Vietnamese food is widely popular and well-known even by those who don't eat it, thanks to popular dishes such as the Bahn Mi and Pho. While these are two excellent options when it comes to first-time ordering at a Vietnamese restaurant, it would be hubris to think of them as the only good options for newcomers to Vietnamese cuisine. Japanese cuisine plays host to an entire list of foods that should be tried, and Vietnamese food is no different. Thai food might have been Americanized to a certain extent at restaurants in North America, but that doesn't mean trying something new and exciting is completely out of the question.
The trick to knowing what to order from a Vietnamese menu is to not be afraid to try something different. Vietnam is home to an entire world of bold, flavorful, and fresh dishes, so many, in fact, that it's a challenge to only settle on a few solid choices. The fact is that there's not much to dislike about Vietnamese cooking, which is why it's right up there in popularity with Thai and Japanese food. Although the latter might have more attention, there's just something about Vietnam's food style that sets it apart and makes each dish more memorable than the last. Between the diversity in flavors and creativity in cooking each meal to comforting perfection, here are some new items to add to anyone's Vietnamese food wish list.
Bo Kho
A dish inspired by France's Boeuf Bourguignon, this stew is a great alternative for those who normally order Pho. With beef as the main component, it's surrounded by a broth that's bold and clean without being too overwhelming.
The base consists of ingredients such as tomatoes, lemongrass, carrots, and fresh green onion to create a dish that's a lighter version of stew, but just as wholly satisfying on any cold night of the year. The beef is cooked until tender which means by the time it's served, everything is falling apart and delicious. With noodles added to soak up any excess flavor, ordering this one is definitely a no-brainer.
Bahn Beo Chen
These rice cakes are a delicious small bite in between all of the other wholesome things that can be found on a Vietnamese menu. They're steamed and perfectly-sized for an appetizer or even a snack and are not filling to the point where lunch or dinner can't be had afterward.
As a meal, they're seen topped with fried pork or pork skin, and followed by minced shrimp and fried shallots. The combination might seem strange at first but after pouring the accompanying savory fish sauce over top, they're a fantastic one-bite dish.
Cha Ca
For the fish lovers among us, Cha Ca should not be missed. This dish consists of grilled white fish that has been cut into chunks and is first marinated in galangal (similar to ginger) and turmeric, giving it great color and flavor.
The cooked fish is then served with a sprinkle of fresh dill, peanuts, and noodles, as well as puffed rice paper which provides a bit of crispness in the texture of the dish, called Bahn da. Similar to many other Vietnamese dishes, this one is also assembled at the free will of the diner, making the meal interactive, engaging, and totally customizable to the diner's liking.
This dish can come on strong, though, due to the sauce that's added at the end - mam tom, fermented shrimp paste - but the addition of a pineapple sauce also balances out the overall pungency and boldness of this meal. Traditionally, noodles are added to the bowl of fish, then peanuts, and then diners are supposed to crumple pieces of Bahn da as needed. One thing is for sure - there's no lack of flavor when it comes to Vietnam's fish dishes.
Bun Cha Hanoi
Part of the reason why Vietnamese food has gained even more popularity is likely due to the beloved late chef Anthony Bourdain, who made this a stop more than once on Parts Unknown. It was no secret that Bourdain was a huge lover of Vietnam, its food, and its people, so much so that it was one of his favorite countries to spend time in.
Along with the culture came the food, and some might recognize Bun Cha Hanoi from an episode in which Bourdain order this for President Obama. This creative dish is a combination of delicious pork patties in a diluted fish sauce and served with noodles, lettuce, and herbs. Each of these things is to be assembled according to how the diner wishes, meaning any number of combinations can be had along with the slightly sweet and tasty fish sauce that accompanies the meal.