Vietnamese food is the real deal when it comes to bold flavors, fresh ingredients, and meals that feel like a warm hug.
It hits that perfect sweet spot between healthy and hearty, with just enough crunch, spice, and savory goodness to keep you coming back for seconds—and probably thirds.
What really makes Vietnamese cuisine stand out is its balance. It doesn’t go too wild on fats or heavy sauces, and yet every bite packs a punch.
From street food stalls in Hanoi to cozy family kitchens in Saigon, Vietnam’s food scene is full of flavor bombs just waiting to blow your taste buds away.
And hey, we know how overwhelming it can be to figure out where to start. That’s why we’ve pulled together this list of the best Vietnamese recipes you need to try at least once.
Whether you’re craving something noodly, brothy, crunchy, or grilled, we’ve got your back. Every dish on this list has a story, a vibe, and a flavor profile that just hits different.
Get ready to be transported from your kitchen straight to the buzzing streets of Vietnam. Let’s get cookin’!
1. Pho Bo (Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup)
Ingredients:
- 1 lb beef brisket
- 1 lb beef bones
- 1 large onion, charred
- 1 thumb-size piece of ginger, charred
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 3 star anise pods
- 1 tbsp coriander seeds
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- 8 oz rice noodles
- Thinly sliced raw beef (like sirloin)
- Bean sprouts, Thai basil, lime wedges, chili slices for serving
How to Make It: Boil bones and brisket in water for 10 minutes, then rinse. Refill pot, add charred onion and ginger, spices, and simmer for 6+ hours.
Strain broth. Season with fish sauce and salt. Cook rice noodles separately. Assemble bowls with noodles, brisket slices, and raw beef.
Pour hot broth over. Top with sprouts, basil, lime, and chili.
Why did this make it to our list
Pho Bo isn’t just soup—it’s comfort in a bowl. It’s rich but not greasy, light yet filling.
It’s the most iconic Vietnamese recipe out there, and once you try a slurp, you’ll get why folks swear by it.
2. Goi Cuon (Vietnamese Fresh Spring Rolls)
Ingredients:
- Rice paper wrappers
- Cooked shrimp, sliced in half
- Rice vermicelli noodles
- Lettuce leaves
- Fresh herbs: mint, cilantro, Thai basil
- Cucumber, julienned
- Carrot, julienned
- Hoisin-peanut dipping sauce
How to Make It: Soak rice paper in warm water until pliable. Lay it flat, layer on lettuce, herbs, cucumber, carrots, vermicelli, and shrimp.
Roll it tight like a burrito. Dip in hoisin-peanut sauce and go to town.
Why we chose it
Goi Cuon is light, crunchy, and ridiculously refreshing.
It’s the kind of Vietnamese dish that makes you feel like you’re doing something good for your body—without sacrificing flavor.
3. Bun Cha (Grilled Meatballs with Noodles)
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground chicken or beef
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp black pepper
- Rice vermicelli noodles
- Pickled carrots and daikon
- Fresh herbs: mint, cilantro
- Dipping sauce: fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, garlic, chili
How to Make It: Mix ground meat with fish sauce, garlic, sugar, and pepper. Form into small patties. Grill or pan-fry until golden.
Serve over vermicelli with herbs and pickles. Pour the dipping sauce over the top or serve on the side.
Why did this make it to our list
Bun Cha brings that flame-grilled magic. It’s got smoky meat, cold noodles, and zingy sauce—aka, the holy trinity of Vietnamese street food.
4. Banh Mi Ga (Vietnamese Chicken Sandwich)
Ingredients:
- Baguette-style bread
- Grilled chicken breast, thinly sliced
- Pickled carrots and daikon
- Sliced cucumber
- Cilantro
- Jalapeño slices
- Mayo
- Soy sauce or Maggi seasoning
How to Make It: Toast the bread until crisp outside. Slather mayo, then layer on chicken, pickles, cucumber, jalapeño, and cilantro.
Drizzle with soy sauce. Bite into that crunchy, juicy mess and thank us later.
Why we selected it
Banh Mi Ga mashes up French and Vietnamese flavors in a way that’s unforgettable. It’s the kind of sandwich you dream about after you’ve had it once.
