Culinary Bliss: Discover the Best of Vietnam’s Incredible Food Scene.
Vietnam is a Southeast Asian country that is renowned for its diverse range of cultures, landscapes, and captivating gastronomy. From the narrow alleys of Hanoi’s Old Quarter to the islands of Halong Bay, Vietnam boasts a vibrant and varied landscape. Its people are renowned for their friendliness, good-naturedness, and welcoming attitude towards tourists.
However, one of the main attractions that draws people to Vietnam is the nation’s incredible culinary offerings. From chargrilled skewers of pork to fresh rice-paper rolls and that oh-so-famous pho (rice noodles in broth), the Vietnamese cuisine is full of unique flavours and dishes that tantalize taste buds from all over the world.
If you’re looking to get a true taste of Vietnam and its rich and unique flavours, there’s no better way than to take a culinary tour of the country’s most iconic dishes. To help you do just that, here’s a guide to the top Vietnamese dishes that you must try during your time in this amazing nation.
Let’s start with the national dish of Vietnam, the pho. Pho is a soup made with rice noodles, herbs, and a tasty broth made with either beef or chicken. This simple yet flavourful dish can be found all over the country, from traditional street-side eateries in the cities to humble food stalls in the countryside. While the classic version of this dish is already delicious, some street vendors even cook up creative variations, such as adding crunchy pieces of onion or garlic.
Another dish that you must try is banh cuon (Vietnamese steamed rice rolls). Made with thin sheets of rice paper and assorted fillings, from savoury pork to mushrooms and tofu, banh cuon is light yet flavourful and oh-so-satisfying. Head to the local market and you’ll be sure to find vendors serving these delights for a very cheap price.
Of course, no culinary tour of Vietnam would be complete without at least one trip to a bun cha restaurant. Bun cha is a dish that consists of chargrilled pork skewers (succulent, barbecued pork patties) served with a side of vermicelli noodle salad, fish sauce, and greens. This simple yet delicious meal is one of the most popular dishes in the country, and you’ll find bun cha eateries scattered throughout the streets of Hanoi.
Vietnam is also known for its seafood, and the central city of Danang is the perfect place to sample it. From fresh prawn spring rolls on the street corners to river fish smothered in lemongrass sauce, the seafood dishes here are sure to tantalize your taste buds. Another must-try is one of Vietnam’s biggest specialties, the banh xeo (Vietnamese pancake). This crispy, colourful pancake is made with rice batter, turmeric, pork, shrimp, and beansprouts, and it’s a real delight.
Last but not least, make sure to try some of the nation’s sweet treats. Vietnam is well-known for its diverse range of sweets and desserts, with some of the standout dishes being the coconut pandan waffle, chè (sweet soup), and bánh mì (Vietnamese sandwich cake). All of these scrumptious offerings are best enjoyed with a cup of Vietnamese iced coffee, making for the perfect way to finish off any meal.
As you can see, there’s no shortage of unique and delicious dishes to sample in Vietnam. The next time you’re in the country, take some time to explore the nation’s food scene and try out some of these must-try dishes for yourself. You’re sure to be in for a tasty treat!
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