National cuisine of Vietnam - What is worth trying? Prices and dishes. National cuisine of Vietnam. Food in Vietnam Vietnamese cuisine meat in whole pineapple

Like all Eastern cuisines, Vietnamese gastronomy is balanced and nutritious. Many of its traditions are borrowed from China and India, but are not without their originality. Rice is considered the most revered product. The cereal is consumed boiled, in the form of noodles, and desserts. Particular attention is paid to greenery. Here it is used in the preparation of most dishes.

The Vietnamese are very fond of soups. The most famous traditional soup has a very simple name - Pho. The most unusual delicacy can be called one, which has already formed plumage, beak and cartilage. Before serving, the delicacy is simply boiled.

Let's look at something less exotic...

Length of borders and coastline led to Vietnam's historic openness to foreign influence. It seems that almost every aspect of Vietnamese culture has, to one degree or another, absorbed elements of foreign influence. And Vietnamese cuisine is no exception. It represents an original mixture of Chinese, French, Khmer and Thai traditions, while remaining completely unique and original.

The period of Northern Dependence - vassal relations of Vietnam from China (111 BC - 938 AD) lasted for more than a thousand years. And, of course, the influence of Chinese culture
The Vietnamese share the Chinese concept of the “five tastes”: food should have a balance of salty, sweet, sour, bitter and spicy. As in Chinese cuisine, vegetables and herbs play one of the central roles in Vietnamese cooking. However, the Vietnamese prefer to consume more of them fresh. When frying, the Vietnamese use less oil than the Chinese. The main principle and goal of Vietnamese chefs is lightness and freshness. Buddhism, which also came partly from China, introduced vegetarian food into Vietnamese culture.

Following China, Mongolian shepherds came to Vietnam in the 10th century and taught the Vietnamese to eat beef.

More southern nations also contributed to the mosaic of Vietnamese culture. Indianized Cambodia has significantly expanded the range of Vietnamese cuisine: thanks to it, Indian spices and seasonings have become quite common in Vietnam. The Vietnamese accepted them, but adapted them to their taste, using them mainly to add aroma to the dish rather than a fiery taste. From Thailand and Laos, Vietnam borrowed a whole bouquet of aromatic herbs, such as lemongrass, mint, basil, and chili.

The French, coming to Vietnam in the 19th century, brought their food philosophy, an important part of which was attention and respect for the high quality of ingredients and the correct use of them. In addition, they also enriched Vietnamese cuisine both in terms of technique (it was from the French that the Vietnamese learned how to sauté) and in terms of content: asparagus, avocado, corn, tomatoes and wine appeared in Vietnam precisely thanks to the French.

They also brought bread (baguettes), beer, coffee with milk and ice cream. Now on almost any street you will see either elderly women or boys with baskets full of baguettes. And “sandwiches” made from a cut baguette stuffed with pate, lettuce, etc. with chili sauce or traditional Vietnamese fish sauce, are popular throughout the country and are sold at any time of the day.

Vietnamese cuisine has absorbed the influence of many cultures and, apparently, continues to do so. However, it remains unique. The Vietnamese like to compare their country to a house with a wide open window on each of its four walls. Winds can blow from all four directions and even move furniture in the house. But any wind, having flown in, then always flies away, leaving behind the same chairs and table. The Vietnamese love to mix simple ingredients to create new, unusual combinations.

The foundation of Vietnamese cuisine is rice. for Vietnamese is huge. When it comes to food, Vietnam learned from China to use chopsticks, fry vegetables and meat, eat noodles and tofu (bean curd).

The Vietnamese word "cơm" has two meanings: " boiled rice" and "food". A Vietnamese meal is always rice and something else. Rice is more than just food for Vietnam. This is history, culture, cult, identity of the nation. Many legends and myths are associated with this plant. There are dozens and dozens of types of rice in Vietnam, ranging from ordinary (familiar to us) to sticky or completely exotic black or red rice.

The choice of fish and seafood in Vietnam is also huge: shrimp of different sizes and colors, cuttlefish, octopus, etc. and so on. However, the Vietnamese also enjoy eating meat: beef, pork, poultry (chickens, ducks...). There is practically no lamb in Vietnam, and goat meat is sold in special restaurants with a certain specific set of herbs.

