Vietnamese cuisine is famous for its variety of noodle dishes, each with unique flavors, ingredients, and preparation styles. Each region also has its own typical noodle dishes. Here are top 10 of the most popular Vietnamese noodle dishes that showcase the diversity of Vietnamese food:
1. Phở
- Phở is Vietnam's most famous noodle soup, featuring flat rice noodles in a savory broth made by simmering beef or chicken bones for hours. It’s typically garnished with fresh herbs, lime, bean sprouts, and chili, with a choice of either beef (phở bò) or chicken (phở gà).
- Phở is a comforting and aromatic dish, with a clear, flavorful broth that embodies the balance of sweet, savory, and umami flavors. It’s often enjoyed as a breakfast dish but can be eaten any time of day.
2. Bún Bò Huế - Vietnamese spicy beef noodle soup
- Originating from the city of Huế in central Vietnam, Bún Bò Huế is a spicy, hearty noodle soup made with round rice noodles and beef or pork. The broth is seasoned with lemongrass, shrimp paste, and chili, giving it a complex, spicy, and slightly tangy flavor.
- Known for its rich and spicy broth, Bún Bò Huế offers a different taste experience from phở, with bolder flavors and a hint of heat. The dish is garnished with herbs, lime, and sometimes banana blossoms.
3. Bún Thịt Nướng - Vietnamese Noodle Bowl with Grilled Pork
- Popular in southern Vietnam, Bún Thịt Nướng is a dry noodle dish featuring vermicelli rice noodles topped with grilled pork, fresh herbs, chopped peanuts, and fried shallots. It’s served with a side of fish sauce-based dressing (nước mắm) to pour over the noodles, with a balance of savory, sweet, and tangy flavors.
4. Mì Quảng - Quang style noodle
- Mì Quảng is a noodle dish originating from the Quảng Nam Province in central Vietnam. It’s made with wide rice noodles, a small amount of broth, and toppings like shrimp, pork, or chicken, along with fresh herbs, peanuts, and sesame rice crackers.
- Unlike other Vietnamese noodle soups, Mì Quảng has very little broth, making it more of a "dry" noodle dish. The contrasting textures of the crunchy crackers, fresh herbs, and soft noodles make it a unique and flavorful meal.
5. Hủ Tiếu - Vietnamese pork and shrimp noodle soup
- Hủ tiếu is a versatile noodle dish that’s particularly popular in southern Vietnam, especially in the Mekong Delta. It can be served as a soup or dry with broth on the side. The dish uses chewy rice noodles and is usually topped with pork, shrimp, quail eggs, and a variety of fresh herbs and vegetables.
- Hủ tiếu is highly customizable, with different styles (such as Hủ Tiếu Nam Vang or Hủ Tiếu Mỹ Tho), making it a flavorful and versatile dish. The noodles are light, the toppings are plentiful, and the broth is typically sweet and clear.
6. Bún Riêu - Crab paste vermicelli noodle soup
- Bún riêu is a tangy and flavorful noodle soup made with rice vermicelli noodles, a tomato-based broth, and a mixture of crab paste, tomatoes, and tofu. It’s often garnished with fresh herbs, lime, and shrimp paste, giving it a slightly sour and umami-rich flavor.
- Bún riêu offers a unique taste with its slightly sour, tomato-rich broth, balanced by the richness of crab and shrimp paste. It’s a favorite comfort food for many Vietnamese, particularly in northern regions.
7. Bún Mắm - Fermented Fish Noodle Soup
- Bún mắm is a bold, pungent noodle soup from the Mekong Delta, made with fermented fish broth (mắm), which gives it a strong, distinctive aroma. It’s served with rice vermicelli noodles and topped with seafood, pork, and an assortment of fresh herbs and vegetables.
- Bún mắm is often an acquired taste because of its strong, fermented flavor, but for those who appreciate it, the broth is deeply savory and aromatic, with a unique complexity that’s hard to find elsewhere.
8. Bún Cá / Bún Chả Cá (Fish/fried fish Noodle)
- Bún Cá is a fish noodle soup popular in coastal regions of Vietnam (Da Nang, Nha Trang, Quy Nhon...). It typically includes rice noodles served in a clear, tangy broth made from tomatoes and sometimes pineapple, with toppings like fried fish cakes or fresh fish, herbs, and vegetables.
- The light, tangy broth of bún cá is refreshing, and the fish provides a subtle, natural sweetness. It’s a great option for seafood lovers and offers a different flavor profile than heavier, meat-based soups.
9. Mì Xào Giòn (Crispy Fried Noodles)
- Mì xào giòn is a popular dish featuring deep-fried egg noodles that are topped with a savory sauce, usually containing stir-fried seafood, meat, and vegetables.
- The contrast between the crispy noodles and the rich, savory sauce is satisfying and comforting. It’s a popular choice for those who enjoy texture contrasts in their meals.
10. Miến Gà (Chicken Glass Noodle Soup)
- Miến gà is a lighter, simpler noodle soup made with glass noodles and a clear chicken broth. It’s often topped with shredded chicken, fresh herbs, fried shallots, and lime.
- Miến gà is a comforting and soothing dish, especially popular for breakfast. Its light, clear broth and delicate flavor make it a go-to meal for anyone looking for a mild yet delicious soup.
Each of these noodle dishes offers a different taste of Vietnam’s diverse culinary heritage, from the north to the south, and showcases the country's unique use of herbs, broths, and sauces. Whether you prefer the hearty warmth of Phở and Bún Bò Huế or the light freshness of Bún Thịt Nướng, Vietnamese noodles have something to satisfy every palate!