Vietnam must try food, including many dishes made from vermicelli or fresh rice noodles, and has reserved a special place for Vietnamese vermicelli when it has brought spectacular taste shows to international tourists. Here are 12 unique Vietnamese noodle dishes for first-time travelers.
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Pho Vietnam (Phở)
Pho has firmly grasped the top position of the must try food in Hanoi. Indeed, Pho is a beautiful combination of fresh flat rice noodles, meat (often beef and chicken), and simmered broth from rich bones, enhanced by spices such as cinnamon, anise, and cloves..
Going back to the beef noodle version, you’ll be able to choose between a variety of different cuts of meat, including brisket point (gầu), raw and cooked beef (tái nạm), tendon (gân), or beef meatball (bò viên). You can enjoy Pho almost everywhere in Vietnam. Pho’s taste can change with slight variations of herbs and additional sauce due to the different taste in each region of Vietnam.
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Bun Cha (Grilled Pork and Meatballs with Rice Vermicelli)
Bun Cha is a dish that can not be put out of the best Vietnamese noodles dishes. It combines essential ingredients like vermicelli, grilled pork rolls on charcoal, and a bowl of Nuoc Cham and served with fresh green vegetables such as perilla leaves, lettuce, coriander, and water spinach on the side.
Bun cha is usually served with round patties (Chả Viên) or thin slices of pork (Chả Miếng). Chả Viên is made from lean pork shoulder, and Chả Miếng is spiced meat grilled over charcoal.
This dish was highly appreciated when it was selected for the journey of Anthony Bourdain and former President Barack Obama to Vietnam.
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Bun Bo Hue ( Hue Beef Vietnam Noodles Dishes)
The name Bun Bo Hue originates from the previous capital of Vietnam, Hue. With the explosion of cuisine in Vietnam, Bun Bo Hue has become famous and enjoyed every day by Vietnamese.
A unique feature of this dish is the rich broth that has been simmered for many hours and mixed with the aroma of lemongrass.
The taste of Bun Bo Hue is almost lifted to the next level when you add some homemade satay. The spicy flavor of chili does not overwhelm the dish’s taste but makes the scent of Vietnamese noodles dishes a worldly delicacy.
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Bun dau mam tom ( Vietnam Noodles Dishes with Shrimp Paste)
This traditional Hanoi dish comprises vermicelli compressed into cubes, fried tofu, and shrimp paste. There are many side dishes you can choose such as grilled squid, boiled meat, Nem rán, Chả Cốm Chiên. The problematic point which makes Bun Dau Mam Tom hard to conquer for many foreigners lies in the shrimp fish sauce because it can be difficult to eat if you are not used to it.
To reduce the strong flavor of shrimp paste, you can add a few kumquats, a little sugar, and chili to balance the taste. Vermicelli with shrimp paste is associated with the north of Vietnam. This does not mean that it is not famous in the South. You will be surprised to see countless Bun Dau Mam Tom stores in Ho Chi Minh City.
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Bun Moc (Vermicelli Sprouting)
Bun Moc is an underrated name outside of the country, but it is one of the most delicious Vietnamese noodles dishes. It’s originates from Hanoi city and gets its name based on a characteristic ingredient: sprouted balls made from Vietnamese pork paste.
Bun Moc is famous for its high difficulty because Bun Moc’s broth is stewed from bones, but the final product is clear and frugal. Add some crispy fried onion, and your dish is ready to serve.
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Banh Canh (Vietnamese Thick Noodle Soup)
There are many Banh Canh with different ingredients such as pork knuckle ( Bánh Canh Giò Heo), crab (Bánh Canh Cua), snakehead fish (Bánh Canh Cá Lóc), coconut cream (Bánh Canh Nước Dừa), sweet Banh Canh (Bánh Canh Ngọt). The toppings could be similar to other Vietnam noodles dishes but the broth is much thicker by adding tapioca or rice flour.
Bun Thit Nuong (Grilled Pork and Rice Vermicelli Noodles)
Bun Thit Nuong is quite similar to Bun Cha in Northern Vietnam with combining marinated grilled pork, rice vermicelli, fresh green vegetables, and herbs. However, Bun Thit Nuong usually puts all the ingredients in a large bowl and mixes them with a rich sweet fish sauce. Besides, you can enjoy deep-fried spring rolls and seafood with this dish.
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Bun Rieu Cua (Crab Noodle Soup)
Bun Rieu is one of the most beloved noodles in Vietnam. The broth of this dish is mainly made from tomatoes and the rich sweetness of blended crab paste and pork ribs. The toppings are a variety depending on each region but pork rib, tofu, and tomatoes, fried tofu and fresh herbs.
Mi Quang (Quang styled Noodle)
Mi Quang is the most colorful dish on this list thanks to the egg-yellow color of the noodles, and sometimes they even have a nice light red color. This can be eaten dry or used with meat broth.
The dish becomes even more eye-catching with ingredients such as sliced pork, chicken, shrimp, fish, boiled eggs, roasted peanuts, rice crackers, and fish cakes. Adding a little green from the herbs to the final product is an outstanding combination of many ingredients.
Cao Lau (Cao Lau Noodles)
Having the same hometown as Mi Quang, Cao Lau also has similar characteristics. But if you pay attention a little, you will see that Cao Lau’s noodles are round and chewier. Cao Lau is usually served with slices of pork char siu, crispy wonton, and some vegetables. A little sauce was sprinkled just enough to wet the noodles. Add some chili and lemon, mix it all up, and enjoy this dish immediately.
Pho Xao (Stir-Fried Pho)
Phở Xào is a well-known variation of Pho that is prepared stir-fried. Pho Xao can be served with beef or chicken and some other vegetables such as tomatoes and mustard green. Although the processing is simple, the taste of Pho Xao can leave an indelible mark on diners.
Hu Tieu (Noodle Soup)
We will close the list of the best 12 Vietnamese noodles dishes with Hu Tieu. It is a famous dish which has been testified by chef Gordon Ramsay Hu Tieu at the top of his list. Hu Tieu originated from the Cambodian people who immigrated to Vietnam. Since then, there have been more Vietnamese variations of this dish. Typical with Hu Tieu Nam Vang with flat noodles. Hu Tieu My Tho with chewy noodles (Hu Tieu Dai), or Hu Tieu Sa Dec.
This dish gained popularity in Southern Vietnam, particularly in Saigon. Pork bones are the main component of this meal, which is also made up of several types of noodles, herbs, and other meats. It can be served dry with the broth kept separate (hủ tiếu khô) or as a soup (hủ tiếu nước).
Frequently asked questions about Vietnamese noodles dishes (FAQs)
What is the most famous Vietnamese dish in Vietnam?
The most famous Vietnamese dish in Vietnam must be Pho. Not only received support from the people in the country. Pho is also a dish that consistently ranks at the top of the list of world-recognized cuisines.
What are the top 10 Vietnamese dishes?
Top Vietnamese dishes you must try: Pho, Banh Mi, Goi Cuon, Banh Xeo, Xoi Xeo, Com Tam, Bun Bo Hue, Bun Cha, Mi Quang, and Cha Gio.
Vietnam is an extraordinary melting pot of food. With the above list of Vietnamese noodle dishes, we are sure you will be amazed at the richness of the cuisine of this Southeast Asian country. If you want to go on a culinary adventure in Vietnam, we have prepared a list of the best restaurants. Get in touch with Ftrip now for advice and begin your Vietnam Itinerary.