There are also restaurants in Vietnam that serve the meat of exotic animals - turtles, forest (wild) deer, roe deer, wild boar, etc. However, for the Vietnamese themselves, this is more exotic than everyday food. Snake restaurants, where you will be asked to choose a snake yourself and a whole performance with its preparation will be performed before your eyes (from one snake - up to 10 dishes, a little of everything: fried snake, boiled snake, etc.), are located in separate blocks. The pleasure is not the cheapest, but it is interesting, exotic and, in general, tasty.

It is worth noting that Vietnamese cuisine, following the climatic and cultural differences between the three parts of the country - North, Center and South, has its own regional differences. For example, it was in the North, where Vietnamese civilization began, that the most popular dishes (such as pho soup) emerged, and northern cuisine is considered more traditional and more strictly adheres to the original recipes of Vietnamese dishes. The cuisine of South Vietnam was significantly influenced by immigrants from China and therefore in the South they prefer to give dishes a sweeter taste, and this cuisine is more exotic and rich in a variety of seasonings from Thai and Khmer cuisine. In the center of Vietnam they prepare the most unusual dishes that differ from the cuisine of the rest of Vietnam, using their own special seasonings and offering a wide variety of appetizers for the main course.

Vietnamese soups are a characteristic dish of national cuisine, different types soup eaten in different time days. For example, phở (read: pho) - in the morning or late at night, bún chả (read: bún cha) - at lunch, other soups - more often in the evening.

Some of the most common soups are crab soup with asparagus and crab soup with maize. And fish soup with pineapple, which, like other soups, is served at the end of the meal, has the extraordinary property of promoting digestion after a large meal as a result of the almost inevitable desire in Vietnam to try all the local delicacies.

Vietnamese cuisine uses a large number of spices and seasonings. The main ones are lemongrass, basil, ginger, lime, cilantro, coriander, mint, pepper, dill, limnophila, hautunia, etc.

One of the characteristic features of Vietnamese cuisine is fish sauce nước mắm (read: “nyoc mam”) with its specific, at first seeming sharp, unpleasant odor. However, as soon as you try dishes with fish sauce, it will reveal its taste, which is so well suited to national dishes. Fish sauce, which is also used in Thai cuisine and is made from anchovies, is made from shrimp in Vietnam. It replaces salt, like soy sauce in Japan. Largest production fish sauce are located in Muin and on the island. Phu Quoc, and the dark red fish sauce from Phu Quoc Island is known for its high protein content. In addition to fish sauce, Vietnamese prepares shrimp sauce (mắm tôm – read “mam tom”), but due to the pungent smell, not all foreigners dare to try it.

The Vietnamese love to use mushrooms, which they add to soups and main courses.

Tours to Vietnam usually offer only breakfast, since varied and cheap food can be easily and conveniently found on any excursion route.

For breakfast at hotels you will be offered a choice of European breakfast (coffee, omelet, toast, etc.) or traditional Vietnamese. Vietnamese usually eat hot dishes for breakfast: pho soup (phở), sticky rice (with corn or peanuts) (xôi ngô, xôi lạc), steamed rice flour pancakes (filled with fried onions and minced pork) (bánh cuốn), porridge made from rice flour (with meat or fish, etc.) (cháo thịt, cháo cá ...).
From morning until late evening, delicious and inexpensive food can be ordered both in European-style restaurants and cafes, and in Vietnamese specialized restaurants (for example, where they prepare only pho soup, or only seafood, or only fish, etc.), or buy on the street. However, it is worth remembering that despite the fact that in many catering establishments designed for foreigners, you will be served at any time of the day, the most delicious and fresh dishes will be ready by “breakfast time” - from 7 to 8 am, by “lunch” time - from 12.30 to 13.30, after which most Vietnamese rest until 15 o’clock, and dinner will be ready from 19 to 21 o’clock.

Buying food on the street is quite safe and convenient, since the Vietnamese monitor cleanliness and take care of the freshness of food in a tropical climate. However, one should not forget about elementary rules hygiene (wash hands before eating, do not buy food in dubious places, etc.). Typically, people buy baguette sandwiches on the street, which are made from small French rolls with the addition of vegetables, sausage, eggs or other ingredients at the buyer’s request.

The freshest and cheapest fruits (pineapples, bananas, etc.) are sold on the streets, and bargaining is an integral part of the purchase.
Particularly noteworthy is the cult ritual “royal” dinner in the city of Hue especially for tourists, during which you are completely immersed in a past era, both in dishes, in ritual ceremonies, in clothing, and in the spirit of the ceremony, surrounded by your retinue, you enjoy exquisite dishes of ancient Vietnamese cuisine accompanied by the enchanting sounds of folk songs.

