VietnaMenu
A Food Lover's Travel Guide to the Best of Vietnamese Food
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Ultimate Guide to Translating Vietnamese Menus into English
Arm yourself with this mini Vietnamese to English Food Dictionary before stepping into any Vietnamese restaurant. Save the site or download the PDF.
Vietnam's Food Capital: Huế and its Specialty Dishes
When it comes to food, Hue is the place to be in Vietnam. 150 years of being the imperial capital left the city with an impressive list of specialty dishes.
The Greens of Vietnam: A Guide to the Herbs in Vietnamese Food
Vietnam loves herbs. It’s a big part of the reason why Vietnamese food is so good. This guide will help you make the most out of the Vietnamese’s favourite flavour enhancers.
Hoanh Thanh
Wonton
A Chinese creation that has become popular in Vietnam, and many other areas of the world. You can find these delicious parcels of ground pork in soups, including popular Vietnamese soups like Hu Tieu.
Goi Cuon
Summer Rolls
These fresh spring rolls are wrapped in wet rice paper and filled with a mini salad. The protein can be shrimp, slices of pork loaf, grilled pork, tofu, etc. They are a little package of freshness, specially in Vietnam where you know everything is grown locally.
Banh Canh
Thick Noodle Soup
The noodles in this soup are made from tapioca flour, or sometimes a combination of tapioca and rice flour. The ingredients in the soup can vary, but the thick glutinous noodles are what make this soup different from any of the other Vietnamese soups.
Com Chien
Fried Rice
You've probably had many versions of fried rice, but Vietnam's version has something that you just can't get in the western world -- freshness. Vietnam is one of the top five largest producers of rice in the world. The quality of rice here is top-notch.
Chao Long
Innards Rice Porridge
This may sound like the worst thing ever, but try it before you judge it. A thick, hearty broth is crammed with pig offal -- everything from cheek to liver. It's often served with pieces of fried dough -- maybe that will help.
Mi Quang
Quang Style Noodles
Quảng Nam province is probably best known for its turmeric infused noodles. The protein in this dish varies but it's almost always served with sesame rice crackers which provide a brilliant crunch.
Nuoc Chanh
Limeade
A great way to cool down. Lime, sugar, and ice water make up this simple but refreshing drink.
Suon Non Kho Tieu
Braised Pork Ribs with Pepper
Often cooked in coconut water for a touch of sweetness.
Bun Thai
Thai Noodles
A Thailand style spicy broth with vermicelli rice noodles and various proteins. It's often served with seafood like shrimp and squid, but I've also had a vegetarian version with tofu and cha lua.
Banh Bao
Steamed Pork Bun
A dough that's steamed while packed with a savoury filling -- usually pork, but sometimes a combination of chicken, onions, eggs, and vegetables are included.
Bun Xao Chay
Vegetarian Fried Noodles
Stirfried noodles with vegetables. Often a spring roll or a mini version of banh xeo is included.
Bo Kho
Vietnamese Beef Stew
Hunks of beef are slowly cooked in a rich flavourful broth with carrots, star anise, and lemongrass. It's usually served with banh mi, steamed rice, or noodles.
Bun Moc
Pork and Mushroom Meatball Soup
Pork paste is rolled with chopped mushrooms to make a delicious meatball that happily floats in a light broth with vermicelli rice noodles. Often served with a genrous helping of cha lua (Vietnamese pork loaf).
Bo Luc Lac
Vietnamese Shaking Beef
Stir-fried hunks of beef with onions and sometimes peppers. Can also be found with trung (egg). Often eaten with rice or banh mi (bread). Best served on a sizzling cow shaped plate.
Bun Cha Gio
Noodles and Pork Sausage Spring Rolls
A noodle salad with vegetables and pork sausage spring rolls. The spring rolls are fried in oil and provide a crisp texture that goes great with the freshness of the noodles and greens. Sometimes vaious types of chả are included.
Bun Mang Vit
Duck and Bamboo Noodle Soup
Vermicelli noodles in a light broth with tender pieces of duck meat, offal, and congealed blood; plus chunks of boiled bamboo shoots. Just add your bean sprouts and shredded water spinach and you'll be one satisfied duck.
Banh Mi Cha Lua
Vietnamese Ham Sandwich
Vietnamese ham is a very popular thing to add to banh mi. This sandwich focuses on it, and adds some herbs, pork fat, condiments, and veggies to balance it all out.
Pho
Vietnamese Noodle Soup
If you're new to Vietnamese food it's probably best to start here. This is Vietnam's most widely recognized dish. Noodles in an incredibly flavourful broth with chicken or beef.
Banh Xeo
Vietnamese Sizzling Pancake
A savuory crepe filled with shrimp, pork, and vegetables. The batter is made with rice flour and tumeric. Bánh Xèo is usually eaten by tearing a piece off and wrapping it in rice paper along with some herbs and lettuce. It's a cheap and delicious meal.
Banh Tom
Sweet Potato Shrimp Cake
Shreds of sweet potato mixed in a flour batter and topped with a shrimp then deep-fried to a crisp. It's a great bar snack. Wrap it in lettuce and you can pretend it's healthy.