“Pho” as a simple staple, consisting of a salty broth, fresh rice noodles, a sprinkling of herbs and chicken or beef. It features predominately in the local diet. It's cheap, tasty and widely available at all hours.
The 2nd second is “Bun Cha”. “Pho” might be Vietnam's most famous dish, but “Bun cha” is the top choice when it comes to lunchtime in Hanoi the capital of Vietnam. Just look for the clouds of meaty smoke after 11 a.m. when street-side restaurants in Hanoi start grilling up small patties of seasoned pork and slices of marinated pork belly over a charcoal fire.
Once they're charred and crispy, the morsels are served with a bowl of a fish sauce-heavy broth, a basket of herbs and a helping of rice noodles. Bun cha sets often come with the delicious nem cua be -- fried crab spring rolls. Still not convinced? It's what Obama ate during his night out with Bourdain.
The 3rd third is “Xoi” (savory sticky rice). Savory sticky rice is less of an accompaniment to meals in Vietnam; it is more a meal itself. The glutinous staple comes with any number of mix-ins (from slivers of chicken or pork to fried or preserved eggs), but almost always with a scattering of dried shallots on top.
The 4th fourth is “Banh Xeo” (crispy crepe bulging with pork, shrimp and bean sprouts, plus the garnish of fresh herbs). A good “Banh xeo” is a crispy crepe bulging with pork, shrimp and bean sprouts, plus the garnish of fresh herbs that are characteristic of most authentic Vietnamese dishes. To enjoy one like a local, cut it into manageable slices, roll it up in rice paper or lettuce leaves and dunk it in whatever special sauce the chef has mixed up for you.
The 5th fifth is “Goi cuon” (spring rolls). These light and fresh spring rolls are a wholesome choice when you've been indulging in too much of the fried food in Vietnam. The translucent parcels are first packed with salad greens, a sliver of meat or seafood and a layer of coriander, before being neatly rolled and dunked in Vietnam's favorite condiment -- fish sauce.
Not ready to give up on the fried ones? In the north these fried parcels go by the name nem ran, while southerners call them cha gio. The crispy shell surrounds a soft veggie and meat filling.
Other Vietnamese street foods which CNN travel recommends include Bun bo nam bo, Cao lau, Banh mi, Bot chien, and cafe trung (Vietnamese egg coffee).
Bun Cha.
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Once they're charred and crispy, the morsels are served with a bowl of a fish sauce-heavy broth, a basket of herbs and a helping of rice noodles. Bun cha sets often come with the delicious nem cua be -- fried crab spring rolls. Still not convinced? It's what Obama ate during his night out with Bourdain.
The 3rd third is “Xoi” (savory sticky rice). Savory sticky rice is less of an accompaniment to meals in Vietnam; it is more a meal itself. The glutinous staple comes with any number of mix-ins (from slivers of chicken or pork to fried or preserved eggs), but almost always with a scattering of dried shallots on top.
The 4th fourth is “Banh Xeo” (crispy crepe bulging with pork, shrimp and bean sprouts, plus the garnish of fresh herbs). A good “Banh xeo” is a crispy crepe bulging with pork, shrimp and bean sprouts, plus the garnish of fresh herbs that are characteristic of most authentic Vietnamese dishes. To enjoy one like a local, cut it into manageable slices, roll it up in rice paper or lettuce leaves and dunk it in whatever special sauce the chef has mixed up for you.
The 5th fifth is “Goi cuon” (spring rolls). These light and fresh spring rolls are a wholesome choice when you've been indulging in too much of the fried food in Vietnam. The translucent parcels are first packed with salad greens, a sliver of meat or seafood and a layer of coriander, before being neatly rolled and dunked in Vietnam's favorite condiment -- fish sauce.
Not ready to give up on the fried ones? In the north these fried parcels go by the name nem ran, while southerners call them cha gio. The crispy shell surrounds a soft veggie and meat filling.
Other Vietnamese street foods which CNN travel recommends include Bun bo nam bo, Cao lau, Banh mi, Bot chien, and cafe trung (Vietnamese egg coffee).