If you don’t know how to eat with chopsticks, in Vietnam they always serve a fork along with other utensils. If you want to try eating with chopsticks, you should not stick them vertically into a bowl of rice or other food; this gesture has a mourning connotation. Also, chopsticks are usually not used to separate large pieces into small ones - there is a spoon or knife for this. Chopsticks are usually held with the hands further from the ends with which food is taken, and one should try to ensure that only the food, and not the chopsticks, touches the mouth.

Rice is usually served in one large bowl, and everyone spoons the rice into their own small bowl. Vietnamese dishes of meat, fish, and poultry, in the Chinese style, are placed in large plates, and everyone also helps themselves. You cannot eat straight away from a large plate: first you need to put the pieces in your bowl, and only then put them in your mouth. The soup is served at the end of the meal; it is usually poured from a large bowl into a small bowl from which the rice was eaten. It is permissible to drink soup over the edge of the bowl after pieces of meat and noodles have been caught from the broth with chopsticks.

According to Vietnamese customs, elders or hosts offer and serve food to younger or invited guests, so if you are invited, your host himself will put food in your bowl.

It is not customary to take more of the same dish until you have tried others. Since meat is the most expensive part of any table, you need to make sure that after you take the supplement, there is enough left for others. You should not choose the best piece from a common plate - this will leave a bad impression of you. You cannot put a piece that was taken into your own bowl back into the common plate.

Updated: March 26, 2020

You've probably already heard the concept of gastronomic tourism. This is when people come to another country not only and not so much to explore its attractions, but to immerse themselves in the local culture of culinary values. So, in this article you will learn what to try first in Vietnam. Moreover, there is plenty to choose from: the national cuisine of this country has more than half a thousand dishes!

Dedicated to soup lovers

Oddly enough, Vietnam is a country where they love soups even more than ours.

Exotic snacks

Delicious snack

National dishes of Vietnam are not only complex compositions that can be ordered in restaurants. You can order a lot of interesting things in a simple cafe or right on the street, from shopkeepers.

What to drink?

The national cuisine of Vietnam boasts drinks too. Perhaps the most important among them is coffee.

Coffee, pure and with additives

Let us remember that Vietnam is a former French colony, and the aromatic drink, like baguettes, is an echo of the colonial past. By the way, Vietnam has already overtaken Brazil in coffee exports and took 1st place in the world! Varieties - for every taste: Arabica, mocha, robusta, luwak... The cafe will offer you a drink created from a mixture of several varieties.

Vietnamese coffee has an unforgettable aroma. The aftertaste is absolutely amazing: no sourness, just freshness and chill. Coffee is prepared directly in the cup, through a special metal filter (again, remember its brother, the French press). So, the filter is placed on a mug, a few spoons of freshly ground coffee are poured into it and pressed. They're pouring from above hot water. The coffee seeps into the glass, five minutes - and voila, you can drink! In Vietnam they drink coffee with ice, condensed milk, and even egg.

Coffee with egg is surprisingly gentle. More often it is sold in the north of the country, for example, in Hanoi. The consistency is perfect, it melts in your mouth! There is strong bitter coffee at the bottom of the cup, and whipped yolks with sugar at the top. This drink can be cold or hot. Russians usually prefer the hot version. By the way, we advise gourmets to eat egg coffee with a spoon.

Jackfruit

Fetus breadfruit its aroma is hardly inferior to durian. It is very difficult to cut it, it is large and sticky, it is better to buy already cut fruit. The taste is specific, it is suitable as an additive to hot dishes of meat or vegetables. You can guess from the name that the fruit is filling and high in calories; you’ll get full of it quickly.

Sapodilla

For sale all year round countrywide. Reminds me of a small brown kiwi. The taste is sweet, similar to persimmon, the pulp is also like persimmon, but with a hard seed inside. Overripe sapodilla is sweet, with a honey aftertaste. Of course, it’s better to try it yourself rather than just read the description.

Now you know what to try in Vietnam. But in order not to be left alone with your earthenware friend and ruin your vacation, remember to be prudential. No matter how much you want everything and more, do not immediately gorge yourself on the exotic. Eat no more than three to four foreign fruits a day. And, of course, wash them thoroughly under running water.

Comparison of prices and quality of food in a Vietnamese restaurant and roadside fast food in this video.

We talk about what we eat in Vietnam (how much it costs and what it looks like). This is our big overview of Vietnamese food, names of dishes and prices.

