Vietnam’s cuisine is a vibrant tapestry of flavors, and Vietnamese breakfast food is no exception. As the first meal of the day, breakfast fuels Vietnamese people for a long day ahead, making it an essential part of their daily routine. Join us at Asia Legend Travel on a culinary adventure through Vietnam as we explore ten traditional Vietnamese breakfast food that will tantalize your taste buds.
Phở – An Iconic Vietnamese Breakfast Food
- Origin: Northern Vietnam
Undoubtedly, Phở is the most famous Vietnamese dish and a popular choice for Vietnamese breakfast food as well. This fragrant noodle soup is typically made with a rich broth simmered from beef or chicken bones, and it’s served with rice noodles with slices of beef or chicken. The flavors are elevated with fresh herbs like spring onion, a squeeze of lime, or a dash of spicy chili vinegar. The rich broth and aromatic ingredients make Pho Vietnam a hearty and warming way to start the day.
Popular Phở spots in Hanoi:
- Pho Bat Dan: 49 Bat Dan Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
- Pho Thin: 61 Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
- Pho Ly Quoc Su: 10 Ly Quoc Su Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
Bánh Giò (Vietnamese Pyramid Rice Dumpling)
- Origin: Northern Vietnam
Bánh Giò is a beloved Vietnamese breakfast food enjoyed nationwide, especially during the winter months. Made from rice flour, minced pork, wood ear mushrooms, and fried onions, it’s wrapped in a banana leaf and steamed, infusing the dish with a delicate, fragrant aroma. Shaped like a slender pyramid, this food reveals a layer of soft rice cake and savory filling when cut open. Best enjoyed hot with chili sauce, this delicious dish can also be complemented with toppings like pickled cucumbers, Vietnamese pork roll (giò lụa), or simply savored on their own.
Popular Bánh Giò spots in Hanoi:
- Banh Gio Thuy Khue: 5 Thuy Khue Street, Tay Ho District, Hanoi
- Banh Gio Nguyen Cong Tru: Nguyen Cong Tru Market, Hue Street, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi
- Banh Gio Dong Cac: 33 Dong Cac Street, Dong Da District, Hanoi
Bánh Rán (Vietnamese Deep-Fried Glutinous Rice Ball)
- Origin: Northern Vietnam
Bánh Rán is a popular Vietnamese breakfast food found throughout the country, often evoking nostalgic childhood memories for many. Its crispy outer layer is made from glutinous rice flour and coated with either sesame seeds, sugar shards, or a layer of melted sugar. The sweet version boasts a delightful filling of sweetened mung bean paste infused with the delicate aroma of jasmine. Traditionally, the filling is separated from the crispy shell, creating a playful jiggle when the ball is shaken.
The savory version, popular in northern Vietnam, features a filling made from minced pork, wood ear mushrooms, dried vermicelli, carrots, salt, and pepper, all combined with raw egg for a soft, savory texture. This savory version is typically served with a tangy sweet and sour chili sauce and often accompanied by pickled radish or papaya slices.
Popular Bánh Rán spots in Hanoi:
- Banh Ran O Quan Chuong: intersection of O Quang Chuong and Hang Chieu Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
- Banh Ran Hang Chieu: 52 Hang Chieu Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
- Banh Ran Tran Xuan Soan: 26B Tran Xuan Soan Street, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi
Xôi Xéo (Hanoi Yellow Sticky Rice with Hand-Cut Mung Bean and Fried Shallot)
- Origin: Northern Vietnam
Xôi Xéo is one of the most popular Vietnamese breakfast foods, particularly popular among students and manual laborers, thanks to its affordability, heartiness, and delicious taste. This simple yet satisfying dish is a common sight on Hanoi’s streets, and it holds a special place in the hearts of many locals.
The classic Hanoi version combines sticky rice, mung beans, fried shallots, and a touch of lard, creating a surprisingly flavorful and comforting meal. Its uncomplicated nature appeals to a wide range of tastes, and its fragrant, slightly rich taste is undeniably addictive, making you crave it again and again. So, if you’re planning a Hanoi day trip, be sure to try this tasty dish – you won’t regret it!
Popular Bánh Rán spots in Hanoi:
- Xoi Xeo Co May: 35 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
- Xoi Xeo Oanh Oanh: 573 La Thanh Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi
- 325 Truong Dinh Street, Hoang Mai District, Hanoi
Bún Bò Huế (Spicy Beef Noodle Soup)
- Origin: Central Vietnam
Created in the royal kitchens, Bún bò Huế is a standout dish from the ancient city of Hue, Vietnam. This traditional Vietnamese breakfast food has a rich history and a delightful aroma that attracts food lovers from everywhere. Making a perfect bowl involves hours of simmering beef bones and beef, with fermented shrimp paste (mắm ruốc) adding its unique flavor.
A classic Bún bò Huế has a robust broth poured over chewy rice noodles, topped with tender beef, fragrant herbs, and a bit of chili and vinegar for a colorful finish. Nowadays, many chefs also add extras like blood pudding, pork trotters, beef shank, pork rolls, and even crab cakes to make this Vietnamese breakfast food even more appealing.
