Vietnamese cuisine is great that one need not necessarily head to fine-dining venues decked out in lavish settings in order to appreciate the best they have to offer. No matter the location, be it by the roadsides or at high-end establishments, the majority of renowned vietnamese delicacies are just as well-made and available. Vietnamese food is known to be both healthy and rich in flavour due to the combination of herbs and greens, paired with rice, noodles, seafood and meat. Here is a list of some must-try Vietnamese dishes.
Pho
Probably the most famous and popular Vietnamese dish, pho can be found at almost every street corner. In the city of Ho Chi Minh, it is common to witness a crowd of hungry patrons gathering around makeshift stands during breakfast hours to enjoy pho. This renowned dish is a Vietnamese noodle soup made with a bone-beef broth and various herbs and vegetables. Although deceptively simple, the strength of the dish is in how the bean spouts, herbs complement the rich broth and thinly sliced beef.
There are several regional variants of pho in Vietnam, particularly divided between "Northern pho" (pho bac) and "southern pho" (pho nam). Pho nam differs from the more traditional taste of its northern neighbor by being seasoned with more spices and garnishes like cilantro and basil. For those who love broth, it’s perfectly alright to scoop the bowl off the table and slurp down to the very last droplet. All in all, pho is warm, filling, hugely affordable, tasty and widely available. Therefore, it is not a surprise that Vietnamese locals and the world at large have made this a ubiquitous dish found all over the world.
Goi Cuon
Goi Cuon is basically the Vietnamese version of spring rolls. So what distinguishes them from the ordinary fried versions found in Chinese cuisine? Well, Goi Cuon can become a refreshing option for the more health-conscious spring roll aficionados or those who want to take a break from fried food. Before being neatly rolled with fresh rice paper sheets, Goi Cuon is initially packed with an assortment of vegetables, lean meat, and shrimp. This refreshing appetizer will taste even better when dipped in peanut sauce or Vietnamese fish sauce.
Banh Mi
Banh Mi is essentially Vietnam’s twisted version of the popular French Baguette. The Banh Mi is originally a blank slate and allows customers to add their desired ingredients to it. Banh Mi is usually stuffed with shredded radish, cheese, slices of cold cuts, pickled vegetables, sausages, fried egg, mayonnaise and chili sauce. Banh Mi kebabs are also a solid accompaniment to Vietnam’s locally brewed beer. Readily available in side streets and takeaway karts, Banh Mi is an ideal snack for backpackers as they are both tasty and convenient for eating while on the move.
Banh Bao
Banh Bao is a Vietnamese take on the Cantonese dim sum called Big Bun aka “Dai bao”. They are fluffy ball-shaped buns, steamed and stuffed with either pork or chicken meat, mushrooms, scallions, a portion of a hard-boiled egg, and sweet Chinese sausages. Convenient for eating on-the-go or to be packed into lunch boxes, the Banh Bao is widely sold in Vietnam. For an extra spicy kick, condiments like chilli sauce can be used.
Che Khuc Bach
Being one of the many strange yet flavorful Vietnamese desserts out there, Che Khuc Bach is wonderfully refreshing and a perfect appetizer to combat the searing heat during hot summer days. The dessert is a mixture of floating ice, jelly-like coloured cubes, Vietnam lychees and coconut syrup. Lately, Che Khuc Bach can also be modified to come with fruits, tofu, cheese, cocoa, green tea or even chocolate. Fans of a similar well-known Nyonya dessert called Bubur Cha Cha, will find this Vietnamese take to be just as appetizing.
Ca Kho To
Ca Kho To is a Vietnamese claypot dish made up of fried catfish fillet caramelised with dark golden soya sauce and seasonings. Ca Kho To usually comes with fresh complimentary white rice and greens for a complete solid meal. It tastes profoundly sweet and salty at the same time, which is similar to its aroma given off when being cooked. Aside from the smell and taste, the visual layout of braised fish lying in a clay-pot also plays a huge role in making the dish irresistible. Anyway, lovers of fish meat will surely come to adore this Vietnamese delicacy.
Overall, vietnamese cuisine thrives on utilizing the concept of simplicity. And it’s exactly this simple equation of fresh ingredients with an abundance of herbs that gives Vietnamese food a reputation as a healthy but delicious cuisine.
