Top Vietnamese Breakfast You Must Try

Here is our list of top Vietnamese breakfasts you must try. They are surprisingly cheap but full of flavors.

January 18, 2022 | 11:32

There is a saying: "Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper" and Vietnamese people take it quite seriously. In Vietnam, you can start your day with a feast eating some of the best breakfast food. Here is our list of top Vietnamese breakfasts you must try, surprisingly cheap but full of flavors.

Fried Banh Chung

Banh Chung (Vietnamese sticky rice cake) is a must-have offering to Vietnamese ancestors during Tet holiday. If you find yourself new to the idea of having Banh Chung for breakfast, here we offer you one way to enjoy it.

Photo: Suc khoe & Doi song

Normally, you eat it on its own or with Vietnamese pork sausage (gio lua) and/or with soy sauce. But, when pan-fried, Banh Chung became crispy and more delicious. In fact, you can eat this cake for any meal of the day.

With long-grain sticky rice, split mung bean, pork belly, salt and a lot of freshly cracked black pepper, pork with fat melting into the filling after long hours of cooking, Fried Banh Chung is the perfect breakfast of kings.

Banh Mi

Photo: Toplist

Banh mi was first introduced to Vietnam during the French colonial period. It is a modification of the baguette, which was a staple food of the French in the 19th century. The baguette, paired with pork pâté, ham, cheese, and butter to serve only the French colonists at expensive restaurants and cafes, was still a luxury product to most Vietnamese.

When the locals learned how to make this food themselves, Banh mi became a common product, like other Western products such as condensed milk, coffee, and beer. The bakeries opened one after another in Saigon, some of which served the local class' need and became a hit, making Banh Mi the favorite breakfast to the Saigonese until now.

Banh Mi is a typical Vietnamese breakfast that is convenient and ideal for people who have to go to work or study early in the mornings. That is the reason why most Banh mi vendors are takeaways, without any chairs or tables for you to sit down.

Pho

Phở or Pho is a Vietnamese soup dish consisting of broth, rice noodles (bánh phở), herbs, and meat (usually beef), sometimes chicken (phở gà). Pho is a popular food in Vietnam where it is served in households, street stalls, and restaurants countrywide. Pho is considered Vietnam's national dish.

Pho originated in the early 20th century in northern Vietnam and was popularized throughout the world by refugees after the Vietnam War. Because Pho's origins are poorly documented, there is disagreement over the cultural influences that led to its development in Vietnam, as well as the etymology of the name.

Originated from the Northern Vietnam, Pho has been a national dish of the country. Photo: Toplist

Pho also has many types for diners to choose from such as chicken noodle soup, beef noodle soup, etc. Like other dishes, diners can eat Pho with spices such as chili lime, and vegetables.

Bun Rieu Cua

A deep, reddish broth made from tomatoes and pulverized crab, poured over white rice noodles, topped with marinated snails and crab cake, and garnished with fresh herbs and leaves, Bun Rieu Cua is one of those Vietnamese soups that jumps out at you from the bowl. Despite being one of the most ubiquitous street food dishes in Vietnam, Bun Rieu Cua doesn’t s have the same broad appeal among travelers and expatriates as other Vietnamese noodle soups.

Photo: Toplist

Hence, Bun Rieu Cua is a favorite among locals, which, Vietnam being a nation of discerning foodies, is a sign that you should take the dish seriously, however strange it might initially be to your palate. You may find you have to ‘work’ a little before acquiring a taste for Bun Rieu Cua, but this just makes it all the more rewarding when, finally, everything clicks and the dish makes sense.

Xoi Xeo

Vietnamese Sticky Rice with Hand-Cut Mung Bean (Xoi Xeo) is a perfect breakfast choice for generations of Vietnamese. If you are a foodie, scroll through the article for insight into its recipe.

This iconic dish features soft-chewy golden sticky rice, wholesome mung bean, and crispy fried shallots. It is a classic breakfast so many Hanoians love.

Xoi Xeo is a classic Vietnamese breakfast dish. Photo: Afamily

Xoi Xeo also is a great anytime snack for children. It is made from glutinous or sweet rice. It is typically steamed and combined with a variety of beans. After that, for a sweet and savory taste, it was topped with shredded coconut, chopped peanuts, and fried onions.