Vietnamese Food Recipes
World Cuisines

Vietnamese Food Recipes

0 comments By

Vietnamese cuisine is a delightful blend of fresh ingredients, aromatic herbs, and well-balanced flavors that create a harmonious experience in every bite. From the bustling streets of Hanoi to the floating markets of the Mekong Delta, food is an integral part of Vietnamese culture. The balance of salty, sweet, sour, and umami flavors, coupled with a reliance on fresh herbs and minimal oil, makes Vietnamese food not only delicious but also one of the healthiest cuisines in the world.

This article explores some of the most beloved Vietnamese food recipes, from iconic street foods to hearty home-cooked meals. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced cook, these recipes will guide you through the authentic flavors of Vietnam.

1. Pho (Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup)

Pho is Vietnam’s national dish, and for a good reason. This rich, aromatic soup consists of rice noodles, fragrant broth, thinly sliced beef, and fresh herbs.

Ingredients:

For the Broth:

  • 2 lbs beef bones (marrow or knuckle)
  • 1 lb beef brisket or flank steak
  • 1 large onion (halved)
  • 1 piece ginger (2 inches, halved)
  • 4 star anise
  • 3 cloves
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 tbsp coriander seeds
  • 1 tbsp fish sauce
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • Salt to taste
  • 8 cups water

For the Bowl:

  • 8 oz rice noodles
  • ½ lb raw beef (sirloin, thinly sliced)
  • Fresh bean sprouts
  • Thai basil
  • Cilantro
  • Lime wedges
  • Hoisin sauce and Sriracha (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the broth: Roast the onion and ginger over an open flame or broil them in the oven until slightly charred.
  2. In a large pot, boil the beef bones and brisket for 5 minutes to remove impurities. Drain and rinse.
  3. Refill the pot with fresh water, add charred onion, ginger, and spices, and simmer for 4–6 hours.
  4. Remove the bones and brisket. Strain the broth, season with fish sauce, sugar, and salt.
  5. Cook the rice noodles according to package instructions.
  6. Assemble the bowls: Place cooked noodles in a bowl, add thinly sliced raw beef, and pour hot broth over to cook the beef instantly.
  7. Garnish with fresh herbs, bean sprouts, and a squeeze of lime.

2. Banh Mi (Vietnamese Sandwich)

A French-inspired Vietnamese street food, Banh Mi combines a crispy baguette with flavorful fillings such as pork, pate, pickled vegetables, and fresh herbs.

Ingredients:

For the Pickled Vegetables:

  • 1 carrot (julienned)
  • 1 daikon radish (julienned)
  • ½ cup vinegar
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • ½ tsp salt

For the Sandwich:

  • 1 French baguette
  • 4 oz grilled pork or Vietnamese cold cuts
  • 2 tbsp pate
  • ¼ cucumber (sliced)
  • Fresh cilantro
  • Sliced jalapeño (optional)
  • Mayonnaise

Instructions:

  1. Pickle the vegetables: Mix vinegar, sugar, and salt, then add carrots and daikon. Let sit for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Slice the baguette and spread mayonnaise and pate on both sides.
  3. Layer grilled pork or cold cuts, pickled vegetables, cucumber, cilantro, and jalapeños.
  4. Serve immediately.

3. Goi Cuon (Vietnamese Spring Rolls)

Also known as fresh spring rolls, Goi Cuon are light, healthy, and packed with shrimp, herbs, and vermicelli noodles.

Ingredients:

  • 8 rice paper sheets
  • ½ lb shrimp (boiled and sliced in half)
  • 4 oz vermicelli noodles (cooked)
  • 1 cucumber (thinly sliced)
  • 1 cup lettuce or mint leaves
  • 1 cup bean sprouts

For the Dipping Sauce:

  • ¼ cup hoisin sauce
  • 1 tbsp peanut butter
  • 1 tbsp water
  • Crushed peanuts (for garnish)

Instructions:

  1. Dip a rice paper sheet in warm water for 5 seconds until soft.
  2. Lay shrimp, vermicelli, cucumber, lettuce, and sprouts on the lower third of the rice paper.
  3. Roll tightly like a burrito, tucking in the sides.
  4. Mix hoisin sauce, peanut butter, and water for dipping sauce.
  5. Serve immediately with the sauce.

4. Bun Cha (Grilled Pork with Noodles)

A Hanoi specialty, Bun Cha consists of grilled pork patties served with vermicelli noodles and a sweet-savory dipping sauce.

