Nom, Nom, Nom Vietnam! Dishes and Drinks to Try in the Land of the Ascending Dragon

Vietnam pizza signboard in Sa Pa Market

To appreciate a culture of a place, one must try the foods and beverages its people savor. This is what my travel buddies and I did in Vietnam.

When we finally decided that we will be having our vacation in our neighboring country, I immediately search for the cuisine Vietnamese people are known for. The search results mostly show pho, soup noodles, which considered as their most iconic dish. But, when we navigated the Land of the Ascending Dragon (the country’s nickname due to its geography) in five days and four nights, we discovered delectable delicacies that we just can’t get enough.

In this blog post, I enumerated the foods and drinks we tried only in northern Vietnam. Some of the dishes of Vietnam you know might not be here.

1. Pho

Pho bo

Known as Vietnam’s national dish, this soup is cooked using broth, rice noodles, herbs, vegetables and meat. It originated in northern region of the country and through time, it reached the southern part which the people there made variations of the food.

There are different types of pho according to ingredients and according to geography. The most served are the pho bo (beef) and pho ga (chicken).

It was the first meal we had upon arriving. The limousine car driver brought us to a highway rest stop that serves authentic pho and other soup dishes. I had limited research about pho that I was surprised that there are different types of it. We ordered one bowl of pho bo and a bowl of pho ga. However, the language barrier between the store attendant and us resulted to two bowls of the former.

One of my friends quickly identified the presence of star anise. I enjoyed slurping the hot soup. The fragrant broth is savory. The lime juice made it more delicious. The rice noodles have nice texture. We noticed that the noodles are different—one is flat while the other one appears like vermicelli.

Pho energized me that midnight. It rejuvenated me after our arrival flight and hours of traversing the road going to Sa Pa. I considered it as a lucky moment as it is the first food I tried in Vietnam. It was a good decision we made as we did not have a chance to try other versions in the next days we spent there.

2. Banh mi

Banh mi beef flavor

As a bread lover, banh mi is part of my priority list of the food I need to taste while in Vietnam. I saw a few stalls in Sa Pa selling it, but I opted to try it when we go back to Hanoi. During our last day, I was able to hold and devour not only one but three banh mi which I availed in one of the food and drinks stalls located along the Train Street Hanoi.

One of the remarkable influences of the French in the country is baguette. This bread is used in creating Vietnamese sandwich which is locally called as banh mi. It is toasted and split lengthwise purposively to fill it with juicy meat and pickled vegetables.

You have options of fillings such as egg, beef and chicken. For our first try, my cousin ordered chicken banh mi while I ordered beef. Then, we sliced them into halves so that we can taste both sandwiches.

You must consume banh mi while it is hot to smell the aroma, to bite the crust, and to relish the flavor. I enjoyed both that I ordered additional beef banh mi for takeout. It is the last local dish I ate at the airport before flying back to the Philippines. If only I could ask for home delivery of the sandwich, I would dial the number quickly to order.

3. Egg coffee

One thing I learned about Vietnam is their love for coffee. This is evident as they have numerous local cafés that foreign brands have a hard time penetrate the market. There are lots of coffee flavors to choose from, but what captured my attention is their egg coffee. Learning about it for the first time made me baffled. How can they do that? What is the taste?

The questions were answered when I had a cup of it in the Train Street Hanoi. The stall owner handed me my order as if I received a mystery gift. The top is covered with confectionery showing a semblance of Vietnam flag.

Egg coffee with Vietnam flag design on top

I unwrapped the gift by stirring it and it became foamy. Using the coffee spoon, I checked the taste. It was creamy. It felt like I was eating a pudding. As I sipped it, there was a bitter taste, but not that much. I love it. The ‘malansa’ thing I worried about did not manifest. It made my last morning in Hanoi memorable. My taste buds still remember the last drop of it, and they are craving for more. 

4. Vietnam pizza

Vietnam pizza. I forgot to take a better photo of this. 

