Joanna James
Over the past few years, Vietnam has emerged as one of the best travel destinations in South East Asia. The fantastic cuisine available here has definitely played a part in all this. So, here's a look at the very best Vietnamese food so that you know what to try if you're ever there!
In many ways, pho is Vietnam's signature dish – you'll find it listed on the menu of pretty much every major restaurant in the country! Given the popularity of the dish, it shouldn't come as too big of a surprise that there are dozens of pho varieties to choose from in the country. A basic bowl comes with various cuts of beef, bean sprouts, onions, mint and all kinds of spices mixed together in a flavourful broth. Certain variations of the dish will sprinkle in some exotic ingredients like beef tendon and sliced pork belly. Of course, the choice of which pho version to go for is up to you!
This is a fusion of Vietnamese and French cuisine that harkens back to colonial times when Vietnam was a French colonial possession. The banh mi is essentially a baguette sandwich that's stuffed with succulent meats like roasted pork belly, fried fish and poached chicken. A healthy dose of chopped vegetables, cilantro, soy sauce and spices are also included to give the sandwich added flavour. This is one of the most popular street snacks in Vietnam and a great choice if you're looking to eat on the go.
Banh Xeo is the Vietnamese take on a pancake and it's just as delicious! the cake itself is made out of rice flour and coconut milk. It is then filled up with all kinds of different ingredients that range from hot shrimps to sliced onions and savoury mushrooms. If you're trying out different Quy Nhon restaurants – for instance, the in-house restaurant of 5-star resorts like Anantara Quy Nhon Villas – you're bound to find the banh xeo on the menu, so be sure to give it a try.
These are fresh spring rolls that function as a healthy and tasty snack. The casing is made up of thin papers noodles while the filling consists of beef, vegetables, noodles, shrimp and much more. The rolls generally give a subtle flavour – so, it's customary to enjoy them with various dipping sauces for added taste. If you're looking for a healthy appetiser to get you primed for the main course, a batch of freshly cooked goi cuon is the way to go in Vietnam.
This is a noodle dish that's somewhat unique based on the fact that it isn't served as a broth like so many other Vietnamese noodle dishes. Instead, a helping of fried rice noodles is served alongside a choice of protein and a myriad of different vegetables. Additional ingredients like chopped peanuts, chilli, basil and mint are sprinkled on top as well.
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