When talking about cuisine, we will remember the sophistication in the simmer, well-stewed of the Chinese food; or the meticulous, artistic style in Japanese dishes. Besides, it is impossible to forget the minimalist, focusing on the taste of Vietnamese cuisine. Vietnamese cuisine is the mixing spices, combining ingredients to make delicious dishes, appealing to the taste.
Vietnamese cuisine, however, is not identical. So that each region, each province has a separate way of eating, dishes with specific flavors. That has created an abundance with countless delicious dishes which make the Vietnamese cuisine priceless.
1. Banh Mi
Source : Internet
This popular dish has been praised by foreign newspapers such as The Guardian, National Geographic, BBC or Tripadvisor. Fodor’s Travel of the US in 2016 recommended 20 best street foods in the world, and bánh mì is at the top of the list. This dish has many ways of processing depending on the taste of each person, each region. However, the most common one is bread with grilled pork, cucumber, raw vegetables, pickles, pate and sauces. Ho Chi Minh City is seen as a place having the best sandwiches.
2. Pho
This is a delicious, typical dish for Vietnamese cuisine. Phở has been repeatedly voted by CNN, BBC, Business Insider … as the best dishes in Asia. In 2016, according to the World Record Alliance – Wordkings, phở is one of the top 3 best Vietnamese dishes in the world. Phở is also the best must-try dish as you have a chance to visit Vietnam. To enjoy the standard of phở, visitors should come to Hanoi, find some famous brands such as Bát Đàn, Phở Thìn, Lý Quốc Sư, etc.
3. Bun cha
Top 10 delicious summer dishes of CNN, top 10 best street foods in the world of National Geographic … are what Bún Chả achieved. However, it was mentioned many times after the former President Obama with chef Anthony Bourdain tasting at Le Van Huu, Hanoi. Bun cha is commented by visitors as a mix of many flavors such as spicy, sour, salty, sweet, combining perfectly the hotness of the grilled pork patties with the coolness of noodles and raw vegetables.
4. Cha ca
Author Patricia Schultz has put La Vong fish ball (Chả cá Lã Vọng) into the book “1000 places to see before you die”. After that, the US news agency MSNBC has shortened and put La Vong fish ball Restaurant at the 5th among 10 places to know before you die along with 9 other famous places and festivals in the world. Nowadays, in Hanoi, many fish ball brands are also popular with tourists such as Thang Long, Anh Vu, Lao Ngu…
5. Goi cuon
This is one of two Vietnamese dishes presented in the list of the 50 best dishes in the world in 2011 of CNN. Later, many travel consulting sites like Roughguides also introduced this special food to visitors. Considered as one of the most famous dishes in Vietnam, “gỏi cuốn” are shaped like spring rolls (chả giò), including green vegetables, minced pork, shrimp or crab.
6. Banh xeo
“Bánh xèo” is one of the Vietnamese dishes participating in the 2016 World Street Food Congress (WSFC) held at Manila, Philippines. According to CNN, this is one of the most popular street foods in the world in 2016, and continues to be an attractive dish in 2017. Bánh xèo is a special food of the Mekong River Delta but mixed with some characteristics of Southern culinary culture.
7. Bun bo hue
In an episode of “Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown” series on CNN, the famous American chef said: “Bún bò Huế is the best soup in the world”. Asian Book of Record has also put bún bò Huế into the top 100 delicious Asian dishes in 2016. This is a popular, famous dish of Hue. Ingredients include pork-leg meat, boiled pork blood, a piece of crab or beef ball. However, the spicy is what makes the dish special.
8. Cao lau
“Cao lầu Hội An” was voted by the Traveler (Australia) as the best street food in Asia. This dish has been mentioned many times by CNN as one of the best, must-try dishes in Vietnam. Food is sold on the sidewalk, or in small alleys. Cao lầu is a dish of golden noodles, served with shrimp, pork and raw vegetables.
9. Mi Quang
This is one of 12 Vietnamese dishes recognized as one of the priceless dishes in Asian cuisines. Roughguides, when recommended 10 dishes must-try in Vietnam, introduced Mì Quảng as a dish not to be missed in the Central of Vietnam. Ingredients used to make a delicious bowl of Mì Quảng include rice noodles, chicken, pork, fish, shrimp, eggs and raw vegetables.
10. Com tam
Last but not least, cơm tấm is one of the best cuisines foreigners have to try, especially when they visit Saigon. It is not difficult to find a place to try cơm tấm in Saigon. You can have cơm tấm for your breakfast, lunch or dinner. What makes cơm tấm be a special dish is the sweet-and-salty sauce. Despite not being noticed as phở, bún chả, bánh mì … cơm tấm is recommended by travel bloggers as an interesting experience when exploring Saigon cuisine.
