VIETNAMESE CUISINE: FLAVOR OF 3 REGION’S CUISINE

Vietnam is a country with a diverse and attractive culinary culture. Vietnamese cuisine has become a highlight in the Vietnam travel of all tourists worldwide. From North, Central and South, let’s explore the most outstanding dishes with Melon Travel.

I. TOP 5 SIGNATURE DISHES IN NORTHERN VIETNAMESE CUISINE 

1. Pho – one of the most Vietnamese dishes

Pho is known as a dish that appeared in the early 20th century. There are many theories that people in the villages in Nam Dinh invented this dish in 1989 when the French colonialists started construction of the Nam Dinh textile factory. Later, when the villagers moved to Hanoi, pho became famous throughout Hanoi and gradually became an iconic dish in Vietnamese cuisine culture. Elegant broth, soft pho noodles, and delicious beef create a unique flavor that visitors will remember forever when they eat it once.

Nowadays, Hanoi Pho is sold on every street, but to enjoy the traditional flavor, visitors need to choose reputable restaurants. You can go to Pho Thin at 113 Lo Duc, 49 Bat Dan or to branches of Pho Ly Quoc Su to enjoy the taste of traditional pho. In addition, you can enjoy this dish at other famous places such as Phu Xuan beef pho, Pho Vui Hoan Kiem District or Pho Ngoc Vuong with soft, sweet and fragrant beef and attractive broth. Not only do they bring traditional flavors, restaurants also pay great attention to hygiene and ingredient selection to bring visitors the best experience with this dish. Hopefully Melon Travel’s list of places to enjoy pho will help make your journey to discover Vietnamese cuisine easier.

2. Bun Cha – must try dishes in Vietnam

Originating from Hanoi, bun cha has become a symbol of Vietnamese cuisine. No one knows exactly where it originated, but hypothetically, bun cha may have come from the bustling streets of the capital in the 20th century. Nowadays, bun cha has entered Vietnamese cuisine culture as a source of pride. National Geographic voted bun cha as one of the 10 best street foods in the world. In 2016, US President Barack Obama ate bun cha during his visit to Vietnam. The rich flavor of grilled meat is carefully marinated, served with vermicelli noodles, a variety of raw vegetables and sweet and sour dipping sauce. All combine together to create a harmonious whole that visitors will remember forever after eating just once.

Nowadays, bun cha appears on every street in Vietnam, but finding a delicious, authentic restaurant is a difficulty for tourists. Therefore, we will suggest to you famous places to enjoy this dish. Go to Bun cha Tuyet 34 in Hang Than or Bun cha Huong Lien in Dong Da, Hanoi – where President Obama came to enjoy bun cha. In addition, visitors can also go to famous restaurants such as Bun Cha Sinh Tu in Hai Ba Trung, Bun Cha Mai Hac De or Bun Cha Dac Kim in Hang Manh. With affordable prices and attractive flavors, bun cha will bring visitors memorable experiences in their journey to discover Vietnamese cuisine.

3. Cha ca La Vong – quintessence of Vietnamese cuisine

Cha ca La Vong first appeared in 1871 during the French colonial period. At that time, at house number 14 Hang Son street, now Cha Ca street, there lived the Doan family with a special talent for making delicious cha ca. The De Tham insurgents were sheltered by this homeowner and had the opportunity to enjoy this dish many times. To show gratitude, De Tham insurgents opened a restaurant specializing in selling cha ca to their families. Gradually, from a little-known dish, it has become one of the most delicious dishes in northern Vietnamese cuisine. 

Currently, La Vong cha cais a widely sold dish in Hanoi. You can enjoy it at famous places such as 14 Cha ca Street, Cha Ca Ha Noi in Ba Dinh, Cha Ca Thang Long in Hoan Kiem, cha ca La Vong Gia Nguyen in Hai Ba Trung or cha ca la Vong Nguyen Truong To. These are Hanoi restaurants that you cannot miss when you want to enjoy authentic cha ca La Vong. Delicious flavor from fresh lentils marinated with protein and served with vermicelli, peanuts, herbs and shrimp paste. This will definitely be the most unforgettable taste in your trip to discover Vietnamese cuisine.

