20 Authentic Vietnamese Recipes Bursting with Taste
Vietnamese recipes are a celebration of fresh, vibrant ingredients, bringing bold flavors and textures together in perfect harmony.
With a focus on herbs, vegetables, and delicate rice noodles, these dishes offer a lighter approach to full-bodied flavors.
From fragrant pho to crispy spring rolls, Vietnamese food delivers comfort with every bite.
Vietnamese Soup With Stuffed Cabbage
Vietnamese rice dinners always include a soup called “Canh.” A straightforward recipe for this dish features stuffed cabbage.
Ground pork fills the cabbage leaves, which are then tied with green onion for extra flavor.
The broth combines pork stock powder, water, pepper, salt, woodear mushrooms, and shallots to create a savory base.
There are other different options by using other meats or vegan stuffing like spiced potatoes.
Vietnamese Spring Rolls
Spring rolls rank among the most loved appetizers in Vietnamese cuisine.
Many people assume that making these delightful treats is hard due to their delicate rice paper wrapping.
You can find premade rice wrappers at Asian grocery stores or major supermarkets.
Fresh ingredients like shrimp, cucumber, carrot, vermicelli noodles, mint or other herbs, and lettuce fill each roll with flavor and texture.
A tasty vinegar-soy dipping sauce made from ginger, rice vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, sugar water and sesame oil enhances the experience even more.
Pok Pok Wings
Crispy and sticky, Pok Pok wings are a treat that leaves you wanting more.
Marinated in savory fish sauce, these chicken wings undergo deep frying for a delightful crunch.
A unique blend of flavors emerges from the marinade, featuring garlic, sugar, salt, and water alongside Vietnamese fish sauce.
White rice flour adds an extra layer of texture to the dish.
For dipping sauce preparation, mix some marinade with water and consider adding roasted chili paste for an added kick.
Vietnamese Caramel Sauce
A family recipe known as Nước Màu features a special caramel sauce that enhances both sweet and savory dishes.
Authentic Vietnamese flavors come alive with just two simple ingredients, making it easy to prepare at home.
Versatile in nature, this sauce pairs wonderfully with various meats like chicken, pork, and beef without overwhelming their natural taste.
A delightful sweetness emerges from the sauce, enriching your meals nicely.
Pandan Waffles
Distinctly light green in color, Pandan Waffles capture attention immediately.
The delightful aroma invites curiosity, while the chewy center reveals a rich coconut flavor enhanced by seasoned coconut cream filling.
Originating from a blend of European and Asian culinary traditions, this dessert showcases the unique taste of pandan leaves, reminiscent of coconut with hints of vanilla.
Some may hesitate at first due to its unusual appearance compared to traditional golden waffles.
Vietnamese Mung Bean Dumplings
Known as “Banh It Tran,” these sticky rice dumplings serve as a beloved Vietnamese snack.
Filled with mashed mung beans or seasoned ground pork, they offer a satisfying taste that keeps people coming back for more.
Toppings like fried onions, scallion oil, and toasted shrimp flakes enhance their appeal.
Often accompanied by fish dipping sauce and pickles, these dumplings provide a delightful balance of flavors and textures.
Purple Yam Soup
A bright purple soup will surely grab attention at any dinner table.
Made with ground pork and purple yams, this dish is as eye-catching as it is tasty.
It pairs wonderfully with a bowl of steaming rice on the side.
Key ingredients include shrimp, rice paddy herb, saw-leaf herb, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, monosodium glutamate (MSG), and fish sauce.
Preparing this delightful meal takes only 15 to 20 minutes.
Vietnamese Garlic Butter Noodles
Noodles with garlic butter, known as “Mi Xao Toi,” serve as a tasty side dish for many Vietnamese meals.
Many people have enjoyed these flavorful noodles at their favorite Asian restaurants, and preparing them at home is quite easy with a simple recipe.
Thick egg noodles are traditionally used for this recipe; however, spaghetti or rice noodles work just as well if preferred.
Vietnamese Rice Noodle Salad
A refreshing rice noodle salad showcases fresh ingredients like carrots, cucumbers, peanuts, chile peppers, dried vermicelli noodles, lettuce, basil, cilantro, and mint.
A simple dressing enhances the dish with fish sauce mixed with water and lime juice along with sugar and garlic.
For those who prefer a bit of heat in their meals or need alternatives for spice levels can easily swap in Serrano or jalapeño peppers.
Vietnamese Fish Sauce
Vietnamese fish sauce, known as nuoc cham, deserves its nickname of “awesome sauce.” Many families in Vietnam cherish their own special recipes for this beloved condiment.
Variations often include different types of vinegar or citrus juices like lemon and lime.
A delightful combination of sugar, water, lime juice, fish sauce, garlic, and chilies creates a tasty dipping sauce that pairs wonderfully with dishes such as spring rolls.
