10 Vietnamese Dinner ideas
If you’re looking to explore the rich and diverse flavors of Vietnamese cuisine, here are 10 Vietnamese dinner ideas that will bring vibrant, fresh, and savory dishes to your table. From the aromatic broth of Pho Bo to the crispy, savory delight of Banh Xeo, each dish offers a unique combination of textures and tastes. Whether you’re craving the light and healthy Goi Cuon or the comforting richness of Thit Kho Trung, these dinner ideas showcase the balance of sweet, sour, salty, and umami flavors that make Vietnamese food so beloved worldwide.
Pho Bo (Beef Noodle Soup)
This iconic Vietnamese dish is all about the broth, which is simmered for hours with beef bones, star anise, cloves, and cinnamon to create a rich and aromatic base. The thin rice noodles soak up the broth beautifully, while the thin slices of beef cook quickly when added to the hot soup. Garnish with fresh basil, lime, bean sprouts, and chili for an extra layer of flavor. It’s both hearty and light.
Beef and Noodle Soup Recipe
Banh Xeo (Vietnamese Sizzling Pancake)
Banh Xeo is a crispy crepe-like dish made from a rice flour and turmeric batter. It’s cooked in a hot pan until the edges are golden and crispy, then filled with shrimp, pork, bean sprouts, and green onions. It’s served with fresh herbs like mint and lettuce, which you use to wrap the pancake before dipping into nuoc cham, a sweet and tangy fish sauce.
Banh Xeo Recipe
Bun Cha (Grilled Pork with Noodles)
Bun Cha is a Hanoi specialty, featuring tender pork patties and pork belly, grilled until they’re smoky and flavorful. These are served alongside vermicelli noodles, fresh herbs (such as mint and cilantro), pickled vegetables, and a tangy-sweet fish sauce dressing. The dish has a wonderful mix of textures and bright, fresh flavors that balance the rich, charred meat.
Bun Cha Recipe
Goi Cuon (Fresh Spring Rolls)
Goi Cuon are light and healthy rice paper rolls that are perfect as a refreshing appetizer or light dinner. The rolls are filled with shrimp, boiled pork, vermicelli noodles, lettuce, and fresh herbs like mint and cilantro. They are typically served with a peanut dipping sauce or a light fish sauce-based dip called nuoc cham, giving the dish a savory and slightly sweet finish.
Goi Cuon Recipe
Ca Kho To (Caramelized Fish in Clay Pot)
This traditional dish is slow-cooked in a clay pot, which helps concentrate the flavors. The fish (often catfish) is simmered in a sauce made from fish sauce, sugar, garlic, and shallots until the sauce reduces to a rich, caramelized glaze. The fish is tender and flavorful, perfect when served with steamed jasmine rice and a side of pickled vegetables.
Ca Kho To Recipe
Com Ga Hoi An (Hoi An Chicken Rice)
Com Ga is a popular dish from Hoi An, featuring shredded chicken served over turmeric-infused rice that’s been cooked in chicken broth for extra flavor. The chicken is often poached, then tossed with fresh herbs, fried shallots, and a touch of fish sauce. Serve with a chili garlic sauce for a bit of heat and extra flavor complexity.
Com Ga Hoi An Recipe
Bun Thit Nuong (Grilled Pork Noodle Bowl)
This is a popular street food dish that brings together smoky grilled pork with fresh and vibrant ingredients. The marinated pork is grilled to perfection, then served over vermicelli noodles with crisp lettuce, cucumber, carrots, and herbs like mint and basil. It’s topped with crushed peanuts and served with a nuoc cham dressing, which ties all the flavors together beautifully.
Bun Thit Nuong Recipe
Canh Chua (Vietnamese Sour Soup)
Canh Chua is a southern Vietnamese soup known for its bright and tangy flavors. Tamarind paste gives the broth its sourness, which is balanced by the sweetness of pineapple and the savory addition of fish or shrimp. Tomatoes and okra add more texture, and it’s typically served with rice. This soup is perfect for cutting through richer dishes in a meal.
Canh Chua Recipe
Cha Ca La Vong (Turmeric Fish with Dill)
Cha Ca La Vong is a famous dish from Hanoi that features fish marinated in turmeric and dill, then pan-fried until crispy on the outside and tender inside. The strong, earthy flavor of turmeric pairs beautifully with the fresh dill. Serve with vermicelli noodles, peanuts, herbs, and a side of fish sauce for dipping. The contrast of textures and flavors makes this dish a standout.
Cha Ca La Vong Recipe
Thit Kho Trung (Caramelized Pork and Eggs)
This comforting dish is made by braising pork belly in a caramel sauce along with hard-boiled eggs. The caramel sauce, made from sugar and fish sauce, gives the dish a deep, sweet-savory flavor. The pork becomes incredibly tender, while the eggs absorb the flavorful sauce. It’s usually served with steamed rice and pickled vegetables, providing a perfect balance of richness and acidity.
Thit Kho Trung Recipe
These dishes offer a wide variety of flavors and textures, from the fresh and light Goi Cuon to the rich and comforting Thit Kho Trung. Each meal brings a balance of sweetness, saltiness, tanginess, and umami, making Vietnamese cuisine incredibly diverse and satisfying.
