9 Traditional Vietnamese Dishes With A Healthy Twist Your Family Will Enjoy

Bún bò Huế

Bún bò Huế is a flavorful noodle soup from Huế, featuring rice vermicelli, thinly sliced beef, and a beef broth flavored with lemongrass and fermented shrimp paste. It’s served with lime wedges, spring onions, local vegetables, cilantro, and chili sauce.

Cơm tấm

Cơm tấm, a staple in Saigon, consists of broken rice grains topped with grilled pork or Chả Trứng Hấp (minced pork meatloaf with an omelet). It's typically served with a sunny-side-up egg, pickled vegetables, fresh cucumber, and sweet fish sauce.

Gỏi cuốn or Nem cuốn

Gỏi cuốn (South) or Nem cuốn (North) are fresh spring rolls made with rice paper, grilled pork or prawns, vermicelli noodles, and vegetables. They are often served with hoisin, peanut, or fish sauce.

Phở

Phở is a famous Vietnamese noodle soup made with a light beef broth simmered for hours, rice noodles, beef, and various herbs and vegetables. It’s typically served with lime wedges, chilis, and fresh herbs on the side.

Bún thịt nướng

Bún thịt nướng consists of cold rice vermicelli topped with marinated grilled pork, lettuce, pickled vegetables, peanuts, and fried shallots. It's served with fish sauce for mixing and added flavor.

Bánh mì

Bánh mì is a Vietnamese baguette sandwich filled with pâté, various meats like pork sausage, cilantro, pickled vegetables, and mayo. There are also vegetarian and fish options available.

Xôi

Xôi, or sticky rice, is a versatile dish often eaten for breakfast. It comes in sweet varieties with coconut milk or mung beans and savory options with ingredients like pork or chicken.

Cơm Tấm

At Cơm Tấm stalls, you can simply ask for "Chả" to get Chả Trứng Hấp. Some restaurants in Saigon use premium ingredients like Iberico Pork to elevate this traditional dish.

Bánh cuốn

Bánh cuốn are steamed rice batter pancakes filled with seasoned minced pork and wood ear mushrooms. They are served with fish sauce, bean sprouts, and fried shallots, often as an appetizer.