But it’s precisely this simplicity, the subtle variations by region and the fresh ingredients that keep us pulling up a plastic stool for more.
Here’s the list of top 7 dishes, which are most favoured by foreign tourists to Vietnam:
Ca Phe Trung (Egg coffee)
Recipes vary, but the fundamentals are egg yolk + condensed milk + sugar + hot coffee. The result is very rich, like a dessert.Vietnamese egg coffee was cited one of the world’s top 10 drinks by Buzzfeed, an American online social news and entertainment giant. Egg coffee for breakfast in Hanoi! Sounds very strange but a combination of egg yolks, condensed milk, sugar, butter and laughing cow cheese is whisked until fluffy and thick and served with hot coffee! Incredible rich taste- like a liquid tiramisu!
Bun Cha (rice noodle with grilled pork)
In November 2014, National Geographic named Vietnamese dish Bun Cha as top 10 world’s best street food. Bun Cha is made from rice noodles with barbecue pork, often combined with Nem (spring rolls). It demands a special fish sauce with sliced green papaya and fresh herbs.
Banh Mi (Sandwich)
Banh Mi in the central coastal city of Nha Trang was selected as the best street food by National Geographic and Conde’ Nast Traveler magazine.
Banh Mi sandwiches, like these in Nha Trang, feature French baguettes filled with a tasty variety of meats and vegetables. They are eagerly consumed across Vietnam, especially for breakfast or lunch. The exact elements of an authentic Banh Mi vary, but there are a few generally agreed-upon ingredients: baguette, ham, mayo, pate, pickled daikon, peppers, and Nuoc Cham dipping sauce.
Chuoi Nep Nuong (Banana cake)
During the first-ever World Street Food Congress held in Singapore in June 2013, Vietnam’s Chuoi Nep Nuong (Banana cake) stall had one of the longest queues of Singaporeans and tourists.
Pho (Rice noodle with chicken or beef)
Originated from southern Vietnam, this type of cake, made of banana and coconut, was named among most favourite dishes of the world.
Business Insider listed Vietnam’s Pho among top 40 must-eat dishes. What list of Vietnamese cuisine would be complete without Pho? It’s almost impossible to walk a block in Vietnam’s major cities without bumping into a crowd of hungry patrons slurping noodles at a makeshift Pho stand.
This simple staple consisting of a salty broth, fresh rice noodles, a sprinkling of herbs and chicken or beef, features predominately in the local diet — and understandably so. It’s cheap, tasty, and widely available at all hours.
Bun Rieu (Rice noodle with crab)
Chilies and fresh herbs are the finishing touches for a complete one-dish meal.CNN described Bun rieu as one of the most delicious street foods in Asia. Freshwater crabs flavor this tangy tomato soup that’s made with round rice vermicelli and topped with pounded crabmeat, deep-fried tofu and, often, congealed blood. An odoriferous purple shrimp paste is offered on the side – it tastes delicious.
Goi Cuon (Fresh spring rolls)
The translucent parcels are first packed with salad greens, a slither of meat or seafood and a layer of coriander, before being neatly rolled and dunked in Vietnam’s favourite condiment – fish sauce.CNN also named Goi Cuon in the world’s top 50 dishes. These light and healthy fresh spring rolls are a wholesome choice when you’ve been indulging in too much of the fried food in Vietnam.