Vietnamese Food: 21 Must-Try Dishes for a True Vietnamese Culinary Experience

Vietnamese food is a vibrant reflection of the country’s culture, history, and regional diversity. From the bustling streets of Hanoi to the peaceful towns of Hoi An, Vietnamese cuisine celebrates freshness, balance, and flavors that delight every palate. In this post, Indochina Adventure explores 21 must-try Vietnamese food dishes, taking you on a culinary journey through the heart of Vietnam—perfect for anyone planning a motorbike tour in Vietnam. Each dish tells a story, showcasing the essence of Vietnamese food and its rich traditions.

An Overview of Vietnamese Cuisine

To truly appreciate Vietnamese food, it’s important to understand its foundations. Vietnamese cuisine is known for its harmonious balance of flavors, fresh ingredients, and health-conscious preparation. Each region has unique culinary traditions:

• North Vietnam: hearty and flavorful dishes like Bun Cha and Pho, best enjoyed in local eateries and street food spots.
• Central Vietnam: aromatic and spicy flavors like Bun Bo Hue and Mi Quang, reflecting centuries-old culinary techniques.
• South Vietnam: sweeter, savory tastes like Broken Rice and Banh Xeo, popular in both street stalls and local restaurants.

This diversity makes Vietnam a paradise for food lovers seeking authentic culinary experiences. For a more detailed guide, check out our top restaurants in Vietnam article to discover the best places to savor these iconic dishes across the country.

Don’t miss out:

• Top 10 must-try best restaurants in Saigon for first-time visitors
• Top 24 Best restaurants in Hanoi 2025 – Where to eat like a local

Top 21 Vietnamese Food Dishes You Must Try

Now that we have a foundation, let’s dive into the top 21. Vietnam food dishes that you simply cannot miss. These dishes encapsulate the essence of Vietnamese cuisine and promise to deliver an unforgettable culinary experience.

Bun Cha – Kebab Rice Noodles

Kebab Rice Noodles, or Bun Cha, hail from Hanoi and stand out as a beloved dish in the city. Pork slices and pork balls are grilled over charcoal, submerged in a bowl of savory dipping sauce, and served with noodles, fresh herbs, and raw vegetables, making it a cherished part of Vietnam food tradition. The smoky flavor from the grilled pork and the fresh herbs create a perfect balance.

Vietnamese bun cha is ranked ‘best in summer’ by the world

Banh Xeo – Vietnam Fried Pancake

An appetizing Banh Xeo is defined by its crispiness and airy texture, filled with shrimp, pork, bean sprouts, and garnished with fragrant herbs. To enjoy it local style, slice the cake, wrap it in rice paper or lettuce leaves, and dip it into specially prepared sauce. The crispy pancake and the fresh herbs make Banh Xeo a delightful and flavorful dish.

Banh Xeo – A delicious rustic dish from three regions

Bun Bo Hue

Bun Bo Hue, or beef noodle soup, boasts a broth rich in lemongrass flavor, enhanced with fine shrimp taste and cashew oil. This dish offers a harmonious blend of flavors, best experienced on a Hue motorcycle tour. The spicy and aromatic broth, along with the tender beef and fresh herbs, make Bun Bo Hue a flavorful and satisfying dish.

Vietnam food: Bun Bo Hue is a famous specialty of the dreamy land

Broken Rice

Broken rice, a cherished dish in typical food of vietnam, is typically accompanied by fried eggs, grilled pork ribs, egg rolls, and shredded pork skin, along with garnishes like green onions and pickled vegetables. The combination of textures and flavors makes broken rice a popular and hearty meal.

Vietnamese broken rice is on the list of the world’s most delicious rice dishes

Vietnamese Bread

Banh mi, a type of Vietnamese baguette, is renowned for its crispy exterior, soft interior, and flavorful fillings. It is commonly enjoyed for breakfast or as a snack, making it a beloved and widely consumed dish. The fillings vary from pork sausage, meat, fish, to vegetarian options, complemented by ingredients like pate, avocado, vegetables, chili, eggs, and pickles.

Vietnam food: Banh mi is officially added to the Oxford dictionary

Pho

Pho, with its flavorful broth, tender noodles, and choice of chicken or beef, is a staple in Vietnamese cuisine. Exploring pho eateries on a Northern Vietnam motorcycle tour offers a deeper dive into this beloved dish. The aromatic broth and the tender meat create a comforting and delicious meal, allowing you to fully appreciate the traditional flavors that have made pho a favorite both locally and internationally.

