Vietnamese cuisine is slowly becoming the talk of the town. The cuisine’s use of fresh ingredients, herbs, and spices has captured the taste buds of many. You can find Vietnamese restaurants in almost all major cities around the world. But nothing beats having authentic cuisine in its home country, especially when it comes to Vietnam's famous noodle dishes. With that said, let’s take a look at the 5 best Vietnamese noodle dishes you need to try when you visit Vietnam.
Pho is one of the most popular Vietnamese dishes in the world. The light beef or chicken and herb broth with noodles and served with various vegetables is a delicious and filling meal. It is normally eaten for breakfast in Vietnam, however, you can still eat it any time of the day. You can find stalls selling Pho all over the country. The most popular type of pho comes from Hanoi. But you can still find different variations of pho from region to region. In Southern Vietnam, the pho broth is sweeter and richer while the broth in North Vietnam is clear and more soothing.
Bun Cha is a Vietnamese noodle dish made up of rice noodles, grilled pork, meatballs, fresh herbs, pickled vegetables, and a dipping sauce which are all served separately. The broth is usually made from nuoc cham- a Vietnamese fish sauce with lime or lemon juice, water, and sugar. It is a popular dish and is said to have originated from Hanoi where it is a popular lunchtime meal. You can still eat from the first restaurant that served Bun Cha in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. The dish gained more popularity after Anthony Bourdain and Barack Obama were filmed eating it in Hanoi.
Check out this blog to find out the 10 best Vietnamese dishes.
Another Vietnamese noodle dish you need to try at least once is Banh Canh. The noodles in this dish are thick and chewy as it is made from tapioca or rice flour or sometimes a mixture of both. Like the noodles, the broth is also thick, heavy, and delicious. There are different variations of the Banh Canh broth with every family having their own spin on it. Some broths are made using either chicken, pork, or fish cake. But the most popular is the broth made from crab which is then served with quail eggs.
Bun Bo Hue is a spicy beef noodle soup popular throughout Vietnam, particularly in the ancient capital of Hue where it first started. This hearty noodle dish is packed with flavor and heat. It is not for the faint of heart or those who cannot take spice. The broth is prepared using beef, pork, chilies, shrimp sauce, and lemongrass which is the most important ingredient as it gives that extra oomph to the dish. Sometimes it can also contain congealed pig’s blood which gives it the dark red or maroon color. The dish is served with a handful of lime slices, banana blossom, chilly oil, and refreshing herbs.
Cau Lao is another popular Vietnamese noodle dish you need to try when in Vietnam. The dish was first created in the city of Hoi An and is difficult to find elsewhere in the country. The rice noodle dish has a rich broth made from pork bones and herbs. The dish is served with toppings of roasted pork, green vegetables like lettuce, perilla leaves, mustard leaves, etc., and herbs.
Vietnam is a culinary paradise and this list contains only a few of the most popular noodle dishes you can find in the country. There is so much more food to discover and taste in Vietnam. If you are interested in expanding your palate and exploring one of the most stunning locations in the world, reach out to us here at BDATrip, your one-stop shop for all your Vietnam travel needs. We provide online Vietnam visa services, tours, hotel bookings, flight bookings, and more.
