Vietnamese food: The TOP 10 must-try dishes in 2022
Vietnamese food has been highly appreciated internationally so far thanks to the global popularity of some prominent dishes, such as Pho and Banh mi. Meanwhile, Vietnamese cuisine is considered as one of the unique cuisines in East Asia. Read this article to know what to eat in your upcoming trip to Vietnam.
1. Banh mi - The Vietnamese sandwich
Banh mi, or the Vietnamese sandwich, is one of the most popular street foods in Vietnam that many tourists want to try. It is considered one of the most prominent remnants of the French colonial period in the South, aside from architectural works, because it was first created in the 19th century and inspired by the French baguette.
Over many years, the locals have changed this Vietnamese food in many ways to adapt to Vietnamese culture. Specifically, inside Bánh mì, they fill it with many ingredients like pork, egg, cucumber, pickled carrot, daikon radish, scallion and cilantro, depending on the demands of food enthusiasts.
For a lot of people, Banh mi is a great suggestion for breakfast, especially for those who have to go to work or school early in the mornings. It is such a cheap and tasty food that it can give people a great start to any busy day. Although Banh mi is available across the country, tourists will find the best one in the southern cities, Ho Chi Minh City for instance.
2. Pho - The Vietnamese rice noodle soup
As a pride of Vietnamese cuisine, Pho is definitely not an unpopular food for many tourists because it has been famous all over the world thanks to its unique flavor. This Vietnamese food originated in Hanoi and was first served to diners in the early 20th century. Despite its apparent simplicity, a bowl of Pho can provide tourists a satisfying meal.
The main ingredient of this best food in Vietnam is a type of rice noodles called “banh pho”, which is larger and flatter than other kinds of rice noodles. Besides, it also consists of broth, herbs and meat - which can typically be sliced beef or chicken. When eating Pho, remember to squeeze some lime juice into the dish and add a dash of pepper or chili flakes for an extra kick of flavor.
With many outstanding features, Pho is known as a quintessential Vietnamese food that international tourists should try once. This food can be eaten at any time of day but people love enjoying it for breakfast. Therefore, in your upcoming trip to Vietnam, start your day with a bowl of Pho before visiting some famous tourist attractions.
3. Bun cha - The Vietnamese grilled meat noodles
Bun cha is a prominent specialty of Hanoi cuisine which any tourist should enjoy once when visiting the capital of the country. Despite being a simple Vietnamese dish, it can satisfy any appetite with its memorable flavor. Rice vermicelli, grilled pork, herbs and fish sauce are all the things that create a unique taste for this dish.
When eating this Vietnamese food, you need to put all the main ingredients into a small bowl and fill it with fish sauce. In particular, the sauce is a mix of chili, garlic, carrot and green papaya. All of these will bring you a distinct sweet and sour flavor which is very suitable for this Vietnamese food and which cannot be found anywhere else.
This Vietnamese food is commonly eaten at lunchtime. Thus, when you get around in Hanoi during this time, you can smell the scent of pork which is grilled over hot charcoal wafts down the sidewalks. This will surely fill your nose and make you immediately hungry.
4. What to eat in Vietnam? Goi cuon - Fresh spring rolls
Goi cuon is the translucent spring roll packed with greens, coriander and minced meat. It is quite similar to the spring roll but it is eaten fresh. To make its outer layer, people take sheets of rice paper and soften them with a little water, then roll them neatly around the main ingredients.
You can find Goi cuon in most Vietnamese food markets. The most common variety of Goi cuon is a combo of pork tenderloin and shelled shrimp. In some Southern places, the locals are creative in preparing this Vietnamese food by adding green bananas and star fruits instead of common vegetables.
There is a special sauce for diners to eat with this Vietnamese food. It is fish sauce mixed with crushed garlic, chili and lemon juice so it has a very distinct taste. In addition, rich peanut sauce is another great suggestion to dunk Goi cuon in.
