When we think about Vietnamese dishes, complex flavors and contrasting textures come to mind.
Banh khot
Banh khot is like the little sister to banh xeo.
Using the same throw in of batter, these semicircular morsels are smaller and denser than its flat counterpart.
Photo: Courtesy of Christina Liao
Bun bo Hue
Sometimes just referred to as bun bo, the Hue denotes its origin city.
Cao lau
This Hoi An noodle specialty is a must when visiting the ancient town.
Whether or not this is true doesnt matter once youve sampled this regional dish.
Photo: Courtesy of Christina Liao
ensure to eat them while theyre hot and soft.
Served with a salad of lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumber, its a simple but delicious entree.
Its somewhat evocative of tom yum, but without the lime and lemongrass.
Photo: Courtesy of Christina Liao
Ask for some vermicelli noodles and rice paper if youd like to DIY your own spring rolls.
see to it you order this plate of stir-fried baby clams.
Top them off with fish sauce and youve got yourself a satisfying snack.
Photo: Courtesy of Christina Liao
Banh bao
If youve ever had Chinese dai bao, then banh bao will be instantly recognizable.
Theyre great for breakfast or when youre on the move.
Chao
Rice porridge is an omnipresent dish in Asian cuisine.
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Com tam
Also know as broken rice, these fractured grains are eaten with your preferred protein.
Pour a healthy dose of fish sauce over the plate and youve got yourself a superb meal.
Mi xao mem
The Chinese influence is really noticeable in this stir-fried egg noodle dish.
Photo: Getty Images
This is a popular Hanoi street food dish and can be found everywhere throughout the city.
Its most frequently served with tapioca noodles, but some shops may use rice or egg noodles.
Toppings include pork, beef, chicken, and seafood, along with a mix of herbs and vegetables.
Photo: Getty Images
These savory and chewy bites are usually topped with fresh scallions and are served with a tangy soy sauce.
Its a popular street food and youll often find them in the evenings at many stalls.
Bo ne
The Vietnamese version of steak and eggs, bo ne is a brunch favorite.
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Bo kho
Inspired by Chinese braised beef stew, the Vietnamese version is even richer in aromatics.
Chunks of beef are seared prior to being finished off in the pot with carrots until both are fork-tender.
To complete the dish, a toasted baguette is provided to help soak up the soup.
Banh trang tron
Another popular street food, rice paper salad is an unassuming and addictive snack.
Enter bun mang vit.
The result is a funky, umami-packed flavor bomb, and one worth trying at least once.
Sop it all up with rice, vermicelli noodles, or a toasted baguette.
Heres a cheat sheet of key words to know when ordering your next meal.
