When you think of Vietnam, the food is definitely one of the iconic characteristics of the country. But when you look up lists of ‘must-try Vietnamese food’ you’ll almost always see phở and bánh mì. and while those foods are rightfully praised, I’m here to give you my favorite foods, snacks, and drinks in Vietnam that no one told me about. And I think you need to try these foods on your next trip to Vietnam or to your neighborhood Vietnamese restaurant!
11. Gỏi cuốn
I’m starting off with one of my favorites, gỏi cuốn or a Vietnamese fresh roll. This Vietnamese dish is perfect as a snack or even as an appetizer. They’re easy to make and are fresh, and healthy without being too filling. You can also customize them however you want, making it suitable for people with certain food restrictions (gluten free, vegan, pescatarian, etc.) These fresh rolls can be found at restaurants around the country, and they’re ideal for when you’re on the go! But when you try these, promise me you won’t skimp on the peanut dipping sauce (barring allergy sufferers of course).
10. Trà đào
Now, all the fruit teas and juices are so delicious, but the peach tea hits just right every time I order it. I will warn you that some cafes and street vendors make this drink super sweet, so you might need to adjust your order accordingly. When it comes to drinks (and the food), the Vietnamese love a garnish. Often, you’ll find peach bit or slices in your trà đào or even a thin slice of orange for a little razzle dazzle. The balance of the sweet peach and the earthy tea essence is simply perfection! On a hot Saigon day, be sure to ask for a refeshing glass of trà đào!
9. Mì khô xá xíu
While the origins of this dish may be elsewhere in Asia, I’ve only eaten and thoroughly enjoyed it in Vietnam. Mì khô xá xíu is a noodle dish that is topped with xá xíu or thinly sliced barbeque pork. Where I eat my mì khô xá xíu it’s served in a savory broth that just brings out the oils and flavors of the pork. The dish also has greens like bok choy along with the meat and noodles. I love to add lots of pickled garlic to my noodles along with some leafy greens. I’ve eaten this meal more times than I can count and honestly, it’s a struggle not to devour my mì khô xá xíu in just a few seconds.
8. Soda Việt quất
Just like the fruit teas, the variety of handmade soda drinks are numerous in Vietnam. But of all the favors, blueberry is simply superior for me. It’s a simple drink often served in a glass or a mason jar with ice, blueberry puree, a soda water, and a little simple syrup for sweetness. And as always, the Vietnamese go the extra mile usually with a few slices of lime for garnish. The color of the drink is aesthetically pleasing. The sweetness is balanced with the crispness of the soda water, and the lime is the perfect touch to cut through the blueberry puree. You may have tried this drink elsewhere, but promise me you’ll also give Vietnamese soda việt quất a try, and let me know what you think!
7. Cơm tấm
After my first time eating this dish, I saw how many cơm tấm shops lined the streets of my neighborhood. Translated to broken rice, cơm tấm is a Vietnamese dish that contains broken rice, a meat of some kind, sometimes a fried egg, and vegetables. Some of the veggies are a part of the meal and some are garnish).
Cơm tấm is a Vietnamese dish that has everything I would need or want in a meal. My local cơm tấm restaurant starts you off with a simple cabbage soup . You get to choose the combination of meat and egg for your meal. My go-to is a pork chop, grilled hot dog, with a fried egg.
This dish can be found in almost every neighborhood in Vietnam. The best part about the broken rice is that it absorbs the flavors of the food and sauces you pair with it. Everything is seasoned to perfection and it has every element I’d want or need out of a meal. Highly recommended to try!
6. Sinh tố bơ
If you’re an avocado person like me, then this is the drink for you. I can enjoy this drink with breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Sinh tố bơ is a Vietnamese avocado smoothie. This simple drink checks all my boxes. It’s thick, creamy, slightly sweet, and has that iconic green color that makes everyone think you’re getting your fruits and veggies in for the day! This drink has never done me wrong. It’s usually served alone without a garnish because the creamy goodness can speak for itself.
