Coffee/Tea
Vietnam is known for its incredibly strong and delicious coffee. If you’re a coffee lover like me, it’s complete heaven! There is such a vibrant coffee culture all across the country, and the drinks are some of the most interesting and creative I’ve seen. And if you’re not a coffee drinker, the tea options are just as incredible! Regardless, just be careful, the caffeine will definitely hit you hard!
Recommendations
- Cafe Pho Co – Hidden behind unassuming shops, there is a beautiful multi-storied cafe. When we arrived, we ordered our egg and coconut coffee at the cafe entrance and made our way up the stairs to the rooftop. Super great birds-eye views of the city! (Hanoi)
- Hidden Gem Cafe – Another great local spot in Hanoi! The ambiance is super cute and you can order some food to go with your drinks! (Hanoi)
- Street Vendors – I highly recommend stopping at any of the street vendors for coffee, quick and delicious! (Hoi An)
- Olivier Coffee – Lots of different drink options! It’s a cute space near the Hoi An Market (Hoi An)
- Coffee Apartment – All the coffee shops you could possibly imagine in one space, don’t miss out on walking through the coffee apartment to find your coffee fix! (Ho Chi Minh City)
These are just a few recommendations, there are so many more amazing cafes that you’ll stumble across on your journey!
Northern & Southern Phở
When in Vietnam, you must eat phở ! Before visiting the country, I had no clue that phở differed in the North and the South. Residing in Los Angeles, I’ve only ever had Southern style phở due to the post-war migration patterns that brought this specific style over. While Southern style phở has much more variety in meat and sauces, Northern style phở has a lighter and clearer broth. It’s typically topped with green onions and is eaten with a Chinese style donut. Both are delicious and both are worth a try!
- Phở Thìn Bờ Hồ – Northern style phở This joint was super popular but we were lucky enough to stop by during a rare quiet moment. Order at the front and grab a table. This place was no frills and the food was delicious! (Hanoi)
- Phở Việt Nam – Southern style pho. This is what most people in the States are used to. This place comes highly recommended! (Ho Chi Minh City)
Chạo tôm
Chạo tôm is a delicious sugarcane shrimp skewer. The shrimp is almost like a shrimp meatball and the sugarcane skewer serves as a delicious, sweet little treat after you’ve enjoyed the savory portion. This dish originated from central Vietnam but can be found all around the country. Not only can you find it in most restaurants, they’re a popular snack sold by street vendors.
Fruit
When I travel, I love trying the local food. I especially love the fruit. Especially when I’m in a place where the climate is unlike the one I live in! There are a ton of local fruit vendors so definitely stop by and take a peek!
In Hanoi, there are a ton of locals selling fruit out of their carts. Ask for an assortment of fruit, like the rose apple, and when they ask if you’d like them to sprinkle your fruit with this sugary/spicy mixture, say yes! It’s incredibly delicious and adds an extra kick. If you don’t like spice, maybe stay away.
In Hoi An, there are more fruit stalls that you can peruse. Some of my favorite fruits were passionfruit, mangosteen, custard apple, longan, and jackfruit. The most unique fruit I ate was the custard apple. I have never had anything like it! It’s sweet and custardy –unlike any fruit I’ve ever tasted. And although you can get many of these fruits in the States, they are far more expensive and way less delicious!
Xôi Xéo
A classic Hanoiese breakfast is Xôi Xéo. I’ve never had it before but this combination of sticky rice, bean curd, and a variety of delicious toppings was right up my alley. I’m a porridge girl so anything that involves rice in the morning is a win for me. There are tons of different vendors who sell this quick and delicious breakfast in the morning so don’t miss out on eating like a local. If you’ve never had this dish before, or anything similar, it can sound a bit intimidating but the flavors are pretty mild and harmonious. It’s a savory breakfast whose closest comparison can be a thicker oatmeal.
Bún chả
Bún chả is a classic Vietnamese dish of grilled pork meatballs over noodles. This dish is served with herbs and a side of dipping sauce that you can pour into your bowl. The savory pork goes well with the slightly sweet fish sauce, and the herbs add such a nice kick of something fresh.
Although you can find this dish most places, Bún chả Hương Liên in Hanoi is one of the most popular spots to cozy up with your own bowl of noodles. This restaurant boasts pictures of Anthony Bourdain and Obama along the walls enjoying a bowl of Bún chả together. They even have an Obama special! As far as food goes, it’s absolutely delicious and despite their claim to fame, we were able to get seated right away.
Bánh mì
You cannot go to Vietnam without grabbing a Bánh mì. This classic Vietnamese sandwich is an incredible combination of meats, pickled veggies, and herbs that will knock your socks off. This is an item you can find all around the country but the best bánh mì arguably exists in Hoi An. Madame Phuong and Bánh mì Khanh go neck and neck for the title and they’re conveniently located within the same small city. You can read more about my thoughts on the two spots here. Regardless of which you try, if not both, you’ll be mesmerized by how efficient and their sandwich making stations are to accommodate the large crowds.
Bánh bèo
Bánh bèo may be my favorite Vietnamese dish. It’s something I didn’t try until more recently in my life, but I instantly fell in love. Bánh bèo is a steamed rice cake with toppings such as shrimp and scallions sprinkled on top. They’re about one inch in diameter and not only are they delicious, they’re super fun to eat because of how small and chewy they are! We ate the majority of our Bánh bèo when we were in Hoi An. They’re a popular street food so keep your eyes peeled while you’re walking around in central Vietnam!
If you’re looking for an easy way to cover classic Vietnamese cuisines, consider joining one of these tours! I’ve always had a great experience booking tours in Vietnam. As a disclaimer, I will receive a small commission if you choose to book through on of my links (-:
- Hanoi – this tour takes you around the Old Quarter to eat classic Vietnamese cuisine and coffee. As a special addition, you’ll get to experience the famed train street!
- Hoi An – this tour ends with a beautiful boat ride along the lantern strewn river in Hoi An. The perfect way to end a night of good eats!
- Ho Chi Minh City – hop on the back of a scooter and be whisked away to a magical world of food! Hit all the great food stalls and have yourself a ball