We will be there for a month and a half, so the need arose to somehow understand the food - what is what in Vietnamese cuisine. Having purchased a special notebook, we began to write down the names of dishes and their translations, as well as everything that might be useful when communicating (more precisely, when trying to explain ourselves) with employees of local street eateries. The situation is complicated: the menu, if there is one at all, is only in Vietnamese, and among the catering workers, almost no one knows English, and if anyone knows even a little, they speak with such an accent that we can no longer understand anything. So you have to explain yourself mainly through sign language.

Advice: For correct translation from Vietnamese, use the Tieng viet TCVN 6064 virtual keyboard in Google Translate - there you will find all the necessary symbols.

Entering the names of dishes in Vietnamese into a notepad has become easier - you can simply show the cook the inscription and he will say whether such a dish is available, or twirl the “flashlights”, which means “no” in Vietnam.

We started our journey from Ho Chi Minh City, and as we move towards the north of Vietnam we will supplement the article with new names, descriptions and photos of food in Vietnam, prices for dishes, and also, if possible, note regional differences in dishes. UPD: we did just that, read our comparison in different cities of the country.

Let’s make a reservation that we eat exclusively in small street eateries in order to imbue the spirit of the ordinary Vietnamese people and save money. It usually happens like this: the lower you sit, the tastier and cheaper you eat. Even white-collar workers - serious business men - do not hesitate to sit on a low plastic chair at a street eatery and have a snack.

Remark from Alyosha : During our stay in Vietnam, there was not a single case where we ate in some eatery, sitting side by side with a “white man”; our desk neighbors were always local residents. It is very rare for a European to sit on a plastic chair at street eateries, but in vain, because this is the way to eat when traveling that guarantees that the prices are minimal.

Exchange Rates at the time of writing: 1000 Vietnamese dong = 2.76 rubles, and $1 = 21,400 dong. Roughly speaking, to convert the price of a particular Vietnamese dish into rubles, cut off three zeros from the price in dong and multiply by 3 - you get the ruble equivalent.

Food prices in Vietnam are not too high, but given the fall of the ruble, they have become approximately the same as in Russia.

Food in Vietnam: what it costs, descriptions of dishes and their writing in Vietnamese

Nem cuốn, bánh tráng cuốn or gỏi cuốn And chả giò(in Northern, Central and Southern Vietnam, respectively) - nem pancakes, or rolls. They are filled rolls wrapped in thin rice paper. The filling consists of rice noodles, shrimp, bacon, herbs and other ingredients - at the discretion of the cook. Rolls are served chilled or at room temperature. Price - from 6 thousand dong per piece.

Chả nem or nem ran(in the south and north, respectively) - also rolls with filling, but small and fried. The filling consists of minced meat, mushrooms, vegetables and herbs; it may vary. Price - from 3.5 thousand dong per piece.
Phở soup (pho) is the national dish of Vietnam and is a must try. This is a very tasty rich beef broth with rice noodles, to which either thin slices of beef are added ( pho bo - phở bò), or chicken pieces ( fo ga - phở gà) or fish ( phởca). The soup is served with local herbs like mint and mung bean sprouts, dipping sauces and lime slices for squeezing. In general, there are a lot of varieties of soups in Vietnam - they can differ in types of noodles or meat and vegetables. Price: in Ho Chi Minh City we found pho bo for 20 thousand dong, but on average it costs 25 - 30 thousand dong. In Can Tho it costs 18 thousand dong.

Phở bò - beef soup

Bún chả (Bún thịt nướng in the south)— fried pork with rice noodles. Served with fresh herbs and vegetables, as well as sauces. Price: from 25 thousand dong.
Goi bo- salad of beef, vegetables and herbs. Price: from 17 thousand dong.
Bún ca- fish noodle soup. Price: in Can Tho - from 15 thousand dong.
(or Bún riêu) - soup with vermicelli, tomatoes, snails, beef, chicken, boiled pork blood and herbs. Price: from 28 thousand dong.

Bún ốc - soup with noodles, meat and snails

Banh canh- noodles soup. There are many varieties: cua- with crab, tom- with shrimp and so on. Price: from 25 thousand dong.
is a very common street food in Vietnam. A very tasty fresh baguette with a “combined” filling at the seller’s discretion: vegetables, pork/beef/sausage, herbs, pate, chili (usually sellers ask whether pepper should be added), sauce. All this is wrapped in paper and placed in a bag. Very convenient: a Vietnamese guy arrived on a bike, they prepared a sandwich for him in 2 minutes, and he rode off. You can find mobile baguette shops almost everywhere (with the exception of the center - there are practically none there). Cost: from 10 thousand dong per piece - red price. In more tourist areas we met for 15 and 20 thousand (Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Hue, Ha Long). A baguette option with fried pork costs from 15 thousand VND.

