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Vietnam’s culinary scene is a treasure trove of flavors, aromas, and textures that captivate food lovers from around the world. If you’re planning a trip to this Southeast Asian gem, you’re in for a gastronomic adventure like no other. In this guide, we’ll explore the top 10 best places to eat in Vietnam, showcasing the country’s top local restaurants and hidden culinary gems. From bustling street food markets to upscale eateries, we’ll take you on a mouthwatering journey through Vietnam’s diverse food landscape. Get ready to discover Vietnam’s most beloved dining spots and embark on an unforgettable food adventure!
Best places to eat in Vietnam: Hanoi must-try dishes
Hanoi is a culinary hotspot offering some of the most popular places to eat in Vietnam. This section explores Hanoi’s must-try dishes, from iconic street food to local specialties. Discover where to find the perfect bowl of pho, savor the city’s famous bun cha, and experience the flavors that make Hanoi a top foodie destination.
Bun Cha Mai Hac De
Address: 38 Mai Hac De, Bui Thi Xuan, Hai Ba Trung, Ha Noi
No dish captures the essence of Hanoi’s culinary identity quite like bún chả, a beloved local favorite consisting of rice vermicelli paired with charcoal-grilled pork patties and tender pork belly. The fish sauce plays a crucial role in determining the flavor of bun cha. When making the dipping sauce, it needs to have a balanced mix of sour, spicy, salty, and sweet flavors. When enjoyed, the combination of flavorful grilled meat, soft noodles, fresh herbs, and sweet and sour fish sauce creates a harmonious and appealing experience.
For an authentic experience and the best places to eat in Vietnam, visit the renowned Bun Cha restaurant on Mai Hac De Street. Known for its expertly marinated and grilled meat, slightly charred patties, and enticing sauce, it’s a must-try for those seeking genuine Hanoi-style bun cha.
Pho Thin
Address: 13 Lo Duc, Ngo Thi Nham, Hai Ba Trung, Ha Noi
Pho Hanoi, a famous culinary symbol of Vietnam, stands out with its clear, sweet-savory broth and tender rice noodles. This dish is beloved not only by locals but also attracts many international tourists.
To savor authentic Hanoi-style pho, you must visit one of the best places to eat in Vietnam, Pho Thin. With its long-standing reputation, the restaurant has overcome many challenges to become one of the best places for beef pho in Hanoi, drawing guests from both near and far. The specialty of the restaurant lies in its “stir-fried rare beef pho,” a creation by Mr. Thin himself. Every bowl of Pho Thin preserves the traditional flavors, with tender and sweet beef and a clear, savory broth.
Cha Ca La Vong
Address: 6B Duong Thanh, Cua Dong, Hoan Kiem, Ha Noi
Cha Ca La Vong is one of the distinctive and famous dishes of Hanoi, originating over 100 years ago. This dish is known for its exquisite combination of snakehead fish, vermicelli noodles, roasted peanuts, fresh delicious herbs, and rich shrimp paste.
When mentioning Cha Ca La Vong in Hanoi, we cannot overlook Cha Ca Thang Long and Cha Ca La Vong at 6B Duong Thanh. These are familiar spots for enthusiasts of this dish throughout the capital city. The fish is fried to golden crispiness, aromatic, and cooked in a flavorful fatty oil to retain warmth. Served alongside the fish are vermicelli noodles, dill, spring onions, roasted peanuts, and a dash of shrimp paste. In addition to the traditional Cha Ca dishes, the restaurants also serve fish stomachs and fish head soup.
Tam Vi – A Michelin-star restaurant in Vietnam
Address: 4B Yen The, Van Mieu, Dong Da District, Hanoi
Tam Vi Restaurant stands distinguished as one of Vietnam’s pioneering Michelin-star establishments, celebrated for its dedication to the authentic culinary traditions of Northern Vietnam. Renowned among the best places to eat in Vietnam, this restaurant’s ambiance evokes a sense of nostalgia with its collection of Chinese furniture, hand-written signage, wooden accents, and tiled roofs, ensuring guests experience a truly immersive dining journey through Vietnam’s rich cultural heritage.
Top 10 places to eat in Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s bustling southern metropolis, offers a diverse and exciting culinary landscape. Discover the best spots for authentic southern Vietnamese cuisine, international fusion, and modern interpretations of classic dishes.
Cuc Gach Quan
Address: 10 Dang Tat, Tan Dinh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Nestled in a charming French colonial house, Cuc Gach Quan offers an exquisite setting for enjoying traditional Vietnamese cuisine with family and friends. The restaurant’s decor, featuring recycled materials that evoke a lush garden atmosphere, adds to its appeal. Since drawing attention with a visit from Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt in 2011, Cuc Gach Quan has become a beloved establishment among locals and tourists alike.
