Vietnam food guide
Vietnam Food Guide: 15 Dishes + Where to Eat Them (2026)
Vietnamese food is one of the world’s most balanced — fresh herbs, fish sauce, contrast of flavors, light technique. Three major regional cuisines: north (Hanoi – lighter, broth-focused), central (Hue/Hoi An – imperial, complex), south (Saigon – sweeter, French-influenced).
Phở (beef noodle soup)
Hanoi specialty. Pho Gia Truyen (Hanoi) is the cult favorite; Pho 10 Ly Quoc Su for the classic.
Price: 40,000-80,000 VND ($2-4)
Bánh mì
Vietnamese sandwich (French baguette + Vietnamese fillings). Banh Mi Phuong (Hoi An) — Anthony Bourdain’s favorite; Banh Mi 25 (Hanoi); Banh Mi Huynh Hoa (Saigon).
Price: 25,000-50,000 VND
Bún chả
Hanoi’s grilled-pork-with-noodles dish. Bun Cha Huong Lien (Hanoi) — Obama’s spot in 2016; Bun Cha 34 also legendary.
Price: 45,000-90,000 VND
Bánh xèo
Vietnamese ‘crispy crepe’ with shrimp, pork, bean sprouts. Wrap in lettuce + herbs + dip in nuoc cham.
Price: 45,000-100,000 VND
Cao lầu
Hoi An exclusive — noodles with pork, herbs, crunchy croutons. Made only here because of well-water in Hoi An.
Price: 35,000-70,000 VND
White rose dumplings
Hoi An shrimp dumplings shaped like roses. Try at White Rose Restaurant (specialized in just this).
Price: 60,000-120,000 VND per portion
Bún bò Huế
Hue’s spicy beef noodle soup — different from phở. Spicier, more layered. Try in Hue or at Bun Bo Hue Dat at the various Saigon locations.
Price: 50,000-100,000 VND
Cơm tấm
Broken-rice plate with grilled pork chop. Saigon specialty. Cơm Tấm Ba Ghien is the famous spot.
Price: 45,000-90,000 VND
Spring rolls (fresh + fried)
Goi cuon (fresh, rice-paper-wrapped) and chả giò (fried). Quan Bui (Saigon) and Madam Hien (Hanoi) both serve excellent versions.
Price: 45,000-90,000 VND for 4 rolls
Bún bò Nam Bộ
Cold rice noodles with stir-fried beef + herbs + peanuts. Bun Bo Nam Bo (Hang Dieu, Hanoi) is the institution.
Price: 50,000-90,000 VND
Egg coffee
Hanoi specialty — egg yolk whisked into condensed milk + coffee. Cafe Giang (Hanoi) — the original since 1946.
Price: 30,000-60,000 VND per cup
Vietnamese iced coffee (cà phê sữa đá)
Strong coffee dripped over condensed milk + ice. Sidewalk cafes everywhere. Cong Caphe chain for tourist-friendly.
Price: 25,000-50,000 VND
Pho with herbs
The bowl is just the start — basil, mint, cilantro, lime, chili, bean sprouts all added by the eater. Northern style is minimalist; Southern is loaded.
Price: 45,000-90,000 VND
Mango sticky rice (Vietnamese style)
Xoi xoai. Similar to Thai version. Try at Quan Anh Tuyet (Hanoi) for traditional.
Price: 40,000-70,000 VND
Vietnamese coffee at a market stall
Sit on a tiny plastic stool and drink ca phe sua da at any Hanoi or Hoi An sidewalk stall. The cheapest, most-authentic Vietnamese coffee experience.
Price: 15,000-30,000 VND