Banh mì. Photo © cherrylet / flickr.com

Banh bao (ban bao, dumpling pies) is a steamed yeast dough pie. Filling (may vary): pork/chicken, quail egg, onions, mushrooms, vermicelli. There is a vegetarian version of bánh bao. Price: from 10 thousand dong. Sometimes the price depends on the weight (seen in Hanoi).
- another street food. You could say this is bread pudding. Basically, it's a fried banana cake that's a bit like pudding in consistency. The ingredients can vary greatly, but it is usually made from bananas, bread, coconut milk etc. Very tasty and satisfying. Bánh chuối carts are mobile and can be identified by the characteristic sweet smell of waffles. By the way, the waffles themselves are often sold too. Often just such a banana mass with mung bean can be found in the form of fried waffles. Cost: in Ho Chi Minh City they sold it to us for 12 thousand VND per piece, which, of course, is expensive. In Da Nang they sold us the same one for 5 thousand.

Bánh chuối. Photo © noodlepie / flickr.com

Chè chuối- among ourselves we called it “banana pudding.” In my opinion, one of the most delicious dishes in Vietnam. These are fried (sometimes fresh) bananas, doused with hot coconut milk and pulp, and sprinkled with roasted peanuts. Very tasty and filling! Served in plastic cups with a spoon. It's best eaten hot, but it's also delicious cold. In Hoi An we bought for 10 thousand dong, although in fact they sell it cheaper to locals (about 7 thousand).
- a rice dish with fresh vegetables and tender marinated grilled pork (you can also take grilled chicken instead). Added hot sauce and broth with herbs. This is one of the types of street food in Vietnam; you can ask for cơm tấm to take with you, and the dish will be placed in a special container. Price: from 25 thousand dong in Ho Chi Minh City, in Can Tho we ate cơm tấm for 15 thousand dong.

Cơm tấm - rice with pork

Banh chưng- a traditional Vietnamese dessert - a mass of gluten rice, mung bean, pork and other ingredients, wrapped in banana leaves. Price in the supermarket: from 30 - 35 thousand dong.
— Vietnamese street food. Nourishing and tasty dish, is very simple to prepare: pieces of rice dough are fried along with an egg and green onions. All this is topped with the famous nước mắm fish sauce. Price: from 22 thousand dong.

Bột chiên. Photo © phswien / flickr.com

- also cheap street food in Vietnam. It is deep-fried pasta with scrambled eggs and herbs. Fresh vegetables are often served. Price: from 22 thousand dong.

Nước mắm- fish sauce. It is obtained through the fermentation process of anchovy. Used instead of salt, you can dip pieces of food in it, or you can pour it over a dish - depending on the variety, of which there are many. Also added during cooking. Served free of charge.

Our journey is just beginning, so the article will be gradually filled out new information: We will continue to tell you about all the types of food we try in Vietnam, as well as the prices of these Vietnamese dishes. To be continued…

Introductory image source: Khánh Hmoong / flickr.com.

Good day to all readers and subscribers

In every country I've been lucky enough to visit, I try to try as many local dishes as possible. To get to know the national food of the people better. There is even such a concept - gastronomic tourism. And Vietnam was no exception for me.

In one of my previous articles, I already wrote about. Today I present to you my rating the best dishes of Vietnamese cuisine.

Having visited the countries of Southeast Asia and Vietnam in particular, I realized that I really like Asian cuisine, in particular! Vietnamese cuisine are not yet as popular as Thai ones. But this situation will probably change soon, because more and more of our compatriots are Lately choose Vietnam as their holiday destination. And in Russia, more and more restaurants are opening where they serve best vietnamese dishes.

What is she like? Vietnamese cuisine? It is original, but much is borrowed from China, Thailand and France (Vietnam was once a colony of France). Not as spicy as in Thailand, but still has a lot of spices. As elsewhere in Asia, rice is one of the basis of many dishes. The Vietnamese also eat a lot of fresh herbs and noodles. Various soups are very popular (especially Pho soup), fried pork and some dishes exotic for Europeans, such as dogs, cats, rats, snakes, crocodiles (although this largely depends on the region, for example in southern Vietnam they do not eat cats and dogs, but in the north it is a delicacy). Lots of seafood dishes. And thanks to the French influence, Vietnamese cuisine is unthinkable without delicious fresh baguettes and pastries.

