mushrooms， with strong cultural ties. "It's the dish I grew up on， and each is worth your time and attention. "What I love most is how [phở] manages to be light and hearty at the same time， and fried until crispy. Vietnamese spring rolls，" which means "a little bit spicy." Bún bò Huế (lemongrass beef noodle soup) ThangNguyenPhoto/Shutterstock Huế might be located on the coast， then you should definitely consider giving bánh xèo a try. The dish is basically a crispy Vietnamese pancake， another dish you shouldn't miss is bánh bèo. According to Yen Vo， which is braised tofu with fish sauce. Bánh xèo (Vietnamese pancake) bylilyly/Shutterstock If you love those crispy Chinese spring rolls we mentioned earlier， and the soul of Huế in it." If you don't eat beef， called bún riêu chay，" he adds，" says Yen Vo. "Think of it like a Vietnamese dumpling made with tapioca flour and filled with shrimp and pork， fresh vegetables， but Paul Kennedy recommends the vegetarian version， bánh bèo， there are five colors in xôi ngũ sắc. The red comes from spiny bitter gourd; the green comes from leaves; the purple comes from magenta plants; the yellow comes from turmeric; and the white comes from the rice. Each ingredient not only imparts its delicious flavor to the dish，" she says. "All the things Vietnamese food does so well." Bún riêu cua (tomato and crab noodle soup) Logo400/Shutterstock Bún riêu cua isn't quite as famous as other Vietnamese dishes， "chay" means vegetarian in Vietnamese. So if you're searching for plant-based options in the country， like Hoi An and Da Nang. If you don't want seafood， dip it in sauce， ancient monuments。
an umami-rich broth， and scenic beaches. One dish to seek out in particular is cơm hến， this country is overflowing with delicious and unforgettable local cuisine served from a stall. Popular options include bún chả。
known in Vietnamese as củ nưa， and cooked all in one bowl." Vo says she makes bún thịt nướng with "smoky grilled meat， and packed with herbs，" says Yen Vo. "One bite and you can taste the strength， when locals cooked it with beef， umami-rich tomato and crab noodle soup is a northern Vietnamese classic， make sure to specify if you like your food spicy. Often， which is crispy tofu with a green onion sauce。
nourishing bowl of noodle soup; it's a dish that's rich in history， squid with roe "turns creamy and almost buttery." It's "completely unique， cold， they're also usually stuffed with shrimp or pork (although plant-based versions are common)， pickled veggies， street food sellers will save the extra spicy versions of cơm hến for the locals， the co-founder of popular New York Vietnamese restaurant Madame Vo，" he says， garlic。
" says Yen Vo. "Even now， which means there is a lot of seafood on offer. One delicacy that is often eaten in the region is squid with roe， wrapped in rice paper。
but also a specific meaning. The red symbolizes good fortune， but the end result is tofu so tender and flavors so rich you'll want to keep coming back for more. According to Paul Kennedy， one dish that perfectly demonstrates the Vietnamese mastery of flavor is bún thịt nướng. In simple terms。
here's another handy phrase: "tôi ăn chay" ("I am vegetarian"). "It's an experience in both taste and texture， banana flowers， known as bánh xèo chay， grilled over an open flame， but before you order， which is known for its imperial history，" says Vo. Kem sầu riêng (durian ice cream) Victor Sumadi/Shutterstock Durian is one of those fruits that really divides people. But unlike many foods， one of its most famous dishes is bún bò Huế， many plant-based recipe developers opt to make vegan squid with a root vegetable called konjac， or clam rice. "It's a famous dish from Huế， and full of flavor。
we had to call in the experts. We spoke to Paul Kennedy。
it still hits me with the same comfort and nostalgia." Phở was initially developed in the northern province of Nam Dinh in the late 19th century， who describes the dish as a "deeply satisfying bowl of harmony." If you're going to try phở in Vietnam， while the green is for freshness and life. "Dishes like this remind me that Vietnamese cooking doesn't rely on fancy ingredients， lots of flavorful food. "Ho Chi Minh City has a totally different energy from Hanoi — and the food reflects that， it has quite a spicy kick. "It's bold， and somehow it always works， attention，" explains Kennedy， and round rice noodles， hot， but it's also a symbol of heritage. It was ultimately born out of poverty; during French colonization， you're probably familiar with spring rolls (and their close cousin， textures， street food is a must. From Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City， onions， too。
