Noodles in Vietnam transcend mere sustenance; they embody a rich tapestry of flavors, textures, and cultural significance. From the bustling streets of Hanoi to the tranquil corners of Ho Chi Minh City, noodles are not just a dish but a culinary art form. Join with VTJ on a journey through the winding alleys and vibrant markets, where “noodles in Vietnam” is more than a meal – it’s a cultural journey.
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1. Pho
The most popular noodle dish in Vietnam is Pho
The most popular noodle dish in Vietnam is called Pho. It’s a favorite among locals and visitors alike. Pho stands out because it uses flat rice noodles. There are two main types: Pho Bo, which is made with beef, and Pho Ga, which is made with chicken.
It’s considered a special part of Vietnamese food culture. The broth in this dish is full of aroma, and the rice noodles are smooth and silky.
From 1910 to 1954, Pho vendors started popping up all over Hanoi. When Vietnam was divided, people from the North brought their Pho recipes with them as they migrated to the South. In Southern Vietnam, Pho is often served with herbs, lime, and bean sprouts to help cool down in the hot weather. The broth in the South tends to be spicier and more sour compared to the milder broth in the North.
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2. Bun Rieu (Crab Noodle Soup)
Taste the essence of Vietnam with Bun Rieu
Bun Rieu is a standout dish known for its special red color, which comes from using tomato paste and annatto oil in the broth. The unique taste comes from freshwater crab meat, which is similar to soft tofu. The broth, mixed with rice vinegar and small bits of fried tofu, can have beef, pork, Vietnamese sausages, and snails in it. Lime juice, shrimp paste, chili sauce, banana blossoms, and herbs add the finishing touches to this tasty meal.
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3. Mi Quang (Quang Noodle)
Mi Quang (Quang Noodle) is a famous noodle dish that originates in Central Vietnam
Originating from Quang Nam Province, Mi Quang is a dish known for its yellowish rice noodles, which get their color from turmeric. These noodles form the base for shrimp, grilled pork, peanuts, quail eggs, fishy heartleaf, and different herbs. A tasty broth is poured over the top, covering the ingredients partly. Lime juice and crumbled roasted rice paper are added, making for a delightful and colorful eating experience.
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4. Bun Bo Hue (Hue Style Beef Noodles)
Taste a spicy and aromatic Vietnamese noodle soup called Bun Bo Hue
From Hue, the old capital of Vietnam, comes Bun Bo Hue, a noodle dish. It has a broth with a strong lemongrass flavor, made by boiling beef bones for a long time and adding shrimp paste, sugar, and spicy chili oil. Thin slices of beef shank, pig’s knuckles, congealed pig blood cubes, and light crab sausage are put on top. People usually eat it with mint leaves and homemade chili paste.
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5. Cao Lau (Cao Lau Noodles)
Cao Lau (Cao Lau Noodles) is a signature dish from Hoi An
Cao Lau noodles are a famous dish from Hoi An Ancient Town.These noodles have a special texture and taste because they’re made with water rich in minerals. They’re served with beansprouts, a sauce made from lemongrass, slices of grilled pork, and veggies.
Explore the world of Vietnamese noodle dishes, each with interesting names like Bun Bo Hue and Cao Lau. These dishes give you a peek into Vietnam’s rich food history.
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6. Hu Tieu (Noodle Soup)
Hu Tieu (Noodle Soup) – A popular street food in Vietnam
Hu Tieu, a popular Southern Vietnamese breakfast dish, arrived from Cambodia in the 1960s. The dish includes rice noodles in Vietnam, offal, a quail egg, shrimp, and optional fillings such as pork, squid, wonton dumplings, and various condiments. Featured in the U.S. reality show Master Chef in 2013, Gordon Ramsay expressed his admiration for Hu Tieu.
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7. Bun Suon Doc Mung (Pork Ribs and Elephant Ear Stalk Noodle Soup)
Bun Suon Doc Mung is a favourite noodle dish for breakfast and lunch in Vietnam
A favourite for breakfast and lunch in Hanoi, Bun Suon features pork ribs simmered with turmeric slices, creating a sweet and lightly coloured broth. The dish includes ribs, pig’s knuckles, sliced pork, pork and mushroom meatballs, and sliced elephant ear stalk. Lime juice, fish sauce, and chili paste add layers of flavour to this beloved dish.
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8. Bun Thang (Vermicelli And Chicken Soup)
Bun thang is also a delicate Vietnamese noodle soup
Originating from Hanoi, Bun Thang is a chicken-based noodle soup that presents a visually appealing bowl with various colourful toppings. Shredded chicken, Vietnamese sausage, egg, Chinese mushroom, dry pickled radish, dried shrimps, and herbs create a delightful composition. With a touch of lime juice and chili paste, Bun Thang offers a delicious alternative to Pho.
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9. Banh Canh (Thick Noodle Soup)
Banh Canh (Thick Noodle Soup) is a traditional Vietnamese noodle soup
Popular in central and southern Vietnam, Banh Canh features thick noodles made from rice, wheat, tapioca, or a combination. Served in a broth with pork knuckles, sausages, and crab, Banh Canh is a breakfast favourite in the Mekong Delta, with variations in seasoning based on regional preferences.
