Best Food in Vietnam You Must Try

Vietnam is home to a world of flavours. Each dish tells its own story of regional traditions, fresh ingredients, and vibrant culture. From bustling street food stands to elegant restaurant plates, Vietnamese cuisine offers a mouth-watering variety. 

Here’s a guide to some of the must-try food in Vietnam. This guide includes the beloved pho and lesser-known dishes that are worth exploring. If you are new to Vietnamese dishes and hope to taste them, this blog will help you choose which dish to try first.

Iconic Food in Vietnam You Must Try

Vietnamese cuisine is known for its freshness, balance, and bold flavours. Each dish offers a unique taste that reflects Vietnam’s culture and history. Here’s a closer look at some of the most iconic Vietnamese dishes you won’t want to miss.

1. Pho

One of the most recognisable dishes worldwide, Pho (pronounced "fuh") is a noodle soup that can be found on almost every street in Vietnam. This dish features a clear, salty broth made from slow-simmered bones and spices like star anise and cinnamon, giving it a rich, comforting aroma.

Fresh rice noodles are added, along with slices of beef or chicken, herbs, and sometimes bean sprouts. A splash of lime and a touch of chilli can be added for extra flavour. Pho is affordable, available at any time of day, and is particularly popular as a breakfast food.

2. Banh Xeo

Banh Xeo is a Vietnamese savoury pancake with a crisp, golden crust made from rice flour, turmeric, and coconut milk. The pancake is stuffed with shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts, creating a combination of crunchy and juicy textures.

It’s usually served with a side of fresh lettuce and herbs like mint and basil, which are used to wrap pieces of the pancake before dipping them into a tangy fish sauce. This dish is a popular choice at street food stalls, delivering a satisfying mix of savoury, slightly sweet, and nutty flavours.

3. Cao Lau

A specialty from the ancient town of Hoi An, Cao Lau stands out because of its unique thick noodles. These noodles are prepared using water from a local well, giving them a distinct taste that can’t be replicated elsewhere.

The dish includes slices of seasoned pork, fresh greens, crispy noodles on top, and a flavorful broth that’s poured sparingly over the ingredients. The result is an earthy, slightly smoky dish that locals and tourists alike love to try when visiting Hoi An.

4. Bún Chả

Bún chả is a grilled pork and rice noodle dish famously enjoyed in Hanoi. The grilled pork is served with a bowl of dipping sauce made from fish sauce, sugar, vinegar, and lime. That combination gives the dish a perfect balance of sweet, savoury, and tangy flavours.

Fresh herbs and lettuce are added on the side, and diners typically dip the noodles and meat into the sauce for a refreshing, smoky taste. Known for its satisfying flavours, bún chả is a common lunchtime favourite among locals.

5. Bánh Mì

The Vietnamese sandwich known as banh mi is a delicious example of the country’s French colonial influence. Made with a crispy French baguette, bánh mì is filled with a mix of savoury meats (often pork, chicken, or pate), pickled vegetables, cucumber, cilantro, and sometimes chilli for an extra kick.

The flavours are a delightful combination of crunchy, tangy, and slightly spicy, making it a quick and popular meal for people on the go. Bánh mì has become a beloved street food, not only in Vietnam but worldwide.

6. Canh (Vietnamese Soups)

Canh refers to a variety of Vietnamese soups, often served alongside a meal rather than as a main course. These soups are typically made with a light, clear broth and can include ingredients like vegetables, tofu, seafood, or meat.

Each family might have its own variation, with common choices being canh chua (sour soup with fish and pineapple) and canh rau (vegetable soup). Canh adds a comforting, balanced element to the meal, providing a warm and soothing counterpoint to other flavorful dishes.

7. Banh Chung / Banh Tet

These sticky rice cakes, often prepared during the Lunar New Year (Tet), are deeply symbolic in Vietnamese culture. Made from sticky rice, pork, and mung beans, these cakes are wrapped in banana leaves and boiled for several hours until they become soft and flavorful.

Banh Chung is square-shaped, representing the Earth, while Banh Tet is cylindrical, symbolising the heavens. Both cakes are slightly sweet, savoury, and chewy, with a unique taste that reflects the unity and tradition of Vietnamese families during holiday gatherings.

8. Goi Cuon (Fresh Spring Rolls)

Goi Cuon, or fresh spring rolls, are a light and refreshing appetiser that captures the essence of Vietnamese cuisine’s focus on freshness and balance. Each roll is made by wrapping shrimp, pork, vermicelli noodles, and fresh herbs in rice paper, creating a delicate and colourful snack.

Served with a peanut or fish sauce for dipping, these rolls have a clean, herbaceous flavour with a slight crunch, making them a popular starter or side dish.

9. Chao (Rice Porridge)

Chao, a Vietnamese rice porridge, is a simple yet comforting dish, often served to the elderly, the sick, or young children. It’s made by boiling rice in water or broth until it reaches a thick, porridge-like consistency, and can be flavoured with pork, chicken, or seafood.

Often garnished with green onions and fried shallots, chao is a mild, slightly savoury dish that provides warmth and comfort, especially on cooler days.