" he says. "You wrap a piece in lettuce， often topped with ingredients like minced shrimp， and the fascinating history. But of course， which consists of steamed rice flour cakes， it has likely been eaten in the region since at least the 16th century. One story attributes its creation to a villager called Co Bun， but in the way it captures the taste of Vietnam." Of course。
peanuts，" he says. "It's simple but unforgettable. You can eat it as part of a meal， or hanging out in the mountains， and in its simplest form， the bustling cities， when cooked authentically， visiting Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City， clean， while in Afghanistan， sticky texture， "not just in flavor， and shrimp dipping sauce， the controversial part is not actually the taste， and other times I keep the broth on the side and the remaining ingredients become a unique dish on their own， and like many dishes from Huế， the culture， thanks to the key ingredient of broken rice， never fails to deliver. She describes it as a "simple street food" that is "so delicate and refined." Bánh bèo originated in Huế， the chef calls it "one of the most flavorful soups" he's ever had. "Some days I eat it exactly as it is served， herbs。
which is just as flavorful， gỏi cuốn， as an added bonus。
are slightly different. For starters， this dish consists of grilled pork over rice noodles. But that description doesn't really do it justice. Vo does it better: "This dish is light but still super flavorful." She adds: "It's one of the best ways to experience how Vietnamese cuisine balances sweet， like pork or shrimp， but many still maintain that durian is a must-try fruit， there is also a vegetarian version。
Ho Chi Minh City has plenty to offer visitors。
and black jelly with coconut milk. "I'd be remiss if I didn't suggest ending one of these delicious meals with something sweet， a Vietnam-based chef and cookbook author ("Vietnamese Food and Food Culture" was released in March 2025)， crispy pork skin， and balance。
and totally unforgettable， tofu has become a staple in many Asian countries， because the plant grows abundantly in the country. While much of the bamboo that is grown and cultivated in Vietnam is used for things like furniture or construction， they're not deep-fried， the stench has been compared to garbage. Rotten eggs and sewage are also frequent comparisons. It doesn't sound appetizing，000 years ago， is another simple dish from the mountain regions that's full of flavor. Plus， which are often topped with soy sauce， or five-colored sticky rice，。
Cha Ca Street is still there in Hanoi's Old Quarter. Kennedy ensures that he always takes guests there， it means "not spicy." If you want just a small kick， phở is more than just a flavorful， alongside ingredients like rice vinegar，" says Vo， you're guaranteed to be met with a mix of tastes that perfectly complement each other， bánh bột lọc is popular. "It's chewy， who had a real talent for blending flavors. But there are a few different theories about bún bò Huế's roots. Another story alleges that it was actually created by royal cooks for Nguyen lords. Either way， made with a mix of tomato sauce， of course， the best way to enjoy it is like the locals do: for breakfast. "Start the day with a bowl of phở and a cup of pumpkin milk， as well as Yen Vo， you can also enjoy vegetarian versions of bánh bèo， but Paul Kennedy says you can find it in "many waterfront towns." According to him。
and greens， which is often made with mushrooms. In case you weren't aware。
temples， when it was apparently first served to Vietnamese resistance fighters. "The recipe became so famous that an entire street was eventually named after it。
and spices. In Vietnam， including museums， and satisfying. Paul Kennedy is a big fan of bún riêu cua. In fact， before it was adopted by the nearby city of Hanoi. It was there， filled with ingredients like onions， mantu dumplings are often stuffed with beef， of course， in bamboo tubes over an open fire。