4. Bun Dau Mam Tom – an explosion of flavors in Vietnamese cuisine

Bun dau mam tom originates from Hanoi. Once upon a time, there was a person in the countryside of Hanoi who created bun dau mam tom for his family to eat with only vermicelli, tofu and fresh vegetables. They felt this dish was quite delicious so they tried bringing it to Hanoi to sell. With only simple ingredients and uncomplicated preparation, bun dau mam tom has become one of the quintessence of Vietnamese cuisine. Later, due to the increasing demand for food, the seller created more side dishes such as Ha Long squid rolls, sausage, fried spring rolls, etc.

When talking about bun dau mam tom, visitors should definitely not miss the best restaurants in Hanoi such as Bun dau mam tom Hang Khay, Bun dau mam tom Nghia Tan, Bun dau mam tom Ma May, Bun dau mam tom Huong Mo, Bun dau mam tom Linh Nam. The food at these restaurants is considered fresh, delicious, affordable, and attentive service promises to bring visitors memorable experiences.

5. Egg coffee – the most delicious drink in Vietnam

Egg coffee originated from Mr. Nguyen Van Giang. He used to be a bartender in the famous French hotel Sofitel Metropole. When mixing drinks for foreign diners, he wanted Vietnamese people to enjoy this delicious drink, but at that time milk was a rare commodity and the price was high so Vietnamese people could not buy it themselves, so he came up with the idea of ​​combining coffee with eggs. Egg coffee has appeared at Giang coffee shop since 1946. Today, egg coffee has become a popular drink for all Vietnamese people. The sweet, fragrant egg foam combined with coffee brings a delicate, unforgettable taste experience. Egg coffee is also a favorite drink of foreign tourists when experiencing Vietnamese cuisine culture.

If you want to experience Northern Vietnamese cuisine and are looking for places to experience egg coffee, stop by Giang once. This is a coffee shop with a long history, serving many delicious coffees including egg coffee. In addition, you can also enjoy this drink at Neo Coffee with many locations throughout Vietnam, Old Quarter Cafe or Cong Cafe. While sipping a hot cup of coffee, immerse yourself in the vibrant life of Hanoi – a wonderful experience that you must definitely try.

II. TOP 4 DELICIOUS DISHES IN SOUTH VIETNAMESE CUISINE

1. Vietnamese broken rice – one of the best dish in Vietnam

In 1950, when Saigon’s economy began to grow strongly, rice restaurants began to appear and serve broken rice as part of the daily menu. In Saigon, broken rice has become a popular dish thanks to the use of fish sauce, grilled meat and other typical spices that create an unforgettable flavor. Served with broken rice are ribs, skin and rolls. In addition, broken rice is also combined with fried eggs and sweet and sour shrimp. The ingredients combine together to create an attractive flavor.

Broken rice has become a familiar dish in southern Vietnamese cuisine. Melon Travel will suggest to you the best broken rice restaurants in Saigon. Ba Ghien broken rice is the address to enjoy this dish and this is the place honored by Michelin in 2023. In addition, you can go to famous places such as Sa Bi Chuong broken rice, Nguyen Van Cu broken rice, Do Phu Dai Han broken rice or Ba Nam broken rice. There are many restaurants in Saigon, so if you have the opportunity to come here, don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy this dish.

2. Banh mi – delicious street food

In the early 19th century, the French brought baguette to Gia Dinh (Saigon) and built the first bakeries in Vietnam. Bread quickly gained popularity and became popular. But traditional banh mi really appeared in Mr. Hoa and Mrs. Tinh’s store in 1958. Mrs. Tinh used to work at a jampon store, so when she came to Saigon, she opened a bread store with jampon, pate, rolls. Over the years, bread has transcended borders and become an impressive dish worldwide. Today, banh mi has become the pride of Vietnamese cuisine.

