Vietnamese Food Guide: 10 Must-Try Local Dishes

Vietnam Travel Tips

10 Must-Try Vietnamese Foods

Hey there! I'm Lisa, your go-to Vietnam travel specialist. :)

When you think of Vietnamese food, do only Pho and Banh Mi come to mind?

After eating my way through the country, I've realized there are at least 10 local dishes you absolutely must try to truly experience Vietnam's incredible culinary scene.

Lisa's Vietnam Survival Guide

🚨 Today's Foodie Mission

A curated list of the best dishes I've personally tried during my numerous trips to Vietnam (updated as of July 2026).

While classics like Pho and Banh Mi are legendary, regional specialties like Banh Xeo and Nem Nuong take the experience to a whole new level. If you're planning your first trip, use this list of 10 dishes as your ultimate food checklist!

⭐️ Adventure Level: 1/5

If you love fresh herbs and cilantro, you are about to enter absolute food heaven! ❤️

1. Iconic Vietnamese Dishes

Let's start with the world-famous classics that put Vietnam on the global culinary map.

Pho Quynh in Ho Chi Minh City

The undisputed king of Vietnamese cuisine. This comforting bowl features flat rice noodles in a clear, aromatic beef broth simmered for hours.

I had an incredible bowl at Pho Quynh in Ho Chi Minh City—the broth was exceptionally clean and flavorful. While beef is the classic choice, you can also find duck noodle soup (Pho Vit), which is a famous specialty at places like Morning Glory Signature in Hoi An.

The ultimate street food sandwich. This crispy French-style baguette is packed with savory local ingredients.

For an intense, authentic local flavor explosion, head to Banh Mi Huynh Hoa in Ho Chi Minh City. It is packed with rich pâté and various cold cuts.

If you prefer something milder and universally loved, Banh Mi Phan in Nha Trang offers great options like egg or cheese banh mi.

For an Instagram-worthy spot, check out Meo Kitchen in Phu Quoc! It's a trendy, modern eatery serving fantastic banh mi with a contemporary twist.

Think of this as a crispy, savory Vietnamese crepe.

It is incredibly popular right after Pho and Banh Mi. The golden, crispy rice flour batter is stuffed with pork, shrimp, and bean sprouts. To eat it, wrap a piece in rice paper with fresh herbs and lettuce, then dip it in sweet and tangy sauce.

Some of the best places to try this are Bep Cuon in Da Nang, Bep MeIn in Ho Chi Minh City, Xom Moi Garden in Nha Trang, and Com Gia Dinh in Phu Quoc.

2. Must-Try Local Specialties

This iconic Ho Chi Minh City dish features "broken" rice topped with a perfectly grilled, smoky pork chop.

The combination of charcoal-grilled pork, a fried egg, and a drizzle of sweet-savory fish sauce (nuoc mam) is pure magic.

My absolute favorite spot for this is Com Tam Bui Saigon in District 3, Ho Chi Minh City. You can also find a fantastic version at Bep MeIn!

A legendary Hanoi-style dish consisting of grilled pork patties and pork belly served in a warm, sweet-and-sour dipping broth alongside rice noodles and fresh herbs.

Top spots to try this include Bep MeIn in Ho Chi Minh City, Bun Cha Hanoi in Nha Trang, and An Thoi in Da Nang.

Nem Nuong in Ho Chi Minh City

Nem Nuong in Da Nang

These are grilled garlic pork skewers originating from Ninh Hoa near Nha Trang. You wrap the savory meat, crispy fried rice paper rolls, and fresh herbs in rice paper, then dip it in a rich, warm peanut-based sauce.

Thien Kim in Da Nang and Nem Nuong Di Hong in Ho Chi Minh City are highly recommended. Nem Nuong Di Hong is especially budget-friendly, costing only about ~$2 per person for a satisfying meal!

A dry, cold rice noodle salad topped with grilled pork, fresh herbs, roasted peanuts, and spring rolls, all drizzled with fish sauce.

It is surprisingly hard to find at basic tourist spots, but you can enjoy an amazing bowl at Nha Hang Ngon in Ho Chi Minh City.

Fresh summer rolls (Goi Cuon) and crispy fried spring rolls (Cha Gio).

These are the absolute classics of Vietnamese appetizers. For fresh Goi Cuon, I highly recommend Thien Kim in Da Nang. For the ultimate crispy Cha Gio, Pho 2000 in Ho Chi Minh City serves the best I've ever had in my life.

This unique dish features woven bundles of fine rice vermicelli topped with scallion oil, often served alongside roasted meats or skewers.

While you can find it in specialty local restaurants, keep an eye out for it at your hotel breakfast buffet! It's a staple breakfast item in many Vietnamese hotels. Drizzle it with some sweet fish sauce, and you're good to go.

You cannot leave Vietnam without enjoying some incredible, affordable seafood and garlic morning glory.

While many places advertise "lobster," they are typically local spiny lobsters or crayfish. They are slightly smaller than Maine lobsters but taste just as sweet and delicious at a fraction of the price!

For great seafood, visit Chay Village in Ho Chi Minh City, Moc Quan in Da Nang or Nha Trang, or Mr. Seafood in Phu Quoc.

Stir-fried morning glory (water spinach) with garlic is a must-have side dish at every meal. If you spot morning glory fried with razor clams on the menu, order it immediately—it's a game-changer!

3. Vietnamese Food Ordering Tips & Hacks

Many authentic local joints only have menus written in Vietnamese. Here is how to navigate like a pro:

✔️ Use the Google Translate or Papago app's camera feature to scan menus instantly.

✔️ Always carry small bills of Vietnamese Dong (VND), as many local street food stalls do not accept cards.

✔️ Keep local travel apps handy to find discounts and curated restaurant recommendations.

4. FAQ

Q. I am worried about cilantro. Can I avoid it?

Yes, simply say "Khong rau mui" or "No coriander." Many modern tourist-friendly restaurants in major cities will even ask you beforehand.

Q. Is street food in Vietnam safe and hygienic?

Generally, yes! Stick to busy stalls with high turnover—if there's a crowd of locals, the food is fresh. Many popular dining spots are incredibly clean and fully optimized for international travelers.

Q. How much does a meal cost in Vietnam?

Street food stalls can be incredibly cheap, starting around 50,000 VND (~$2) per dish. If you choose clean, air-conditioned local restaurants, expect to pay around 100,000 VND (~$4) per main dish.

✅ Mission Accomplished!

Now you are fully prepared to tackle Vietnam's incredible food scene. From Pho to Banh Xeo, trying a variety of local specialties is the best way to experience the culture.

Have any questions about planning your trip? Drop a comment below, and have an amazing journey!

Thank you for reading! Cảm ơn 🇻🇳

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