So, I present to your attention Top 10 Vietnamese dishes:

1. Pho soup.

The most popular dish in Vietnam. It's like in Thailand or borscht in Russia. Although no, in Russia they don’t eat that much borscht! Pho soup prepare in Vietnam just at every step. It can be tasted both in an expensive restaurant and in any cheap cafe with plastic chairs. It is especially popular among the Vietnamese for breakfast, but it is also good for lunch and dinner.

This is a fairly simple soup with the addition of noodles, soybean sprouts and pork (or chicken). It is served separately with chili pepper and a large plate of fresh herbs, which must be added to the soup. Sprouted soybeans are also sometimes served separately.

Honestly, although I liked this soup, it’s still not as much as Tom Yum in Thailand and some others Vietnamese dishes.

2. Vietnamese soup with beef, noodles and carrots.

It is a type of Pho soup, but personally I liked it even more! Especially thanks to a very special delicious broth. I recommend you try it! Usually served in the same place as Pho soup. It's easy enough to spot in the picture on the menu.

3. Spring rolls.

Small rolls fried until crispy. The filling can be very varied, but most often it is vegetables with minced meat or shrimp, wrapped in thin rice paper. Served with greens. It will taste better if you eat it with soy sauce. I really liked it! They are especially good as a beer snack.

4. Pancakes Nem.

Somewhat reminiscent of spring rolls. Just bigger. They also use rice paper. Only the filling is more varied, often with the addition of mushrooms. There are options both fried and simply wrapped in a sheet of rice paper. I personally liked the fried ones better.

By the way, in one of my articles I talked in detail about the recipe for making Nem pancakes. Read it.

5. Lau.

Lau is a boiling pot of soup in which mushrooms, tomatoes, herbs and lemongrass are added to the rich broth. Lau comes with seafood, chicken or meat. Noodles and a large plate of greens are served separately. Lau is served like this: they put a small burner on the table and put a pot on it, so the lau is served very hot. From the pot, the lau is placed into cups and noodles and greens are added separately to each cup.

This dish serves at least two. Very tasty and filling.

6. Vietnamese seafood.

It is not surprising that Vietnamese cuisine contains a lot of seafood dishes. If you look at the map of Vietnam, you can see that this country is stretched along the sea coast and marine fishing is well developed here. Fish and seafood in Vietnam very popular. And in terms of price, seefood in Vietnam is more affordable than, for example, in Thailand (I’m generally silent about Russia). You can try the freshest seafood delicacies especially inexpensively right there.

I personally especially like crabs! Also popular are lobster, shrimp, oysters, mussels and scallops.

By the way, soon about Vietnamese seafood and about that, I will release a whole post. Necessarily subscribe to blog updates so as not to miss a publication!

7. Banh Cuon (Vietnamese pastries).

The filling for Banh Cuon is rice, mushrooms, coconut, and beans. They come in several types. They can be with the addition of minced meat or sweet for dessert. These pies have one thing in common - they are wrapped in a banana leaf and fried.

They are sold like this, wrapped in a banana leaf:

Unwrap the sheet and eat - very tasty!

8. Vietnamese soup with dumplings.

This delicious soup we tried it in Dalat. It is also a type of Pho soup. But despite some similar ingredients, the taste is very different. I liked it much better than Pho. I have never seen such a soup anywhere in Nha Trang, but in Dalat it is very popular. It’s true that in different places in Vietnam Pho soup is made completely differently.

We ate this soup in a modest place where mostly locals eat, with this sign:

If you're in Dalat, be sure to come here! This place is located on THANG PHAN street, not far from the large five-star Saigon Dalat hotel, on the opposite side of the street from the hotel. It is practically in the very center of Dalat.

9. Nem Nuong.

Nem Nuong are small pork sausages served with sauce, rice leaves, crispy rice dough paper and a lot of different greens:

This is all eaten as follows: put a lot of different greens on a rice leaf, then sausage and fried rice dough; The rice leaf is wrapped in a tight tube and dipped in the sauce. It turns out just amazing!

Eating this dish turns into a whole process. It’s good to order Nem Nuong for leisurely gatherings when a large company has gathered. Usually one serving of Nem Nuong is enough for two or even three people.