5. Gà kho gừng
This is a caramelized chicken and ginger dish and simply put, it’s delicious. I actually made this dish myself during a cooking class I took in Saigon. Maybe because I was the chef, but it was definitely one of the best dishes I’ve eaten since living in Vietnam. The sweetness of the caramelized ginger in the sauce paired with the savory spices used to marinate the chicken was unmatched. Enjoying this dish with a side of fluffy white rice is the perfect combination in my book. Gà kho gừng is high on my list of Vietnamese food recommendations!
4. Sữa Chua
The yogurt industry in Vietnam is very strong and for good reason. Homemade yogurts are popular in this country. Homemade yogurts produce a perfectly sweet and tart flavor (very similar to the taste of yakult). No one told me about the yogurt in this country and how delicious it is in every form. When I’m out to eat my go to is a yogurt drink. Ice, fruit, yogurt and it the perfect finish to your meal. Blueberry clearly has some sort of chokehold on me because it tends to be my favorite yogurt drink flavor. But my other top contenders are lime, and strawberry!
If you’re going to try to yogurts I say you also go ahead and go to the local Big C or Coopmart. Buy an individual pot yogurt. There are so many flavors to choose from. One time, I was (unsurprisingly) looking to try a blueberry yogurt and grabbed a nếp cẩm topped yogurt instead. Imagine my surprise when I found a scoop of sweet black sticky rice in my mouth along with my yogurt. And it was actually really yummy! I recommend if you’re looking to try a truly Vietnamese yogurt treat. I think I need to write a blog dedicated to the yogurt in this country because it’s just that good.
3. Mì xào hải sản
It’s a stir-fried noodle dish with seafood that’s so simple yet tastes amazing! Fresh green vegetables like choy sum, shrimp, and other seafoods like squid. All these ingredients are cooked with ramen noodles in a subtle savory sauce. This dish is sometimes made with a twist by frying up the noodles for a crispy delicious alternative. This dish is perfect for the not so adventurous eaters, but still has all the elements of a well-rounded and delicious meal.
2. Bò kho
A Vietnamese beef stew. With its origins from Southern Vietnam, this meal is a treat no matter where you’re eating it. It can often be found that it’s served with a bánh mì on the side. You enjoy it by ripping pieces of your bánh mì and dipping them in the savory broth of the stew. I’ve risked several freshly done manicures just to properly devour this dish. I’ve only had this dish in Saigon, but I can only imagine how rich the flavors are in the South of Vietnam. I literally expanded my list just to add this dish to it. And I highly recommend this dish to anyone that’s missing that warm homey feeling in their meals.
1. Cao lầu
This dish made my number one spot because it was one of the first Vietnamese meals I had eaten after moving here. And I have not stop thinking about it since! Cao lầu is a regional Vietnamese noodle dish originally from the city of Hoi An, located in the central region. Made with slices of pork, bean sprouts, greens and herbs layered on top of specially prepared rice noodles. This dish is not commonly found outside of the central region. So, your best bet is taking a trip to Hoi An and discovering this absolutely perfect dish for yourself!
I hope my top 11 Vietnamese food and drink recommendations give you a glimpse into the diversity and the amazing flavors that Vietnamese food has to offer. Sweet, sour, spicy, or savory, Vietnam has it all. Although I’ve only lived in this country for a little over 6 months so I’m sure by the end of my time here I’ll have a new updated list.
While my list is sharing the food I felt was underrated in Vietnamese foodie discourse especially when it’s aimed at tourists, let me be clear… Bánh mì, phở and bún bò Huế are definitely worth the hype and are rightfully iconic staple dishes that represent the great flavors of Vietnam!
If you are interested in more foodie content, be sure to check out Everything I Ate on a Weekend in Paris. I share how I ate my way around Paris with an appetite and on a budget.
Leave a Reply