weight loss. Sound too good to be true? You would need to try them to find out then. The following is a list of the top 20 must-try dishes in Vietnam!

Read also: Top 8 Things to Do in Vũng Tàu, Vietnam

20 Vietnamese Food to Try

Water Fern Cakes - Bánh Bèo

This unique dish originated from Huế, which is a city in central Vietnam. Translated to be water fern cakes, Bánh bèo is prepared by combining rice flour and tapioca flour. It is one of the most popular street food across Vietnam.

Bánh bè / Steamed savory rice cakes

Crispy Salmon - Vây Cá Hồi Nướng

Vây Cá Hồi Nướng / Grilled salmon

Rice Noodles - Mì Quảng

This Vietnamese noodle dish originated from the Quảng Nam Province in central Vietnam. it is a popular regional specialty served on significant occasions such as parties, death anniversaries and Tết. The dish consists of rice noodles, meat and various herbs and garnished with peanuts, chillies, toasted sesame rice crackers, and lime.

Mì Quảng or rice noodle is one of the most popular food in the country.

Beef Stew - Bò Kho

Bo Kho is a spicy and flavorful Vietnamese braised beef stew containing large chunks of meat, carrots and potatoes. This dish is commonly eaten with Bánh Mì which is a short baguette with thin, crisp crust.

Bò Kho is a type of Vietnamese beef stew

Fresh Spring Rolls - Gỏi Cuốn

Gỏi cuốn or nem cuốn is a popular Vietnamese salad and rice paper roll. It is traditionally prepared using pork, prawn, fresh green vegetables and bún wrapped in bánh tráng or rice paper wrappers.

Gỏi cuốn is a type of soft vermicelli spring rolls in Vietnam

Trái sơ ri

Trái sơ ri / Barbados cherries

Gỏi Salad

Pork Spring Rolls - Chả giò

Chả giò / Minced pork sausage

Seaweed Soup - Súp Nấm Rong Biển

Súp Nấm Rong Biển / Seaweed Soup

Steamed Cassava - Khoai Mì

Khoai Mì & Muối Mè / Tapioca with seasoned crushed peanut

Sweet Cakes

Bánh Tằm Khoai Mì - Khoai Mì Nước Dừa - Xôi Thập Cẩm - Xôi đậu / Assortment of sweet cakes and desserts

Chicken Noodle Soup - Bún Thang

Bún Thang

Beef & Rice Noodle Soup - Bún Bò

Bún Bò

Broken Rice with Pork Chop - Cơm tấm

Cơm tấm (Sườn - Bì - Chả - Trứng) / Steamed broken rice with grilled pork chop marinated in sugar and fish sauce, pork loaf topped with egg, and a mixture of shredded pork and skin

Cơm tấm

Beef Lok Lak - Bò lúc lắc

Beed Lok Lak is a famous Vietnamese dish inspired by the French cuisine. It consists of beef cut into bite-sized cubes and sautéed with red onions, pepper and soy sauce.

Bò lúc lắc / Sauteed beef

Crispy Rice Pancakes - Bánh Xèo

Bánh Xèo / Sizzling cake - Savory fried pancakes stuffed with pork, shrimp, green onion, and bean sprouts. The right way of eating Bánh Xèo is to roll it with greens.

Bánh Xèo / Sizzling cake

Fried Frog with Fish Sauce - Ếch Chiên Nước Mắm

Ếch Chiên Nước Mắm / Fried frog

Lemongrass Beef - Bò Xào Xả

Bò Xào Xả / Beef and lemongrass stir-fry

Fried Noodles

Fried egg noodles

Fried Spring Rolls - Nem rán

Nem rán / A more rugged variation of Chả giò

Addicted to everything Vietnamese? Read more about Ho Chi Minh or Vung Tau now.

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