I. Introduction
When you visit Vietnam, make sure you don’t miss out on its delicious food. Vietnam’s rich cooking traditions offer something great for every taste bud. Check out some of the most popular dishes in Vietnam here!
II. Top 15 Most Popular Dishes in Vietnam
1. Pho
Price: $1.23 to $4.11
This noodle soup is a popular dish in Vietnam. It contains broth (simple yet flavorful), flat rice noodles, thinly sliced meat, and many fresh herbs! People like a bowl of Pho for breakfast, but you can also enjoy it at any time of the day.
Two main types of Pho:
- Pho bo: The most common type, made with sliced beef
- Pho ga: A lighter and more delicate version of Pho, using chicken broth and chicken slices.
Pho is common everywhere in Vietnam, especially in large cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, and Hue. However, each town has its own recipe, so their tastes slightly differ. You can hop on a multiple-day journey on a luxury train from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh (like SJourney) to try all of them!
2. Cha Ca
Price: $5 to $10 per kilogram
Cha ca, one of the most popular dishes in Vietnam, originates in Hanoi (the capital city). It’s a must-try for any food lover visiting northern Vietnam.
The main star is a white freshwater fish, like hemibagrus (called “ca lang” in Vietnamese), marinated in turmeric. This vibrant spice coats the fish with a beautiful yellow color and earthy taste.
Other key ingredients:
- Dill: Adding a bright counterpoint to the richness
- Rice vermicelli noodles (Bún): These thin rice noodles provide a satisfying base.
- Nuoc mam (fish sauce): This savory sauce adds flavor and pairs well with other ingredients.
3. Banh Xeo
Price: $4.3 to $7
Next is Banh Xeo, a delicious Vietnamese crepe bursting with flavor. It’s a popular street food throughout central and south Vietnam, thanks to its happy combo of crispy shell, soft center, and contrasting fillings!
Hoi An Ancient Town is a great place to try these popular dishes in Vietnam. The SJourney luxury train will take you here on Day 4, where you can head to the night market or explore streets around the Old Town. A popular spot for Banh Xeo is “Banh Xeo Quan Gieng” on Tran Hung Dao Street.
4. Nem Ran
Price: $0.39 to $1.96
Everyone agrees that Nem Ran is a crowd-pleaser. It offers a nice combo of savory fillings wrapped in a golden-fried rice paper shell!
The foundation is a thin banh trang sheet (rice paper) soaked in water until pliable. It’s then wrapped around the filling to create a neat little roll. The spell happens during frying, turning the rice paper into a golden brown, crispy surface.
5. Bun Bo Hue
Price: $1.77 to $2.36
Regular Pho relies mostly on beef broth, but Bun Bo Hue is richer and more complex. It’s because the beef bones (knuckles) are simmered with pork bones (trotters) for several hours!
Another highlight is the shrimp paste (mam tom) added to the broth. This results in a strong umami flavor and a slightly reddish hue for our dish.
Other unique features of these traditional dishes:
- Thicker rice noodles: Bun Bo Hue uses thicker rice noodles than Pho for a chewy texture.
- Sliced beef: Thinly sliced beef shank or brisket is a common protein in Bun bo Hue.
- Pork: Bun Bo Hue often includes various cuts of pork, such as boiled pork knuckle (chả giò), Vietnamese ham (chả lụa), and sometimes even blood pudding ( tiết canh).
Naturally, the best place to try Bun Bo Hue is in its birthplace, Hue. The SJourney luxury train will arrive there on Day 4, so look forward to it!
If you miss the taste of Bun Bo after leaving Hue, then wait until Day 5 when the SJourney train reaches Hoi An. This city also has many restaurants serving Bun Bo Hue.
6. Xoi
Price: $0.2 to $2.36
Xoi has been a part of Vietnamese culture for centuries, tracing back to ancient times. It’s made from glutinous rice (or sticky rice) and is a popular choice for snacks or breakfasts.
People cook these popular rice dishes in Vietnam in two common ways:
- Steaming (soft and fluffy): Vietnamese cooks steam the sticky rice in bamboo baskets over boiling water.
- Coconut milk cooking (slightly sweeter): In some versions, the rice is cooked in coconut milk, giving it a rich, coconut-y flavor.
7. Banh Cuon
Price: $0.5 to $2.75
Banh Cuon literally translates to “rolled cake”. This delight features thin, crepe-like steamed rice rolls filled with savory meat – a great way to start your day.
Aside from the meat (commonly seasoned ground pork), you can taste the sliced wood ear mushrooms (nam meo) in its filling as well. Some variations of these popular dishes in Vietnam might include other ingredients like:
- Minced shrimp
- Chopped onions
- Steamed shallots
And more.
As one of the most popular Vietnamese dishes, Banh Cuon tastes the best in Hanoi (the start of the SJourney travel). You can enjoy a dish there before hopping on this luxury train.
Trying these rolled cakes when you arrive in other northern parts of Vietnam (like Quang Binh and Ninh Binh) is also a great idea. SJourney arrives at Ninh Binh on Day 2 and Quang Binh on Day 3, so you don’t have to wait long!
