Vietnamese food is distinct and unforgettable. The cuisine relies on a
balance of salty, sweet, sour and hot flavours, achieved through use of
nuoc mam, a fermented fish sauce, cane sugar, the juice of
kalamansi citrus fruit or tamarind and chilli peppers. Dishes use plenty
of fresh herbs but tend not to be overly spicy, as chilli sauces are
served separately.
Goi cuon
Vietnam’s
most famous dish: translucent spring rolls packed with greens,
coriander and various combinations of minced pork, shrimp or crab. In
some places they’re served with a bowl of lettuce and/or mint. A
southern variation has barbecued strips of pork wrapped up with green
banana and star fruit, and then dunked in a rich peanut sauce – every
bit as tasty as it sounds.
rice paper roll Banh mi
This baguette sandwich filled with greens and a choice of fillings,
including paté and freshly made omelette, is so good it’s been imitated
around the world.
banh mi Banh xeo
These enormous, cheap and filling Vietnamese pancakes translate (banh xeo
means “sizzling pancake”) pancake contain shrimp, pork, bean sprouts
and egg, which is then fried, wrapped in rice paper with greens and
dunked in a spicy sauce before eaten.
Bun cha
A Hanoi specialty, you’ll find bun cha
at food stalls and street kitchens across the city. Essentially a small
hamburger, the pork patties are barbecued on an open charcoal brazier
and served on a bed of cold rice noodles with assorted foliage and a
slightly sweetish sauce.
Pho
Vietnam’s national dish a the country’s great staple is pho
(pronounced “fur”), a noodle soup eaten at any time of day but primarily
at breakfast. The basic bowl of pho consists of a light beef or chicken
broth flavoured with ginger and coriander, to which are added broad,
flat rice noodles, spring onions and slivers of chicken, pork or beef.
Cao lau
Central Vietnam does it best. Among Hoi An’s tasty specialities is cao lau, a mouthwatering bowlful of thick rice-flour noodles,
bean sprouts and pork-rind croutons in a light soup flavoured with mint
and star anise, topped with thin slices of pork and served with grilled
rice-flour crackers or sprinkled with crispy rice paper.
Cao Lau Cha ca
Seafood dishes are among the standouts of Vietnamese cuisine. Cha ca,
reportedly devised in Hanoi, is perhaps the best known. It sees white
fish sautéed in butter with dill and spring onions, then served with
rice noodles and a scatering of peanuts.
Fish and dill – Cha Ca La Vong Mi quang
This unheralded and affordable noodle dish is a Hanoi specialty.
Ingredients vary by establishment, but expect to see a simple bowl of
meat noodles enlivened by additions like flavoursome oils, fresh sprigs
of leaves, shrimp, peanuts, mint and quail eggs.
Nom hua chuoi
Vegetarians rejoice. Nom hua chuoi, or banana-flower salad,
is a great meat-free option.
Lime and chili are the key flavors and add a
refreshing punch to the shredded veg.
Com tam
Com tam, “broken rice”, is a street-stand favourite. Recipes vary,
but you’ll often find it served with barbecued pork or beef and a fried
egg.
com tam dac biet 
