The first dish is the oh-so-well-known Vietnamese dish that is no stranger to all. 

They told me I can't say I've been in Vietnam without having a bowl of this. 

Phở Bò in particular is my fav. (I loveee beef!!~)

Although this dish is available almost everywhere, it doesn't seem that easy to find a place that serves an amazing bowl with the perfect broth and perfectly cooked meat.

I've tried a few highly raved places (priced around 60,000VNĐ) but some weren't as good as claimed. Instead,  the one that won my heart is a humble little store near Signature Saigon Hotel which is cheaper and better tasting in my opinion.

I can't remember the name of the place (oops) but it has a green signboard and its the corner store at the cross junction. 

2. Bánh Xèo

#3 is a dish made of fragmented rice grain, usually served with grilled meat, egg, bean sprouts and some others.

I guess in a way it's quite similar to Singapore's mixed rice?

Kind of reminds me of home whenever I eat this. 

But there's just this thing bout it that makes it really delicious. 

I've tried a few different places' Cơm Tấm, both in stores and on the streets, I can't seem to find any fault with this.

The ingredients are always so delicious! Like how do they do that man. 

I've 2 favourite places for this so far;

One is really near the War Remnants Museum (District 3) along Tran Quoc Thao (25,000 VNĐ). 

During lunch time, the road will be filled with locals eating from there so just go to where the crowd is.

The other is really near Ben Thanh Market along some street. (45,000 VNĐ)

4. Bánh Cuốn 

(photo from google)

#6 is Xoi which means Sticky Rice.

What's best about this is the many different taste you can get just with this simple thing! 

Sweet or Salty; as a main dish or dessert, anything!

Commonly in small portions, this is one of my favs for breakfast or just as a tea break snack.

I especially love the following ways this dish can be eaten:

1. Xoi Ga (Glutinous Rice Chicken) - 15,000 VNĐ

2. Xoi wrapped in Banana Leaves

They have a few variety of fillings for this; meat/bean/egg/etc. 

3. As Dessert 

Usually paired with some fruits

p/s: I just had one for breakfast and I'm having cravings for another one again. 

7. Bánh Mì

(photo credits to Wandering Chopsticks)

The "Subway" of Vietnam was what I was told the moment I stepped foot into Vietnam.

This was one of the very first food I tried and fell in love with.

There are a lot of possible combinations for this such as fish, pork and so on topped with the standard vegetables such as lettuce,cucumber,tomato,carrots,chilli and so on.

My personal fav till date has definitely gotta be the pork belly ones. 

Especially when the meat (and a tinge of fats) is made perfectly with crisp skin. 

These are readily available on the streets; it's available almost everywhere which is so convenient!

What's best is that it's made to order on the spot, yay!

I heard that there's Banh Mi Kep Kem which means ice cream sandwich.

I've not got to try this but it'll be a perfect snack for tea break on those hot days!~

8. Chè

#8 on my list in Chè which means sweet dessert soup or pudding. 

There are tons of different types that are classified under this but there's definitely no harm in trying any of these sweet things because they all taste soooo good I'm not even kidding. 

My sweet tooth cravings are totally satisfied whenever I have 1 of these.

My first fav for this would be bánh flan which is internationally known as Crème caramel.

It is so inexpensive here and it's usually drizzled in condensed milk and coffee.

Perfect to satisfy them sweet tooth and coffee craves.

For a "healthier" choice (okay I'm probably in self denial), my second fav: Fruits Che

There are usually longan, mango, durian, jackfruit and more and it's sooo good too! 

It might seem pretty sinful to have dessert especially since I'm dieting but I swear it's totally worth it.

Just work out a little more after treating myself to one of these, haha

9. Bánh Gối

(photo credits to respective owner)

A type of dumpling filled with meat, shallot, glass noodle, carrot and some mushroom.

These dumplings are larger than the typical ones (like curry puff size) and taste superb!

The amount is just right too! 1 is just perfect enough for tea break! 

(oops! so much for dieting..)

I first tried this near a market in District 5 along the road thanks to Ms Queenie.

I was still trying to avoid eating the entire thing thinking how close to dinner it was but it was too good to resist! I couldn't help but finish it at lightning speed. 

Haven't got to have another one ever since then though.

It's such a waste! I should have bought 1 more then. 

10. Various BBQ Meat

Perhaps this seems nothing special but then again one can never go wrong with BBQ Meat!

Having been here for 4 months and eating BBQ meat so often, there isn't once that I'm not satisfied.

In fact, this is one of the only food that makes me pick my chopstick up and start digging in again despite the fact that I just finished dinner. 

Conveniently found almost everywhere, there are many stalls that serves a huge variety of meat to choose from. (Always spoilt for choices).

Just a few days back, I decided to try Ostrich Meat and ohboy did that taste good!

Really tender yet a little springy, it was a good choice of meat to try something new.

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Of course, other than the 10 mentioned dishes, I've been loving tons of other amazing Vietnamese Food that I know I'll be missing so much after leaving

 

All I can say is

"Vietnam, I'll be back for you real soon!!"

Can't wait for the cs team's wedding so that I can be back for more of these 

Yayyy!~~