23 Iconic Traditional Vietnamese Food Dishes You’ll Want on Repeat
Saiga Vietnamese Eatery meal with banh mi, sliced pork noodles, dipping sauce, and iced drinks on a table.
The first time I really explored Vietnamese Food, I thought it would be simple. I knew pho. I knew banh mi. I assumed the rest would feel familiar.
But Vietnamese cuisine has a way of surprising you. It balances comfort and freshness in the same bite. A rich broth tastes even better after a squeeze of lime. Grilled meat feels lighter when it is wrapped in herbs. Crispy textures show up where you do not expect them.
Before we dive into the full list, here are the dishes I personally keep coming back to.
My 7 personal favorites I would order again and again
Pho, Banh Mi, Goi Cuon, Bun Cha, Bun Bo Hue, Banh Xeo, Bo Kho
Now, here is the full list with explanations for each.
23 iconic traditional Vietnamese food dishes
1) Pho
Pho is the most iconic Vietnamese dish and one of the most comforting noodle soups you can eat. It began in Northern Vietnam and became a national favorite because it is both simple and deeply flavorful.
A proper bowl starts with aromatic broth simmered for hours with toasted onion and ginger, plus warm spices that create a savory, lightly sweet depth. It is served with rice noodles and meat, usually beef or chicken, then finished with green onion.
The best part is the customization. You add fresh herbs, bean sprouts, lime, and chili until it tastes exactly right to you. My favorite pho moments are always quiet ones where the first sip instantly slows my day down.
2) Pho Ga
Pho ga is chicken pho, and it is the bowl I recommend when someone wants comfort that feels clean and light. The broth tends to be gentler than beef pho, but still fragrant with aromatics.
It is served with rice noodles, tender chicken, and the same herb plate that makes pho feel alive. Add lime and herbs and the bowl suddenly feels bright, not heavy. I love pho ga when I want something soothing but still full of flavor.
3) Vegan Pho
Vegan pho is proof that Vietnamese Food can be deeply satisfying without meat. A good vegan broth gets richness from toasted aromatics, spices, and umami ingredients like mushrooms.
It still follows the same pho rhythm. Fragrant broth, rice noodles, fresh herbs, lime, chili, and crunch from sprouts. When it is done well, it tastes like pho first, not like a compromise.
4) Banh Mi
Banh mi is Vietnamese street food at its most addictive. It is a baguette with a crisp crust and soft inside, filled with savory protein, pickled vegetables, herbs, and a spread that ties everything together.
The magic is the balance. Rich filling meets tangy pickles, and fresh cilantro cuts through it all. Every bite has crunch, salt, brightness, and just enough richness to make you want another bite immediately.
5) Goi Cuon
Goi cuon are fresh spring rolls wrapped in rice paper. They are typically filled with shrimp or pork, vermicelli noodles, lettuce, and a generous mix of herbs.
Unlike fried rolls, these taste clean and refreshing. They are served cool, and the dipping sauce is half the experience. I always tell people to order extra sauce, because once you start, you do not want to stop.
6) Cha Gio
Cha gio are crispy fried egg rolls that bring the crunch to the table. The filling can include pork, shrimp, and vegetables, wrapped tight so the outside fries into a golden shell.
They are often served with greens and herbs to balance the richness, plus a dipping sauce (Nuoc Cham) that adds tang and a little sweetness. This is one of those dishes that disappears fast because the crunch is so satisfying.
7) Bun Cha
Bun cha is a Hanoi classic built around grilled pork and vermicelli noodles. The pork is marinated, grilled until smoky, then served with a dipping sauce that is sweet, salty, and fragrant.
You eat it by combining noodles, herbs, and pork, then dipping each bite. It is the kind of dish that tastes light and filling at the same time. My favorite part is the grilled aroma that hits you before the food even lands.
8) Bun Thit Nuong
Bun thit nuong is a grilled pork noodle bowl that feels fresh but fully satisfying. Vermicelli noodles sit under grilled pork, herbs, cucumber, pickles, peanuts, and fish sauce dressing.
It tastes bright, savory, and a little sweet. The best bites happen when everything is mixed together so you get herbs, crunch, noodles, and meat all at once. This is my go to when I want a meal that does not feel heavy.
9) Bun Bo Hue
Bun bo hue is bold, spicy, and aromatic, famous for lemongrass flavor and a deeper broth than pho. It often includes hearty beef cuts and thicker noodles with a chewy bite.
The broth has more punch, more heat, and more intensity. If pho is gentle comfort, bun bo hue is comfort with energy. I recommend it to anyone who wants spice and big flavor that still feels balanced.
10) Com Tam
Com tam is broken rice, a Southern Vietnamese staple that turns simple ingredients into a craveable plate. The rice is paired with grilled meats, pickles, and often a fried egg.
The grilled meat brings smoky char, the pickles add tang, and the rice ties everything together. It feels like an everyday meal that became legendary because it is so satisfying. I always want a spoonful of rice after every bite of meat.
