18 Things to Eat in Vietnam
Because there is nothing I love more in life than food. Here's 18 things we loved eating and drinking during our week in Vietnam!
(But food doesn't count until you take a picture of it :P)
18. Bun Cha
We couldn't make it to the restaurant Obama visited during his visit to Vietnam in Hanoi (Bun Cha Huong Lien, which specializes in Bun Cha) but we found this delicious lunch food out in Ha Long Bay! Rice noodles with light, pickle-like sauce and salad: this pork dish was refreshing and devine.
17. Mango Pancakes
Pretty much all the hostels had some form of fruit pancake on their breakfast menu! Big chunks of real mango on a fried pancake seriously made my morning. (Woodstock Beach Camp= my favorite hostel ever).
16. Hu Tiu Thit Bo
This was my favorite meal in Vietnam! My food-loving friend put in some research on trip advisor and got us to this restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City: Sadec Quan.
And it lived up to the hype! Sweet soy sauce with rice noodles and beef.
15. Vietnamese Spring Rolls
We knew coming in that we'd have to track some of these down! They were delicious (how is vietnamese food so refreshing?!) and the vegetarian version is cheap and available everywhere! We fought over fried vs. steamed: I think you can tell which was better :P
14. Tofu, Tomatoes and Morning Glory
I'm not a huge tofu fan, but I had to admit this was pretty good! Morning glory is a green stir fried in oil, and is just awesome.
13. Vietnamese Noodles
Bring on the veggies, and the family style lovin.
12. Enjoy the variety in Ho Chi Minh...
Ok this one is cheating a bit, but after 3 months in Malaysia we went on a pork spree the first part of the week, and set out on a hunt for Mexican food in the very international Ho Chi Minh City. We were not disappointed! HCMC is also home to seriously fun nightlife, and as a result lots of crazy drinks to try. Be on the lookout for margaritas, grenades, roof top bar shots and creative drinks like vodka filled coconuts!
11. Bahn Mi
The name pretty much just means "bread" but traditionally we're talking about a pork sandwich on a soft roll with pickled veggies! They're quick and available everywhere for about 50cents--or you can try more upscale ones like this one at My Bahn Mi, right around the corner from the post office!
10. Try all the Desserts At Markets!
Oh, street food. This fun dessert is liquid ice cream mix poured onto a frozen surface then rolled into cute little rolls!
9. Coconuts
Doesn't get more refreshing than that!
8. PHO
My one true love: tender rice noodles, onions, sliced beef in a fragrant broth...swoon. Pronounced "fuh"!
7. Beef Pho with Vegetables
At about $1.50 it doesn't get much better than a delicious bowl of heaven... chicken, pork, beef and veggie were all equally wonderful!
6. Bus Station Pho
This stuff is everywhere, and delicious anywhere! Eat as much as you can.
5. VIETNAMESE COFFEE
Oh I could write love sonnets about this stuff. Essentially the strongest espresso of your life brewed right in front of you, mixed with sweetened condensed milk. WOW.
4. ICED VIETNAMESE COFFEE
Oh my god you can also get it iced. What better way to relax and take in the city streets?
3. Vietnamese EGG Coffee
Hanoi has a fun twist: a frothy eggy top layer!
2. Vietnamese Coffee LATTES
Get your fill of cutesy cafe culture in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City!
1. All the Vietnamese Coffee you can drink
DM me for an actual sonnet about this stuff.
So if you ever make it to Vietnam, please PLEASE try all these delicious dishes: I'll be with you in spirit! Still ready for more? By on the lookout for a post later this week on things to do and see on a week trip to Vietnam!