Vietnam food guide
Vietnam Food Guide: 15 Dishes + Where to Eat Them
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