Vie
Here is a list of 9 delicious Vietnamese dishes that the English magazine Rough Guides considers special and unforgettable. Among them, we must mention bread, pho, salad, grilled pork with vermicelli, crispy pancakes, Cao Lau, Quang noodles, broken rice… Lets’s check this out with Hai Phong Tours.
1. Gỏi Cuốn – A Delicious Vietnamese Dish
Gỏi cuốn is a popular and familiar Vietnamese dish that can be found widely throughout Vietnam. This dish consists of rolling ingredients such as fresh vegetables, meat, shrimp, and a variety of julienned herbs inside a thin rice paper wrapper. It is often served with a dipping sauce, either mắm nêm or sweet and sour fish sauce. Gỏi cuốn is typically enjoyed as an appetizer in Vietnamese restaurants.
2. Bánh Mì – A Delicious Vietnamese Dish
Bánh mì is one of the most popular street foods in Vietnam, as recognized by the English magazine. This dish dates back to the 19th century and consists of a baguette filled with pâté, meat, and various vegetables. Bánh mì can also be paired with different savory fillings such as beef, chicken, eggs, and grilled meat.
3. Bánh Xèo – A Delicious Vietnamese Dish
Rough Guides magazine describes Vietnamese bánh xèo as large, affordable, and fragrant pancakes filled with ingredients such as shrimp, meat, bean sprouts, and eggs. These pancakes are fried to a crisp and are often served with fresh greens wrapped in thin rice paper, accompanied by a dipping sauce, either fish sauce or mắm nêm, before enjoying. Travelers can try bánh xèo at many locations across Vietnam, including Hanoi, Hue, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, and various other provinces and cities.
4. Bún Chả – A Delicious Vietnamese Dish
Bún chả is a delightful Vietnamese dish that features grilled pork (often minced or sliced) served with vermicelli noodles and a side of fresh herbs, typically accompanied by a dipping sauce. The grilled pork is known for its savory and smoky flavor, making it a perfect complement to the fresh and cool rice vermicelli noodles and herbs.
This dish is particularly famous in Hanoi, where you can find small restaurants and street vendors specializing in bún chả. It’s often enjoyed by locals and tourists alike as a flavorful and satisfying meal. The combination of grilled meat, noodles, and herbs, along with the dipping sauce, creates a harmonious blend of flavors and textures that make bún chả a beloved part of Vietnamese cuisine.
5. Phở – A Delicious Vietnamese Dish
Phở is another highly popular Vietnamese dish that is often enjoyed at any time of the day, but it’s especially common for breakfast. According to Rough Guides: “A bowl of phở consists of broth made from beef or chicken bones, infused with ginger and herbs, served with silky-smooth rice noodles and scallions. Phở can be accompanied by beef, pork, or chicken. If you’re vegetarian, you can also opt for tofu.” The English magazine also suggests adding lime or crushed garlic, along with a touch of chili, to enhance the flavor of the phở bowl.
Phở’s rich and aromatic broth, combined with tender meat (or tofu for vegetarians) and fresh herbs, makes it a beloved and iconic dish in Vietnamese cuisine. It’s a must-try for travelers exploring the culinary delights of Vietnam.
6. Cao Lầu – A Delicious Vietnamese Dish
Cao lầu is a famous dish in the Central region of Vietnam and is considered one of the specialties of Hoi An. A serving of cao lầu typically includes thick rice noodles, bean sprouts, crispy pork rind, various types of meat, fresh greens, and peanuts. All of these ingredients are placed in a bowl with a flavorful, savory broth, adding a unique and rich taste to this dish.
Cao lầu’s distinctive combination of textures and flavors, along with its historical ties to Hoi An, make it a delightful and sought-after Vietnamese culinary experience, especially for those visiting the region.
7. Chả Cá – A Delicious Vietnamese Dish
Chả cá is believed to be one of the earliest dishes to originate in Hanoi and is one of the most popular seafood dishes in Vietnam. White fish meat, after being deboned, is marinated with spices and stir-fried with butter, dill, and scallions. Chả cá is typically served with vermicelli noodles, peanuts, and sweet and sour fish sauce, creating a unique and delicious flavor.
The combination of tender fish, fragrant herbs, and the sweet and tangy dipping sauce makes chả cá a delightful and memorable Vietnamese culinary experience. This dish is particularly renowned in Hanoi, where you can find restaurants specializing in its preparation.
8. Mì Quảng – A Delicious Vietnamese Dish
Mì Quảng is a beloved Vietnamese dish that hails from the Quang Nam Province in Central Vietnam. It is known for its vibrant and appealing presentation. This dish features wide rice noodles, often yellow in color due to the addition of turmeric, topped with a variety of ingredients.
Typically, Mì Quảng includes a protein such as shrimp, pork, or chicken, as well as fresh herbs, peanuts, and crispy rice crackers. It’s all served in a shallow bowl with a small amount of flavorful broth. What sets Mì Quảng apart is its use of a rich and savory broth that is just enough to coat the noodles but not drown them.
The combination of textures, flavors, and colors in Mì Quảng makes it a visually stunning and delicious dish, well worth trying when exploring Vietnamese cuisine.
9. Cơm Tấm – A Delicious Vietnamese Dish
Cơm tấm, also known as broken rice, is a popular and quintessential Vietnamese dish. It is named after the broken rice grains that are the main component of the meal. Cơm tấm is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed at any time of day, but it’s often served for lunch or dinner.
A typical plate of cơm tấm includes a bed of broken rice, topped with various accompaniments such as grilled pork (often referred to as cơm tấm sườn), shredded pork skin (bì), steamed or fried egg, and a variety of fresh herbs. It is typically served with a side of fish sauce dressing, which adds a savory and slightly sweet flavor to the dish.
Cơm tấm is celebrated for its simplicity, deliciousness, and the combination of textures and flavors in each bite. It’s a staple of Vietnamese cuisine and can be found in restaurants and street stalls throughout the country.
Conclusion: Delicious Vietnamese Dishes
In conclusion, Vietnamese cuisine offers a diverse and tantalizing array of dishes that capture the essence of this vibrant culture. From the fresh and fragrant flavors of dishes like Gỏi Cuốn and Phở to the unique and regional specialties like Cao Lầu and Mì Quảng, Vietnamese cuisine is a culinary journey worth embarking upon. The use of fresh herbs, aromatic spices, and a balance of textures make these dishes not only delicious but also a feast for the senses.
Whether you’re savoring street food in bustling cities or enjoying traditional meals in rural villages, the deliciousness and variety of Vietnamese food are sure to leave a lasting impression. So, don’t miss the opportunity to explore the rich tapestry of flavors that Vietnamese cuisine has to offer on your culinary adventures.
