What to Eat in Vietnam: 20 Signature Dishes and Where to Try Them
- Before you go
- May 12, 2025
Vietnam is surely a food paradise, as it is variegated in flavor, texture, and tradition. But the best of all: the huge variety of regional specialties North foods are generally delicate and balanced, central cuisine brings together spiciness and intricacy, and southern food is savory and sweet. So you have no reason to get confused about what to eat in Vietnam if you have in your possession these 20 dishes that take you deep into the heart of Vietnamese food culture. And don’t fret if you’re vegan; most of these dishes come in plant-based versions everywhere.
Contents
- 1. Banh Mi – The Vietnamese Baguette
- 2. Pho – Vietnam’s Most Famous Noodle Soup
- 3. Bun Cha – Grilled Pork with Vermicelli
- 4. Bun Rieu – Crab & Tomato Noodle Soup
- 5. Nem Ran / Cha Gio – Fried Spring Rolls
- 6. Bun Bo Hue – Spicy Beef Noodle Soup
- 7. Cao Lau – Hoi An’s Signature Dish
- 8. Com Ga – Vietnamese Chicken Rice
- 9. Sup Luon – Eel Soup
- 10. Banh Cuon – Steamed Rice Rolls
- 11. Banh Xeo – Vietnamese Crispy Pancake
- 12. Mi Quang – Central Vietnam’s Golden Noodles
- 13. Goi Cuon – Fresh Spring Rolls
- 14. Com Tam – Broken Rice Plate
- 15. Hu Tieu – Southern-Style Noodle Soup
- 16. Xoi – Sticky Rice (Sweet and Savory)
- 17. Nom Sua – Jellyfish Salad
- 18. Nom Hoa Chuoi – Banana Blossom Salad
- 19. Thit Trau Gac Bep – Smoked Buffalo Meat
- 20. Che – Traditional Vietnamese Sweet Soup
- Conclusion
1. Banh Mi – The Vietnamese Baguette
Crispy on the outside and airy inside, banh mi is Vietnam’s iconic sandwich, stuffed with pâté, grilled meats, pickled veggies, herbs, and chili sauce. Vegan fillings like tofu or mushrooms are also common.
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2. Pho – Vietnam’s Most Famous Noodle Soup
Pho combines flat rice noodles with fragrant broth, thinly sliced beef or chicken, and fresh herbs. Northern pho is lighter and clearer; southern pho is sweeter and more aromatic.
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3. Bun Cha – Grilled Pork with Vermicelli
Bun cha features grilled pork belly and patties served in a sweet-savory broth with rice vermicelli and herbs. Traditionally eaten for lunch in the north.
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4. Bun Rieu – Crab & Tomato Noodle Soup
A vibrant bowl of crab-based broth, tomato, tofu, and thin noodles, topped with herbs and often shrimp paste. Slightly sour, rich, and comforting.
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5. Nem Ran / Cha Gio – Fried Spring Rolls
Crispy fried rolls filled with minced pork, mushrooms, and glass noodles. Usually dipped in fish sauce and served with herbs or noodles. Vegan versions use tofu or vegetables.
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6. Bun Bo Hue – Spicy Beef Noodle Soup
This central specialty offers a deeply flavorful, spicy lemongrass broth with thick noodles, beef shank, and pork knuckle. Known for its heat and depth.
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7. Cao Lau – Hoi An’s Signature Dish
Unique to Hoi An, this dish features chewy noodles, grilled pork, fresh greens, and crispy rice crackers. Traditionally made with water from ancient town wells.
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8. Com Ga – Vietnamese Chicken Rice
Fragrant rice cooked with chicken broth, served with shredded chicken, herbs, and pickled vegetables. Regional variations offer different spices and sides.
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9. Sup Luon – Eel Soup
A north-central delicacy of eel served in peppery broth with crispy shallots, banana flower, and rice noodles or porridge.
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10. Banh Cuon – Steamed Rice Rolls
Thin sheets of rice flour stuffed with minced pork and mushrooms, served with fish sauce, fried shallots, and herbs. Delicate and filling.
