Vietnam: Must Try Foods you Need to Know

I was in Vietnam traveling around for a whole month. The food there was the best and cheapest I have ever had in my life. It would be pretty overwhelming to mention everything but here are some standouts!

Pho:

This is the classic “Vietnam” dish. Yes, it is delicious. But in my opinion it is the least delicious thing on this list.

Bun Cha:

I would accept bun cha’s proposal if the dish asked to marry me. My favorite thing I ate (a lot) during my trip. It is grilled fatty pork with a plate of rice noodle and herbs to mix in.

Banh mi:

Classic sandwich, normal sandwiches need to learn from the banh mi. I can’t resist the cilantro and pate, always for a reasonable price.

Fancy bahn mi I had, most of the ones I bought for a dollar were gone before they could be photographed.

Cao Lau:

Regional dish composed of cao lau noodles, herbs, bbq pork, pork crackling, bean sprouts, lettuce, and finished with stock. A must have in Hoi An.

Vermicelli Salad:

Coming in many variations, vermicelli salad is also typically found on Vietnamese menus in the United States. But I have never tasted one like I did in Hanoi.

Salad in HCMC, we went here several times.

Mi Quang:

Another Hoi An dish, Mi Quang has the typical ingredients (pork, veggies, herbs) but with an extremely powerful broth, often with turmeric mixed in.

Seafood:

Vietnam is on the ocean so there were tons on fantastic seafood opportunities. Being from the middle of the US with no opportunity for fresh food, I eat seafood as often as I can when I am near an ocean.