Vietnamese cuisine is famous for its fresh and vibrant flavors, incorporating a variety of herbs, spices, and vegetables. The flavours are quite regional and harkens back to the days where transport between regions were difficult and people made do with what was available to them. The food van be different between villages. There are a few main flavours that you’ll come across, but this is by no means exhaustive. We haven’t gotten into the mountains, the delta, etc. Here’s a start:
- Hue cuisine: Hue is located in the central region of Vietnam and is known for its royal cuisine. Some must-try dishes include bun bo Hue (spicy beef noodle soup), banh khoai (stuffed pancakes), and banh canh (thick noodle soup).
- Hoi An cuisine: Hoi An is a coastal city in central Vietnam and is known for its fresh seafood. Some must-try dishes include cao lau (noodle dish with pork and herbs), com ga (chicken rice), and mi Quang (noodle dish with shrimp, pork, and herbs).
- Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) cuisine: Saigon is located in the south of Vietnam and is known for its street food culture. Some must-try dishes include banh mi (Vietnamese-style baguette sandwich), com tam (broken rice with grilled pork chops), and banh xeo (crispy rice flour pancake with pork, shrimp, and bean sprouts).
- Hanoi cuisine: Hanoi is located in the north of Vietnam and is known for its traditional dishes. Some must-try dishes include pho (noodle soup with beef or chicken), bun cha (grilled pork meatballs with rice noodles), and cha ca (grilled fish with herbs and vermicelli noodles).
Each region in Vietnam has its own unique cuisine, and it's worth exploring and trying the local specialties to get a full taste of Vietnam's culinary diversity. You need to get out of your comfort zone though and explore what the locals eat for the full culinary experience. Here are some tips for locating authentic restaurants in Vietnam:
- Look for local eateries: Instead of going to restaurants that cater to tourists, try to find small, local eateries that are frequented by locals. These restaurants are more likely to serve authentic, traditional cuisine.
- Observe the clientele: If the restaurant is busy with locals, it's a good sign that the food is authentic and delicious. Avoid restaurants that are empty or filled with tourists.
- Check the menu: Look for menus that are in Vietnamese or have pictures of the dishes. This indicates that the restaurant caters to locals and is more likely to serve traditional cuisine.
- Follow the smells: If you're walking around and smell something delicious, follow your nose and see where it leads you. This is a great way to find local food stalls and small eateries that serve authentic dishes.
- Ask locals for recommendations: If you're unsure where to eat, ask locals for recommendations. They can point you in the direction of the best restaurants and street food stalls in the area.
Remember, the best way to experience authentic Vietnamese cuisine is to be adventurous and try new things. Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and explore the local food scene.
