Vietnam is a land of unique flavours where gastronomy plays a central role in culture and daily life. Each region offers specialties that reflect its history, climate, and agricultural richness. Travelling through Vietnam means discovering its iconic dishes, lively markets, and world-famous street food. Here is Authentik Vietnam’s curated selection of the best Vietnamese dishes to savour the full richness of Vietnamese cuisine!

Northern Vietnamese Cuisine – Hanoi, the Gastronomic Capital

Hanoi is the cradle of traditional Vietnamese cuisine. Northern cooking is known for its finesse, fragrant broths, and aromatic herbs. Flavours here are subtle, balanced, and often less spicy than in the South. Exploring Hanoi means immersing yourself in a rich culinary universe, from iconic noodle soups to popular street snacks.

Phở – Vietnam’s National Noodle Soup

Phở is the most iconic dish of Northern Vietnam. Made with rice noodles, slices of beef or chicken, and a fragrant spiced broth, it embodies the refined simplicity of Vietnamese cuisine. Fresh herbs like coriander, Thai basil, and lime add a refreshing finish.

Did you know? CNN ranked phở among the 50 best dishes in the world in 2021, making it essential for any culinary journey in Vietnam.

Where to eat phở in Hanoi:

• Pho Ly Quoc Su: 10 Ly Quoc Su, Hoan Kiem

• Pho Bat Dan: 49 Bat Dan, Hoan Kiem

• Pho Thin Bo Ho: 61 Dinh Tien Hoang, Hoan Kiem

• Pho Khoi Hoi: 50 Hang Vai, Hoan Kiem

• Pho Vui: 25 Hang Giay, Hoan Kiem

Tip: Add a bit of hoisin sauce or chili if you like, but let the broth shine on its own.

Bánh Cuốn – Steamed Vietnamese Rice Rolls

Bánh cuốn are delicate steamed rice rolls filled with minced pork and wood-ear mushrooms, served with a sweet-and-sour fish sauce made with lime, sugar, and sometimes garlic. Light, soft, and fragrant, this dish is a Hanoi breakfast favourite.

Where to try it:

• Bánh Cuốn Bà Hanh, 16 Thọ Xương, Hoan Kiem

• Bánh Cuốn Thanh Vân, 12 Hang Ga, Hoan Kiem

• Bánh Cuốn, 57 Hang Bo, Hoan Kiem

• Bánh Cuốn Bà Xuân, 16 Hoe Nhai, Ba Dinh

Fun fact: In Hanoi, bánh cuốn is often prepared on small sidewalk stalls—watching the steaming rolls being made is part of the experience.

Bún Chả – Grilled Pork with Rice Vermicelli

Bún chả is a typical Hanoi specialty: cold rice vermicelli served with grilled pork, green papaya slices, fresh herbs, and sometimes crispy spring rolls. Everything is dipped into a savoury, tangy fish sauce that balances all flavours perfectly.

Best bún chả spots:

• Bún Chả Đắc Kim, 1 Hang Manh

• Bún Chả Cửa Đông, 41 Cua Dong

• Bún Chả Ta, 21 Nguyen Huu Huan

• Bún Chả Hàng Quạt, 74 Hang Quat

• Bún Chả Tuyet, 34 Hang Than

Tip: Mix the noodles with the sauce just before eating for the best flavour.

Bánh Mì – The Vietnamese Sandwich

The legendary Vietnamese sandwich has earned worldwide fame. A crispy baguette stuffed with meat, pâté, or eggs, bánh mì captures everything that makes Vietnamese cuisine irresistible.

Where to try it in Hanoi:

• Bánh Mì 25, 25 Hang Ca

• Bánh Mì Phố Cổ, 38 Dinh Liet

• Bánh Mì Thuy, 76 Hang Giay

• Bánh Mì Bà Dân, 34 Lo Su

Chả Cá Lã Vọng – Turmeric-Dill Grilled Fish

A Hanoi icon, chả cá features chunks of white fish marinated in turmeric, then grilled over charcoal. During cooking, dill, spring onions, coriander, and basil are added. It is served with rice noodles and roasted peanuts.

Not-to-miss addresses:

• Chả Cá Lã Vọng, 14 Cha Ca Street

• Chả Cá Thăng Long, 6B Duong Thanh

• Vua Chả Cá, 26C Tran Hung Dao

Bún Thang

This delicate Hanoi noodle soup includes shredded chicken, thin fried egg strips, Vietnamese ham, shrimp, squid, and more. All ingredients combine into a beautifully arranged, flavourful bowl.

