100 Must-Try Foods in Vietnam

A definitive list of meals, snacks and desserts that travelers should try. We'll be adding to this list over the next several months.

DRY CHICKEN PHO

Simple Description: Chicken & Noodles in a light soy based broth

English Name: Dry Chicken Pho

Vietnamese Name: Pho Ga Tron

Where to Find: Specialty of Hanoi, may be found in other big cities

Meal Type: Noodle Dish

When Served: All Day

Weirdness level: 0/10

Vegetarian Option: Yes

Typically Served Alongside: Chicken Pho

Common Ingredients: Chicken thigh or breast - Pho Rice Noodles

- Soy based broth - Bean Sprouts - Crispy Fried Shallots - Cilantro

**This is a feature food in our Hanoi Iconic Foods Map.**

DRY CHICKEN PHO EATING TIPS:

This incredibly tasty dish can be found all across Vietnam, and is one of my top food recommendations for travelers.
Dry Chicken Pho is found in just about every shop that serves Chicken Pho.
Most chicken pho shops in Vietnam serve Pho Ga ‘Ta’, which refers to ‘real’ chicken (not factory chicken). Free Range chicken in Vietnam can be somewhat chewy. If you prefer softer meat, you should order the sliced chicken breast, rather than the chewier thigh meat.
Make sure to make good use of the condiments on the table, they are there for a reason.
Some places will allow you to add a poached egg to go into your soup for only around $0.25.
This noodle dish is soy based, instead of the more common fish sauce, which makes it a really great (no chicken) vegetarian meal option.

Banh Can

Simple Description: Rice batter cupcakes with savory toppings

& dipping sauces

English Name: Banh Can

Vietnamese Name: Bánh Căn

Where to Find: Specialty of Nha Trang & Da Lat

When Served: Breakfast or afternoon snack

Intimidation level: 3/10

Vegetarian Option: Yes, great for pescatarians too

Common Ingredients: Rice Batter Cakes, Quail or Chicken Egg,

Shrimp, Squid, Ground Pork, Ground Beef. Always served with fish

sauce, or fermented fish paste sauces. Scallion oil can be added to

sauces as well.

**Banh Can is a feature food in both our Da Lat, and Nha Trang food maps.**

BANH CAN EATING TIPS:

Make sure to find this southern Vietnamese specialty in the Nha Trang, Da Lat region. It can also be found in Saigon. Very difficult to find in Northern Vietnam.
This Southern Vietnamese specialty can be a little intimidating for foreigners, due to the open-air cooking and quail eggs. Do not be discouraged, it’s 100% worth trying when you are in the area.
Savory toppings depend on the vendor and where you have it. The original and still one of the most popular toppings, or dipping sauces is simple scallion oil.
Squid and Shrimp toppings are more common near the ocean (Nha Trang).
Quail eggs might make this a little strange to foreigners, but don’t let that slow you down.
I love it for the crispiness of the outside when cooked perfectly, while still a little chewy in the middle. I’ve found that places that cook the batter in clay surface is the best in my experience.
Make sure to use all of the table condiments to perfect your sauce for dipping.
Very popular afternoon snack for the locals if you want to sit down and enjoy a truly authentic experience.