5. Ca Kho To (Vietnamese Braised Fish in Clay Pot)
Ingredients:
- 1 lb catfish or firm white fish
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 shallot, sliced
- Black pepper
- Green onions
How to Make It: Caramelize sugar in a pan until golden. Add garlic and shallot. Gently lay in fish.
Pour in fish sauce and water to just cover. Simmer gently until sauce thickens and fish is glazed. Top with green onions and pepper.
Why did this make it to our list
Ca Kho To is a slow-cooked wonder. Sweet, salty, sticky—it clings to your taste buds and doesn’t let go.
6. Bo Luc Lac (Shaking Beef)
Ingredients:
- 1 lb sirloin or flank steak, cubed
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp oil
- Lettuce, tomatoes, onions for serving
How to Make It: Marinate beef in sauces and sugar. Heat oil until shimmering.
Toss beef cubes in hot pan until seared and “shaking.” Serve over greens with lime dipping sauce.
Why we chose it
Bo Luc Lac hits hard with umami. It’s fast, flavorful, and feels upscale without the fuss.
7. Bun Rieu (Vietnamese Tomato Crab Noodle Soup)
Ingredients:
- 1/2 lb crab meat or canned crab
- 2 eggs
- 2 tomatoes, chopped
- 1 tbsp shrimp paste
- Rice vermicelli
- Fried tofu (optional)
- Fish sauce
- Green onions and herbs for garnish
How to Make It: Whisk crab meat, shrimp paste, and eggs together. Sauté tomatoes.
Add water and bring to boil. Spoon in crab mixture to form “rafts.” Add noodles and tofu. Serve hot with herbs.
Why did this make it to our list
Bun Rieu is comfort food with a twist. It’s tangy, briny, and totally slurp-worthy.
8. Com Ga Hoi An (Hoi An Chicken Rice)
Ingredients:
- 1 whole chicken
- 2 cups jasmine rice
- Turmeric
- Ginger
- Garlic
- Fried shallots
- Herbs: mint, Vietnamese coriander
How to Make It: Boil chicken with ginger and salt. Shred meat. Cook rice in the chicken broth with turmeric.
Serve rice topped with chicken, herbs, and fried shallots. Drizzle with garlic sauce.
Why we selected it
Com Ga Hoi An is simple but mighty. It’s bright yellow, fragrant, and full of homey vibes.
9. Banh Xeo (Vietnamese Sizzling Crepes)
Ingredients:
- Rice flour
- Turmeric
- Coconut milk
- Shrimp, shelled
- Bean sprouts
- Green onions
- Lettuce and herbs for wrapping
- Dipping sauce
How to Make It: Make a thin batter with rice flour, turmeric, and coconut milk.
Pour into hot skillet, add shrimp and bean sprouts. Fold like an omelet. Serve with greens and dipping sauce.
Why we chose it
Banh Xeo is crispy, golden, and insanely fun to eat. It’s interactive food at its best.
10. Cha Gio (Vietnamese Fried Spring Rolls)
Ingredients:
- Rice paper
- Ground chicken or turkey
- Carrot, shredded
- Wood ear mushrooms
- Vermicelli noodles
- Garlic, shallots
- Dipping sauce
How to Make It: Mix all fillings, roll in rice paper, deep-fry until golden and crispy. Serve hot with dipping sauce.
Why did this make it to our list
Cha Gio is crispy perfection. It’s the kind of appetizer that disappears before it even hits the table.
11. Che Ba Mau (Three Color Dessert)
Ingredients:
- Mung bean paste
- Red beans
- Pandan jelly
- Coconut milk
- Crushed ice
- Sugar syrup
How to Make It: Layer beans, jelly, and mung bean in a tall glass. Pour in coconut milk and syrup. Top with ice. Stir and enjoy!
Why we selected it
Che Ba Mau is like a party in a glass. Cold, sweet, and colorful—it’s a Vietnamese dessert you’ll wish you tried sooner.
Conclusion
Vietnamese cuisine is more than just food—it’s a vibe, a culture, and a whole journey wrapped up in herbs, noodles, and bold sauces.
These 11 best Vietnamese recipes are must-tries for anyone who loves exploring new flavors and textures.
Whether you’re diving into a hot bowl of pho or crunching into a sizzling banh xeo, every bite takes you deeper into the magic of Vietnam’s culinary heart.