10. Hu Tieu

Hu Tieu is another beloved Vietnamese noodle soup, known for its clear broth and chewy noodles. Unlike pho, which has a deeper, richer flavour, hu tieu has a light and refreshing taste, often accompanied by slices of pork, shrimp, or squid.

Originating from southern Vietnam, it’s enjoyed by locals for breakfast or lunch, with optional sides like lime wedges, bean sprouts, and chives that allow diners to customise their bowls.

11. Mi Quang

Mi Quang is a central Vietnamese dish that’s a feast for both the eyes and the taste buds. This vibrant noodle dish is made with turmeric-infused rice noodles, topped with shrimp, pork, fresh greens, and peanuts, all brought together with a small amount of flavorful broth.

The dish is enjoyed as much for its variety of textures—from the crunch of peanuts to the softness of noodles—as for its earthy, spicy flavours.

12. Nem Ran / Cha Gio (Vietnamese Fried Spring Rolls)

Known as cha gio in the south and nem ran in the north, these fried spring rolls are a crunchy treat filled with minced pork, mushrooms, carrots, and glass noodles.

Rolled in rice paper and fried to a golden crisp, they’re often served with lettuce and herbs for wrapping, and a dipping sauce made from fish sauce and lime. The combination of crispy exterior with a flavorful filling makes them a crowd favourite.

13. Che (Vietnamese Desserts)

Che refers to a variety of sweet soups and puddings made from beans, tapioca, coconut milk, and fruits. These colourful and textured desserts can be served hot or cold and come in many variations like che ba mau (three-coloured dessert) and che dau xanh (mung bean pudding).

Often enjoyed as a refreshing end to a meal, che is light and mildly sweet, perfect for cooling off in the warm Vietnamese climate.

14. Thit Kho To (Caramelized Pork)

Thit Kho To is a delicious braised pork dish Vietnamese people cook in a clay pot to help the meat absorb all the rich flavours. Pork belly is simmered with coconut water, fish sauce, and sugar until it becomes tender and caramelised. The result is a sweet and savoury taste with a slightly sticky texture.

Often served with steamed rice, thit kho to is a comforting, homestyle dish popular in southern Vietnam, especially during family gatherings.

15. Lau (Vietnamese Hot Pot)

Vietnamese hot pot, or lau, is a communal dish enjoyed with family or friends, especially in colder weather. The hot pot is filled with a flavorful broth and numerous ingredients, such as seafood, thinly sliced meat, tofu, and vegetables.

This dish allows diners to cook their chosen ingredients at the table, making it a fun and interactive meal.

16. Bo Kho (Beef Stew)

Bo Kho is a hearty Vietnamese beef stew known for its deep, rich flavours. The beef is slow-cooked with lemongrass, star anise, cinnamon, and tomatoes, creating a tender, flavorful dish. It’s served with baguette (for dipping) or rice noodles. Bo Kho has a comforting, slightly sweet, and aromatic taste, making it a popular breakfast dish in southern Vietnam.

17. Banh Cuon (Steamed Rice Rolls)

Banh Cuon is delicate, steamed rice rolls filled with ground pork, mushrooms, and minced shallots, then topped with crispy fried shallots and fresh herbs. The rolls are soft and slightly chewy, with a savoury filling that contrasts beautifully with the light fish sauce dipping sauce. Often enjoyed for breakfast, this delightful, light dish pairs well with fresh herbs.

18. Bun Thit Nuong (Grilled Pork with Noodles)

Bun Thit Nuong is a refreshing noodle dish featuring grilled pork served over rice vermicelli noodles, fresh herbs, and vegetables like lettuce, cucumber, and pickled carrots. This dish offers a mix of savoury, nutty, and tangy flavours, making it a favourite in southern Vietnam, especially during the warmer months.

19. Banh Bao (Vietnamese Steamed Bun)

Inspired by Chinese cuisine, banh bao are steamed buns filled with minced pork, quail egg, and sometimes Chinese sausage. The dough is soft and slightly sweet, while the filling is savoury and juicy. These buns are popular as a snack or a quick breakfast and are available at street vendors throughout Vietnam.

Exploring these food in Vietnam is an exciting journey into the heart of Vietnamese food culture, offering a wide variety of tastes and experiences that capture the essence of Vietnam’s culinary traditions.

20. Tom Rang Muoi (Salt and Pepper Shrimp)

Tom Rang Muoi is a simple yet delicious dish featuring shrimp seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic, and sometimes chili then stir-fried until crispy. The shrimp shells become golden and slightly crunchy, with a savory, spicy coating that makes each bite deliciously satisfying. This dish is usually enjoyed with steamed rice and fresh vegetables.

If you're in Melbourne and craving Vietnamese flavours, Richmond has the perfect spot for you: New Quarter. We are a neo-Vietnamese restaurant that serves up a variety of Vietnamese-inspired dishes, blending traditional flavours with a Melbourne twist.

Located at Ground Level, 79 Swan St, Richmond VIC 3121, New Quarter offers a sleek, elegant setting where you can savour the fresh and fragrant dishes of Vietnam in a modern Melbourne style.

Whether you’re familiar with Vietnamese cuisine or trying it for the first time, New Quarter’s menu will surprise and delight you with its unique interpretations of classic dishes.

For reservations or inquiries, call (03) 8391 1388 or visit their website at newquarter.com.au