When it comes to traditional Vietnamese dishes, of course, it’s not just about pho, banh mi, and coffee. In fact, there are numerous local foods that have been passed down through the centuries in each region. From the simple dishes you can find at street stalls to the traditional flavors passed down through generations in the home, each dish has been nurtured within the culture and way of life of the respective region. Vietnam’s culinary culture is like a colorful painting: the flavors, cooking methods, and eating habits vary greatly depending on the region, yet despite their similarities, they also reveal the unique personality of each place.
A culinary map that brings the whole of Vietnam to life
A culinary journey from the north to the south. We have compiled the dishes that are rooted in each local area into a single map. We will introduce carefully selected dishes that are unique to that region.
The depth that resides in the tranquility of the north
The northern region, where the origins of the Japanese agricultural civilization lie, has continued to be the center of rice consumption. From white rice to pho, the simple agricultural products and frugal spirit are deeply rooted in the region. In the old town and roadside stalls, you can encounter nostalgic flavors that are part of everyday life. The exquisite combination of sweetness, saltiness, and aroma creates a deep flavor unique to the northern region, which soothes the soul.
Banh Beo
Address: 42 Le Loi, Ngo Quyen, Haiphong
Open: 14:00〜18:30
Bainbeo
Banh Beo
This is a light snack perfect for chilly afternoons, featuring a fluffy dough infused with the aroma of rice flour and stuffed with pork and okra filling. Drizzling the meatballs in a special sauce simmered from pork bones and garnishing with cilantro, lime, and chili peppers creates a perfect balance of sweetness and spiciness. This simple yet heartwarming winter treat symbolizes the season. Reference price: 22,000 VND.
Taofu
Tao Pho
With its traditional sweetness and gentle texture reminiscent of tofu pudding, this dessert is a popular treat. In the past, vendors would carry tofu in wooden barrels and sell it on the streets; nowadays, it has transformed into a bicycle stall. It is served with plenty of jasmine syrup and is usually eaten with ice or sencha jelly in the summer. The recommended retail price is 10,000 VND.
Luong Van Can Market
Address: 42 Le Loi, Ngo Quyen, Haiphong
Open: 14:00〜18:30
Bundum Tom
Bun Dau Mam Tom
Originating from Hanoi, this noodle dish is known for its simple and friendly flavor. It is not only enjoyed as a snack but also as a dinner. The main ingredients include boiled pork, fried tofu, Cha Com (a rice-based dish), Nem Chua (fermented pork noodles), herbs, and a unique type of shrimp called momtom that has a distinctive flavor. These are usually served with fried tofu and a spicy momtom made with lime. The reference price is 65,000 VND.
Bun Dau Quyet
Address: 202 Nguyen Huy Tuong, Thanh Xuan, Hanoi
Open: 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM／16:00〜21:00
Vineyard kra
Banh Da Cua
A specialty noodle dish originating from Haiphong. It is a dish made with a fragrant crab broth and flat rice noodles. The ingredients include crab meat, fried tofu, mung bean sprouts, pork, and fried onions. The broth is rich in crab flavor, with a thick, slightly sweet texture that whets the appetite. Popular for breakfast and lunch, it is also beloved as a home-cooked dish in the north. The recommended retail price is 30,000 VND.
Banh Da Cua Dong
Address: 46 Lach Tray, Ngo Quyen, Haiphong
Open: 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Soyeo
Xoi Xeo
This is a common breakfast menu found on the streets of Hanoi. On fluffy steamed rice, a generous amount of smooth shredded mung bean and fragrant fried onions are placed, and a light coat of chicken oil or lard is added to enhance the flavor. This dish is often seen being bought and eaten by business people and students on their way to work in the city. The reference price is 15,000 VND.
Soi Mai / Xoi May
Address: 31 Ly Thuong Kiet, Cua Nam, Hanoi
Open: 5:30 AM to 1:30 PM
Soyeo
Bun Cha Que Tre
One of the most famous noodle dishes in Hanoi. The pork char served in the noodles is thoroughly seasoned before being skewered on bamboo sticks and cooked over charcoal to create a crispy outside and tender inside texture. The freshly baked meat is dipped in a special nu-kumam-dara sauce and served with plenty of fragrant basil and white noodles. Simple yet harmonious with the fragrant meat aroma and the slight hint of bamboo flavor, this dish evokes nostalgia and warmth among the people of Hanoi. The recommended price is 45,000 VND per person.
Bun Cha Que Tre Huyen Anh
Address: 33 Hang Giay, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Open: 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM
The fragrant, down-to-earth flavors of the Midwest
The cuisine of the central region is characterized by its distinctive spiciness and spiciness, and is prepared to suit the climate with its extreme temperature differences. Despite being rich, the saltiness, spiciness, acidity, and sweetness are perfectly balanced, with the acidity coming from fruits and herbs and the sweetness fully utilizing the natural sweetness. Most dishes are prepared with regional seasonings that set the tone for the flavor.
Kohala
Cao Lau
This noodle dish was created in the ancient city of Hoi An. The fluffy noodles are made with ash-infused flour, topped with fragrant grilled pork and fried vegetables. The flavors are reminiscent of something nostalgic and sophisticated, making this dish a perfect fit for the serene streets of Hoi An. The price is 40,000 VND.
Titcien
Thit Xien
If you see smoke billowing near the Ba Le well in Hoi An’s Old Town, it’s a charcoal grilled pork chop. The meat is seasoned with spices and then threaded onto a bamboo stick, grilled slowly over the charcoal until the outside is crispy and the inside is tender. It’s served with peanut sauce, blue papaya, and herbs, wrapped in rice paper. The local way to eat it is to eat it with a spoon and a fork. The reference price is 60,000 VND.