8. Bun Dau Mam Tom
Price: $0.71 to $1.38
The thin rice noodles, Bun, serve as the dish’s base. Meanwhile, Mam Tom is usually served diluted with water, sugar, and sometimes lime juice to mellow the intensity.
Many restaurants in Sapa also give you a small bowl of nước mắm (fish sauce) for dipping, so you can always adjust the flavors. You create your own bites by picking up a piece of Bun, fried tofu, and some fresh herbs, then dipping them into the mam tom of fish sauce.
9. Bo Luc Lac
Price: $1.65 to $6.25 per kilogram
The name “shaking beef” comes from the cooking technique. Marinated beef cubes are stir-fried with vegetables (like onions and peppers) in a hot pan. Chefs then shake the pan to ensure even cooking and keep the beef from sticking. This shaking motion also makes the meat tender and more caramelized on the outside!
Bo luc lac is popular throughout the country, including all the major cities where the SJourney train will take you:
- Ha Noi
- Ho Chi Minh City
- Hoi An.
But like any other popular dishes in Vietnam, the tastes will be slightly different each place you go. Ho Chi Minh people, for example, like to serve Bo luc lac with wagyu beef, but Hoi An chefs often make them with fresh Hoi An seafood! A single trip on SJourney will let you taste it all.
10. Bun Cha
Price: $1.57 to $2.16
Like Bun Dau Mam Tom, Bun also serves as the foundation of Bun Cha! Vietnamese cooks often soak these thin rice noodles in cool water so they can soften before serving.
But the main charm of the dish is Cha (grilled pork). Bun Cha often has two types of grilled pork:
- Cha vien: These are small, flattened patties of seasoned ground pork. People grill them over charcoal or open flame until they are beautifully charred and crispy.
- Cha mieng: The sliced fatty pork belly is marinated and then grilled, resulting in tender pieces with a smoky aroma.
11. Banh Mi
Price: $0.3 to $1.96
Banh mi (or Vietnamese baguette sandwiches) is one of Vietnam’s most iconic street foods. This dish has its roots in the French colonial period, but the Vietnamese creatively adapted it with savory ingredients like:
- Shredded pork
- Grilled pork meatballs
- Lemongrass chicken
- Pate
- Fried eggs
- Tofu
And more.
You can find Banh Mi almost everywhere in Vietnam. But if you want to see more luxury twists, join a cooking class on the SJourney train! The chefs will teach you how to spice things up with high-quality meats and vegetables (like roasted asparagus or grilled zucchini).
12. Che
Price: $5 to $1.1 per kilogram
Che is thought to have a Chinese origin, but Vietnamese people have adapted and perfected it over the centuries.
There are now hundreds of varieties of Che, each with its own unique flavor. Some of the most popular are red bean Che (Che dau do), taro root Che (Che khoai mon), and lotus seed Che (Che hat sen). You can find them in any restaurant and street vendor in Vietnam!
13. Chao Tom
Price: $1.5 to $3 per package
Fresh shrimp are the stars of the show. Depending on the recipe, chefs can add them whole, chopped, or even ground.
The dish might include shrimp roe for an extra umami flavor. There’s also a lot of room for your extra toppings, such as:
- Chopped scallions
- Fried shallots
- A drizzle of chili oil
- A squeeze of fresh lime juice.
14. Com Tam
Price: $0.98 to $2.36
Com Tam is made with broken rice (Com Tam) cooked in a pot over a charcoal fire. The rice is then topped with grilled meats, pickled vegetables, and other toppings.
Com Tam is now popular throughout Vietnam, especially in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon). In fact, many often call Com Tam “Saigon’s signature dish”! There are countless Com Tam stalls and restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City, a common choice for breakfast, lunch, and dinner alike.
15. Banh Bot Loc
Price: $0.59 to $0.98/dish (10 banh bot loc)
Lastly, we have Banh Bot Loc, translucent dumplings made from tapioca flour dough.
The dough creates a delightfully bouncy exterior for the dumplings. When bitten into, they reveal a flavorful filling — a combo of seasoned ground pork, shrimp, and wood ear mushrooms. Some versions even include other ingredients like shallots or mung beans!
III. How To Try Out All The Popular Food Dishes In Vietnam
SJourney is the best luxury train in Vietnam. The huge cabins (10m2), charming carriages, and 24/7 services promise a memorable trip.
But what sets it apart is the food experience! Your taste buds are in for a treat, whether with onboard meals or local cuisines at street vendors. And that’s impressive, considering SJourney covers a lot of ground from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh.
Want to explore further? You can always book pre- or post-tour packages to enjoy even more Viet dishes before or after the train journey.
IV. Conclusion
These are the 15 most popular dishes in Vietnam. The good news is that you don’t need to travel the country for months to try everything. Just hop on the SJourney luxury train for an 8-days-7-nights trip, and you’ll taste it all! Grab your ticket now.
Contact Us
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