Ingredients:

For the Pork:

  • ½ lb ground pork
  • 2 tbsp fish sauce
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1 clove garlic (minced)
  • ½ tsp black pepper

For the Dipping Sauce:

  • ¼ cup fish sauce
  • ¼ cup water
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 1 clove garlic (minced)
  • 1 chili (sliced)
  • 1 tbsp vinegar

For the Bowl:

  • 6 oz vermicelli noodles
  • Fresh lettuce, mint, and cilantro

Instructions:

  1. Mix pork with fish sauce, sugar, garlic, and black pepper. Shape into small patties.
  2. Grill the pork patties until golden brown.
  3. Mix all sauce ingredients together.
  4. Cook vermicelli noodles and rinse with cold water.
  5. Serve grilled pork with noodles, fresh herbs, and dipping sauce.

5. Ca Kho To (Caramelized Fish in Clay Pot)

A delicious and comforting dish, Ca Kho To features fish braised in a sweet and savory caramel sauce.

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb catfish or salmon (sliced)
  • 2 tbsp fish sauce
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tbsp oil
  • 1 clove garlic (minced)
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 chili (sliced)
  • Green onions (for garnish)

Instructions:

  1. Heat oil and sugar in a clay pot until caramelized.
  2. Add garlic and fish, then pour in fish sauce and water.
  3. Simmer on low heat for 20 minutes until the sauce thickens.
  4. Garnish with green onions and chili.
  5. Serve with steamed rice.

6. Che Ba Mau (Three-Color Dessert)

A refreshing Vietnamese dessert, Che Ba Mau is a colorful combination of mung beans, red beans, and pandan jelly served with coconut milk.

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup cooked red beans
  • ½ cup sweetened mung bean paste
  • ½ cup pandan jelly
  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • Crushed ice

Instructions:

  1. Layer red beans, mung bean paste, and pandan jelly in a glass.
  2. Sweeten coconut milk with sugar and pour over the layers.
  3. Add crushed ice and serve.

Vietnamese cuisine is rich in flavor, history, and tradition. Whether you’re craving a comforting bowl of Pho, a quick and flavorful Banh Mi, or a refreshing Goi Cuon, these recipes offer an authentic taste of Vietnam. By incorporating fresh herbs, balanced flavors, and traditional cooking techniques, you can bring the vibrant street food culture of Vietnam into your kitchen.

Ready to explore the world of Vietnamese cooking? Try these recipes and experience the magic of Vietnamese cuisine right at home!

7. Banh Xeo (Vietnamese Sizzling Pancakes)

A crispy, savory pancake made from rice flour, turmeric, and coconut milk, Banh Xeo is filled with shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts, then wrapped in lettuce and dipped in a tangy fish sauce.

Ingredients:

For the Batter:

  • 1 cup rice flour
  • ½ cup coconut milk
  • 1 cup water
  • ½ tsp turmeric powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 2 green onions (chopped)

For the Filling:

  • ½ lb shrimp (peeled and deveined)
  • ½ lb pork belly (thinly sliced)
  • 1 cup bean sprouts
  • ½ onion (thinly sliced)

For Serving:

  • Lettuce leaves
  • Fresh herbs (mint, Thai basil, cilantro)
  • Nuoc Cham dipping sauce (fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, chili, garlic)

Instructions:

  1. Mix rice flour, coconut milk, water, turmeric, and salt to create a thin batter. Let it rest for 30 minutes.
  2. Heat a skillet with a little oil, sauté pork belly and shrimp until cooked.
  3. Pour a ladle of batter into the skillet, swirling to create a thin, crispy pancake.
  4. Add onions and bean sprouts, cover with a lid for 2 minutes.
  5. Fold the pancake in half and cook until crispy.
  6. Serve wrapped in lettuce with fresh herbs and Nuoc Cham sauce.

8. Com Tam (Vietnamese Broken Rice with Grilled Pork)

A beloved street food dish, Com Tam features grilled pork chops served with broken rice, a fried egg, pickled vegetables, and fish sauce.

Ingredients:

For the Pork Marinade:

  • 2 pork chops
  • 2 tbsp fish sauce
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1 clove garlic (minced)
  • ½ tsp black pepper

For the Plate:

  • 1 cup broken rice (or jasmine rice)
  • 1 fried egg
  • Pickled carrots and daikon
  • Sliced cucumber
  • Nuoc Cham dipping sauce

Instructions:

  1. Marinate pork chops for at least 1 hour.
  2. Grill the pork chops until charred and cooked through.
  3. Cook broken rice and serve on a plate.
  4. Fry an egg and place on top of the rice.
  5. Add pickled vegetables and sliced cucumber.
  6. Drizzle with Nuoc Cham sauce and enjoy.

