If you love to mix travel adventure and amazing food, then Vietnam is the destination for you. Indeed, Vietnam is notorious for its culinary culture, so those with a varied palate – and who enjoy sampling new dishes – will absolutely love exploring the country and trying out all of its tasty treats.
During your trip to Vietnam, you will encounter popular dishes, like Pho, as well as lesser-known recipes that are more difficult to find in other parts of the world. If this is your first time in Vietnam, here are some suggestions for you.
Pho
For those who already have some familiarity with Vietnamese food, Pho will be instantly recognisable. Pho is the most popular Vietnamese dish in UK restaurants, but in Vietnam itself, this traditional dish is on a different level.
In Vietnam, some restaurants focus specifically on this dish, elevating the flavour of the broth and using only the softest cuts of meat. For those unfamiliar with it, Pho is recognisable for its flat rice noodles, accompanied either by medium-rare slices of beef or boiled chicken in a broth.
According to the area, the recipe itself can vary. For example, Pho Hanoi, originally found in the north, has a clear broth, while Pho Nam, a southern variation, has a darker tint.
Goi Cuon
For a lighter option or quick snack, Goi Cuon is about as perfect as it gets. Typical ingredients in this salad roll include shrimp, vermicelli, pork, and healthy greens. It can be tough sometimes to chew your way through the rice paper, but the peanuts- and hoisin-flavoured sauce makes it a completely worthwhile experience.
Bo Kho
Bo Kho is a favourite among meat lovers and vegetarians alike. This dish is a gorgeous stew that can be made with any type of meat you wish, or served with tofu if you want the vegetarian option.
Bo Kho is a real Vietnamese favourite. Typically served either at breakfast or lunch, it comes with a generous portion of bread to dip in the hearty stew.
Com Tam
The origins of Com Tam date back to when farmers would consume the fractured rice grains that they were unable to sell. Now, the “broken” rice dish has become one of the pillars of Vietnamese culinary tradition and a favoured meal option for the local population.
This dish can be prepared in a variety of ways, but the most popular way is Com Tam Suon Nuong Op La, where a fried egg is paired with caramelised grilled pork chop and served on a mound of broken rice, with a variety of vegetables on the side.
Bun Bo Hue
A dish representative of the famous royal cuisine of Hue, Bun Bo Hue is a glorious mix of beauty and taste. This dish has a strikingly red broth, which provides a first insight into its deep flavour. It is prepared for hours by simmering beef bones and stalks of lemongrass, leaving a very citrusy concoction.