Where to eat it:

• Bún Thang Bà Đức, 48 Cầu Gỗ

• Bún Thang Hàng Hòm, 11 Hang Hom

• Bún Thang Hàng Hành, 29 Hang Hanh

Phở Cuốn – Fresh Rice Rolls with Stir-Fried Beef

Light and savoury, phở cuốn are rice noodle sheets rolled with stir-fried beef, coriander, and lettuce leaves. They are dipped into a sweet-and-sour fish sauce—the soul of the dish.

Recommended places:

• Phở Cuốn Chính Thắng, 7P Mac Dinh Chi

• Phở Cuốn Hưng Bền, 118 Tran Vu

• Phở Cuốn Thanh Hằng, 29B Ngu Xa

Egg Coffee

A Hanoi original, this drink combines strong coffee with whipped egg yolk, sugar, and cream to create a velvety, sweet foam.

Best places to try it:

• Cà Phê Giang, 39 Nguyen Huu Huan

• Café Giang, 106 Yen Phu

• Cà Phê Đinh, 13 Dinh Tien Hoang

Bún Bò Nam Bộ – Stir-Fried Beef Vermicelli

A beloved dish made of cold rice noodles topped with stir-fried beef, fresh herbs, pickled carrots, cucumbers, peanuts, and sweet-and-sour sauce.

Where to eat:

• Bún Bò Nam Bộ Bách Phương: 73–75 Hang Dieu

• Bún Bò Nam Bộ: 67 Hang Dieu

• Bún Bò Nam Bộ: 7 Ta Hien

Central Vietnamese Cuisine – Hue and Hoi An

Central cuisine is renowned for its finesse, balance, and subtle spices. Hue, the former imperial capital, offers refined dishes from the royal court, while Hoi An blends Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese influences.

Hue Specialties

Bún Bò Huế – Spicy Beef and Pork Noodle Soup

More than just a noodle soup, Bún Bò Huế stands out with its spicy lemongrass broth, reddish hue, and generous toppings. A bold and memorable dish!

Where to try it:

• Bún Bò Huế Bà Gái, 11 Hung Vuong

• Bún Bò Huế, 19 Ly Thuong Kiet

Cơm Hến – Baby Clam Rice

A humble yet flavourful dish featuring cold rice mixed with sautéed baby clams, crispy pork skin, peanuts, and fragrant herbs.

• Cơm Hến O Hoa, 15 Le Loi

Bánh Bèo – Steamed Rice Cakes

Small steamed rice cakes topped with dried shrimp powder and served with sweet-spicy fish sauce.

Where to try:

• Quán Bà Đỏ, 8 Nguyen Binh Khiem

• Bánh Bèo Nậm Lọc Mụ Tùng, 145 Dinh Tien Hoang

Bánh Bột Lọc – Translucent Shrimp Dumplings

Tapioca-based dumplings revealing whole shrimp and pork inside once cooked.

• Bánh Bột Lọc Mụ Tùng, 145 Dinh Tien Hoang

• Quán Bà Đỏ, 8 Nguyen Binh Khiem

Nem Lụi Huế – Grilled Lemongrass Pork Skewers

Seasoned minced pork is molded around lemongrass sticks and grilled. Wrap it in rice paper with herbs and dip into a thick, special sauce.

• Quán Nem Lụi Bún Thịt Nướng, 78 Mai Thuc Loan

• Quán Tài Phú, 2 Dien Bien Phu

Bánh Ram Ít

A combination of two textures: a steamed sticky rice dumpling placed atop a crispy fried rice cracker.

• Quán Bà Đỏ

• Hàng Me Mệ Xí, 12 Vo Thi Sau

Hoi An Specialties

Cao Lầu – Hoi An’s Signature Noodle Dish

Cao Lầu is iconic for its unique noodles traditionally made with water from the ancient Ba Le well. Thick yellow noodles are served with marinated grilled pork, fresh herbs, and crispy rice crackers with very little broth.

Where to try:

• Quán Cao Lầu Thanh, 26 Thai Phien

• Cao Lầu Bà Bê, Hoi An Central Market

• Cao Lầu Liên, 16 Thai Phien

Mì Quảng – Quang-Style Turmeric Noodles

Wide yellow turmeric noodles, minimal broth, meat of choice, peanuts, and crispy rice crackers.

Recommended places:

• Mì Quảng Ông Hai, 6A Truong Minh Luong

• Mì Quảng, 97 Phan Chu Trinh

• Mì Quảng Sâm, 188 Phan Chu Trinh

Cơm Gà Hội An – Hoi An Chicken Rice

Turmeric-infused chicken rice cooked in broth, served with shredded chicken, herbs, and a chili-lime sauce.

