Top 10 Vietnamese Food - Think beyond PHO

I am a big-time foodie and for me, a trip is incomplete without indulging into some local cuisine. If there is one country which is absolute heaven for food lovers especially meat lovers, it's gotta be Vietnam. While it holds a lot of similarity with other South-East Asian countries, but the prices here steal the deal in its favour. Vietnamese food culture is driven by street-side vendors selling food on small tables and stools but they serve some of the freshest food options out there. You must have heard of PHO but today I am going to take you on a gastronomic journey way more than that.

Here is my list of top 10 must-have food while in Vietnam. Happy Feasting!!

Banh Mi

Banh Mi is the perfect cross between France & Vietnam. Within the perfect toasted French Bagaute lies a plethora of amazing selection of meats and spices. This is one of the most popular snacks around the country with various options available and it's sure to give Subway a run for its money. With prices ranging from 15000 VND to around 35000 VND, it's a bang for the buck. If you are in Hanoi, visit Bahn Mi 25 which is one of the most famous spots to get a quick bite. Similarly, if you are in Ho Chi Minh head to Banh Mi Huynh Hoa and if you in Hoi An, head to Banh Mi Phurong.

Bun Cha

The then US President Barrack Obama made the Bun Cha famous when he ate it on the Anthony Bourdain's show. This simple pork dish having some juicy grilled pork along with a side of fish sauce and host of fresh veggies along with some fresh thin rice noodles will put you back a mere 45000 VND. Mix it to your taste along with the classic soy and chilli sauce to suit your taste. Head to Bun Cha Houng Lien for the classic Obama experience along with local beers. 

 

Cao Lau

This heartwarming noodle dish is native to Hoi An where the water for its broth is sourced from a famous well in town. For this particular reason, it's hard to find this anywhere else. For around 55000 VND, it features thick noodles along with a good serving of either pork or chicken along with a serving of fresh bean sprouts and some herbs all incorporated with an amazing sauce. The best place to try this is Morning Glory which along with some finger-licking food also has an amazing ambience.

Goi Cuon (Vietnamese Spring Rolls)

Spring rolls are a very common food item available all across the world but the Vietnamese do it in a quite different way. They actively use Rice Paper as the roll with a host of ingredient inside such as shrimp, pork, chicken along with some fresh herbs and vermicelli. Either you can go the healthy way with eating them just like that or can fry them. They form an amazing pair with peanut sauce. It one of those dishes which can be savoured at any place so there is a huge number of options available at different price points. 

Banh Xeo

These are Vietnam's answer to the Western Crepes & pancakes. Made from rice flour, coconut milk along with options of meats such as pork chicken, beef, shrimp the options are diverse. The classic way to have these is to roll them between lettuce and mustard leaves or rice paper along with herbs before dipping in fermented peanut sauce. With prices below 25000 VND, these are a must-try. Head to Quan Ngon in Hanoi or An Lac in Ho Chi Minh to get the best experience. 

Ca Phe Trung (Egg Coffee)

The coffee culture arrived in Vietnam during the early 1900s when French ruled there. While the French are gone, coffee has stayed and thank god for that. I have had one of the best roasts here in Vietnam. From the rare weasel variety to most common types, it has it all. Egg coffee might seem like a strange concoction but trust me, you will love it. It's a perfect dessert coffee which originated around the 1950s when there was a scarcity of milk and since that the drink has stayed. The thick creamy texture is to die for. While other options such as coconut coffee, beer coffee were also there but egg coffee took my heart. The best place to try this is the place where it was originated Cafe Giang in Hanoi which is cute little cafe always bustling with tourists. Don't miss this while in Vietnam.

PHO

Hurray, the moment has come to bring up the star of the Vietnamese food lineup. The pho soup which is quintessential of Vietnamese food in the west. While roaming around in streets of Vietnam, I could see a host of small street-side vendors boiling their rich broth to serve their best version of PHO. It's readily available with beef (Pho Bo) & chicken (Pho Ga). The rich & fatty broth along with the perfect noodles and fresh herbs is a perfect treat for your winter night craving. From north to south, the taste changes along with the culture but you can get a hold on this amazing bowl for under 40000 VND. Try Pho 10 in Hanoi & Pho Hoa in Saigon to satisfy your cravings.

Banh Cuon

This one dish is a perfect snack to pang mild hunger craving. It consists of a meat mixture containing shrimp, pork, mushrooms rolled inside steamed rice batter crepes topped with fried onions. One can customise and even add eggs if desired. It's a treat to watch while being made. It's accompanied with some classic Vietnamese sausages. Visit Lang Son in Hanoi or Banh Coun Nho in Ho Chi Minh to experience these ranging from 10000 VND to 40000 VND.

Com Tam

Com Tam or broken rice form the stole of local Viet people. This combined with grilled meats of your choice is available all across the country at very reasonable rates. One such amazing experience was at Com Tam Ba Ghien in Ho Chi Minh. It had big grills all preparing fatty juicy grilled pork which is served straight to your plate. The whole place had an amazing aroma and after a good walk, that's the kind of meal you need, trust me.

Bun Thit Nuong 

Bun Thit Nuong is comprised of thin vermicelli rice noodles, chopped lettuce, sliced cucumber, bean sprouts, pickled daikon, basil, chopped peanuts, and mint, topped with grilled pork shoulder. Unlike most noodle dishes, it doesn’t come in a soup or broth, but with a good side of Nuoc Cham/Fish Sauce sauce for diners to mix into for a flavourful ensemble. While bun thit nuong is quite filling on its own, you can also try another amazing variation called bun thit nuong cha gio, which is topped with sliced cha gio (deep-fried Vietnamese spring rolls). Head to Bun Thit Noung Chi Tuyen in Ho Chi Minh to get the best version at around 40000 VND.

Vietnam is a very diverse country and there is a never a dearth of amazing food options available. In my quest to cover the best foods to eat in Vietnam, I couldn't cover any amazing seafood it has to offer as I am allergic to shellfish but there are way more dishes one can mention and you may come across even better options than mine. So pack your bags, prepare your tummy for a ride and you won't regret :)