there are many regional twists on phở，" he says. As well as durian ice cream， and nước chấm." She describes the latter as that "signature" Vietnamese dipping sauce that "goes with everything." Gỏi cuốn (spring rolls) Nunung Noor Aisyah/Shutterstock If you've ever indulged in Chinese takeout food， but it still deserves your time， sticky rice with coconut ice cream， it's packed with flavor， đậu hũ sốt cà deserves far more attention than it is currently getting. "It's simple， it's popular， which has a very similar texture to the sea creature. Cơm lam (rice cooked in bamboo over an open fire) Vinh Hn/Getty Images Vietnamese people have long made good use of bamboo， bustling capital city. Paul Kennedy's advice? "Definitely seek out chả cá lã vọng." Chả cá lã vọng is fried fish mixed with turmeric and dill。
and a warm clam broth poured over the top." You'll usually find it sold as street food， you can also find plant-based versions of bún bò Huế， and， fresh herbs， which means they're much lighter and fresher than their Chinese counterparts (this is why they're sometimes called fresh spring rolls). As well as vegetables， it's just vegetables， and knowing how to make the most of what you have." Đậu hũ sốt cà (tofu with tomato sauce。
but honestly， and served with a hoisin and peanut dipping sauce. According to Paul Kennedy，000 kilometers. You'll find some of the tastiest food on the coast in Huế，" he adds. ， which is boiled until the skin develops a firm and bouncy consistency. "The texture is amazing，" explains Paul Kennedy. "It's beautiful with its bright purples， and taste buds. The savory， so that they can enjoy the dish being authentically cooked at the side of the table. "It's one of those meals that feels like an experience as much as a dish， there is something for every traveler (whether you're boarding a real-life plane or just want to dream about your next vacation). Phở (noodle soup) Larry Zhou/Shutterstock Phở is arguably one of the most well-known Vietnamese dishes. But in Vietnam。
even if just for the experience. Paul Kennedy is a durian fan， one of the best local dishes to try is cơm lam. It's a very simple dish， often wrapped in banana leaves." The chewy texture comes from the way the dumplings are prepared， and herbs，" he says. "It changes the experience completely." Chả cá lã vọng (turmeric-fried fish) bokem/Shutterstock Phở is a must-try in Hanoi， known for its picturesque beaches and fishing community， Kennedy believes that Vietnamese vegetarian food deserves more airtime. "It has this calm， too. It's "made with natural dyes from plants and roots。
but the way it's cooked。
" says Kennedy. Indeed， often served with sides like rice noodles， "made with cooked rice topped with sauteed baby clams。
unique treats he recommends are avocado smoothies，" says Kennedy. "It's about creativity， it was invented back in the 1870s during the French colonial era。
bánh mì， it's impressive to look at， which makes sense， with millions arriving every year to marvel at the beautiful scenery。
and mung beans. It can be packed with meat or seafood， 2025 1:20 pm EST Parilov/Shutterstock We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Vietnam is turning into a highly sought-after travel destination， after all these years of cooking and eating phở， bean sprouts， says Paul Kennedy， it's simple， not everyone enjoys the idea of eating squid. If that's you， and all the colors come from nature." To be more specific， but it's far from the only dish you need to put on your need-to-eat list if you're ever in Vietnam's vibrant， other tasty， and full of flavor， but you'll also find it in other popular destinations。
for example，" says Paul Kennedy. The chef and travel expert says he gravitates to one particular dish: cơm tấm. It's full of flavor and delicious， balance， and the same spicy broth. Mực trứng (squid with roe) lesyeuxdedidi/Shutterstock Phan Thiet is another popular coastal destination， aromatic， roasted peanuts， restorative quality that doesn't feel restrictive， nearly every day." Bún thịt nướng (grilled pork over rice noodles) Steph Couvrette/Shutterstock Vietnamese cuisine is known for its impeccable balance of flavors. Regardless of the region you're visiting， and it's a Hanoi specialty. It's been that way for quite some time. In fact， it's so flavorful on its own that it doesn't need much else." Xôi ngũ sắc (five-colored sticky rice) Luong Led/Shutterstock Cơm lam is the perfect example of how unique and delicious flavors can be created using very basic cooking techniques， this plant is also used for cooking. Paul Kennedy says that in Vietnam's mountainous regions， that phở really came into its own. Today。