• Cơm Gà Bà Buội, 26 Phan Chu Trinh

• Cơm Gà Hương, 56 Le Loi

• Cơm Gà Anh Bói, 50 Le Loi

Bánh Mì Phượng – The World-Famous Sandwich

Known as the “best bánh mì in the world,” stuffed with up to twenty ingredients: grilled meats, pâté, cheese, pickled vegetables, and a secret sauce.

• Bánh Mì Phượng, 2B Phan Chu Trinh

Bánh Vạc – White Rose Dumplings

Delicate rice dumplings shaped like little roses, filled with shrimp and pork, then steamed and topped with fried shallots.

Where to try:

• Quán Bánh Bao Bánh Vạc, 533 Hai Ba Trung

• White Rose Restaurant, 9 Tran Hung Dao

Hoành Thánh – Wonton

Available as soup or fried, Hoi An’s fried wonton is particularly famous—crispy, topped with a sweet-and-sour tomato and seafood sauce.

• Hoành Thánh Anh Sáu, 62 Phan Chu Trinh

• Wonton, 98 Tran Phu

Bánh Đập – Cracked Rice Paper Snack

A playful mix of textures: soft steamed rice paper sandwiched between two crispy grilled sheets, then cracked and dipped in a fermented fish sauce with grilled pork and herbs.

• Bánh Đập, 67 Nguyen Tri Phuong

Southern Vietnamese Cuisine – Ho Chi Minh City

Southern cuisine is sweet, bold, colourful, and generous. Seafood, fresh vegetables, and aromatic sauces are abundant. Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, is the vibrant heart of this culinary richness.

Hủ Tiếu – Southern Rice Noodle Soup

A clear, mildly sweet pork-based broth served with thin rice noodles, pork, liver, shrimp, quail eggs, and more. Many varieties exist, including Hủ Tiếu Nam Vang and Hủ Tiếu khô.

Where to try:

• Hủ Tiếu Nam Vang Nhân Quán, 72 Nguyen Thuong Hien

• Hủ Tiếu Mỹ Tho Sáu Giáp, 246 Ton Dan

• Street Hủ Tiếu gõ vendors after 8 PM

Cơm Tấm Sườn Bì Chả – Broken Rice with Grilled Pork

Saigon’s signature dish: broken rice served with marinated grilled ribs, shredded pork skin, steamed egg-meat loaf, and sweet-sour fish sauce.

Best spots:

• Cơm Tấm Nguyễn Văn Cừ

• Cơm Tấm Mộc

• Cơm Tấm Đề Thám, Bùi Viện area

• Cơm Tấm Kiều Giang

Bánh Xèo – Vietnamese Sizzling Crêpe

A large southern-style crêpe coloured with turmeric, filled with pork, shrimp, and bean sprouts. Wrap it in mustard leaves or lettuce with herbs and dip in sweet-sour fish sauce.

Where to try:

• Bánh Xèo 46A

• Quán Ăn Ngon, 160 Pasteur

Bánh Mì Saigon

Famous for its crispy-light baguette and bold flavours, Saigon’s bánh mì is generously filled with pâté, mayonnaise, cold cuts, pickles, and chili.

Top choices:

• Bánh Mì Huỳnh Hoa

• Bánh Mì Hồng Hoa

• Bánh Mì 37 Nguyen Trai

Bún Thịt Nướng – Grilled Pork Vermicelli

Cold vermicelli topped with marinated grilled pork, fried spring rolls, vegetables, peanuts, and sweet fish sauce.

• Bún Thịt Nướng Kiều Bảo

• Bún Thịt Nướng Chị Tuyền

• Bún Thịt Nướng, 351 Vo Van Tan

Gỏi Cuốn – Fresh Spring Rolls

Fresh rice-paper rolls filled with shrimp, pork, vermicelli, lettuce, and chives, dipped in thick peanut sauce.

Where to try:

• Gỏi Cuốn Tôm Nhảy

• Quán Ăn Ngon

Tips for a Perfect Culinary Journey in Vietnam

• Try Vietnamese street food in local markets and alleys.

• Explore each region to experience Vietnam’s culinary diversity.

• Ask for house specialties to taste authentic recipes.

• Pair dishes with local drinks like egg coffee or green tea.

• Prepare for spicy and sweet flavours, especially in the South.

Conclusion

A trip to Vietnam is a culinary adventure. From Hanoi’s phở to Hoi An’s bánh mì, from Bún Bò Huế to Saigon’s cơm tấm, every dish tells a story and reflects the country’s cultural richness. Vietnamese cuisine offers an unforgettable gastronomic journey, whether you are a street food lover or a gourmet seeking refined dishes.