Rough Guides recommends top 9 must-try Vietnamese dishes

According to the publication, Vietnamese food boasts a distinct taste and is unforgettable. Spread across street-side vendors and high-end restaurants, typical Vietnamese food tastes salty, sweet, sour, and hot.

“Whether you fancy a lunchtime snack in Hanoi or want to check out the best restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnamese cuisine is some of the tastiest in all of Southeast Asia,” says Rough Guides.

Following are 9 must-try Vietnamese dishes as complied by Rough Guides:

Gỏi Cuốn (spring rolls)

The magazine shared that Gỏi Cuốn are translucent spring rolls packed full of greens, coriander, and either minced pork or shrimp. They are usually served as a starter before a main course at Vietnamese restaurants.

It noted that a southern variation of the dish has barbecued strips of pork wrapped up with green banana and star fruit, before being dunked in a rich peanut sauce.

Bánh mì (Vietnamese sandwich)

“Bánh mì is one of the most popular street foods in Vietnam – and once you've read what goes into it, you'll be desperate to try it out for yourself!” the UK magazine stressed.

It is filled up with greens and a choice of fillings, including paté and usually pork. Other fillings include beef, chicken, liver, and even tofu.

“Bánh mì is so good that it's gone on to be imitated around the world, from London to New York” Rough Guides noted.

Bánh xèo (sizzling pancakes)

The travel outlet noted that Vietnamese pancakes contain items such as shrimp, pork, bean sprouts, and egg. They are fried, wrapped in rice paper with greens and then dunked in a fish sauce (Nước Chấm) before eaten.

The best city to try Bánh xèo (or "sizzling pancake") is Ho Chi Minh City, it stated.

Bún Chả (grilled meatballs)

Rough Guides revealed that Bún Chả is a Hanoi specialty which can be found at food stalls and street kitchens throughout the city.

“The pork is barbecued on an open charcoal brazier and served on a bed of cold rice noodles with assorted foliage and a broth,” it described.

Phở (noodle soup)

A bowl of Phở consists of a light beef or chicken broth flavoured with ginger and coriander, with broad, flat rice noodles and spring onions then added. Meat-wise, slivers of chicken, pork, and beef are then added, whilst tofu is the main vegetarian option.

“Phở” in Vietnam can be found on almost every menu; once you’ve got your serving, squeeze a slice of lime over it and add a dash of chili flakes for an extra kick,” the magazine recommended.

Cao lầu (noodle bowl)

According to information given by Rough Guides, among Hoi An's most tasty specialties is Cao lầu, a mouthwatering bowlful of thick rice-flour noodles, bean sprouts, and pork-rind croutons in a light soup.

“Cao lầu is then flavoured with mint and star anise, topped with thin slices of pork and served with grilled rice-flour crackers or sprinkled with crispy rice paper,” the magazine shared.

Chả cá (Turmeric fish)

Cha ca is a dish reportedly created in Hanoi which sees white fish sautéed in butter with dill and spring onions, before then being served with rice noodles and a scattering of peanuts.

Rough Guides suggests that visitors sample Chả cá in the central city of Da Nang, which is one of the best places to tuck into Vietnamese seafood dishes.

Mì Quảng (noodle soup)

Mì Quảng is a simple bowl containing meat noodles with additions like flavoursome oils, fresh sprigs of leaves, shrimp, peanuts, mint, and quail eggs.

The magazine said that it is usually eaten as a dinnertime meal.

Cơm tấm (Broken Rice)

Cơm tấm is a quick and easy street-stand favourite that is almost exclusive to Ho Chi Minh City.

According to Rough Guides, this delicacy is served with pork which is either grilled, steamed, or shredded, along with fish or simply a fried egg.

“And this being Vietnam food, it wouldn’t be complete without a squeeze of lime, a sprinkle of fresh herbs and a smattering of spring onion,” it concluded.