Nowadays, banh mi is available on every street in Saigon, known as the “star” of banh mi shops. Banh mi Huynh Hoa has become one of the shops that you must definitely go to when you want to eat bread. Crispy bread crust combined with attractive ingredients. In addition, you can go to famous banh mi shops that are loved by all tourists such as  Banh mi Ba Huynh or Banh my 362. Each store will bring visitors interesting experiences in their journey to discover southern Vietnamese cuisine. 

3. Fresh spring roll – one of the signature of Vietnamese cuisine 

Fresh spring roll has surpassed hundreds of other dishes to become one of the 15 record-breaking delicacies in Asia. There is a theory that fresh spring roll originated from the Chinese dish Popiah, but Vietnamese Fresh spring roll is more appreciated because the way of preparation retains the flavor of the dish. The filling for this dish is usually fish, meat, vegetables, shrimp, cucumbers, carrots, etc served with sweet and sour fish sauce or sauce. International newspapers have compared spring rolls to a Vietnamese salad, bringing a fresher, richer flavor than fried dishes. In particular, its ingredients create elegance in the hot weather of the South.

In Ho Chi Minh City, shops selling spring rolls are located throughout the city with prices ranging from 5,000 to 30,000 VND. Higher-end restaurants also serve this dish but at a higher price to suit the customer experience. However, visitors can enjoy this dish at affordable prices at places such as Goi Cuon Tom Nhay in District 11, Goi Cuon Le Van Sy in District 3, Goi Cuon Ms Phuong in District 10 or Goi Cuon Minh in District 1.

4. Banh trang tron (rice paper mix) – The best street food in northern Vietnamese cuisine 

Banh trang tron originated from Trang Bang, Tay Ninh around the XVIII century. Previously, this land had a traditional craft village of making dew-dried rice paper. Over the years, Tay Ninh rice paper has been changed with many different ways of processing, especially mixed rice paper. This is a childhood dish for many people. The sour taste of mango mixed with the rich flavor of dried beef, peanuts, chewy rice paper strips served with laksa leaves, and sauce has brought visitors unforgettable experiences. Nowadays, mixed rice paper appears widely and popularly on all streets and has become one of the most delicious street foods in southern Vietnamese cuisine.

There are many delicious mixed rice paper shops in Saigon such as Uncle Vien Saigon mixed rice paper. This snack is made more attractive by Mr. Vien thanks to the special sauce. In addition, visitors can go to other famous places such as Ms. Nam’s mixed rice paper in Go Vap district, Ms. Long’s mixed rice paper in District 3, Nhat Quynh mixed rice paper at Ho Thi Ky market or Turtle lake mixed rice paper. Enjoying the rich flavor of this dish while watching the bustling streets of Saigon will be an unforgettable memory in your journey to discover south Vietnamese cuisine.

III. CENTRAL VIETNAMESE CUISINE: TOP 5 QUINTESSENTIAL DISHES 

1. Quang noodle – a symbol of central Vietnamese cuisine

Mi Quang is a dish originating from Quang Nam, Da Nang. In the 16th century, under King Nguyen Khuyen, Hoi An became a crowded trading place for foreign merchants. Therefore, there are many Chinese people imported to Quang Nam. They bring many dishes, including Quang noodles. Quang Nam is the only locality that can make noodles most similar to Chinese noodles. From a simple dish, it has become a symbol in Vietnamese cuisine culture. Nowadays, when traveling to the Central region, Quang noodles are still the most popular dish among tourists.

A delicious Quang noodle shop in Hoi An that many diners know is Ba Minh Quang noodle shop. Located next to Thu Bon River, the restaurant offers customers many diverse choices. In addition, to enjoy this dish, visitors can go to famous places such as Co Sinh Hoi An Quang Noodles, Ong Hai Hoi An Quang Noodles, Ba Linh Quang Noodles,… Each restaurant will bring you memorable experiences for visitors.

