Vietnamese food is distinct and unforgettable. The cuisine relies on a balance of salty, sweet, sour and hot flavours, achieved through use of nuoc mam, a fermented fish sauce, cane sugar, the juice of kalamansi citrus fruit or tamarind and chilli peppers. Dishes use plenty of fresh herbs but tend not to be overly spicy, as chilli sauces are served separately.
- Enjoying Vietnamese Food from North to the South
- How do Vietnamese people eat breakfast?
- Bún Bò Huế - The Best Soup In The World
Vietnamese food is distinct and unforgettable. The cuisine relies on a balance of salty, sweet, sour and hot flavours, achieved through use of nuoc mam, a fermented fish sauce, cane sugar, the juice of kalamansi citrus fruit or tamarind and chilli peppers. Dishes use plenty of fresh herbs but tend not to be overly spicy, as chilli sauces are served separately. In addition to dishes like Pho and Banh Mi there are also other delicious and interesting dishes you can refer to in this article.
BUN CHA
Pho might be Vietnam's most famous dish but bun cha is the top choice when it comes to lunchtime in the capital. Just look for the clouds of meaty smoke after 11 a.m. when street-side restaurants start grilling up small patties of seasoned pork and slices of marinated pork belly over a charcoal fire. Once they're charred and crispy the morsels are served with a large bowl of a fish sauce-heavy broth, a basket of herbs and a helping of rice noodles. Bun cha sets often come with the delicious nem cua be -- fried crab spring rolls.
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BUN RIEU
Bún riêu is a meat or seafood vermicelli soup with a distinctive crimson color. The broth gets its appearance from tomato paste and annatto oil, made from achiote tree seeds.
Freshwater crabmeat and blanched tomatoes are the soup's star players. Tamarind paste lends sourness to the broth, while airy bits of fried tofu contribute crunch.
Depending on the region, bún riêu might also come topped with beef, pork, snails or fish. Vermicelli noodles swim in the soup, adding balance to a dish that's both colorful and light. Add to that the requisite plateful of lime wedges, chili and greens -- like banana blossoms and mint -- and you have a perfect meal.
BUN CA HAI PHONG
On the way to the Pandora-like islands of Ha Long Bay, you'll pass Hai Phong, one of Vietnam's most important seaports and, by extension, one of the best places in the country for seafood.
Bun ca Hai Phong, literally "fish noodles of Hai Phong," is much subtler than other, more flamboyant Vietnamese dishes. "It's the contrast of textures that makes this dish interesting," tourist said. The fish -- usually mackerel, carp, or catfish -- is pounded into fishcakes then deep-fried. Traces of dill, tomatoes, green onions and perilla -- a mint-like herb -- combine for a light meal.
CHA CA
More than a century old, Cha Ca La Vong restaurant is so good an entire street in Hanoi is named after it. The humble two-story cafe is famous for its chả cá: chunky cuts of tender grilled catfish, or basa, that's been yellowed by turmeric and seasoned with dill and shrimp paste.
Chả cá arrives in a small pan atop a portable gas stove accompanied by bountiful garnishes, chopped peanuts and cold noodles. Like most great eating experiences, cha ca is a do-it-yourself process. As the fish fries on the stove, diners can cook up the fresh green onion, ginger and extra dill. The flavor combination is fresh, yet earthy; delicate, yet pungent.
BUN BO
Bún bò translates to "Southern-style beef noodle," but you can still find this particular type of noodle soup in the northern city of Hanoi. The best place to try it? Bun Bo Nam Bo in Hanoi's Old Quarter.
Stir-fried and spiced with lemongrass, a mountain of beef sits atop a throne of vermicelli, accompanied by an herbaceous assortment of greens. Crispy, fried shallots add texture to the dish, while the scent of green papaya and pickled carrots create an enticing aroma.
Vietnam is not only famous for its unique beauty but also attracting tourists by its rich cuisine with many mouth watering dishes which will make your stomach happy and healthy. Food-loving globetrotters, if you have a chance to visit Vietnam, don’t miss to try this foods.