Vietnamese Pho is considered a ‘symphony of flavors’

Banh Chung

Banh Chung, synonymous with Tet and spring, features a blend of sticky rice, green beans, fatty meat, and aromatic spices. This traditional food represents a meticulously crafted fusion, embodying the essence of traditional food in Vietnam. The combination of flavors and the cultural significance make Banh Chung a must-try during Tet celebrations.

Vietnam food: Banh Chung – Traditional culinary symbol of Vietnamese Tet

Grilled Beef in Lolot Leaf Noodles

To begin our culinary journey, we delve into the rich flavors of grilled beef in lolot leaf noodles. In Vietnam’s food culture, this dish is a prime example of culinary finesse. The beef, wrapped in lolot leaves, undergoes grilling rather than being served raw or deep-fried.

Great delicious dishes that few people know about

Fried Fish Cake Noodle Soup

Next, let’s savor the flavors of fried fish cake noodle soup, a well-loved option in Central Vietnamese culinary traditions. It consists of grilled fish cakes, fresh vegetables, and vermicelli. Typically served alongside sweet and tangy fish sauce, green onions, and additional spices, this dish offers a delightful combination of flavors and textures, providing a distinct and memorable culinary journey. The fish cakes are made from fresh fish, blended with spices, and grilled to perfection, creating a crispy exterior and a tender interior that pairs perfectly with the soft vermicelli.

Fried fish cake noodle soup is a specialty and unique food of Vietnam

Steamed Rolled Rice Pancake

Continuing our exploration, we come to steamed rolled rice pancakes, known as Banh cuon. This must-try dish during a Hanoi motorcycle tour features a filling of minced meat and wood ear mushrooms, topped with crispy dried onions and served with a savory fish sauce for dipping.

Read more: Hanoi exploration: Top places to visit in Ha Noi

Vietnamese steamed rice rolls are among the most attractive dishes in the world

Banana Flower Salad

Transitioning to something lighter, the Vietnamese banana flower salad presents a more enticing option compared to a standard plate of assorted vegetables. Banana flowers are meticulously prepared by removing outer layers and slicing thinly, then combined with green papaya, carrots, coriander, tender chicken or pork’s ears meat, a dash of flavorful fish sauce, and topped with crunchy peanuts, creating a delightful ensemble of flavors and textures. The salad is often served as a refreshing appetizer, showcasing the perfect balance of sweet, sour, and savory flavors.

Vietnamese banana flower salad is attractive with an irresistible sweet and sour taste

Grilled Fish

No culinary tour is complete without grilled fish, a culinary gem of food and drink in vietnam culture. This dish has garnered acclaim from the global press and renowned culinary platforms as “a must-try dish in your lifetime.”

Grilled fish – The quintessence of Vietnamese cuisine

Nam Vang Noodle Soup

Next, we explore Nam Vang noodle soup, a dish rooted in typical food of Vietnam. This Khmer creation from Nam Vang (Phnom Penh) features tapioca noodles in a broth enriched with minced meat and pork intestines, offering a unique and flavorful experience. The soup is often garnished with fresh herbs, bean sprouts, and lime, adding layers of texture and brightness to the dish.

Nam Vang noodle soup – A famous delicacy in the Southern region

Mini Pancakes

We then transition to mini pancakes, known as Banh Can. These round-shaped delicacies are baked on a clay mold, resulting in a soft and non-greasy crust. Renowned for their impeccable blend of fragrant rice flour, richness from eggs, and freshness from ingredients like shrimp, squid, and minced meat, Banh Can is a beloved highlight of traditional food in vietnam. They are typically served with a dipping sauce made from fish sauce, garlic, and chili, enhancing the savory flavors of the pancakes.

Banh Can is a gift that the coastal city gives to Vietnamese cuisine

Spring Rolls

As we continue, spring rolls, or “Gỏi Cuốn,” emerge as a nutritious alternative to fried delights in Vietnam. These translucent rolls start with a bed of lettuce, topped with meat or seafood and cilantro, then delicately rolled and served with Vietnam’s beloved condiment – fish sauce. The fresh and vibrant ingredients make spring rolls a perfect light and healthy snack.