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10. Bun Ca (Fish Noodles)
A delightful Vietnamese noodle that should appear on any Vietnam hit list is Bun Ca
Coming from northern Vietnam, Bun Ca is a dish that stands out. It has a broth that’s a bit sour because it’s made by boiling fish bones, pork bones, tomatoes, and wine vinegar together. On top of rice vermicelli, you’ll find slices of deep-fried fish fillet, chopped spring onions, and dill herbs. It’s a tasty meal that locals enjoy in their daily lives.
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11. Bun Thit Nuong (Grilled Pork and Rice Vermicelli)
Bun Thit Nuong has grilled pork, noodles from Vietnam, and veggies
A visit to Vietnam wouldn’t be complete without trying the delicious Rice Noodles. They’re a key part of many dishes that show off the country’s great cooking skills.
Bun Thit Nuong is a dish with a mix of different flavors and textures. It has grilled pork, noodles from Vietnam, and veggies. Expats really enjoy this dish because it brings together sweet, sour, spicy, crunchy, and tangy tastes in one colorful meal.
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12. Bun Cha (Grilled Pork Meatballs with Vermicelli Noodles)
Bun cha is a real delight for those looking for an authentic Vietnamese dining experience
A dish closely connected to Hanoi is Bun Cha. It includes grilled pork meatballs served in cold broth, along with rice noodles and a mix of fresh greens. It gained fame when Anthony Bourdain featured it on his show Parts Unknown with Barack Obama. Bun Cha is loved for its special taste and the local charm of Hanoi.
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13. Pho Ga (Chicken Pho)
Pho Ga is a classic Vietnamese noodle soup
Pho Ga is a classic Vietnamese noodle soup made with chicken. It has a lighter and clearer broth compared to the beef version. Ingredients include ginger, fish sauce, rice noodles, shallots, green onions, and cilantro. To make it even tastier, you can add garnishes like lime wedges, mint, chili peppers, bean sprouts, and Thai basil.
Treat yourself to the delicate flavors of Chicken Noodles in Vietnam, where the tender chicken blends perfectly with fragrant herbs, giving you a truly authentic taste experience.
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14. Pho Tron (Mixed Pho)
Pho Tron is a classic noodle dish in Vietnam
Pho Tron, a Northern Vietnamese dish, involves adding Pho noodles to a bowl with pork chop, herbs, peanuts, and dried scallions. A sour sauce is added for a distinct taste, with each vendor keeping the sauce recipe as a secret. This unique dish offers a distinguishable taste at different restaurants.
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15. Banh Da Cua (Red Noodle Soup with Crab)
Banh Da Cua (Red Noodle Soup with Crab) is a local specialty hailing from Hai Phong
Hailing from Hai Phong, Banh Da Cua features pork-based broth topped with crab meat, fresh herbs, pork balls, chả lụa sausage, or ground meat wrapped with betel leaves. The light red hue of locally made noodles adds to the visual appeal, with lime wedges, lettuce, perilla leaves, or sliced chili peppers served on the side.
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16. Bun Cha Ca (Fried Fish Cake Noodle Soup)
Bun Cha Ca is a traditional Vietnamese noodle soup topped with fish cakes
Bun cha ca, made with tilapia or mackerel, is combined with rice vermicelli, fresh herbs, and a special mam tom sauce. The sauce, a blend of sugar, shrimp paste, distilled rice wine, hot oil, and chili, enhances the dish’s indistinguishable flavour.
>>> Read more: 10+ BEST Bun Cha in Hanoi, Vietnam (Updated 2023)
17. Bun Dau Mam Tom (Rice Vermicelli Noodles with Fried Tofu and Shrimp Paste)
If you’re looking for a Vietnamese noodle dish, let’s try Bun Dau Mam Tom
Bun Dau Mam Tom is a dish served without broth, where each component is separate – rice vermicelli, fried tofu, and pork. But what really stands out is the strong-smelling shrimp paste sauce. This sauce, made from fermented shrimp paste, is like Vietnam’s version of a vegetarian dish – some people love it, while others don’t. You can add some lime juice to the sauce, then dip the tofu and pork into it to add flavor when you eat them with the noodles.
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18. Bun Mam (Fermented Fish Noodle Soup)
You can’t forget Bun Mam when it comes to Vietnamese noodles
When it comes to Vietnamese noodles, you can’t forget about a dish called “bun mam”. Bun Mam has a thick broth with a strong flavor of fermented fish sauce. It’s filled with seafood, pork, eggplant, and chives, along with some common herbs. Bun Mam has a hint of sweetness, which comes from its southern roots.
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To sum up, noodles in Vietnam isn’t just about tasty food; it represents the essence of the country with its wide range of delicious dishes. Whether you’re wandering the busy streets of Hanoi or enjoying the peaceful scenery of Da Nang, eating noodles in Vietnam is more than just a meal; it’s a chance to connect with the heart and history of this amazing nation. So come along with VTJ on this journey, taste the flavors, and let noodles take you on a culinary adventure unlike any other.
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