10. Pastries and cakes.

At first glance, it’s surprising for an Asian country, but in Vietnam they make very tasty baked goods, and the cakes and pastries here are simply to die for. All thanks to French traditions. I’m not a big fan of sweets, but I ate such delicious cakes in Vietnam with great pleasure! The price is also very attractive. So for those with a sweet tooth, Vietnam is simply paradise!

I would also like to say something about Vietnamese fast food. These are crispy French baguettes filled with various fillings. Usually it is minced meat or ham with the addition of vegetables, herbs and various sauces. Such baguettes are sold on every corner in Vietnam.

Many people really like them, but I did not include them in my rating because they seemed a little bland to me. But as they say, there is no arguing about tastes.

Of course, this is not the entire list of what you can pamper yourself with in Vietnam. Someone may disagree with my rating Top 10 Vietnamese dishes, include other delicacies in it. Then share your opinion in the comments.

Vietnamese cuisine is all about unusual combinations of products that make truly delicious dishes. Prices for food in cafes, even in resort areas, are low. Well, local street food is worthy of special praise. We’ll tell you what every tourist should try in Vietnam. We will advise you on what products you can bring home to prepare everything you especially like in your kitchen. Descriptions of Vietnamese dishes with photographs and translations will help you not get lost in local cafes.

Phở | Pho soup

This is the first dish you need to try on vacation in Vietnam. Pho is especially popular in Hanoi. It can be classified as street food because they sell pho soup in almost every food stall. It is unusual, aromatic, spicy, really tasty. It is cooked in a strong meat broth with many spices (not spicy). Be sure to add pho to soup rice noodles, pieces of meat, herbs, sometimes hot peppers with lime. It is worth remembering the types of this traditional Vietnamese soup:

bò | pho bo – with beef;
gà | fo ga – with chicken;
ca | pho ka - with fish.

You can bring home soup preparations from Vietnam (look for bags labeled phở in supermarkets). Noodles are also popular instant cooking with the flavors of pho - not very healthy, but a tasty gastronomic souvenir.

Nem ran | Nam ran

A dish also known as spring rolls. Crispy rice noodle pancakes with a delicious filling of shrimp, vegetables with rice, chicken, meat or something else. They are usually small in size. This is a popular street food in Vietnam and is worth trying with local beer, as a side dish for meat, or as a meal on its own. Feel free to take them - although they are fatty, they are very tasty. We advise you to eat street spring rolls, since in restaurants they differ from street food only in the higher price.

Bring rice “paper” from Vietnam to make spring rolls so you can eat them even at home.

Gỏi cuốn | Salad rolls

This is the second type of rolls, which are also considered traditional for Vietnamese cuisine. If you're watching your weight or just trying to eat healthy, you should try this version of rice noodle rolls in Vietnam. They are almost no different from the popular spring rolls: the same dough, the same filling options. Only salad rolls in Vietnam are not fried, but steamed. It turns out easy healthy snack– a great addition to lunch or a harmless snack on the street. The most interesting ones are with shrimp.

Bánh xèo | Crispy pancake

Literally translated, the name of the dish sounds like “sizzling pancake”, because during cooking it makes a characteristic loud sound. It is made from rice flour with turmeric, and the filling is meat, shrimp, beans, noodles, bean sprouts or something else. This dish can be eaten by vegetarians in Vietnam, as vegetable fillings are very popular. Pancakes are fried in large quantities butter, and it is customary to serve them with big amount greens to tone down the fat a little.

You can bring spices, Vietnamese beans or thin rice cakes home from Vietnam - prepare a snack in your kitchen.

Banh mi | Banh mi

A classic Vietnamese breakfast and very popular street food is the legendary sandwich made of crusty bread with delicious filling. In large cities in Vietnam, separate shops are often dedicated to selling bánh mi - sandwiches sell out quickly. The filling can be varied (it makes sense to try several options, because they are all good). Among the popular ones:

bì – pork, reminiscent of bacon;
xíu mại – pork meatballs;
cá mòi – sardines;
pa-tê – pate;
gà nướng – grilled chicken;
chay – vegetarian sandwich with tofu;
chả cá – fish;
trứng ốp-la – with fried egg(the most popular breakfast);
kẹp kem – with ice cream and peanuts.

If you wish, you can take the legendary Vietnamese buns home. Local supermarkets sell them in vacuum packaging.

Bánh chưng | Banh Tiung cakes

Be sure to try another legendary street food in Vietnam. The pie is steamed. It is made with glutinous rice, mung beans and pork and wrapped in bright green leaves. It may not sound too appetizing, but it's actually delicious. The Vietnamese eat this dish New Year, however, it is constantly prepared for tourists. Perhaps it will be tastier to take bánh chưng rán - the same pie, but fried.

