Top 10 Destinations in Vietnam to Savour Enticing Foods!!!
Recently, there has been an incredible rise in the number of people interested in culinary travel, and we, too, have enthusiastically joined this trend. How about you? The Vietnamese cuisine is among the best in the world, with a wide range of flavours. Vietnam is famous for its delectable and diverse dishes. For an entire food experience, exploring each region in Vietnam is recommended.
Although many regions in Vietnam offer dishes with the same name, each province has distinct flavours and cooking methods. Therefore, it’s important not to assume that one city represents the entire country’s cuisine. Take the time to explore the differences and create a list of must-try dishes, as Vietnam is a true culinary paradise with an abundance of delicious options.
Eat, Travel, Enjoy Life!
Here are some regions in Vietnam known for their enticing foods that you can explore during your food travel journey:
Bún riêu
Hanoi is a fantastic place to start your bún riêu food travel journey. Visit local street food stalls, such as Bún Riêu Cua Dạ Thảo or Bún Riêu Cua Hàng Quạt, to try authentic versions of this dish. The Old Quarter is a great area to explore street foods. Bún riêu is a popular Vietnamese dish with a flavorful and tangy broth made from tomatoes and crab, served with rice vermicelli noodles, various toppings, and fresh herbs. If you’re interested in exploring royal Vietnamese cuisine while enjoying bún riêu, Hue is the place to be! Here, you can try a unique variation of bún riêu called “bún riêu Cửa Hương,” which includes additional ingredients like shrimp and pork. Have a wonderful food travel experience!
Banh Mi
Discovering Vietnam’s culinary treasures through a banh mi food travel adventure is a fantastic idea! Banh mi, a flavorful Vietnamese sandwich made with a crusty baguette and various ingredients, has numerous stalls and shops throughout the city. While popular destinations like Banh Mi Huynh Hoa, Banh Mi Thanh Mai, and Banh Mi Op La 37 Nguyen Trai are great and expand beyond these spots. Part of the fun of food travel is exploring local markets and street food stalls, interacting with locals, and discovering hidden gems and regional specialities. Enjoy your delicious banh mi adventure in Vietnam!
Try mouthwatering sandwiches!
Chả cá Lã vọng
Have you tried Chả cá Lã Vọng, the famous Vietnamese dish that originated in Hanoi? It’s a delightful combination of grilled or fried fish, rice noodles, fresh herbs, and condiments. If you’re up for a food adventure, head to Hanoi, the birthplace of Chả cá Lã Vọng, to savour this delicacy. The most renowned eatery serving this dish is called Chả Cá Lã Vọng, and it’s located on Cha Ca Street in the Old Quarter. They’ve been perfecting the recipe for generations. When you order, they’ll prepare the dish at your table, and you’ll witness the sizzling fish cooked with turmeric. Try traditional condiments such as fermented shrimp paste, dill, peanuts, lime, and fresh herbs to enhance the dish’s overall flavour!
Bún chả
Bún chả is a beloved Vietnamese dish that consists of grilled pork served with rice noodles, fresh herbs, and a dipping sauce. The dish is widely available throughout the city, but certain renowned spots are known for serving exceptional bún chả. Explore the vibrant markets of Hanoi, such as Dong Xuan Market or Cho Hom Market, where you can witness the bustling atmosphere and find fresh ingredients used in bún chả. Interacting with local vendors and observing the vibrant food scene can enhance your understanding of Vietnamese cuisine. Remember, food travel is not just about the destination but also the journey and the people you meet along the way. Immerse yourself in the local culture, try other Vietnamese dishes, and make the most of your culinary adventure in Hanoi.
Bun Thit Nuong Kieu Bao
If you’re a food enthusiast looking for a new Vietnamese dish to try, consider Bún thịt nướng kiểu Bảo. This dish consists of grilled pork (thịt nướng), vermicelli noodles (bún), fresh herbs, and a tangy fish sauce-based dressing. Kieu Bao is a popular restaurant for this dish among locals. Bún thịt nướng kiểu Bảo originated in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon) in Southern Vietnam, so it’s an excellent choice to plan a trip to this city to try the dish. Look for a restaurant or street vendor that allows you to see the pork grilling process and the dish’s assembly to appreciate the traditional techniques. Don’t forget to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of Ho Chi Minh City while savouring this dish!
