Ahh, yes, we are back in Asia! I recently spent one month in Vietnam, during which I kept wondering what I should write about. Many cities are so famous that you don’t need anyone to point out what to do. Also, it is hard to eat a bad meal in Vietnam. However, I realized I knew little about Vietnamese food and had tried only a few signature dishes here and there back in the States. I always gravitated towards Thai or Japanese food when craving Asian cuisine. Eating my way through Vietnam was an education on all the wonderful dishes offered by the country and its regions. So much so that I thought, this is my article. I am excited to share 9 unique dishes you must eat in Vietnam!
We will start in the north in Hanoi, head south to Huế, and lastly stop in Hoi An. I had never tried most of these dishes before, and they blew me away. I will also include a few items you have likely heard of. This is to highlight where I had the best version on my trip. Some of the dishes mentioned below are traditionally prepared with meat. The variations I ate were vegetarian. Whether ordered with or without meat, these dishes will not disappoint. I hope you are hungry ~ let’s jump right in!
Hanoi
We start our tour of the dishes you must eat in Hanoi. This vibrant capital city is where I enjoyed watching local life buzz by. My favorite things I did were wandering the French Quarter without a plan and visiting Ha Long Bay. Oh yeah, and the food, see below 😉
1. Bún Riêu Hà Nội
I stumbled into a highly rated vegetarian restaurant in Hanoi one evening. I ordered the Bún Riêu Hànội (Hanoi Crab Noodle Soup), which is traditionally a crab paste soup with tofu, veggies & rice noodles originating from Hanoi. This was the vegetarian version. When my server set the soup down, I knew it would be amazing. The rich + tangy broth, the delicate ‘tofu’ cakes and the fresh, aromatic herbs made this soup absolutely memorable and one of the best dishes I ate in Vietnam. Whether you are vegetarian or not, seek this dish out!
Restaurant – Bêp Chay Huế Nhiên Vegan & Vegetairian Restaurant, Hanoi.
Pro tip ~ if you go to this restaurant, order their side of Kimchi. It is the best I have ever had (I couldn’t stop eating it), and I don’t like Kimchi that much.
2. Bánh Mì
You have likely heard of a Bánh Mì, the famous Vietnamese sandwich. It harmoniously marries crispy, airy baguettes with savory fillings like a protein of choice, tangy pickled vegetables and fresh cilantro creating a vibrant explosion of flavors, crunch and textures. This sandwich originated during the French colonial period, combining French baguettes with Vietnamese ingredients. What a combo!
I ate these sandwiches throughout Vietnam. I went to food carts, hole in the walls, all-vegan shops and even the Anthony Bourdain approved joint in Hoi An. But the best I had was my first sandwich at Banh My Mama in Hanoi. This blink-and-you-miss-it (although on Google) food cart is right by the famous St Joseph’s Cathedral. Mama’s was the best because she had the perfect ratio of bread to filling to acid, AND she panini-presses her sandwiches! That is her magic touch. Go hungry and go see Mama!
Restaurant – Banh My Mama, Hanoi.
Huế
Huế, Vietnam’s former imperial capital, is centrally located along the Perfume River. This city played a pivotal role in the Vietnam War, witnessing significant battles and demonstrating much resilience. I was in Huế for the history and the food. Here are the best dishes I ate while visiting.
3. Lotus Seed Soup
Lotus seed soup is a traditional Vietnamese dish where lotus seeds are simmered in a clear, savory broth with protein + various herbs and spices. The result is a hearty and aromatic soup known for its rich umami flavors and nourishing qualities. It is popular when the weather is cool. This was my first time eating cooked lotus seeds; they were deliciously starchy and filling. Also note that you can find lotus seed soup as a dessert. That version was too sweet for me, but the savory soup was right on!
Restaurant – An Nhi Chay Vegetarian Restaurant, Huế.
4. Banana Blossom Salad
Every now and then, you meet a soulmate dish. I know you know what I’m talking about. It’s like, how did I not know about you sooner? And how will I find a way to eat you every day? Enter Banana Blossom Salad. It is a refreshing mixture of thinly sliced banana blossoms mixed with other veggies, herbs and peanuts. It is then tossed in a tangy, sweet, and savory dressing. This salad often complemented by shrimp or chicken, but in my case, tofu ‘shrimp cakes’ completed the dish. It was divine.
Restaurant – An Nhi Chay Vegetarian Restaurant, Huế.
Pro tip ~ I have done the research throughout Vietnam and Cambodia, An Nhi Chay’s version is as good as it gets!
