An Ode to Food & Drink in Vietnam
Food is something I take very seriously, and that doesn’t stop when I’m abroad either. Although luxurious, top tier dining experiences can be quite memorable, I’ve definitely still had “fancy” menu items before that have left me sorely disappointed. Meanwhile, during a recent trip to Vietnam, I found myself consistently falling to my knees for the humblest $2 dish, served on mismatched tableware and two-feet-tall plastic tables. Over the course of five days, my affinity for Vietnamese cuisine simply grew stronger with every squeeze of lime and every spoonful of fish sauce. With every little addition, a little more joy. To aid in your adventures, I’ve compiled some food highlights as well as must-visit cafes from our travels so you yourself can experience some food-and-drink-induced euphoria on your next trip as well.
Hanoi
Food you should try:
Bánh cuốn
Where we went: Bánh cuốn nóng Hồng Anh
Soft rice paper rolls, umami-rich mushroom and pork filling, crispy fried onions, fish sauce for dipping, a classic Vietnamese array of herbs, calamansi limes, baby red chili peppers. Bánh cuốn is a perfect afternoon snack. Or breakfast. Or dessert.
Chả cá
Where we went: Chả cá Hàng Sơn
I had never heard of Chả cá before this meal, but thankfully my friend is a huge foodie because without her, I never would’ve discovered one of my favorite dishes. Lightly fried catfish, dill, springy rice noodles, fish sauce, a familiar collection of herbs, and all coming together in the hot pan in front of you.
Phở
Where we went: Phở 10 Lý Quốc Sư
Okay call me biased, but this is one of my all-time favorite foods so naturally this was love at first taste. There are many Phở 10 chains around Hanoi and apparently some are not as authentic, so our hotel concierge directed us to this location. Let’s just say I drank every last drop of this incredible broth.
Bánh mì
Where we went: Bánh mì Long Hội
What would you call bologna and cheese slapped between two slices of bread? Likely a sandwich. Then to have bánh mì be called a sandwich as well feels almost like an insult to her sheer luxury. She is the Porsche of the sandwich world. Just make sure you lay a napkin down or something because she’s also very crumby.
Bún chả
Where we went: Bún Chả Hương Liên
Anthony Bourdain and Barack Obama chose one meal to film share the world during their time in Vietnam, and it was Bún Chả. Do I really need to say more? The savory pork paired perfectly with the light broth, delicate rice noodles, and mountain of fresh herbs and leafy vegetables. If you go, definitely don’t forget to climb up to the top floor to see their infamous table encased in glass.
Cafes you should visit:
Loading T Café
Must try: Egg coffee. May not be everyone’s cup of tea (or coffee, I guess), but it’s a classic in Vietnam, so it’s a must-try. Thick, creamy, and comforting- a cozy option for any dreary day. Also, the entirety of this café is so beautiful- almost like out of a fantasy novel. Guess you’ll just have to go to see what I mean.
Note Café
Must try: Reading all the fun notes and adding one yourself! To be honest, we didn’t really order anything too fascinating, just two cups of tea so we could sit at a window, read all the notes around us, and gaze out towards the plaza below.
Soie By Fours
Must try: passion fruit tea and honestly any of the expertly crafted desserts. This was hands down the most beautiful interior of any café I’ve ever been in. Plus, these delicate, intricate, luxuriously complex mini cakes would rival those of any high-end French patisserie- and for the tiniest fraction of the price.
Ho Chi Minh City
Food you should try
Broken rice with grilled pork
Where we went: Tiệm Cơm 67 Tấm
The lemongrass pork was perfectly marinated and grilled outside right next to our tiny little tables, the smoky flavor really adding to the entire culinary experience. We devoured our plates at unprecedented speeds.
Phở
Where we went: PHỞ VIỆT NAM - Phạm Hồng Thái
The sheer amount of people waiting for a table here told us all we needed to know. Something interesting we noticed was that southern pho seemed to be more herb-heavy and packed a bit more punch in its broth’s flavor compared to its lighter, fresher northern counterpart- something to try to observe for yourself.
Bánh mì
Where we went: Banh Mi Me In
I think this was the most “gourmet” version of Banh mi we tried on our entire trip with a generous portion of juicy grilled meats in an expertly toasted flaky baguette. Downing one of these could probably fill you up for the rest of the day.
Cafes you should visit
Must try: Pineapple matcha. I know, I was apprehensive too. But if it’s still on the menu and you happen to love matcha- it might be one of the best drinks you’ve ever tasted. Their extensive and extremely creative menu was very exciting to flip through, so I’m sure you can’t go wrong with any of their inventive offerings.
Must try: Pick up a book and relax here on a hot afternoon. On our hunt for a café to hide in from the relentless sweltering heat, we found this place kind of hidden in a corner with an entire wall of books lining the interior. It’s so relaxing here, and the preserved plum tea is super refreshing as well.
Café apartments
Must try: Get your leg muscles ready to climb through all 9 floors of this massive building solely dedicated to housing different cute cafes and boutiques. We eventually settled around floor 6 with a cooling glass of yummy coconut coffee and passion fruit tea.