Banh Nam
Bánh nậm is a classic Vietnamese dish highly popular in the central regions of Vietnam, including Hue and Da Nang. This steamed rice cake consists of rice flour stuffed with tasty ground pork and garnished with shrimp. A dipping sauce and fresh herbs usually accompany it. You can easily find bánh nậm in Hue and Da Nang, making it an ideal destination for anyone exploring authentic Vietnamese cuisine. Hue is especially renowned for its royal cuisine and culinary heritage. Lạc Thị is a famous eatery in Hue that has been serving bánh nậm for decades. If you’re in Da Nang, you can ask for recommendations from your hotel or locals or explore local eateries to enjoy the rich flavours of central Vietnamese cuisine.
Cao Lau
Have you heard of Cao lầu? It’s a delicious noodle dish from Hoi An, a charming city in central Vietnam. This dish is a fusion of Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese culinary influences, similar to Japanese soba noodles. Cao lầu is a regional speciality with fresh greens, scallions, peanuts, fried pork rind, and rice crackers. To experience the best of this dish, plan a visit to Hoi An and explore local markets like Hoi An Central Market or Ba Le Market, where you can find fresh ingredients and interact with local vendors. Remember, food travel is not just about the dish itself but also the cultural and historical context surrounding it.
Banh Beo
These delicious Vietnamese rice cakes are both cute and tasty. They are steamed and then filled with savoury ingredients such as fresh shrimp, crispy shallots, scallions, and mung bean paste. Bánh bèo is a speciality of the Hue region known for its rich culinary heritage. To experience the authentic flavours of bánh bèo, research the best time to visit and plan your trip accordingly. Several famous spots in Hue specialize in bánh bèo, such as Bánh Bèo Bà Do or Bánh Bèo Lê Văn Hưu. You can even observe the process of steaming, assembling, and topping the rice cakes, which will give you a deeper appreciation for the techniques involved. Grab the opportunity to savour the flavours of central Vietnamese cuisine during your food travel adventure.
Pho Le
Pho Le, or Pho Lệ, is a well-known Vietnamese restaurant chain specializing in Pho, a traditional noodle soup. With multiple locations in Vietnam, Pho Le is particularly famous in the capital city of Hanoi. If you’re planning a trip to Hanoi, try the authentic flavours of Pho Le. The restaurant is renowned for its delicious Pho, a soup made with rice noodles, tender chicken or beef, and aromatic herbs. When you visit Pho Le, try their signature Pho dish and savour the rich broth and tender meat. Although Pho is the star dish at Pho Le, they also offer other Vietnamese specialities on their menu, such as spring rolls (nem), beef stew (bo kho), or Vietnamese grilled meat (thit nuong). Explore and try other dishes too!
Com Tam Tran Qui Cap
If you’re a fan of delicious and versatile dishes, you should try “Cơm Tấm”. This popular Vietnamese dish is made of broken rice and various toppings and can be found everywhere in Vietnam. Plan a trip to Vietnam and explore cities like Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Hanoi, and other regions nationwide to get the most authentic and diverse options. While you’re there, visit local markets and street food areas where vendors serve cơm tấm with a wide range of toppings, such as grilled pork, chicken, fried egg, pickled vegetables, and fish sauce. There are many variations of cơm tấm to try, so don’t hesitate to experiment with different toppings and sauces. Enjoy your journey as you explore the diverse world of cơm tấm in Vietnam!
Epilogue
Travelling is a beloved pastime for many. It offers the chance to explore new places and meets interesting people. But the most exciting aspect of travel is sampling different regions’ diverse and delicious cuisines. From rich and creamy gelato to exotic dishes like acarajé, Vietnam has endless possibilities to tantalize your taste buds!