Prepare your mind because I am diving into a massive collection of 21 Vietnamese recipes that will change your dinner game forever. These dishes bring big bossy flavors and fresh herbs straight to your kitchen table without needing a passport.
You are about to make the most delicious feast of your life right at home.
1. Pok Pok Wings
You will be hooked for life once you taste these deep-fried marinated chicken wings. They get glazed with a spiced fish sauce that brings a rich and complex flavor profile to the party.
The taste is a little salty and not too sweet. I top them with fried garlic and fresh mint for a fragrant aroma and extra crunch.
2. Vietnamese Mango Salad
It is not every day you find a salad with such a perfect balance of sweet and sour flavors. This Hanoi street food uses ripe mangoes along with cilantro and peanuts to create something special.
Everything gets tossed in a fish sauce dressing that features bright notes from rice wine vinegar and lime juice.
3. Vietnamese Fried Tofu
You might need this satisfying recipe for your weekly meal rotation immediately. Vietnamese fried tofu is ready in 20 minutes or less and tastes satisfyingly good.
You simply fry the tofu pieces until they are crispy on the outside while staying soft on the inside. Dip them in a flavorful scallion and fish sauce mixture for the best bite.
4. Vietnamese Crepes
These crispy crepes are popular across the north and south regions of the country. They are filled with pork and shrimp plus bean sprouts for a result that is bursting with flavor and crunchy goodness.
You serve them with a lime juice and fish sauce dipping sauce to take these savory fried pancakes to the next level.
5. Pandan Waffles
Pandan waffles will fill your kitchen with a lovely aroma while giving you a delightful sweet treat. The bonus point goes to the chewy center which contrasts perfectly with the crispy exterior.
Each bite brings a coconut-y taste thanks to the coconut cream in the batter.
6. Banh Mi
Banh mi features a soft and airy baguette filled with pickled vegetables and seasoning. This version uses marinated tofu instead of pork to make it friendly for vegetarians.
I add mayo and sriracha to bring extra richness and heat to this loved street food.
7. Vietnamese Fish Sauce
Vietnam is known for having a wide variety of sauces but fish sauce reigns supreme. It adds a touch of savory taste to everything from rice noodles to crepes.
You simply mix pure fish sauce with sugar and water plus lemonade to make this dipping sauce.
8. Vietnamese Rice Noodle Salad
This healthy dish combines tender rice noodles with chicken thighs and crunchy raw veggies. You toss the raw ingredients in a classic condiment called nuoc cham.
It acts as a dressing that carries every flavor profile from sweet to spicy.
9. Peanut Sticky Rice
Sticky rice with peanuts is in a league of its own thanks to subtle sweet and salty flavors. It is a great combination for snacks or breakfast made with coconut milk.
Toppings include shredded coconut and roasted peanuts mixed with sugar and salt for added flavor.
10. Lemongrass Chicken
This is hands-down one of the tastiest chicken dishes you will find out there. The marinade includes lemongrass and fish sauce along with sweet chili sauce and red curry paste.
The meat is so juicy and I love eating it with coconut-infused jasmine rice.
11. Vietnamese Mung Bean Dumplings
You can take a break from crunchy treats with these perfectly tender dumplings. The mung bean filling is both savory and sweet thanks to salt and onions.
You can omit the traditional pork or shrimp to veganize the dish if you want.
12. Vietnamese Caramel Shrimp
This shrimp recipe is exactly what you need if you are wondering where to use that caramel sauce. The shrimp gets fried with aromatics and cooked with the sauce until it is thickened.
I add fish sauce and scallions for extra flavor to make one of the tastiest shrimp dishes ever.
13. Prawn and Sweet Potato Fritters
Prawn and sweet potato fritters provide the perfect crunchy bite. The batter consistency should be similar to a pancake batter but firm enough to hold the sticks together.
You can wrap the fritter in lettuce along with fresh herbs for a complete meal.
14. Pho
Pho is literally everywhere in Vietnam from households to streets. It is a noodle soup made with beef broth and ginger plus fish sauce and aromatic spices.
The key is to make the broth from scratch by simmering beef bones for hours to yield a drool-worthy taste.
15. Vietnamese Papaya Salad
This summery salad combines papaya and raw veggies for something deliciously crunchy and healthy. Orange papaya is used to add a slight sweetness to the dish.
A lightly spiced lime dressing brings zest and freshness to the peanuts and fried onions.
16. Vietnamese Caramel Sauce
Nuoc mau is a dark and thin liquid you will often see as an all-purpose seasoning. It is used for savory dishes to add a nice backdrop of smoky and sweet notes.
This recipe calls for only three ingredients including vinegar and cane sugar.
17. Vietnamese Spring Rolls
Colorful spring rolls prove that healthy food can be satisfying and utterly delicious. Proteins and veggies go together in rice paper wrappers along with avocado and shrimp.
The idea is to roll them like a burrito and serve with a flavorful peanut dipping sauce.
18. Vietnamese Garlic Butter Noodles
This 20-minute noodle dish is garlicky and buttery at the same time. You toss al dente egg noodles in a garlic-butter sauce flavored with oyster sauce and fish sauce.
Adding parmesan cheese as a topping makes the dish fancier and comforting for busy weeknights.
19. Purple Yam Soup
Purple yam soup is gorgeous and creamy and like no other. It has an attractive purple color and is packed with slices of fish and flavorful prawns.
The base is made from chicken stock to add another layer of flavor.
20. Vietnamese Shrimp Tacos
These tacos are made healthy with marinated shrimp and fresh herbs. The shrimp is flavored with coconut sugar and lime juice to make your Taco Tuesday special.
I add salsa and pickled veggies to combine spicy and tangy flavors that will excite the palate.
21. Vietnamese Boiled Cabbage
Boiled cabbage is a quick side dish found in almost any household. You boil the cabbage until it is tender and serve it with a uniquely delicious dipping sauce.
That sauce is made with mashed hard-boiled egg flavored with lime juice and chili peppers.