9. Bo Kho (Vietnamese Beef Stew)

A fragrant, slow-cooked beef stew flavored with lemongrass, star anise, and cinnamon, Bo Kho is best enjoyed with a warm baguette or rice noodles.

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb beef brisket (cut into chunks)
  • 2 tbsp fish sauce
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1 clove garlic (minced)
  • 1 stalk lemongrass (smashed)
  • 1 star anise
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 carrot (sliced)
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 3 cups water
  • Fresh cilantro and Thai basil

Instructions:

  1. Marinate beef with fish sauce, sugar, and garlic for 30 minutes.
  2. Sear beef until browned.
  3. Add lemongrass, star anise, cinnamon, tomato paste, and water.
  4. Simmer for 2 hours until beef is tender.
  5. Add carrots and cook for 15 more minutes.
  6. Serve with a baguette or rice noodles, garnished with fresh herbs.

10. Cha Ca La Vong (Turmeric Fish with Dill)

A specialty from Hanoi, Cha Ca La Vong is grilled fish marinated in turmeric and served with fresh dill and vermicelli noodles.

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb white fish (catfish or cod)
  • 1 tbsp turmeric powder
  • 1 tbsp fish sauce
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1 clove garlic (minced)
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 cup fresh dill
  • 1 cup vermicelli noodles (cooked)
  • ½ cup peanuts (crushed)

Instructions:

  1. Marinate fish with turmeric, fish sauce, sugar, and garlic for 1 hour.
  2. Grill or pan-fry the fish until golden.
  3. Sauté dill in a pan and toss with the fish.
  4. Serve over vermicelli noodles with peanuts and Nuoc Cham sauce.

11. Hu Tieu (Vietnamese Pork and Seafood Noodle Soup)

A Southern Vietnamese specialty, Hu Tieu is a light yet flavorful noodle soup with pork, shrimp, and squid.

Ingredients:

For the Broth:

  • 1 lb pork bones
  • 1 onion (halved)
  • 1 tbsp fish sauce
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 6 cups water

For the Bowl:

  • 6 oz Hu Tieu noodles (or rice noodles)
  • ½ lb shrimp (peeled)
  • ½ lb squid (sliced)
  • ½ cup bean sprouts
  • Green onions and cilantro

Instructions:

  1. Simmer pork bones and onion in water for 2 hours.
  2. Season with fish sauce and sugar.
  3. Cook noodles according to package instructions.
  4. Boil shrimp and squid until cooked.
  5. Assemble noodles, seafood, and bean sprouts in a bowl.
  6. Pour hot broth over and garnish with green onions.

12. Banh Cuon (Steamed Rice Rolls)

Delicate, thin rice rolls filled with minced pork and mushrooms, Banh Cuon is a favorite breakfast dish in Vietnam.

Ingredients:

For the Batter:

  • 1 cup rice flour
  • 2 tbsp tapioca flour
  • 1½ cups water
  • ½ tsp salt

For the Filling:

  • ½ lb ground pork
  • ½ cup mushrooms (chopped)
  • 1 clove garlic (minced)
  • 1 tbsp fish sauce

For Serving:

  • Fried shallots
  • Fresh herbs
  • Nuoc Cham dipping sauce

Instructions:

  1. Mix rice flour, tapioca flour, water, and salt to form a thin batter.
  2. Sauté pork, mushrooms, and garlic with fish sauce.
  3. Steam a thin layer of batter on a cloth over boiling water.
  4. Add filling, roll up, and serve with fried shallots and Nuoc Cham sauce.

Final Thoughts

Vietnamese cuisine is a beautiful blend of fresh, vibrant flavors and nutritious ingredients. Whether you’re indulging in a warm bowl of Pho, savoring the crispy crunch of Banh Xeo, or enjoying the delicate layers of Banh Cuon, each dish offers a taste of Vietnam’s rich culinary heritage.

These recipes bring the heart and soul of Vietnam into your kitchen, allowing you to explore its diverse flavors and techniques. Try them out, and you’ll discover why Vietnamese food is loved worldwide! 🍜🥢🌿

Tags

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.