REVEAL TOP 5 RECIPES OF TRADITIONAL VIETNAMESE DISHES

Vietnamese cuisine is a harmonious blend of flavors, colors, and textures, each dish telling a story steeped in culture and tradition. In this blog, I will reveal the secrets behind five iconic dishes: Phở, Bánh Mì, Gỏi Cuốn, Bánh Xèo, and Bún Bò Huế. Each recipe is a celebration of Vietnam’s culinary heritage and a guide to recreating these treasures in your own kitchen.

1. Phở Bò (Beef Noodle Soup)

Pho Bo is one of the loved dishes in Vietnam, a steaming bowl of Pho Bo is more than just a meal; it’s a journey through centuries of culinary tradition, filled with bold flavors, aromatic spices, and heartfelt warmth.

Pho Bo

Ingredients: Rice noodles, beef, beef bones, onions, ginger, cinnamon, star anise, cardamom, green onions, coriander, bean sprouts, lemon, chili.

How to make:

– Simmer beef bones with onions, ginger, cinnamon, star anise, and cardamom to get the broth.

– Slice the beef into thin slices.

– Blanch the rice noodles in boiling water, put them in a bowl.

– Arrange the beef on top of the rice noodles, pour hot broth, add green onions, coriander, bean sprouts, lemon and chili.

The Experience: More than just a dish:

One spoonful of Pho Bo is enough to transport you. The warmth of the broth, the soft texture of the noodles, and the slight chew of the beef create a comforting medley. The aromatic herbs and spices envelop your senses, while the toppings let you customize each bite to your liking. 

Pho Bo isn’t just a dish—it’s a communal experience. Whether enjoyed at a bustling street-side stall or in the comfort of your home, it connects people to Vietnam’s rich history and the warmth of its culture. 

2. Bánh Mì (Vietnamese Bread)

One of the most famous dishes of Vietnam in the world cuisine is bread. The fragrant, attractive bread is always the first choice of tourists when visiting Vietnam. Nowadays, you can buy bread anywhere, anytime you like, but what about making bread at home?

Banh Mi

Ingredients: Flour for the crust, sauce, 4 eggs, salt, pepper, cooking oil, lemon juice, shredded white radish, shredded carrots, ham, pate, sausage, spring rolls, parsley, cucumber, green onion, chili.

How to make:

– Preparing the dough, shaping and proofing for 1.5 hours at 30 Degree, after proofing, make two small slits on the surface and spray water over the dough. 

– Baking the bread, preheat the oven at 200°C for 10 minutes, and bake the bread for 20 minutes until the crust is golden and crispy. 

– Making the sauce and filling, whisk eggs with cooking oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and water, soak julienned radish and carrots in a mixture of sugar, vinegar, and water.

– Cut the baguette in half, spread pâté and sauce on both sides, then add pork rolls, pickled veggies, coriander, cucumber, and green onions. 

After making the bread, it will be very attractive, the crispy golden crust blends with the rich flavor of the filling. Bread is often enjoyed for breakfast and is loved by many people.   

3. Gỏi Cuốn (Salad Rolls)

If you are wondering what delicious dishes can be made from shrimp, shrimp and pork spring rolls are one of them. Delicious spring rolls always attract food lovers. Not just a snack, spring rolls provide complete nutrition for a family meal.

Goi Cuon

Ingredients: pork belly, shrimp, vermicelli, rice paper rolls, lettuce, bean sprouts, chives, herbs, cucumber, shallots, garlic, chili, roasted peanuts, sugar, salt, seasoning powder, black bean sauce.

How to make:             

– To prepare Vietnamese spring rolls, start by washing and draining vegetables, lettuce, herbs, bean sprouts, chives, and cucumbers.

– Boil pork, clean it with salt and warm water, then cook with onions and a little salt for 30 minutes. Cut the pork into thin slices. Boil shrimp, peel, devein, and arrange on a plate.

– To roll, wet rice paper, place on a flat surface, and add lettuce, herbs, bean sprouts, cucumber, chives, vermicelli, and meat. Roll tightly.

– For the dipping sauce, mix fish sauce, sugar, hot water, garlic, chili, and lemon juice. Stir well and serve with the spring rolls.

4. Bánh Xèo (Crispy Vietnamese Pancake)

Banh Xeo, a crispy Vietnamese pancake, is a delightful blend of textures and flavors, especially popular in the Mekong Delta region.

Banh Xeo

Ingredients:  Banh Xeo flour mix, tempura flour, eggs, coconut milk, salt, chopped green onions or chives. Small shrimp or silver shrimp, pork belly, bean sprouts, onion, white radish, carrot, mustard greens, lettuce, cilantro, basil, fish sauce, sugar, lime, garlic, chili.

How to make:

– To make Bánh Xèo, first prepare the batter by mixing Bánh Xèo flour, tempura flour, turmeric powder, egg, coconut milk, beer (or carbonated water), and salt until smooth. Let it rest for 30 minutes.

– For the filling, marinate thinly sliced pork belly with fish sauce, salt, seasoning, and pepper. Clean and peel shrimp if needed, slice onions, and rinse bean sprouts. Marinate julienned radish and carrot with salt, sugar, and vinegar to pickle them. Sauté the pork and shrimp until cooked, then set aside.

– In a hot non-stick skillet, pour a thin layer of batter, add pork, shrimp, onion, and bean sprouts on one side. Cook until edges are crispy, then fold and cook until golden. Remove and place on a rack or banana leaf to maintain crispiness.

– For the dipping sauce, mix fish sauce, sugar, lime juice, and water, adding garlic and chili to taste. Serve Bánh Xèo with fresh herbs, pickled vegetables, and dipping sauce. Enjoy by wrapping a piece in lettuce with herbs and dipping it in the sauce.

5. Bún Bò Huế (Hue Beef Noodles)

Hue’s culinary tradition is considered one of the best in Vietnam. Every morning, locals gather at sidewalk eateries across the ancient capital to enjoy this hot noodle dish, served with fresh herbs, fresh chillies and a squeeze of lime.

Bun Bo Hue

Ingredients: Beef brisket, thick vermicelli noodles, crab patties/beef patties (optional), annatto oil. A little green onion. Accompanying vegetables: Bean sprouts, Coriander/basil, Banana flower, Lemon….

How to make:

– Make the broth in a large pot, add the beef bones, beef shank, onions, peppercorns, star anise, cloves, fennel seeds, corn kernels, ginger and cinnamon. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for at least 4 hours, or until the meat is very tender. Skim off any foam that forms on the surface.

– Cook the noodles, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the noodles and cook according to package instructions. Remove and rinse with cold water.

– Serve the noodles, divide the cooked noodles into bowls. Pour the hot broth over the noodles. Add sliced ​​beef (if using), sliced ​​chicken (if using), bean sprouts, basil, coriander and lime. Serve with chili sauce and hoisin sauce if desired.

Traditional Vietnamese dishes are delicious due to a harmonious combination of fresh ingredients, refined cooking techniques, and distinctive spices.