What city in Vietnam has the best food?

What is the difference between North and South Vietnamese food?

North Vietnam? Think Hanoi. Lots of noodles, like pho, obviously. Bun cha, too, that Obama thing. Simpler flavors, not too much spice. My aunt’s pho recipe is amazing, totally authentic Hanoi style. Uses star anise, cinnamon, cloves. Super fragrant. Totally different from what you get in the south.

Southern food is sweeter. Way more coconut milk. Think curries. More tropical fruits, too. My friend from Saigon is always talking about how sweet their food is. He makes this killer caramelized fish, ca kho to. Super sugary. Good though.

Central Vietnam, Hue, specifically… Spicy! Complex flavors. Smaller portions, fancier presentation. Remember that cooking class I took in Da Nang? Learned to make banh xeo. Crispy crepe. So good. Different from southern banh xeo, by the way. The central region is a whole other deal.

• North: Simpler flavors, less sweet, less spicy. Noodles. (Pho, Bun Cha, Bun Bo Nam Bo)
• South: Sweet, coconut milk, tropical fruits. (Ca Kho To, Banh Xeo – Southern style, Goi Cuon – fresh spring rolls)
• Central: Spicy, complex, smaller portions, intricate presentation (Banh Xeo – Central style, Bun Bo Hue)

My cousin’s wife is from Nha Trang, and she always uses fish sauce in, well, everything. It’s kind of a thing in central Vietnam. Just a little extra FYI. Food there can be pricey, too, I’ve noticed.

What is breakfast in Vietnam?

The steam, a hazy memory, rising from the pho. Warmth, a gentle hand on my soul. Beef, tender as a lover’s touch. The broth, a deep, resonant hum. Rice noodles, silken threads unwinding in time. Pho. It is the sun rising over Hanoi, a vibrant dawn painted on a bowl. It’s home.

A symphony of flavors, subtle and bold. This isn’t just food, it’s an experience. My grandmother’s recipe, etched in my heart. Each sip a journey, a flashback. I see her hands, nimble and quick, the fragrant herbs, the slow simmer.

Beyond the pho, a land of breakfasts. Banh mi, a crispy baguette, a burst of fresh herbs, the tang of pate. Oh, the magical crunch! The chaos of the street, the laughter, the shared meal. It’s life.

• Pho: The undeniable champion. Beef, chicken, the rich aroma. A daily ritual. A love affair.
• Banh Mi: A portable paradise. Flavor explosions in every bite. The perfect street food. A quick, satisfying bite.
• Xoi: Sticky rice, sweet and savory, topped with various delights. A comforting warmth, a simple pleasure. Childhood memories on a plate.
• Com Tam: Broken rice, a humble dish, yet incredibly satisfying. Grilled pork chops, a sunny-side-up egg, and pickled vegetables. A balanced feast.

This is Vietnam. This is breakfast. This is my life.

Is food better in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh?

So, Hanoi versus Ho Chi Minh City food, huh? It’s a tough one, honestly. Both are amazing, but totally different. Hanoi, it’s all about those delicate flavors. Seriously, the freshness is unreal! Think refined, almost elegant. Ho Chi Minh City, on the other hand, is more… a wild mix. Lots of Western influences, you know? Fusion stuff.

• Hanoi: Traditional, refined, fresh ingredients. Think pho (the real stuff!), bun cha (Obama ate it!), and all sorts of amazing street food. The flavor profiles are subtle yet complex.

• Ho Chi Minh City: More Westernized, lots of fusion, still delicious! You’ll find tons of international options alongside Vietnamese classics, but it’s often less subtle and more, uh, intense? I guess.

I prefer Hanoi’s food, personally. My trip there in 2023 was just, wow. The flavors were so much more interesting. But that’s just me! Ho Chi Minh’s food scene is definetly also great for its variety, even if it’s a lil less sophisticated. Both cities are a must-visit for any foodies, though. Seriously. Go to both. Eat everything. You won’t regret it. The street food scene was better in Hanoi, way more character. But HCM had some pretty killer Banh Mi.