I consider pizza as one of my comfort foods. When I see one being sold, there is a high probability that I will buy it (as long as I have money in my wallet). I fell again under the spell of pizza while I was in Sa Pa. Pizza in Sa Pa. What a word play.

While looking for our dinner in Sa Pa market on our last night in the majestic town of Lao Cai province, a round shape food captured my eyes. A lady with her fan pointed out her Vietnam Pizza which a size of a plate. The dough is yellow and shredded chicken are the toppings. I did not miss the chance of trying it.

After a few minutes of waiting for the grilled pizza, the lady handed me it folded like an empanada. I had a hard time handling it as the paper only protects my hand from being scorched. It was flavorful. I handled the herbs. Only the hotness of the food challenged my composure. But, I did not regret it. It was a dinner to remember. 

5. Spring rolls

Vietnam spring rolls

What Filipinos and Vietnamese have in common is their fascination on spring rolls. Who does not want the sound of crispy, deep-fried wrapper, and scrumptious fillings made of meat and vegetables?  

We ordered a plate of spring rolls in a Nam Bit Tet, a restaurant at Old Quarter in Hanoi. We waited for ten minutes. Four spring rolls were served on top of the fresh lettuce. The way the rolls were fried revealed the fillings. They were overly fried, but that is the only thing I am concerned about. The taste is immaculate. As a lumpia lover, I certify that spring rolls must be on your list. 

6. Fried rice

Fried rice

Rice if life for Asians. We had been dining with no rice for many times during our first three days in Vietnam. So, when we go back to Hanoi, we look for a rice meal. We had a successful quest at Old Quarter as we found a rice dish. Aside from spring rolls, we ordered a plate of fried rice in Nam Bit Tet. The stir-fried rice is loaded with beef and vegetables which is a heavy meal. A plate of it is good for two people. My stomach got more rounded. 

7. Hanoi beer

Ha Noi Beer

I drink occasionally. A few hours before our flight, we watched a YouTube vlog about a content creator drinking Hanoi beer. As a person who activated my FOMO side, I bravely ordered a bottle of Bia Ha Noi beer. My travel buddies worried that I might be tipsy which will affect my strolling at the Old Quarter. Fortunately, I handled the drink carefully. It has 3.2% alcohol percentage.

The beer is mild compared to the beer I tried in the Philippines. I love the smell. Its coldness is what I needed after eating hot fried rice. 

8. Cheese Tofu

Cheese tofu and lamb barbecue

Just like in the Philippines, street foods are rampant in Vietnam. The foods in the sticks are affordable. Most of our meals in Sa Pa are street foods. With those I ordered, grilled cheese tofu stood out. A stick has three slices of round tofu. What I drool about it is the cheesy taste. It lingers to the mouth. I ordered it in our first night and I have another stick in our last night in Sa Pa. Two for tofu. 

9. Lamb barbecue

When we talk about street foods, barbecue cannot be disregarded. There are many types of barbecues in Sa Pa, but I opted to get lamb and pork. What I want to highlight is the lamb barbecue. It is tender. The taste is pleasant as the herbs are evenly applied. With its taste and texture package, I can say that spending your dong for lamb is worthy of sacrifice. 

10. Vietnamese ramen

Vietnamese ramen

Noodles are staple dishes in Vietnam. Aside from pho, Vietnamese ramen left a lasting impression about the country’s cuisine. What is noticeable about the dish is the incorporation of egg in the soup. Our hotel gave us free breakfast as part of their offering. I grabbed the chance to order Vietnamese ramen. I love the presence of tomatoes in my soup. I did not worry about salinity as the ingredients are naturally made. As a person who is prohibited to eat instant noodles, the Vietnamese ramen is a healthy meal for me.

 

These foods and drinks are some of the best of Vietnamese cuisine. I pray I can explore the central and southern Vietnam to taste their rich and palatable gastronomy. So, when you visit Vietnam, treat your tongue and tummy with delicious victuals of Vietnam.