11) Banh Xeo
Banh xeo is a crispy turmeric rice crepe filled with shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts. The name hints at the sizzling sound the batter makes when it hits the hot pan.
You do not eat it like a normal pancake. You break off pieces, wrap them in lettuce and herbs, and dip. The contrast is everything: crispy crepe, fresh greens, tangy sauce. It is fun, messy, and worth it.
12) Mi Quang
Mi quang is a Central Vietnamese noodle dish with very little broth, just enough to coat the noodles and toppings. It often includes shrimp, chicken, pork, or a mix, plus herbs and crunchy garnishes.
Because it is not very soupy, the flavors feel concentrated. Peanuts and crispy toppings add texture. I love mi quang when I want noodles with bold flavor without a big bowl of broth.
13) Hu Tieu
Hu tieu is a Southern noodle dish served either as soup or dry with sauce. It is often topped with shrimp and pork, plus herbs and crunchy garnishes.
The flavor is lighter and slightly sweet compared to heavier soups. The noodles tend to be springy, and the bowl feels clean and comforting. It is a great option when you want something gentle but still interesting.
14) Cao Lau
Cao lau is a Hoi An specialty known for chewy noodles, savory pork, herbs, and crispy toppings. It is not a soup, more like a noodle bowl with just enough moisture to carry flavor.
The chew of the noodles makes it stand out immediately. Add herbs and crunchy bits and every bite has contrast. I think of cao lau as a perfect “texture dish” for people who love noodle bowls.
15) Bo Luc Lac
Bo luc lac, or shaking beef, features beef cubes seared quickly over high heat until glossy and caramelized. The name comes from the way the pan is shaken to toss the beef.
It is typically served with rice and fresh vegetables, plus a lime and pepper dip that wakes up the richness. When it is done right, the outside has a slight crust and the inside stays juicy. This dish always feels like a treat.
16) Goi Ga
Goi ga is Vietnamese chicken salad, bright and crunchy. Shredded chicken is tossed with cabbage, herbs, and a tangy dressing made with lime and fish sauce.
It tastes refreshing, slightly sweet, and lightly savory. The herbs keep it lively. I love goi ga as a starter, but it can easily become the main thing because it is so satisfying.
17) Canh Chua
Canh chua is a sweet and sour soup often made with fish or shrimp and lots of vegetables. Tamarind brings the signature tang, and pineapple or tomatoes can add gentle sweetness.
It is comforting but also appetite opening. You take a sip and immediately want a bite of rice. For me, canh chua is one of the best examples of Vietnamese balance in a single dish.
18) Cha Ca
Cha ca is turmeric marinated fish cooked hot, traditionally served with dill and noodles. The dill is not optional. It is the flavor that makes the dish memorable.
The fish is savory and fragrant, and the herbs make it feel fresh. If you want something traditional that still feels different from the usual pho and banh mi path, cha ca is a great choice.
19) Banh Cuon
Banh cuon are steamed rice rolls made from thin sheets of rice batter, filled with savory mince and mushrooms. They are topped with fried shallots and herbs for aroma.
The texture is soft and silky, and the flavor is subtle but comforting. They are usually served with a light dipping sauce. I always remember how fast a plate of banh cuon disappears once people start tasting.
20) Ca Kho To
Ca kho to is caramelized fish braised until tender in a sweet salty sauce. It is traditionally cooked in a clay pot, which helps develop depth and richness.
This dish is all about comfort. The sauce soaks into rice, and the fish becomes flavorful and tender. If you love rich, home style flavors, ca kho to will feel like something you want to eat on repeat.
21) Bun Rieu
Bun rieu is a tomato based noodle soup with crab flavors and a bright, tangy broth. It is usually served with herbs, and sometimes additional toppings depending on the style.
It tastes lively and refreshing compared to darker broths. The tomato gives it brightness, and the herbs keep it fresh. Bun rieu is my recommendation when someone wants “noodles, but not pho.”
22) Banh Bot Loc
Banh bot loc are chewy tapioca dumplings with shrimp and pork filling, often served with a salty sweet dipping sauce. The wrapper is translucent and bouncy.
This dish is for people who love texture. The chew is satisfying, and the filling is savory. I always end up wanting just one more dumpling, then another.
23) Bo Kho
Bo kho is Vietnamese beef stew, aromatic and comforting, often served with bread for dipping or with noodles. It is rich but not heavy, with warm spices and tender beef.
The bread dipping is the moment. Once you soak up that broth, you understand why bo kho is a favorite comfort dish. It is the kind of meal that makes you feel taken care of.
Simple “what to order first” path
If you want the fastest way to fall in love with Vietnamese Foods, start with:
Then next visit, go for bun bo hue if you like spice, bun thit nuong for a fresh grilled bowl, or banh xeo for the crunch.
If you want a natural dessert link at the end, this fits well: Vietnamese Dessert
