The Rough Guides names Vietnamese foods you need to try

1. Goi Cuon (spring rolls)

Goi Cuon are translucent spring rolls packed with greens, coriander and minced pork or shrimp. A southern variation has barbecued strips of pork wrapped up with a green banana and star fruit, and then dunked in a rich peanut sauce – every bit as tasty as it sounds.

Served cold, Goi Cuon is usually served as a starter before the main course at Vietnamese restaurants. If you travel to northern Vietnam then you may find that they're referred to as Nem Cuon. Whatever they're called, they're certainly delicious!

Goi Cuon is usually served as a starter in Vietnamese restaurants © Tochim/Shutterstock

2. Banh mi (Vietnamese/Saigon sandwich)

Banh mi is one of the most popular street foods in Vietnam – and once you've read what goes into it, you'll be desperate to try it out for yourself! The Vietnamese (or Saigon) sandwich was first created during French colonial rule during the 19th century. Banh mi uses a French baguette and is filled with a delicious selection of ingredients.

The baguette sandwich is filled with greens and a choice of fillings, including paté and usually pork. Other fillings include beef, chicken, liver and tofu. Banh mi is so good that it's gone on to be imitated around the world, from London to New York.

Banh Mi, Vietnamese street food © prapass/Shutterstock

3. Banh Xeo (sizzling pancakes)

These enormous, cheap, and filling Vietnamese pancakes contain shrimp, pork, bean sprouts, and egg. They are fried, wrapped in rice paper with greens, and dunked in a fish sauce (Nuoc Cham) before eaten.

The best city to try Banh Xeo (or "sizzling pancake") is Ho Chi Minh City. But it's also one of those snacks that you should stock up on if you're traveling by train or bus – the perfect accompaniment for those long journeys.

Banh xeo is top-rated Ho Chi Minh City street food © AS Food studio/Shutterstock

4. Bun Cha (grilled meatballs)

Bun Cha is a Hanoi specialty. You’ll find bun cha at food stalls and street kitchens across the city. The pork is barbecued on an open charcoal brazier and served on a bed of cold rice noodles with assorted foliage and broth.

This type of Vietnamese cuisine is usually eaten at lunchtime. It's been described as somewhat similar to meatballs or hamburgers, but we think that with its intriguing mix of flavours, there's not another taste like it!

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5. Pho (noodle soup)

The country’s great staple dish is Pho (pronounced “fuh”). This noodle soup can be eaten at any time of day but is primarily eaten at breakfast. It originated in the north of the country but is now a national dish of Vietnam. A bowl of Pho consists of a light beef or chicken broth flavored with ginger and coriander, to which are added broad, flat rice noodles and spring onions. Meat-wise, slivers of chicken, pork, or beef are then added. Tofu is the main vegetarian option.

Pho in Vietnam can be found on almost every menu; once you’ve got your serving, squeeze a lime over it and add a dash of chili flakes for an extra kick.

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6. Cao Lau (noodle bowl)

Central Vietnam does it best. Among Hoi An's tasty specialities is Cao Lau, a mouthwatering bowlful of thick rice-flour noodles, bean sprouts, and pork-rind croutons in a light soup. Sound good? It gets better. Cao Lau is then flavored with mint and star anise, topped with thin slices of pork, and served with grilled rice-flour crackers or sprinkled with crispy rice paper.

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Tuck into this typical Vietnamese food with a serving of local salad and green beans. Legend has it that authentic Cao Lau is cooked using water drawn from one particular local – which is why Hoi An is the ultimate place to try it. 

7. Cha ca (Turmeric fish)

Seafood dishes stand above most another Vietnamese cuisine. Cha Ca, reportedly created in Hanoi, is perhaps the best known. It sees white fish sautéed in butter with dill and spring onions, then served with rice noodles and a scattering of peanuts.

Da Nang is one of the best places to tuck into Vietnamese seafood dishes. Thanks to its waterfront position, Da Nang’s specialities are fish-based and is the perfect spot to try Cha ca. For a similar eat that’s popular in the local area, try Bun cha ca, a fishcake noodle soup

8. Mi Quang (noodle soup)

Mi Quang is an underrated and affordable noodle dish that’s a Hanoi specialty. Ingredients vary by the establishment but expect to see a simple bowl of meat noodles with additions like flavorsome oils, fresh sprigs of leaves, shrimp, peanuts, mint, and quail eggs.

Hanoi street food doesn’t get much better than Mi Quang, a classic Vietnamese noodle dish. It’s usually eaten as a dinnertime meal; you’ll find yourself counting down the hours until you can tuck into the turmeric-infused bone broth, yellow noodles, and fragrant herbs sprinkled on top. 

9. Com tam (Broken Rice)

Com Tam is a quick’n’easy street-stand favorite that is almost exclusive to Ho Chi Minh City. Made up of smaller pieces of rice, it's also known as Broken Rice, and was traditionally a leftover-style snack. The Vietnamese have managed to hone it into a renowned Ho Chi Minh street food snack.

Com Tam is served with either grilled/steamed/shredded pork (usually grilled), fish, or simply a fried egg. And this being Vietnam food, it wouldn’t be complete without a squeeze of lime, a sprinkle of fresh herbs, and a smattering of spring onion.

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Did that leave your mouth watery, excited to try the items on this list? There are expert foodie tours in Vietnam, ready to explain all the details to you: from Saigon to Hanoi, a guided food tour will make sure you will always know what you'll eat.

( Source: The Rough Guides)