In Vietnam, noodles aren’t just food for filling your belly. They come in lots of tasty styles that show off the country’s culture. Whether you’re in busy Hanoi or quiet Ho Chi Minh City, noodles are more than just a meal—they’re like an art.
If you’re visiting Vietnam for the first time, you’ve got to try Vietnamese dishes especially the noodles. Here’s your ultimate guide to the top 10 must-try noodles in Vietnam.
1. Phở – Noodle Soup with Beef or Chicken
It’s no surprise that Phở tops the list as the most famous noodle soup in Vietnam. It’s warm, flavorful, and embodies the essence of Vietnamese cuisine.
Traditionally, Phở is cooked using either chicken or beef broth, simmering the bones for hours until the broth reaches perfection. The infusion of herbs and spices enhances its flavors, while the combination of chewy rice noodles, tender beef slices, and crisp sprouts takes the dish to new heights.
2. Bún Chả – Grilled Pork Meatballs with Vermicelli Noodles
Grilled pork, which smells really good and is a bit oily, is served with soft noodles, fresh herbs like mint and coriander, and a yummy dipping sauce. People love bún chả because it has a mix of crunchy and soft textures and lots of flavors that make you want more. It’s a favorite for both locals and visitors who want to try real Vietnamese food. This dish is important in Hanoi because it shows off the city’s lively street food scene and how people enjoy eating together. If you want something extra tasty, you can also have Crab spring rolls (Nem cua bể) with it. They’re crispy and filled with tasty crab meat, making them a perfect match for bún chả.
3. Bún Bò Huế – Hue Spicy Beef Noodle Soup
Hue, a city in Central Vietnam, was once the home of the Nguyen Dynasty emperors and served as the national capital. Known for its special cuisine passed down from the royal families, one of its signature dishes is Bún bò Huế. This spicy soup includes a broth made from pork and beef bones, vermicelli noodles (bun), lemongrass, shrimp paste, lime juice, and various herbs. Its flavor is often described as rich and complex. While you might come across some variations, the typical additions include sliced brisket or crab meat balls.
4. Bún Bò Nam Bộ – Southern Vietnamese Beef Noodle Salad
Bun bo nam bo is a classic Vietnamese dish with a name that tells you exactly what’s in it and where it’s from. “Bun” stands for noodles, “bo” means beef, and “nam bo” refers to the Southern region of Vietnam. The main ingredients are beef, rice vermicelli noodles, garlic, fresh herbs like cilantro and mint, and vegetables such as carrots, cucumbers, lettuce, and bean sprouts. You can also add roasted peanuts and fried shallots if you like, but they’re not necessary.
5. Bún Riêu – Tomato and Crab Noodle Soup
Bún riêu is a Vietnamese noodle soup made primarily with crab. There are various versions of this dish, but the most popular one is called bún riêu cua, which has a tomato-based broth. Regardless of the version, bún riêu always contains crab paste and is served with vermicelli noodles. Toppings usually include crab meat, pork, tofu, tomatoes, blood jelly, and fresh greens like perilla or bean sprouts. The blend of sweet and sour flavors makes bún riêu a beloved noodle dish in Vietnam.
6. Bánh Canh – Vietnamese Thick Noodle Soup
Bánh canh is a Vietnamese noodle dish featuring thick noodles made from tapioca or rice flour. The soup comes in different varieties, such as pork trotters (bánh canh giò heo), snakehead fish (bánh canh cá lóc), or crab (bánh canh cua). Compared to other Vietnamese noodle soups, bánh canh has thicker soup and chewier noodles, resembling more of a gravy than a clear broth. The base is typically made from pork bones or sometimes chicken.
7. Mì Quảng – Quang-Style Noodles
Rice noodle dishes are found throughout Vietnam, and one famous example is the Quang noodle bowl, originating from Central Vietnam. This Vietnamese classic features flat yellow or white rice noodles served with a flavorful meat broth and accompanied by crispy fresh vegetables and herbs like banana blossoms, lettuce, cilantro, scallions, and Vietnamese coriander.
Quang noodle bowls are highly adaptable and often topped with choices like pork belly, chicken, shrimp, fish, boiled eggs, and roasted peanuts.
8. Phở Xào – Stir-Fried Pho
Phở xào is often seen as a quicker version of the traditional phở soup. While it uses similar ingredients like beef or chicken, flat rice noodles, and sliced vegetables, the dish is stir-fried instead of being cooked in broth.
In Phở xào, everything is stir-fried together and seasoned with sauces like oyster sauce, soy sauce, and fish sauce. It’s typically served with a side of fresh herbs or raw vegetables.
9. Hủ Tiếu Nam Vang – Nam Vang Noodle Soup
Hủ Tiếu Nam Vang is a beloved Vietnamese street food with roots from Cambodia and China. It’s named after the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh (Nam Vang), but it’s been adjusted to suit Vietnamese tastes. The noodle soup boasts a flavorful broth made from pork bones, pork, dried squid, and shrimp.
The noodles in this dish can vary, from transparent rice noodles to chewy tapioca noodles or thin Chinese egg noodles. Toppings include sliced pork liver, cooked pork meat, sautéed ground pork, quail eggs, fried shallots, garlic, and poached shrimp.
When served, it’s accompanied by an array of garnishes on the side, such as Chinese chives, Chinese celery, green onions, cilantro, and lettuce.
10. Cao Lầu – Pork Rice Noodle
Cao Lau, another specialty of Quang Nam, resembles Mi Quang in appearance. It features thin slices of char siu pork, crispy wonton crackers, and a variety of fresh local herbs atop chewy, grayish-brown noodles. A small amount of broth is added just to moisten the noodles. To enhance the flavor, mix all the ingredients with lime juice and homemade chili paste. With the first bite, you’ll experience a delightful blend of Chinese and Vietnamese cuisine in a single bowl.
