Don’t Leave Vietnam Without Trying These 18 Foods!

No matter where you go in the world, the best way to get good food is simple; find where the locals eat, eat when the locals do…

In Vietnam, that usually means starting a bit early for every meal. Breakfast kicks off around 6:00-9:00 AM, so if you overslept, by the time you’re just stepping out, most people are already finishing their first meal. 

Lunch too follows a similar pattern, usually happening between 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM. Miss these windows, and a lot of the places simply shut for the day. Evenings start even earlier. By 5:00 PM, stools come out, grills fire up, and the streets slowly fill. The sweet spot is around 6:00–8:00 PM, that’s when everything’s fresh, busy, and at its best.

If you time it right, it’s one good bite after another here. And once you start eating like that, you’ll realise how much there actually is to try. So here’s my pick of 18 of the best foods to try in Vietnam.

Before We Go Any Further, Here Are A Few Things To Note

Finding vegetarian food here needs effort. Not because there aren’t any vegetables, there are plenty, but because a lot of dishes include fish sauce, meat broth, or oyster sauce. Even something that looks completely vegetarian, like a plate of greens or fried rice, might not be. So if it matters, be very specific when you order. 

For instance, pineapple rice often comes with seafood, and most noodle soups are built on chicken or meat broth. So if it matters, you have to be very specific when you order (I’ve added some tips towards the end of the blog).

Now, the spice levels can be misleading. Something that looks mild might come with fresh chillies or sauces on the side that change the whole dish. And once it’s mixed in, there’s no going back. So if you’re not big on spice, it’s worth checking before you go all in.

Also, peanuts are everywhere. Sauces, toppings, even desserts. There’s no real pattern. Something as simple as that “mango cake” you see around, doesn’t really have mango, it’s mostly peanuts. So if you have an allergy, this is something you genuinely can’t ignore.

Start here, You Really Can’t Go Wrong!

Pho: This is probably the first thing that comes to mind when you think of food to try in Vietnam. It’s just a bowl of noodles, broth, herbs, and meat. But the broth is where everything happens. Slow-cooked, light, and full of flavour without ever feeling heavy. 

You’ll find different versions depending on where you are, but it’s one of those dishes you don’t get tired of. Easy enough for breakfast, and just as good any other time of day.

Bánh mì: It’s crispy on the outside, soft inside, filled with meat, pickled vegetables, herbs, and just enough sauce to hold it together. It’s quick and easily one of the best foods to try in Vietnam.

Gỏi cuốn: These fresh spring rolls are the lighter side of things. They are rice paper rolls filled with herbs, rice noodles, and usually prawns or meat. They’re usually served with nước chấm on the side, that sweet-sour dipping sauce you’ll keep seeing everywhere. It’s easy to like, and a good break between the heavier stuff. If you’re just starting out, these are easily some of the must try foods in Vietnam, because they’re hard to get wrong.

The Odd Balls!

Egg coffee: I get it, this one sounds like a mistake, but don’t knock it off until you try it.. Whipped egg yolk, sugar, and strong Vietnamese coffee come together into something thick, almost like dessert. You’ll mostly find it in small cafés that don’t look like much from the outside. It actually started in Hanoi during a milk shortage, when egg yolk was used as a substitute. Somehow, that workaround got stuck here, and now it’s one of the more unexpected dishes to try in Hanoi. 

Salt coffee: What’s up with weird coffees here? This one’s coffee is topped with a light layer of salted cream. The salt cuts through the bitterness and sweetness, so it ends up tasting smoother than you’d expect. It started in central Vietnam, and you’ll now find it in small cafés across the country. 

Balut: This one’s not for everyone. A boiled duck egg with a partially developed embryo inside. Locals eat it with salt, herbs, and sometimes a bit of lime. You’ll see it around in street stalls, especially in the evenings. Not something everyone tries, but definitely one of the more unusual things you can come across here.

Planning something more relaxed or romantic? Here are some of the best things to do in Vietnam for couples.

You Might Want To Sit Down For These

Bún chả: Grilled pork meatballs served with cold rice noodles, herbs, and a sweet-sour-salty dressing. (My mouth’s watering already). It all comes together really well, but don’t let the simplicity of its looks blind you in watery eyes, this is one of the few dishes here that actually is a bit strong in flavour. So, it’s probably not the one you casually order for kids, but easily the most flavourful food to try in Hanoi you should try!