Vietnamese spring rolls are popular with tourists from all over the world

Savory Crab Noodle Soup

Crab noodle soup is another must-try of food and drink in vietnam. This crab vermicelli dish, known as Bun Rieu, features a broth crafted from crab and tomatoes, with fine noodles and ingredients such as meatballs, pork belly, crispy tofu, fish, and even snails, offering a captivating fragrance and vibrant flavor. The broth’s richness and the diverse ingredients make it a hearty and satisfying meal.

Bun Rieu is a rich, delicious dish, loved by both locals and tourists

Water Fern Cake

Water Fern Cake, or Bánh Bèo, offers a chewy delight reminiscent of mochi. Each petite round cake is filled with dried shrimp, green onions, and crispy fried shallots, drizzled with fish sauce for a delectable snack in the realm of Vietnam food. The combination of textures and flavors makes Bánh Bèo a popular street food.

Bánh Bèo Huế varies a series of unique variations throughout the 3 regions

Sticky Rice Varieties

Sticky rice, a staple of traditional food in vietnam, is cooked to perfection using fragrant and glutinous rice varieties. Natural ingredients like pandan leaves, gac leaves, and camphor leaves infuse color and aroma, enhancing the rice’s visual appeal and nutritional value.

Vietnam has the most unique and attractive sticky rice dishes in the world

Traditional Quang Noodles

Similar to pho, Mi Quang boasts its distinct nuances and flavors. This dish features a blend of diverse ingredients tailored to the type of noodles preferred. The broth, dense with shrimp and characteristic ingredients, offers a balance of richness and sweetness. Mi Quang is typically garnished with peanuts, fresh herbs, and lime, adding complexity to its flavor profile.

Mì Quảng is a 500-year-old specialty in Vietnam

Chicken Rice

Exploring Vietnamese chicken rice specialties is a must. Hoi An chicken rice, tracing its origins to the 1950s, is renowned for its irresistible allure, initially sold as street food and now available in upscale restaurants. The dish features fragrant rice cooked in chicken broth, topped with tender chicken slices and fresh herbs, making it a flavorful and comforting meal.

The more you eat Chicken Rice in Vietnam, the more addicted you become

Cao Lau Noodle Soup

Cao Lau, the pork noodle dish of Hoi An, reflects various cultural influences. With substantial noodles, crispy wonton, and distinctive broth and herbs, it is a must-try in Vietnamese culinary tradition. The unique texture of the noodles, combined with the rich and savory broth, makes Cao Lau a standout dish.

Cao Lau dish in Vietnam originates from the Japanese dish “Ise Udon”

FAQ – Vietnam Food

Q1: What are the most famous dishes in Vietnam?

A1: Pho, Bun Cha, Banh Mi, Bun Bo Hue, and Cao Lau are among the most iconic.

Q2: Is Vietnam food healthy?

A2: Yes, it emphasizes fresh vegetables, herbs, lean proteins, and minimal oil.

Q3: What is traditional Vietnam food?

A3: Dishes like Banh Chung, Banh Xeo, and Mi Quang reflect traditional flavors and cultural practices.

Q4: Where can tourists try authentic Vietnam food?

A4: Street food stalls, local markets, and specialty restaurants in Hanoi, Saigon, Hoi An, Hue, and Da Nang.

Q5: What should I try first as a beginner?

A5: Pho, Banh Mi, Bun Cha, and spring rolls are great introductions to Vietnam food.

In conclusion, Vietnamese food offers a direct route to a sense of “home,” where the intricate interplay of “sweet, sour, spicy, and bitter” flavors harmonize perfectly. These distinctive culinary creations serve as a bridge, connecting us to the rich cultural heritage and lifestyle of the nation across generations. Even if you haven’t had the chance to visit renowned tourist destinations throughout the country, a visit to Saigon promises a culinary journey through a paradise boasting delectable dishes from all corners of Vietnam. Alternatively, for an expansive culinary adventure across Indochina, explore the diverse regional treasures showcased on the Indochina Adventure Tours blog, featuring specialties from popular tourist destinations like Hanoi, Saigon, Da Nang, Quy Nhon, Ha Long, Vung Tau, Phu Quoc, Hoi An, and beyond.

Read more: Journey Along the Top 10 Stunning Vietnam Coastal Roads