5. Bún Đậu Huế
Bún Đậu Huế (Huế Style Noodles) is a spicy and flavorful Vietnamese soup originating from Huế. It is characterized by its hearty broth, vermicelli noodles and various meat toppings such as pork and beef. Well, I wrote off being able to try this famous regional dish as it is meat centric. That was until I stumbled onto the Cô Xuân stall in the Dong Ba Market. This woman serves a memorable veggie version with rice, potatoes, tofu, two kinds of noodles, and plenty of spice. It felt like I was eating at grandma’s house on a rainy day. It’s so comforting and tasty.
Restaurant – Cô Xuân stall inside the Dong Ba Market, Huế.
6. Lemongrass Tofu
Lemongrass Tofu is the last plate from Huế mentioned on our top dishes you must eat in Vietnam. This dish features crispy tofu stir-fried with lemongrass, garlic, chili and aromatic herbs. For me, the combination of lemongrass and chili pair perfectly. They really are a match made in heaven! This dish is usually served with rice and a vegetable. Every restaurant makes its own version. If you like tofu or need a break from meat, I would order this every time you see it on a menu! Some restaurants even dice the lemongrass so fine, you can eat it inside the dish rather than it being removed after sautéing. Talk about a real flavor bomb!
Restaurant – Tinh Tâm Vegan, Huế.
Pro tip ~ you will also see ‘Tofu Tomato’ on many menus throughout Vietnam. Make sure to try this one too, it’s superb!
Hoi An
Beloved Hoi An is easily my favorite city I visited in Vietnam. I loved this ancient town’s architecture, waterways, lanterns, amber night lighting, European influence and pristine beaches. I could go on, but we are here for the food! Here are my top foodie finds in Hoi An.
7. Mỳ Quảng
Often called ‘Quang Noodles’, this specialty dish is from Quảng Nam Province in Central Vietnam. It features wide rice noodles topped with various ingredients such as shrimp, pork and chicken, all swimming in a flavorful, turmeric-infused broth. It is garnished with peanuts and crispy sesame rice crackers. Served on the side is fresh herbs, lime wedges and chili sauce. I found a fabulous meat-free version at the Old Garden Restaurant in Hoi An. These noodles evoke a displaced nostalgia (probably from my Nana’s Asian-fusion cooking), and the vibrant yellow broth is simply beautiful.
Restaurant – Old Garden Restaurant, Hoi An.
8. Morning Glory with Garlic
You will see this sauteed vegetable dish on most menus in Vietnam. Morning Glory is similar to spinach (with more structure) and known for its mild and sweet flavor. I ordered this dish throughout my trip as I always try to get my greens in when traveling. ROM Vegetarian Bistro is knocking this dish out of the park. They roast their garlic whole before sautéing it with the Morning Glory. Seeing whole garlic cloves in my food does a lot for my soul.
Confession: I found this restaurant by chance while ordering takeout one evening. The food blew me away, so much so that I ate here about six times in two weeks. I’m not kidding. Order the Morning Glory and everything else on their menu (👋🏾 Lemongrass & Chili Mushrooms), 🤤.
Restaurant – ROM Vegetarian Bistro, Hoi An.
9. Fresh Summer Rolls
Rounding out our list of dishes you must eat in Vietnam is Fresh Summer Rolls. They were one of my go-to dishes in Vietnam because I never had to modify or ask to hold the meat; they are commonly vegetarian. Another dish that graces almost every menu in Vietnam, so how do you make it stand out?
Na Huy Restaurant knows exactly how. After hearing rave reviews about this place, I headed there. I was blown away when I took my first bite of their summer rolls. The perfectly julienned vegetables are seasoned and sautéed before being delicately wrapped in rice paper. This surprisingly warm element elevated the rolls to a new level. The raw cucumbers keep the crunch you expect, and the tangy peanut sauce seals the deal. If you visit, try their pumpkin soup while you’re at it!
Restauraunt – Ha Nuy Restaurant & Coffee at An Bang Beach, Hoi An.
Vietnam’s Food Blew Me Away!
Vietnam’s food blew me away! Discovering numerous new dishes I had never known was an adventure in its own right. It also reminded me to stay curious about cuisine and explore unfamiliar foods, even in my hometown or country.
I hope learning about these dishes you must eat in Vietnam will fuel your culinary curiosity and inspire you to explore. Even if you struggle with pronouncing a dish, don’t hesitate to try it! For all the foodies out there, my wish is this article ignites your interest in eating your way through Vietnam. As someone who doesn’t eat meat, navigating Vietnam’s food scene was incredibly easy and enjoyable. I always value this when traveling and never take it for granted. Until our next food find!
Tạm biệt,
Bekah
PS ~ while in Asia, why not tack on Thailand and the bohemian mountain town of Pai? Peep that scooter adventure here!