This versatile addition enhances the flavors in countless meals across Vietnamese cuisine.
Vietnamese Caramel Shrimp
Shrimp shines in this Vietnamese dish that many find irresistible.
This recipe highlights the amazing flavor of homemade caramel sauce, which works wonders not just with shrimp but also with chicken, pork, and beef.
For preparation, gather two pounds of headless shrimp that still have their tails on along with salt, fish sauce, mushroom or chicken stock powder, white sugar, black pepper, garlic and shallot.
Vegetable oil is essential for cooking; MSG and green onions can enhance the taste if desired.
Vietnamese Fried Tofu In Tomato Sauce
Delicious meatless Vietnamese meals cater to vegans, with options like Dau Hu Sot Ca, or fried tofu in tomato sauce.
A few basic ingredients create a satisfying dish; tamari adds a flavor reminiscent of fish sauce.
Garlic, onions, and shallots enhance the taste further.
Fire-roasted tomatoes contribute a smoky sweetness.
This recipe serves as an excellent substitute for traditional fried fish dishes while remaining flavorful and enjoyable.
Banh Mi
Banh Mi sandwiches offer a delightful taste experience, showcasing the rich flavors of Vietnam.
A crusty French roll serves as the base, filled with tender grilled pork and fresh herbs.
This dish features pickled daikon radish and carrots for an added crunch.
Mayonnaise, cilantro leaves, thinly sliced cucumbers, and chilies complete this mouthwatering creation.
While hamburgers are popular in America with countless variations available, Banh Mi stands out for its unique combination of ingredients that make each bite memorable!
Vietnamese Green Papaya Salad
Healthy Vietnamese cuisine shines with the vibrant green papaya salad.
Fresh ingredients like diced mango, sliced cucumber, and crunchy carrots create a delightful mix.
Crushed garlic adds flavor while bean sprouts bring texture to the dish.
Peanuts provide a satisfying crunch, and swapping basil for coriander gives it an extra twist.
This salad pairs wonderfully with grilled shrimp, poached chicken, or seasoned fried tofu for a complete meal.
Prawn And Sweet Potato Fritters
Unique tastes await with these shrimp and sweet potato fritters.
Fried sweet potato hash combines with a light batter made from rice flour, all-purpose flour, water, sugar, salt, turmeric powder, and baking powder or beaten eggs.
Small white shrimp seasoned with pepper and minced garlic add flavor to this dish.
Fresh greens like lettuce or mint pair well alongside cucumber slices and pickled carrots for a refreshing touch.
A fish dipping sauce completes the meal beautifully.
Vietnamese Noodles With Spiced Braised Pork
A fantastic recipe for spiced braised pork with noodles awaits you.
Ingredients include lemongrass, shallots, soy sauce, fish sauce, rice noodles, salt, mung bean sprouts, boneless pork shoulder and skin-on pork belly.
Cooking this dish fills the kitchen with wonderful aromas that excite the senses.
Peanut Sticky Rice
Peanut sticky rice offers a delightful mix of savory, salty, and sweet tastes.
This dish serves well as breakfast or a quick snack.
Glutinous rice gives it that wonderful stickiness, while coconut milk adds creaminess and a hint of toasted coconut flavor.
The term "glutinous" can be misleading; it refers to the rice's sticky texture when cooked, not gluten content.
Toppings include sesame seeds along with roasted peanuts seasoned with salt and sugar.
Vietnamese Crepes
Banh xeo are savory Vietnamese crepes made from rice flour, turmeric, and coconut milk, resulting in a crispy exterior and tender interior.
Traditionally filled with shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts, these crepes are often served with fresh herbs and leafy greens, enhancing their flavor and texture.
They are typically enjoyed with nuoc cham, a Vietnamese dipping sauce that balances sweet, sour, salty, and spicy notes.
The name "banh xeo" translates to "sizzling cake," reflecting the sound the batter makes when it hits the hot pan.
Vietnamese Mango Fruit Salad
Fresh mango salad offers a delightful combination of flavors.
Juicy slices of ripe mango mix well with zesty lime and a hint of sweetness from honey or maple syrup.
A sprinkle of cayenne pepper adds just the right amount of heat, while toasted coconut chips provide a crunchy texture.
Cilantro enhances the freshness, and Maldon sea salt balances all the tastes.
Vietnamese Banh Mi Tacos
Crispy, golden chicken thighs come seasoned with a bold Banh Mi marinade that includes fish sauce, lime juice, garlic, and jalapenos.
Wrapping this flavorful chicken in a soft flour tortilla creates the perfect base for fresh toppings like carrots, English cucumber, radishes, jalapenos, and mint or cilantro.
A homemade spicy mayo sauce made from mayonnaise mixed with rice vinegar and sriracha adds an extra kick to every bite.