Known for its commitment to using the freshest green vegetables, the restaurant boasts a menu highlighted by delicacies such as soft-shell crab with lemongrass, braised pork belly in coconut water, stir-fried pumpkin flowers, pomelo salad, tamarind sour soup, and homemade tofu fried with chili and lemongrass. As one of the best places to eat in Vietnam, Cuc Gach Quan promises an unforgettable culinary experience steeped in cultural charm and gastronomic excellence.
Anan Saigon – The Michelin-star restaurant in Saigon
Address: 89 Ton That Dam, Ben Nghe, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Anan Saigon is renowned as one of the best places to eat in Vietnam and the finest restaurants in Saigon. It has been listed among Asia’s top 50 restaurants in 2021 and 2023. Notably, Anan Saigon also proudly became one of the first four restaurants in Vietnam to receive a Michelin star.
Specializing in dishes inspired by Southeast Asian street food combined with modern international culinary techniques, Anan Saigon showcases the culinary expertise of Chef Peter Cuong Franklin. Skillfully blending various ingredients and spices, Chef Franklin creates dishes that offer layers of flavors, transforming familiar tastes into delightful culinary experiences. Signature dishes include Dalat pizza, banh xeo tacos, fried rice with wild vegetables, and more. Anan Saigon continues to uphold its reputation as one of the best places to eat in Saigon, offering innovative and memorable dining experiences.
Com tam Ba Ghien
Address: 84 Dang Van Ngu, Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City
In the list of popular places to eat in Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City, the famous Saigon dish, broken rice (Com Tam), is a must-mention. Com Tam Ba Ghien n is a broken rice restaurant named by Michelin, with a tradition of nearly 30 years. The pork chops here are known as the largest in Saigon, with a rich flavor, and tender and sweet meat, capable of enticing both local and international diners.
Nha Hang Ngon
Address: 160 Pasteur, Ben Nghe, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
The Ngon Restaurant is among the most beloved dining spots in Ho Chi Minh City, and indeed, across Vietnam. According to the Ho Chi Minh City guide, it welcomes hundreds of thousands of guests each month. What sets The Ngon Restaurant apart is its enchanting ambiance; housed in an old French building with a spacious courtyard, it offers an idyllic setting for outdoor dining.
The focus on authentic Vietnamese cuisine is a hallmark of Nha Hang Ngon. The menu showcases traditional dishes from various regions of Vietnam, all crafted with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant aims to offer a dining experience that is not only delicious but also enlightening, highlighting the rich diversity and depth of Vietnamese culinary traditions.
Popular places to eat in Vietnam in Hoi An
Hoi An, a charming UNESCO World Heritage site, is not only famous for its well-preserved ancient town but also for its unique culinary offerings. This section explores the popular places to eat in Vietnam’s food haven of Hoi An, where local specialties and international influences blend seamlessly.
Com ga Ba Buoi
Address: 22 Phan Chu Trinh, Minh An, Hoi An, Quang Nam
Listed in the top 10 places to eat in Vietnam in Hoi An, Ba Buoi’s chicken rice is a popular choice among both locals and international visitors when it comes to Hoi An chicken rice. The fragrant, sticky rice cooked in chicken broth, along with tender yet chewy chicken and fresh herbs, creates a unique flavor that is hard to find anywhere else.
Morning Glory Original
Address: 106 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Minh An, Hoi An, Quang Nam
Morning Glory Original boasts a vast dining area with an inviting outdoor courtyard, perfect for al fresco dining. Housed in a beautifully restored colonial building, this restaurant offers a diverse menu featuring dishes from all over Vietnam, from popular favorites to lesser-known specialties.
Among the highlights at Morning Glory Original is the Hoi An specialty, Cao Lau. This signature dish features thick noodles made from local rice, tender pork slices, bean sprouts, and crispy rice crackers, all served in a rich broth infused with aromatic herbs and spices. The result is a hearty meal that embodies the essence of central Vietnamese cuisine, solidifying Morning Glory as one of the best places to eat in Vietnam.
Explore Vietnam’s cuisine through this fascinating journey:
As we’ve explored the best places to eat in Vietnam, it’s clear that Vietnam offers a gastronomic adventure like no other. These top local restaurants and hidden gems showcase the country’s rich flavors and culinary traditions.
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For those eager to embark on their own Vietnamese food journey, Asia Encounter is your perfect travel companion. As experts in crafting unique and immersive experiences across Southeast Asia, Asia Encounter can help you discover the authentic tastes of Vietnam. Our knowledgeable guides and carefully curated itineraries ensure you’ll sample the best dishes and explore the most exciting food scenes throughout the country.
Ready to taste the best of Vietnam? Contact Asia Encounter today and start planning your delicious journey through one of Southeast Asia’s most exciting food destinations.