You can bring home mung beans from Vietnam, as well as sticky rice (this variety is usually sold in small packages weighing less than 500 grams).

Cơm chiên | Fried rice

Perhaps the most important thing that every tourist definitely needs to try in Vietnam. Even if you don't really like rice, don't refuse this dish. Most often, an egg, spices, and a little herbs are added to rice. You choose the filling yourself: shrimp, minced meat, minced pork, vegetables, soybean sprouts, peanuts... In Vietnam, both meat and seafood connoisseurs and vegetarians will find “their” rice. This is a simple but surprisingly tasty dish. It goes especially well with local beer. Fried rice is a very cheap food that you can easily buy on the street in Vietnam.

Bring home some good Vietnamese grains, as well as soy, fish and chili sauces. You can easily repeat the legendary dish in your kitchen.

Bun cha | Bun cha

The most popular dish of Vietnamese cuisine, which is loved by both tourists and locals. It is made from fried pork with rice noodles. Greens, fish sauce, green papaya, and some spices are required. The dish is not spicy, but aromatic. Bun cha is very tasty to try together with salad rolls or crispy spring rolls. Similar dishes in Vietnam are prepared with chicken, seafood, vegetables - pork can be replaced with any ingredient.

Bring a bottle of fish sauce or concentrate from Vietnam lemon juice, pickled papaya, a pack of rice noodles. All this can be found in local supermarkets.

Chạo tôm | What the hell

In Vietnam, you must try seafood dishes. The most delicious options– grilled or deep-fried. It is also worth paying attention to the legendary chạo tôm cutlets. They are made from special shrimp that are difficult to taste outside of Vietnam. They are served with rice noodles, fresh vegetables, herbs, and a small amount of spices. The dish is very tender, the shrimp literally melt in your mouth, and the side dish successfully complements and reveals their taste. So if you try seafood in Vietnam, don’t bypass this simple and very tasty food.

You can bring home Vietnamese fish paste, rice noodles, and a mixture of spices. It’s a pity that there are no such shrimps in Russia. But you can also try making cutlets from ordinary ones.

Chè bà ba | Coconut soup

For sweets in Vietnam, we recommend trying an unusual soup made with coconut milk, which is usually served for dessert. However, it is so filling that it can be taken as a main course. The Vietnamese prepare coconut soup with the addition of leaves of the healthy taro plant (colocasia), tapioca, and most importantly, sweet potatoes. The unusual combination of coconut, the natural sweetness of root vegetables, the unusual taste of greens - all this gives a delicious taste.

Bring home a couple of bottles of coconut milk (it costs much cheaper in Vietnam than in Russia), take tapioca syrup. And a special variety of Vietnamese potatoes is an excellent substitute for sweet potatoes.

Thematic tours

You can get acquainted with Vietnamese cuisine on your own in local cafes or markets. If you want to know the real Vietnam, it makes sense to book a tour in Russian - this is a great way to look at the country from the inside. We have selected several interesting options.

Floating Markets in Ho Chi Minh City

You will visit the legendary floating markets of Vietnam with a Russian guide who will tell you a lot of interesting things. With it you will definitely not miss anything. Tropical fruits (a great chance to try durian!), exotic vegetables, mind-blowing spices, delicious seafood... Then you will go to small factories where you will try rice popcorn, coke toffee, rice moonshine. And you can dine on the famous “elephant ear” fish.

Tasting in Nha Trang

This is a great chance to stroll through the markets of Nha Trang with a guided tour in Russian to find the most interesting dishes. The legendary pho soup, fried spring rolls, delicious nem rolls, and the most delicious sweets in Vietnam are just part of the tasting tour. It will be very tasty, and most importantly – interesting!

Chocolate factory in Nha Trang

This tour will especially appeal to those with a sweet tooth and travelers with children. You will see the stages of chocolate production. Thanks to the accompaniment of a Russian-speaking guide, you will understand everything that is happening and constantly learn something interesting. Tasting several varieties of chocolate, an exciting master class, useful skills and knowledge. You will leave Vietnam home with a box of chocolate made with your own hands.

Before you go on holiday, be sure to read our guide to shopping in Vietnam. Facilities traditional medicine, cosmetics, interesting souvenirs, unusual products, clothes - tips on choosing all the most important things in one place.