At the table

What to order in Vietnam

Seven dishes to start with, from Hanoi’s first bowls of phở to grilled rice paper after dark in Đà Lạt.

Photos show the dish, not a restaurant recommendation. Ask about ingredients before ordering if you have a dietary restriction.

A dish to try in each region

Andy Li / CC0

Beef noodle soup

Start with the broth before adding lime or chili. Phở bò is beef; phở gà is chicken. If you are looking for breakfast, this is a good first order.

stu_spivack / CC BY-SA 2.0

Grilled pork with rice noodles

The noodles and herbs arrive separately from the pork. Dip small bundles into the bowl instead of tipping the whole plate in at once.

dott. ing. Fabrizio Berloco / CC BY-SA 4.0

Coffee with whipped egg

Order one to share if you only want a taste. The topping is rich and sweet; try a little coffee and foam in the same spoonful.

Chainwit. / CC BY 4.0

Hội An noodles with pork and herbs

A small amount of sauce coats the thick noodles. Mix from the bottom so the herbs, crisp topping and pork make it into each bite.

Phương Huy / CC0

Broken rice with grilled pork

Start with a plate of cơm tấm sườn, the grilled pork chop version. Add an egg if you want a bigger meal; the sauce is usually served on the side.

Ser Amantio di Nicolao / CC BY-SA 4.0

Crisp savory pancake

Tear off a piece and wrap it in greens before dipping. Ask whether the filling has shrimp or pork and what comes in the dipping sauce.

Blueconcorde / CC0

Grilled rice paper

Eat it while the rice paper is still crisp. Toppings vary by stall, so ask what is going on the grill before you order.