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11. Banh Xeo – Vietnamese Crispy Pancake
Sizzling turmeric crepes filled with pork, shrimp, and bean sprouts, wrapped in lettuce and dipped in sweet-savory sauce.
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12. Mi Quang – Central Vietnam’s Golden Noodles
Yellow rice noodles topped with pork, shrimp, herbs, crushed peanuts, and crispy sesame rice crackers. Minimal broth, maximum flavor.
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13. Goi Cuon – Fresh Spring Rolls
Fresh rice paper rolls filled with shrimp, pork (or tofu), vermicelli, and herbs. Served cold with peanut or hoisin dipping sauce.
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Home M.A.D.E – Hanoi
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Riverside stalls – Hue & Hoi An
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Goi Cuon Nha Trang – Ho Chi Minh City
14. Com Tam – Broken Rice Plate
Popular in the south, this dish features broken rice topped with grilled pork, egg, pickles, and often shredded pork skin.
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Com Tam Kieu Giang – Hanoi
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Com Tam Saigon (Da Nang branch) – Da Nang
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Com Tam Ba Ghien – Ho Chi Minh City
15. Hu Tieu – Southern-Style Noodle Soup
Clear pork-based broth with rice noodles, shrimp, pork, and herbs. Light, flavorful, and often served dry with broth on the side.
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Hu Tieu Nam Vang Lien Hua – Ho Chi Minh City
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Hu Tieu Co Phuong – Da Nang
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Hu Tieu Saigon stalls – Hanoi
16. Xoi – Sticky Rice (Sweet and Savory)
Sticky rice (xoi) is a beloved Vietnamese dish eaten for breakfast, lunch, or dessert. It comes in both savory versions (with chicken, sausage, or egg) and sweet versions (with mung beans, coconut milk, or sugar). Its simplicity, variety, and affordability make it a must on any list of what to eat in Vietnam.
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Xoi Yen – Hanoi
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Xoi Ga Hue – Hue food stalls
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Xoi Ga Ut Map – Ho Chi Minh City
17. Nom Sua – Jellyfish Salad
This coastal specialty is a crunchy, refreshing salad made with sliced jellyfish, green papaya, herbs, roasted peanuts, and lime dressing. It’s a perfect dish for hot weather and a unique part of Vietnamese cuisine that few tourists try — but should!
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Seafood street stalls – Nha Trang
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Coastal markets – Da Nang
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Can Gio seafood restaurants – Ho Chi Minh City
18. Nom Hoa Chuoi – Banana Blossom Salad
Banana blossoms are shredded and tossed with herbs, lime juice, chili, roasted peanuts, and often shrimp or chicken. Vegetarian versions use tofu. This salad is light, tangy, and a perfect example of Vietnamese food’s balance of flavors.
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Uu Dam Chay – Hanoi
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Vegetarian restaurants – Hue
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Chay Garden – Ho Chi Minh City
19. Thit Trau Gac Bep – Smoked Buffalo Meat
This delicacy from Vietnam’s northern highlands features buffalo meat marinated with salt, ginger, and herbs, then smoked over wood for days. It’s chewy, rich in flavor, and often served with chili salt. A rare treat and a reason why Vietnamese cuisine is so regionally distinct.
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Ethnic markets – Ha Giang
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Food festivals – Kon Tum
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Mountain food restaurants – Ho Chi Minh City
20. Che – Traditional Vietnamese Sweet Soup
Che is a broad term for Vietnamese sweet soups or puddings made from beans, jelly, fruits, sticky rice, and coconut milk. Served hot or cold, depending on the ingredients and the season, it’s a delightful end to your food adventure in Vietnam.
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Che Ba Thin – Hanoi
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Che Hem – Hue
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Che Ba Mien – Ho Chi Minh City
Conclusion
From steaming bowls of pho to banana blossom salads and sweet sticky rice, Vietnam’s culinary identity is rich, diverse, and deeply regional. Whether you’re exploring Hanoi’s street food corners or coastal seafood stalls in Da Nang, you’ll never run out of ideas for what to eat in Vietnam. And with vegan versions of most traditional dishes, this food journey truly has something for everyone.
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