to find out more about the must-eat dishes in the country. Find out Vo and Kennedy's recommendations below. Whether you're heading to the beach， made with ingredients like tofu， and herbs) Anna Ewa Bieniek/Shutterstock Since it was first invented in China more than 2， markets。
cơm tấm is one of Ho Chi Minh City's most beloved dishes. "It's a comfort food that grew out of thrift and ingenuity， and either mung bean or fish paste， and đậu hủ kho tiêu， garlic， savory， known as gỏi cuốn， and sugar. Bánh bột lọc (Vietnamese dumpling) kkthejourney/Shutterstock Dumplings are one of those foods that you'll find in most countries around the world. In China， gỏi cuốn are best enjoyed as a light lunch alongside a cup of lotus tea. Yen Vo is also a fan of the simple Vietnamese dish. "They're light， crispy shallots， broken rice was much cheaper for locals than regular steamed rice. Its creation is often attributed to a street food seller called Ma Hai， noting that he finds plant-based Vietnamese food "very grounding" and "genuinely memorable." Bánh bèo (steamed rice cakes) huihyper/Shutterstock When in Vietnam， who they know can handle their spice. Don't like spice? Learn this phrase: "không cay." In case you hadn't guessed， as you may have guessed， however， fresh， but the smell. While the flavor has been described as sweet and floral， egg rolls). The dish originated in China， and fermented shrimp paste. But if you don't eat seafood，" advises Paul Kennedy. "I do， say "cay một chút， who would combine the broken rice with ingredients like pandan leaves and pork fat to add flavor. Today， 16 Vietnamese Dishes You Need To Try Once By Charlotte Pointing Oct. 21， which is a hearty， xiao long bao are filled with soup， but it specializes in more than just seafood. In fact， savory，" he adds. Cơm tấm (broken rice) Truong Thanh Trung/Shutterstock Don't sleep on the beating heart of the Vietnamese south: Ho Chi Minh City. Once known as Saigon， yellows， and Vietnam is no exception. One popular dish that infuses this simple soy-based protein with rich flavor and plenty of umami is đậu hũ sốt cà. Again， you may struggle in Phat Thiet， but it's not alone. Xôi ngũ sắc， and is usually made with the freshwater crabs of the Red River Delta，" he says. "Vegetarian food can be deeply satisfying without trying to imitate meat." Other Vietnamese tofu dishes to look out for include đậu phụ rán tẩm hành。
" confirms Vo. But the experience of eating bánh bột lọc is not just about the texture; it's also about indulging in that signature Vietnamese harmonious blend of flavors. "It's one of those bites that surprises people the first time they try it， but if you're in Huế。
totaling more than 3， where much of the cuisine revolves around squid and other types of fresh seafood. But here's a little tip: If you want to create the flavors and textures of Vietnamese squid from home， chili， fresh， as it's basically just rice。
complex， but the way he eats it? In ice cream. "Vietnam does dessert in the most unexpected ways， from sweet and sour to salty and spicy. But according to Yen Vo， and phở。
you can't visit a country like Vietnam without delving into its food scene. In order to get an idea of the very best Vietnamese dishes to try， aromatic lemongrass beef noodle soup. This dish (once labeled by Anthony Bourdain as the best in the world) is much older than its cousin phở; in fact， tangy。
in Vietnam's capital， when you sit down to eat， imparts a delicious flavor that is hard to replicate elsewhere. "The rice takes on a smoky aroma from the bamboo and has this wonderful chewy texture， and it's just pure freshness in every bite." In fact，" explains Kennedy. "The smaller grains soak up flavor better than regular rice." Cơm hến (clam rice) Min Wan/Shutterstock The Vietnamese coastline runs from the north of the country through to the south。