Breakfast is known explicitly as “the most important meal of the day”. It refills your glucose supply to help you feel more energized and alert and provide other necessary nutrients for optimum health.
In Vietnam, breakfast is partially a representation of Vietnamese cuisine. Vietnamese cuisine is recognized as one of the world’s healthiest cuisines, with various items for a traditional Vietnamese breakfast. The family’s female members traditionally cooked breakfast. However, in today’s contemporary culture, as an increasing number of Vietnamese women enter the job market and lack time to cook breakfast regularly, many Vietnamese prefer to have breakfast at street food stalls and restaurants.
Fresh ingredients, herbs, and vegetables are often used in traditional Vietnamese cuisine. In the taste of any Vietnamese breakfast, the balance of herbs and meats is readily discernible. The Vietnamese culinary heritage is very diverse and reliant on different regions, despite sharing specific shared characteristics.
Taste of Northern Vietnam
Northern Vietnamese cuisine is generally less hot than that of other parts of the country, and it mixes a variety of tastes such as salty, spicy, bitter, sweet, and sour. Bun Rieu, Banh Cuon, and Pho, which are all iconic dishes of Vietnam, are the region’s morning delicacies.
Taste of Central Vietnam
Vietnam Central, on the other hand, is known for its spicy cuisine. Being the historical capital of Vietnam’s last dynasty, Hue provides bright, colorful cuisine heavily influenced by old Vietnamese royal cuisine. Bun Bo Hue is a well-known breakfast dish in this region (vermicelli with beef).
Taste of Southern Vietnam
Foods in Southern Vietnam are likely to be more vivid , and delicious and sweeter than those in Northern and Center Vietnam. Banh mi (bread) and Com Tam (broken rice) are two popular breakfast dishes in Southern Vietnam.
The Top 10 Vietnamese Breakfast
The Typical Vietnamese Breakfast (Pho)
Pho is a classic Vietnamese meal that represents the entire Vietnamese cuisine in many places across the world. Noodles and broth with sliced meat or chicken are the key components of Pho. Spices including soy sauce, pepper, lemon, fish sauce, and chile are used to cater to consumers’ various preferences. A plate of fresh herbs, such as bean sprouts, coriander, basil, and other herbs, is also added to enhance the flavor. In cold weather in Vietnam, eating a bowl of warm Pho will be the most satisfactory experience for a culinary trip. It is recommended as one of the must-try meals for Vietnamese breakfast, not only for locals but also for international visitors. You may eat Pho at any meal, from lunch to evening, apart from the morning.
Vietnamese Sandwich (Banh Mi)
The bánh mì is the Vietnamese breakfast sandwich. Everyone likes this creative and delicious morning cuisine, from the North to the South. Banh Mi is a beloved snack for students and employees at all hours of the day because it is cheap, hearty, tasty, and portable. Vietnamese sandwiches are excellent not only because of the crispbread crusts but also because of the variety of bread stuffings available to satisfy all customers’ needs, such as omelets, salted shredded meat, chicken, pork pies, and so on.
Sticky Rice (Xoi)
In Asian nations, such as Vietnam, xoi is a popular meal. Xoi is often made of sticky rice. Because of the agricultural background, Xoi has become one of the most popular morning meals in Vietnam. A handful of sticky rice for breakfast can keep you energized till lunchtime without leaving you hungry. It’s a glutinous rice base with many toppings, including fried onions, mung beans, quail eggs, and sliced sausage. Xoi is among your must-try breakfast meals in Vietnam due to its remarkable limberness and taste.
Steamed Rolled Rice Pancakes (Banh Cuon)
Banh cuon (steamed rolled rice pancake) is another must-try meal for your Vietnamese breakfast. It’s made of thin, coiled steamed rice flour with meat and veggies stuffed within. From the ingredients to the dipping sauces, Banh cuon is prepared differently in each region. Furthermore, if they are on the menu, you should get Banh cuon with grilled chopped pork and spring roll; the taste will be much superior.
Hanoi, Hai Phong, Lang Son, Hai Duong, Kenh Village, and Phu Ly are some of the places where you may experience some of the most delicious and unique flavors of Vietnamese steamed folded rice pancakes. It would be best to try both warm and cold Banh Cuon to see which you like. Banh cuon is a favorite breakfast meal in Vietnam, and it’s one of the country’s unique traditional dishes that you shouldn’t miss if you visit.
Vietnamese Dumplings (Banh Bao)
Banh bao originated in China, but it was modified to suit the Vietnamese palate when introduced into Vietnam. Dumplings in Vietnam are smaller than those in China. In addition, the filling varies according to the items accessible in Vietnam, such as minced pork, cat’s ear, mushrooms, vermicelli, sausage, quail eggs, or chicken eggs. Banh bao is a convenient breakfast dish for Vietnamese people since they can get it from various sellers along the streets; you can fill your tummy with a warm Vietnamese dumpling for a meager cost. As a result, Banh bao should be on your list of must-try Vietnamese morning foods.
Spicy Beef Noodle Soup ( Bun Bo Hue)
Aside from Pho, Bun bo Hue — Vietnamese spicy beef noodle soup – is another popular Vietnamese morning meal. Even though it may be found across Vietnam, the locals refer to it as “Bun bo Hue” to identify its origin. The main ingredients are noodles, meat, pork pies, broth, and occasionally, other items such as crab pies are added based on the cooks’ preferences and customer demands. Bun bo Hue is distinguished by a hint of spicy taste from chili powder, which turns the broth red. If you have plenty of time for breakfast, try Bun bo Hue, one of the traditional Vietnamese morning dishes.
Boiled Corn
If you don’t have enough time to have a bowl of Pho or a bowl of Bun Bo Hue, boiling corn is an excellent replacement for their delicious Vietnamese breakfast. Glutinous corns and sweet corns are the two main varieties of corn served for breakfast. Usually, Vietnamese people prefer to buy raw corn and boil it themselves to ensure food safety and obtain a good deal on cooked corn.
Broken Rice (Com Tam)
Com Tam (broken rice) is a simple yet delicious food in Sai Gon. An ideal Com tam platter should be dry and not sticky. Broken rice is typically served with a sauce composed of fish sauce, sugar, and chili with various ingredients such as sparerib, pork pies, or eggs. In addition, pickled carrots and radishes will somewhat compensate the Com tam in terms of flavor. If you visit Sai Gon, make sure to sample this delectable meal as one of the Vietnamese breakfast options.
Pork and Seafood Noodle Soup (Hu Tieu)
This type of noodle that originated in China and is now popular in Southwest Vietnam. However, through time, the processing has evolved to suit the local flavor, resulting in the formation of three well-known noodle brands in the South: Hu Tieu My Tho, Hu Tieu Nam Vang, and Hu Tieu Sa Dec. Vietnamese pork and seafood noodle soup is similar to Pho, but there are specific differences, such as the addition of seafood, pig liver, quail eggs, or a broth made with minced pork. Hu Tieu is now a top-rated morning meal in Southern Vietnam.
Vietnamese Thick Noodle Soup (Banh Canh)
Banh Canh, a Vietnamese thick noodle soup, like Hu Tieu, is a popular Vietnamese morning dish in the Southern Vietnam. It includes a broth cooked with shrimp, fish, pork pies, and other seasonings depending on the type of Banh Canh and rice flour, wheat flour, or tapioca noodles. Each location has its unique spice for Vietnamese thick noodle soup. Furthermore, eating Banh can with fish, pork pies, shrimp, and beef will be a delicious combo of a must-try Vietnamese morning meal.