Gieng Ba Le
Address: 45/51 Tran Hung Dao, Hoian
Open: 10:00 AM to 22:00 PM
Vinebot Rock
Banh Bot Loc
Traditional cuisine from the central region. The dough made from tapioca flour becomes transparent when steamed, resulting in a chewy texture. Inside is wrapped with seasoned shrimp and pork meat, and it is steamed with banana leaves to create a delicate aroma and a deep flavor. It is generally eaten with a Vietnamese fish sauce made with sliced chili peppers. The reference price is 20,000 VND.
Tam/Tam
Address: 291 Nguyen Chi Thanh, Hai Chau, Danang
Open: 12:00 to 20:00
Buncha Car
Bun Cha Ca
In the central coastal region, noodle dishes made with fresh fish are becoming a common part of daily life. The white, thin rice noodles are topped with two types of fish roe: fried and steamed. The clear broth made from fish and pork bones adds a gentle aroma. While being refreshing, the flavor is deep, and you can feel the exquisite balance between the acidity of tomatoes and pineapple that tightens the whole dish. Adding lemongrass, bean sprouts, and grilled green onions, and finishing with lime and chili pepper on top, a refreshing sea breeze spreads throughout the cup. The reference price is 35,000 VND.
Bun Cha Ca Ba Phien
Address: 63 Le Hong Phong, Hai Chau, Danang
Open: 5:30 AM to 10:30 PM
Byinseo
Banh Xeo
It is a dish that is highly popular among visitors to Danang and is a must-try when visiting the city. Wrapped in fresh vegetables and fried in a crispy batter, the golden-colored, slightly thin dish is filled with a rich blend of shrimp and pork, and then cooked in a sweet and sour sauce and served with special Mommenum. Although it looks simple, you can enjoy it with the delicate preparation of the batter and the seasoning of the sauce. You can enjoy it anywhere from street stalls to famous restaurants. The recommended price is 25,000 VND.
Nemu-ruyi
Nem Lui
This is a local dish that can be enjoyed at every corner of the central region, featuring pork marinated with herbs and spices. Wrapped in rice paper and served with fresh vegetables and a special sauce, the aroma and juiciness spread throughout the mouth. The recommended price is 6,000 VND per piece.
Quan An So 1
Location: Ai Nghia, Dai Loc, Danang
Open: 8:30 AM to 10:30 PM
Chechangchoo Hatruu
Che Tran Chau Hat Luu
An ordinary sweet from Hoi An that you’ll want to eat on a hot day. Smooth tofu, chewy tapioca, red sago fruit, sencha jelly, and coconut milk combine to deliver a sweet and refreshing experience. Although the ingredients are simple, meticulous and delicate craftsmanship is required from start to finish, including preparation and serving. The reference price is 25,000 VND.
Che Tre Nguon Anh
Address: 132 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Hoian
Open: 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
A table where the southern warmth and sweetness blend together
Unimaginable by modern standards, the southern region was known for being a region where colonization was slow. It was home to a diverse mix of immigrants, including Vietnamese from the central region, the indigenous Khmer people, Chinese people, and Cham people. Because of this, southern cuisine is multicultural, free-spirited, and bold, with a characteristic rich flavor infused with sweet and coconut milk.
Supqua
Sup Cua
One of the most popular soup dishes as a snack. Chicken stock is simmered with crab meat, quail eggs, petain, and pork brains, and is thickened with starch to create a smooth consistency. This warm and gentle-tasting soup is gentle on the stomach, whether eaten in the morning or afternoon. The recommended retail price is 25,000 VND.
Lien Sup Cua
Address: Sap 867, Tan Dinh Market, Hai Ba Trung,
Tan Dinh, HCMC
Open: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Bap Sao
Bap Xao
This is a popular snack among students and young people. The corn kernels are fried with butter, dried shrimp, green onions, and chili sauce. Recently, an arrangement has also appeared where salted egg yolks are added. The sweetness, richness, and slightly spicy flavor blend perfectly together. The reference price is 40,000 VND.
Cover/Co Ba
Address: 60B Cao Thang, Ban Co, HCMC
Open: 14:00〜20:00
Farau
Pha Lau
This is a typical southern dish that has been adapted to Vietnamese style using Chinese ingredients. The inner organs of the cow, such as the stomach and intestines, are simmered in coconut milk, five-spice powder, and fish sauce for a long time. It has a rich and fragrant flavor and is best eaten with bread or instant noodles. The reference price is 33,000 VND.
Nomokobao
Nom Bo Kho
In Saigon, it is a classic salad, with sliced blue papaya, dry beef such as liver and lungs, peanuts, herbs, and sweet-sour nu-kumam sauce. It is served with shrimp balls. The harmony of acidity, sweetness, and spiciness makes it a delicious dish that you won't be able to put down. The reference price is VND 30,000.
Hien Pha Lau Bo
Address: 6 Lo N Cu Xa Vinh Hoi, Khanh Hoi, HCMC
Open: 15:00〜22:00
Damer
Da Me
This refreshing drink has a strong acidity. The crushed tamarind is mixed with sugar and ice cream, topped with fragrant peanuts and soft tamarind. The acidity and sweetness are perfectly balanced, making for a refreshing drink. The recommended retail price is 25,000 VND.
Chataack & Da Me
Address: 180 Doan Van Bo, Khanh Hoi, HCMC
Open: 5:00 AM to 23:00 PM
Samballon
Sam Bo Luong
This is a version of Southern-style zenzai. It is made by boiling the sweet potato, longan, lotus seed, seaweed, and rencoong in ice sugar and then chilling it before adding ice. The gentle flavor and natural aroma are comforting, making it the perfect dessert for hot days. The reference price is 25,000 VND.
Che Van
Location: Tan Dinh Market, Tan Dinh, HCMC
Open: 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
