One of the best things about Vietnamese cuisine is its diversity. The food in Vietnam is highly varied, and you find different styles and flavours of foods depending on where you are in this large country. These regional differences make for a vibrant and exciting culinary adventure, particularly when you are new to the food from this part of the world. We take you on a journey around Vietnam to highlight the special cooking styles and dishes from each part of the country.

Northern Vietnamese Dishes

Hanoi is possibly the birthplace of one of the most famous dishes in Vietnam, Pho. Pho is a broth made from delicately boiled beef bones and it includes noodles, herbs, and spices. Pho is a popular breakfast dish and while it is enjoyed all over the country, its balance of earthy flavours marks it out as from the north. Other northern specialties also make use of a base of broth, and include Bun Thang. People in Hanoi also love to eat snails, often sautéing them in a base of herbs and eating snail soup. Since the north can get cold in winter months, warming and hearty dishes are often top of the menu.

Classic Central Vietnam Dishes

Some famous dishes from the central regions of the country include fish-based classics like Banh beo xu Hue. This is made from a base of fish sauce with shrimps and sweet sauce. People in these regions also like to eat river mussels and freshwater fish.

Southern Vietnamese Dishes

The dishes from this part of the country are characterised by strong flavours as well as a lot of fish within the dishes. According to a Vietnamese restaurant London expert, specialties from this part of the country include dishes such as grilled fish, steamed fish in caramel sauce, grilled fish with vegetables, marinated fish with chilli, and also caramelised fish. Chicken is also popular for southern Vietnamese food. Chicken is commonly grilled with a mix of spices and chilli, plus a little salt. And chicken dishes are served accompanied with a side of sticky rice, which always makes for a tasty addition to the main meal or as a snack on its own. Other favourites from South Vietnam include Lau Mam, which is a mixture of vegetables and meat in a stew-style dish, seafood salads, fried fish with fried potato and quails eggs, soups, and catfish. Wherever you travel in Vietnam, or whichever restaurant you eat at in the UK which specialises in cuisine from a certain region, you will always be greeted with an excellent culinary surprise. Vietnamese food is never boring.

Anna Jones
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