Cover image via Blond Travels1. Bún riêu cua (rice vermicelli soup with crab)
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*Pronounced: 'Boon reel kua'*
Bún riêu cua is a rice vermicelli-based dish **served in a sourish broth with crab cakes**. Both the broth and crab cakes are made from **freshwater crabs** that are commonly found in rice fields. The broth gets it distinct sour taste from **tomatoes**, also one of the main ingredients used to prepare this dish.
2. Bánh cuốn (rice noodle roll with minced meat)
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*Pronounced: 'Bun kwoon'*
The bành cuốn **looks like the chee cheong fun** we have back at home. The thin and translucent rice paper sheet is usually filled with **minced pork and mushrooms**. Other types of fillings are also available, depending on the stall. The dish is then topped with fried shallots, with some **fish sauce** at the side.
3. Bánh rán (deep-fried glutinous rice ball)
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*Pronounced: 'Bun run'*
Don't they remind you of the deep-fried red bean paste balls you usually see at the cha kueh stall? The bánh rán is similar to that, but the filling is made from **green beans and jasmine flower essence**. An interesting fact about is that the filling should always be separate from the fried shell – so you could actually **feel the green bean paste move** when you shake the deep-fried snack.
4. Bò bít tết (beef steak)
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*Pronounced: 'Bowh bit tet'*
Originally a French dish, the beef steak is **adapted by the Vietnamese** and has since became a popular street food among the locals (there's even a Beef Steak Street in Hanoi). The beef steak is served on a hot plate, topped with **fries, beef pâté, and an egg**, drenched in thick brown sauce. Locals eat the dish with the Vietnamese baguette – bánh mì, but you can eat the dish by itself if you like.
5. Trà chanh (lemon tea)
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*Pronounced: 'Chia chien'*
The **Vietnamese lemon tea** a favourite among the young locals. It just feels great to chill on the streets of Hanoi, sitting on a plastic chair like the locals with a glass of the refreshing drink.
6. Bún bò huế (rice vermicelli soup with beef)
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*Pronounced: 'Boon bowh hway'*
This rice vermicelli soup with beef dish is named bún bò huế because it **originated from the former capital, Huế**. What makes it so amazing is that you can **taste four different flavours** in the dish: sweetness, saltiness, sourness, and spiciness. It's also said to be cooked in exactly the same way as the **royal chefs** did back then.
7. Op la (fried eggs with sausages)
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*Pronounced: 'Ou-p la'*
This is a classic Vietnamese breakfast that comes in personal-sized pans. The eggs are cooked to perfection along with **various types of Vietnamese sausages**. Like the bò bít tết, locals usually eat it with bánh mì.
8. Nộm bò khô (papaya salad with dried beef)
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*Pronounced: 'Nom bowh core'*
If you enjoy Thai salads, you need to try this. **First introduced in Hanoi**, this local favourite is served with shredded papaya, dried beef slices, crushed peanuts, and basil. It's served with a **special type of dressing**, made from sugar, vinegar, fish sauce, chilli, and soy sauce.
9. Chè khúc bạch (lychee syrup with almond pudding)
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*Pronounced: 'Chie cook bak'*
This is a great dessert to have if you're visiting Vietnam during the **dry season**. It's usually just soft almond puddings served in cold lychee syrup, topped with some almond flakes. Some stalls have variations where the almond pudding is also **infused with different flavours**, like strawberry and watermelon. You can also find some that serve the dessert with different types of sliced fruits.
10. Bún thịt nướng (rice noodles with grilled meat)
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*Pronounced: 'Boon tit nung'*
Fish sauce lovers will love this. The bún thịt nướng is **usually served with grilled pork**, but you can find variations that come with grilled beef as well. It also comes with some salad, basil, mint and bean sprouts. The dish is **drenched in fish sauce** and topped with crushed peanuts.
11. Bánh khọt (rice pancakes with shrimp)
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*Pronounced: 'Bun cot'*
It's like the Chinese prawn cake we have in Malaysia, but smaller and topped with different herbs. Locals usually **wrap it in a piece of fresh lettuce** and dipped in fish sauce. You can also eat it as it is!
