In Vietnam, we say “Chúc ngon miệng!” before we eat.implying to “enjoy your meal” (though you will, of course.)
The entire range of Vietnamese cuisine is a symphony of pleasantly textured, vibrant, and spicy flavors, even though Vietnamese cuisine is still associated with phở and bánh mì outside.
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Vietnamese cuisine is highly regarded, and chefs utilize the abundant vegetables and unique ingredients found in each location to create mouthwatering dishes. The cuisine of the North is renowned for its simplicity, while that of the South tends to add sweetness; meals from central Vietnam are noted for their abundance and spice. You will always have a good meal no matter where you go in the nation.
1. Phở
Vietnamese cuisine is best described as “phở,” which refers to the kind of noodles used in the preparation. In a robust beef stock, flat rice noodles dance around medium-rare beef slivers or cooked chicken. Phở Hanoi is the most well-known of the two commonly available kinds. It hails from the north and is easily recognized by its transparent broth, which is topped off with slices of bird’s eye chile and a splash of lemon. Phở Nam, the version from the south, has a murkier soup and is accompanied by a symphony of fresh herbs, including bean sprouts, basil, and mint.
A bowl of Phỗ’s quality is mostly dependent on its stock. Typically, aromatic ingredients like cinnamon, cloves, and star anise are added to the soup to give it a naturally sweet taste. Unbeknownst to outsiders, this dish—which can be found on practically every street corner—is really eaten for breakfast.
2. Bánh Mì
Though they were originally French, baguettes are uniquely Vietnamese, as is bánh mì. The soft, chewy insides of a baguette are quickly covered in paté and margarine, and later on, the sandwich is stuffed with pickled veggies, cucumber, pig floss, and pork belly. As you bite into the crispy shell, the heated roll will reveal a wide range of sensations.
3. Cơm Tấm
Vietnamese farmers used to consume the broken rice grains they were unable to sell. These days, “broken” rice is a common meal item for members of the working class. The cooking of cơm tấm may be quite elaborate for a dish of such lowly beginnings.
There are several ways to cook it, but the most widely used method is cơm tấm sườn nướng ốp la. A big portion of broken rice is served beside a grilled pork chop that has caramelized, all topped off with a fried egg. Next, a combination of sugar, fish sauce, and chilli is applied to the dish, followed by a drizzle of green onion oil and nước chấm. A side dish of shredded pickled carrots and daikon, tomato and cucumber slices, and a garnish of crumbled fried pork rinds and shallots are the last touches.
4. Bún Bò Huế
Bún bò huế, a representation of Hue’s renowned royal cuisine, is a powerful display of flavor and beauty. The first hint of its remarkable taste is the shockingly scarlet broth, which is the product of hours of boiling beef bones and lemongrass stalks to create a zesty mixture. Tender beef shanks combined with flash-boiled veggies give this vibrant meal more energy. Although the word “bò” in Vietnamese means “beef,” this soup could actually be beef, so don’t be alarmed if you find sausage hiding in the bowl. The texture of chế lụa, a sausage produced from ham paste, is similar to tofu.
5. Cao Lầu
Hoi An’s special cuisine, cao lầu, is unmatched. This decadent bowl of noodles honors the past of the coastal trading port where it was born. It combines flavors from Vietnam, China, and Japan. Over cao lầu noodles, slices of barbecued pork from China are fanned. Similar in weight to Japanese udon, these thick noodles are drenched in a spicy broth and garnished with chopped pork cracklings and fresh herbs. Said to possess mystical characteristics, the water from the millennium-old Ba Le spring in Hoi An is used to make authentic cao lầu.
6. Cơm Gà
Rice and chicken is always a winning combo. However, Hội An elevates this delectable pair with locally sourced, fresh ingredients. To go with a dish of turmeric rice, some onions and flavored fish sauce are combined with shredded delicate chicken strips. On the side are pickled shallots, radish, and herbs. Every chef in the nation has a unique method for making their turmeric rice stand out. A few Vietnamese coriander and hot mint leaves are sprinkled over traditional Hội An chicken rice to counterbalance the spicy chicken marinade and tender, young eggs. A plate of golden chicken rice is just the right treat after spending the day walking around the Ancient Town.
7. Mì Quảng
Part salad, part soup, mì quảng skillfully navigates a crisis of identity. Having said that, don’t be duped by mì quảng’s elegance. This street cuisine is a light and refreshing noodle dish from the Quang Nam region in Central Vietnam. The brilliant yellow noodles’ rich color is a result of the turmeric-infused, peanut oil-heavy soup. This “soup” is made with only a ladleful and may be topped with anything from chicken and shrimp to pork belly and snakehead fish. Eat mì quảng with toasted sesame rice crackers, cut banana blossoms, basil, and Vietnamese coriander.
8. Bánh Xèo
Bánh xèo, a dish from the Mekong Delta, is popular in central and southern Vietnam. It’s an auditory-visual treat to watch the crispy crepe being assembled: the batter crackles noisily as it hits the hot pan (xèo means sizzling), and the edges gradually curl and turn golden as the expert xèo maker carefully spins the pan to distribute the thick batter evenly. Turmeric is added to the batter, which is often prepared with rice flour and coconut milk and gives it its yellow color. Another delectable treat with French influences, the savory pancake is folded like a crepe and stuffed with shrimp, minced pork, bean sprouts, and slices of cooked pig. Fresh from the griddle, bánh xèo tastes finest and shouldn’t get too soggy.
9. Bún Chả
After President Obama was photographed devouring a dish of these grilled pig patties alongside Anthony Bourdain, Bún chả quickly gained popularity. However, residents of Hanoi’s Old Quarter have long been fond of this specialty. Hungry Hanoians’ noses are filled with the aroma of grilled pig over hot charcoal at midday, which permeates the pavements.
This traditional northern meal consists of chilled rice vermicelli (bún); seasoned pork belly slices; an abundance of fresh herbs and salad greens; and, of course, medallions of minced pork submerged in a bowl filled to overflowing with a broth made with fish sauce. The standard method is to place tiny bunches of bún into your bowl of soup and alternate between consuming the noodles, pork, and greens.
10. Xôi
Vietnamese sticky rice, or xôi, is interpreted differently from other sticky rice varieties in the area. There are two varieties of the weighted, denser glutinous staple: savory and sweet. Savory xôi, or xôi mặn, is a popular and affordable breakfast option. Are you craving something sweeter? There are more than 20 varieties of xôi ngọt, so you’re in luck if you’re looking to be mesmerized. Using natural plant extracts as pigment, xôi ngũ sắc, or the five-colored xôi, is a kaleidoscopic swirl of purple, green, red, yellow, and white.