1. Ca Phe Trung – Vietnamese Egg Coffee
Yes. There is real egg in this coffee. A true breakfast beverage, the egg coffee is beautifully frothy, rich, with a strong espresso kick. Egg yolk is blended with sweetened condensed milk creating a perfect rich/sweet combo to compliment the bitter espresso.
2. Bun Cha – Barbecued Pork With Rice Vermicelli
I fell in love with bun cha, and I am unashamed. Pork belly and meatballs grilled over coals served in a bowl of fish sauce with greens, and dry noodles served with a fried spring roll on the side.
Take a bite of meatball, dip your noodles in the fish sauce and find pure bliss. I always used the tableside greens and herbs that make the dish complete.
3. Banh Cuon – Steamed Rice Rolls
Banh Cuon is a north Vietnamese staple: a rice roll filled with minced pork and mushrooms and dipped into fish sauce. The pork and mushroom are earthy and packed with flavor. At Bánh Cuốn Gia Truyền Thanh Vân, the wrappers are made to order giving every bite a unique texture.
4. Pho Bo – Beef Soup With Rice Vermicelli
Beef Pho is a classic Vietnamese dish that foreigners instantly relate to and understand. Simply, beef pho is piping hot beef broth with rice noodles with various accouterments. Hanoi and northern Vietnam have a different style than their southern half.
The broth is more savory and light but packed with intense beef flavor. Bowls come with herbs already added with only garlic, chilis, and a vinegar hot sauce at the table.
No one can say they tried the best food in Vietnam without eating at my favorite place, Pho Hang Trong. If you are feeling adventurous, Pho Hang Trong is a bit hard to find, located on the second floor of the owner’s apartment.
5. Pho Ga – Chicken Soup with Rice Vermicelli
If you prefer chicken, then head over to Pho Hanh, where they serve a delicious helping of chicken pho. The meat was super tender and not overcooked unlike what’s found in traditional American chicken noodle soup. Slurp away and find your new favorite chicken noodle soup.
6. Banh Mi – Vietnamese Sandwich
I believe Banh Mi is the perfect sandwich. A crusty French roll filled with various delicious treats including but not limited to ham, pate, cheese, meatballs, bbq meats, chicken, and various herbs and pickled veggies.
Each banh mi stall will have its own custom sandwiches so try a few! Banh Mi is inexpensive and a perfect lunch during a day of exploring the city.
7. Pho Chien Phong – Fried Pho Noodles
Fried Pho was a unique experience all on its own. Thick rice sheets (which resemble rice cakes) are cut into rectangles and then thrown into hot oil resulting in a deep fried magical dish topped with sautéed greens and sliced beef with a thick sauce.
The rice sheets soak up the sauce, and crispy bites are paired with deep umami from the beef with spikes of bitterness from the greens.
8. Bun Bo Nam Bo – Beef Noodles Salad
Also known as a beef noodle salad bowl, this dish can give you a break from the normal noodle soups all over the city.
Vermicelli noodles and sautéed beef sit on a bed of lettuce with various herbs and bean sprouts topped with fried shallots and a splash of sauce to keep everything from sticking. Be sure to order a crispy baked bun to dip in the sauce.
9. Bia Hoi – Fresh Beer
I hate admitting how often I spent time in local Bia Hoi spots. Hanoi fresh beer is a local take on all-day drinking with the ABV sitting around three percent. No traveler looking for the best food in Vietnam can forego an afternoon sucking back ten or so beers.
10. Pho Cuon – Phở Cuốn
Think of all the ingredients in a beef pho without the soup. You have Pho Cuon! Without the soup, this is a unique version of pho that eats well even on sweltering hot days. I found these to be surprisingly light and a nice palate cleanser from the usual Vietnamese fare.
A dipping sauce usually accompanies the rolls giving each bite needed moisture and a flavor boost.