Cao lầu: You won’t really find this one outside Hoi An. Thick, chewy noodles with slices of pork, fresh herbs, and crispy bits on top. There’s barely any broth here, so it’s closer to a noodle bowl than a soup, which already makes it feel different from most Vietnamese dishes.

The pork is usually grilled or roasted, so you get that slight smokiness coming through. And the noodles themselves have a distinct texture you’ll notice right away, making it a must-have food in Hanoi!

Mì Quảng: If you’re anywhere near Da Nang, you'll see this a lot around. It’s not quite a soup, not quite dry either. Thick noodles with just a bit of broth, topped with chicken, pork, or seafood, with the extras: herbs, lime, peanuts, and sometimes even pineapple! It’s fresh and one of those foods to try in Da Nang that feels different from the usual noodle bowls.

Bánh xèo: You’ll hear it before you see it, that sizzle when the batter hits the pan. It’s a crispy rice flour pancake, lightly yellow from turmeric, filled with pork, shrimp, and bean sprouts. But you don’t just eat it as is, you break off pieces, wrap them in lettuce with herbs, and dip it into sauce. It’s a bit hands-on, but it’s one of those Vietnamese foods you end up enjoying more than you expected.

Bò lá lốt: Looks simple, just minced beef wrapped in a leaf and grilled? That’s it? But that leaf (betel leaf) is what changes it. Slightly peppery, a bit herbal, and just enough to make you notice it’s not your usual grilled meat. You’ll see it on skewers, or sometimes wrapped again in rice paper with herbs. Either way, it’s one of those clean foods to try in Vietnam.

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Everyday Foods To Try In Vietnam

Cơm tấm: This is one everyday food to try in Ho Chi Minh City! Broken rice, literally the smaller grains left over from milling, served with grilled pork, sometimes an egg, pickles, and a bit of sauce on the side. The pork is usually marinated with lemongrass, garlic, and fish sauce before it’s grilled, so you get that familiar flavour right away.

Cơm gà (chicken rice): This one is very similar to Hainanese chicken rice. Boiled chicken, served with rice that’s been cooked in stock, so it has that flavour. It comes with chilli sauce on the side, which is what brings it together. These are two everyday “Vietnamese” foods to try in Vietnam for that truly local experience!

If you’re still working out budgets, here’s a detailed breakdown of the Vietnam trip cost from India to help you plan better.

If You’re Vegetarian, Don’t Give Up Just Yet

You’ll have to look a bit harder, but it’s not impossible.

Gỏi cuốn chay: It’s the same fresh spring rolls, just without the meat, usually tofu, herbs, rice noodles. Light, clean, and one of the safer Vietnam dishes to try when you’re not fully sure what’s going into your food.

Bánh xèo chay: It’s the crispy pancake, but filled with mushrooms, tofu, and bean sprouts instead. You still get that crunch, the wrapping, the dipping, the whole experience stays intact. Just double-check the sauce, because that’s where things can stop being vegetarian.

Cơm chay: If you don’t want to think too much, look for places that say “cơm chay.” These are small vegetarian spots, often tied to Buddhist traditions, serving rice with tofu, vegetables, sometimes even mock meat…

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Let’s Put A Sweet Ending To This Piece

Banana sago in coconut milk: You won’t see a lot of desserts everywhere across Vietnam, but this one pops up now and then. Banana, coconut milk, and those tiny sago pearls cooked together. It’s warm, soft, and yeah, quite sweet.

Mango with sticky rice: You’ll spot this on menus pretty often, even though it’s not even originally Vietnamese. Sticky rice cooked in coconut milk, served with fresh mango on the side. Sometimes with extras like peanuts or a bit of coconut cream. It’s properly sweet, borderline too much if you’re not used to it, but still one of the better desserts you’ll come across. Desserts like these can surely be added to your list of must try food in Vietnam.

If you're looking to explore Vietnam through its food, culture, and everything in between, take a look at these expertly crafted Vietnam journeys by Cox & Kings and find one that fits the way you want to travel.