2. Cao Lau – a famous local dish in Vietnamese cuisine.

Cao Lau originates from the Japanese dish “Ise Udon”. Previously, Hoi An was a port town, a place for trade between Japan, China, the Netherlands, etc. In the early 17th century, Ise Shonin no Kadoyashi chirobee, on his first visit to Vietnam, visited Vietnam. Bring Ise Udon to Hoi An. Ise Udon is a local dish of Ise city, Japan with a similar taste to cao lau. Nowadays, Cao Lau is a famous local dish in Vietnamese cuisine. Besides Hoi An, there is no other place with such rich flavor. The name “cao lau ” means delicious food enjoyed on high floors. In other words, visitors can enjoy the food while admiring the beautiful scenery of Hoi An’s streets from above.

Currently, in the Central region there are many delicious and famous restaurants for tourists to enjoy Cao Lau dishes such as Khong Gian Xanh, Cao Lau Hoi An Trung Bac, Cao Lau Ms Thanh Hoi An, Cao Lau Lien Hoi An, Cao Lau Hoi An Phuc. All of these shops are located in the center of Hoi An city so visitors can find the address easily. 

3. Bun Bo Hue – traditional dishes in central Vietnamese cuisine

Bun bo Hue (Hue beef noodle soup) appeared during the reign of King Nguyen Hoang around the 16th century. Once upon a time there was a smart and beautiful girl named Bun. In particular, she is very proficient in making vermicelli. In Van Cu village (now a commune of Thua Thien Hue province), Ms. Bun created Hue beef noodle soup by cooking beef into broth for the noodle dish. From then on, bun bo Hue was born and passed down through generations. In central Vietnamese cuisine, bun bo Hue still retains a high position in the hearts of international tourists.

To enjoy this traditional dish, Melon Travel suggests to you the top 5 most famous beef noodle restaurants in Hue. Me Keo beef noodle soup is one of the oldest restaurants in Hue. The special feature of the restaurant is that the beef noodle bowl has no meat but the flavor is very delicious and attractive. Besides, visitors can enjoy Hue beef noodle soup at Bun Hem, Ba Tuyet Hue beef noodle soup, Chu Vong – O Phung Hue beef noodle soup, Mu Roi Hue beef noodle soup.

4. Com ga Hoi An –  one of the best dishes in central Vietnamese cuisine 

Com ga Hoi An (Hoi An Chicken Rice) appeared in 1950. In the past, the countryside of Tam Ky was famous for its delicious chicken, so this dish may have originated from here. Then, with ingenious creativity, Hoi An people created Hoi An chicken rice from chicken from the Tam Ky village and sticky rice grown by the Thu Bon river. Previously, Hoi An chicken rice was sold on every street in Hoi An ancient town. Gradually, this dish has appeared in major restaurants and was voted as one of the most attractive dishes not only in Vietnamese cuisine but also in world cuisine.

Nowadays, visitors can easily find chicken rice restaurants all over the streets of Hoi An, but finding a restaurant with traditional flavors is difficult for tourists. Therefore, to make your journey to discover Vietnamese cuisine easier, Melon Travel suggests famous restaurants such as Mrs Thuan chicken rice, Mrs Buoi chicken rice, Ty chicken rice, Mrs Huong chicken rice (Kiet sica) or Mrs. Nga’s chicken rice.

5. Banh trang cuon thit heo – a tasty dish popular throughout Vietnam

Banh trang cuon thit heo (pork rice paper rolls) originated in South, Vietnam – where rice paper and pork are popular ingredients widely used in local cuisine. This dish is very famous in Da Nang – Quang Nam. Although there is no verified information about the origin of this dish, it has become an indispensable part of Vietnamese cuisine. This dish is not only a delicate combination of the sweetness of meat, the rich taste of rice paper and the freshness of vegetables, but also the blend of sweet and sour flavors of fish sauce and side dishes.

If you want to enjoy this dish, visit famous restaurants such as Hoang Beo Rice Paper, Co No Restaurant, Com que Muoi Kho Restaurant, Hoang Ty restaurant chain, Tu Hoa Met Quan, Pork Rice Paper DT5, Ms. Giang’s Restaurant,…..

Vietnamese cuisine is the highlight of your trip to Vietnam. Whether it’s Pho, bun cha or banh mi, you won’t be disappointed. So why not take the opportunity to explore Vietnamese cuisine through tours organized by Melon Travel today? Please contact us to experience the best of Vietnam.