One of the great delights of traveling through Vietnam is the food. It's not just delicious, but also ubiquitous: from restaurants and eateries to street stalls on almost every corner. You might feel like you're always eating in Vietnam, constantly reaching for a small plastic stool.
Hundreds of these tiny seats line the streets, most of them in a specific shade of blue or red. On the busiest roads, these stools become islands amidst a growing pile of plastic cups, skewers, bones, napkins, baguette ends, and remnants of delectable street food feasts.
The smaller the stool, the lower the bill, and the closer the proximity to your neighbor. Dining in Vietnam isn't just about the flavors, but also the cultural experience that surrounds it.
Whether you're in search of the best noodle soups or immersing yourself in the vibrant cafe scene, here are some top recommendations:
### Bún Chả – Obama’s Favorite Rice Noodles
If you try just one street food in Vietnam, it should probably be bún chả. Though simple, it's a favorite Vietnamese dish for many!
Most commonly found in Hanoi, bún chả consists of thin rice noodles (bún), pork, a savory-sweet dipping sauce with garlic and chili, and fresh herbs like basil, cilantro, and green onions, served with lettuce. It's a communal dish where each person assembles their own bowl.
The late traveler-chef Anthony Bourdain spoke highly of Vietnamese food, even sharing a meal with President Obama at Bún chả Hương Liên in Hanoi. The table where they dined is now enclosed in a display case.
**Tip:** For vegetarians, searching "chay" on Google Maps will lead you to plenty of options in Vietnamese cities. However, chay cuisine can be hit-or-miss and may be harder to find in rural areas.
### Egg Coffee
Vietnam is known for its robusta coffee, which is typically sweet and creamy. A unique local specialty is egg coffee, or cà phê trúng, which originated in Hanoi in the 1940s during a milk scarcity. Although it may sound unusual, egg coffee is a rich and delightful dessert drink now popular across Vietnam.
**Tip:** Explore the local cafe culture by seeking out hidden cafes, like the Cafe Apartments in Saigon, housed in a 9-story apartment block from the 1960s.
### Phở – Noodle Soup
Phở, a well-known Vietnamese noodle soup, features thin rice noodles in a flavorful broth with chicken (phở gà) or beef (phở bò). The broth is key, often simmered for hours to develop its depth of flavor.
Northern-style phở is simpler with more green onions, while southern-style phở is sweeter and darker, served with hoisin sauce. Vegetarian options are available in "chay" restaurants.
...
The markdown text above includes the rephrased paragraph segmenting, formatted with headings and bullet points for better readability.