Popular Bún bò Huế spots in Hue City:
- Me Keo: 20 Bach Dang Street, Hue City
- O Cuong Chu Diep: 6 Tran Thuc Nhan Street, Hue City
- Ba Tuyet: 47 Nguyen Cong Tru Street, Hue City
Mì Quảng (Quang Noodles)
- Origin: Central Vietnam
Hailing from the central coastal region of Vietnam, particularly Hoi An and Da Nang, Mì Quảng is a beloved Vietnamese breakfast food renowned for its unique blend of flavors, textures, and vibrant colors. The noodles, made with turmeric, boast a distinctive yellow hue and earthy taste.
A harmonious combination of chewy noodles, tender meats (such as shrimp, pork, chicken, fish, or beef), crunchy peanuts, crispy rice crackers, and a fresh array of nine herbs, including Thai basil, cilantro, scallions, banana flower, Vietnamese coriander, lettuce, common knotgrass, water mint, perilla, and heartleaf. Together, these ingredients create a truly satisfying culinary experience.
Popular Mì Quảng spots in Da Nang:
- Mi Quang Co Sau: 397 Tran Hung Dao Street, Son Tra District, Da Nang
- Mi Quang Hong Van: 59 Le Hong Phong Street, Hai Chau District, Da Nang
Popular Mì Quảng spots in Hoi An:
- Mr. Hai Noodles: 6A Truong Minh Luong Street, Cam Chau Ward, Hoi An
- Mi Quang 92: 112A Tran Cao Van Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An
Bò Né (”Dodging” Beef)
- Origin: Southern Vietnam
Unlike the more traditional options on this list, Bò Né (meaning “dodging” beef) is a fascinating blend of Vietnamese and French culinary influences. This sizzling dish features a hotplate filled with tender steak, a sunny-side-up egg, pâté, tomatoes, onions, and pickled vegetables, all served with a crusty baguette. For some, dodging the oil splatters from the hot plate may seem like a hassle, but for fans of bò né (“dodging” beef), it adds to the dish’s unique charm.
Popular Bò Né spots in Ho Chi Minh City:
- Bo Ne Thanh Tuyen: 20/6 Nguyen Truong To Street, Ward 12, District 4, Ho Chi Minh City
- Bo Ne Quan La: 111 Xo Viet Nghe Tinh Street, Ward 17, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City
Bánh Mì
- Origin: Southern Vietnam
Bánh mì is a beloved Vietnamese sandwich crafted from a French baguette and filled with a tantalizing array of ingredients that vary by chef. Popular fillings include grilled pork, pâté, pickled vegetables, fresh cilantro, and chili sauce. Recognized as one of the best Vietnamese breakfast food options, and even earning a spot in the Oxford English Dictionary, bánh mì is a perfect grab-and-go breakfast, offering a quick, flavorful, and satisfying start to the day.
Popular Bánh Mì spots in Ho Chi Minh City:
- Chicken Banh Mi An An: 593 Nguyen Trai Street, Ward 7, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City
- Banh Mi Kim Dung: 118A Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Ward 7, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City
Bánh Canh (Vietnamese Thick Noodle Soup)
- Origin: Southern Vietnam
Originating in Southern Vietnam, Bánh Canh has become a beloved Vietnamese breakfast food option throughout the central and southern regions. This hearty noodle soup captivates diners with its remarkably rich and flavorful broth, carefully simmered for hours using pork bones or chicken as a base. The broth is then seasoned with fish sauce, salt, and a touch of sugar.
The star of the dish, however, is the thick and chewy noodles made from tapioca or a combination of tapioca and rice flour. The only challenge when enjoying this soup is keeping those slippery noodles on your chopsticks and spoon!
Popular Bánh Canh spots in Ho Chi Minh City:
- Ut Le: 204 – 210 To Hien Thanh Street, Ward 15, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City
- Banh Canh Cua 14: 221 Tran Binh Trong Street, Ward 3, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City
Bún Nước Lèo (Rice Vermicelli Noodle Soup)
- Origin: Southern Vietnam
Last on the list of the best Vietnamese breakfast food options is Bún Nước Lèo, a beloved rice vermicelli noodle soup popular in the Mekong Delta regions like Trà Vinh and Sóc Trăng. This dish is a captivating fusion of Kinh, Khmer, and Hoa culinary traditions. Its standout feature is the broth, crafted from fish and prahok, a unique fermented fish paste made from mudskippers, snakeheads, anabas, and silvery congers. For the best flavor, the vermicelli should be made from fragrant rice harvested during the delta’s autumn season.
The soup is accompanied by a variety of fresh vegetables, including bean sprouts, chives, grated morning glory, grated banana, and herbs, which add depth to the flavor profile. A squeeze of lime or a dash of chili can be added to taste. With each spoonful, diners experience a delightful symphony of textures and flavors, from the soft, fragrant noodles to the vibrant fresh herbs and the rich, complex broth.
Popular Bánh Canh spots in Soc Trang:
- Bun Nuoc Leo Ca Dong: 655 National Roadway 1A, Hamlet 3, Ward 2, Soc Trang City
- Bun Nuoc Leo Thao: 52 Phu Loi Street, Soc Trang City
Overall, Vietnamese breakfast food is a true reflection of the country’s diverse culinary landscape. From the hearty bowls of Pho in the North to the flavorful Banh Canh in the South, each food offers a unique and satisfying way to start the day. So, next time you’re in Vietnam, be sure to indulge in these delicious morning meals. Your taste buds will be delighted.
