Food Detective / VIETNAM

Vietnam food, starting from ingredients

No dish names needed. Tap what you want and what you cannot eat, and dishes you can find in Ho Chi Minh City appear below.

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Within a row any choice matches (Meat or Rice); across rows all must match (e.g. Meat + Pork + Stir-fried). Exclusions remove dishes.

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27 found

Prices in local currency (VND).

DishBudgetTypicalPremiumChains / makerPhoto · more
Bún chả
[Pork] [Dry or dipping noodles]
Grilled pork and rice vermicelli you dip into a sweet-and-sour sauce.
NameBún rice vermicelli · chả patty → Rice vermicelli and patties
Name in detail · 3 similar names
Bún
Rice vermicelli — thin, round rice noodles
chả
A grilled or fried patty of ground meat, fish or egg; in some regions, pork sausage
Meaning depends on context; in bún chả it is grilled pork patties.
Name says
Rice vermicelli and patties
Actually
Grilled pork and rice vermicelli you dip into a sweet-and-sour sauce.

Dishes with similar names

NameName saysBrothHow it is made/eatenBaseMain proteinPlace in name
Bún chảRice vermicelli and pattiesNoGrilled, Mixed or dippedNoodlesPork—
Bún bò HuếHuế-style beef rice noodlesYesSteamed, boiled or simmeredNoodlesPork, BeefHuế (central city)
Bún thịt nướngRice vermicelli with grilled meatNoGrilled, Mixed or dippedNoodlesPork—
Bún bò Nam Bộ
Not in this guide yet · Rice vermicelli tossed with stir-fried beef, bean sprouts, peanuts, herbs, fried shallots and fish sauce; also called bún bò xào.
Southern-style beef rice noodlesNoStir-fried, Mixed or dippedNoodlesBeefsouthern Vietnam

Broth, method and ingredients come from the dish data, not from guessing at the name.

Word sources: bún, chả

Grilled · Hot or cold
——₫96,120Cơm Tấm CaliGoogle Images ↗
Cơm tấm (broken rice with grilled pork)
[Pork] [Toppings over rice] [Not fried rice]
Broken rice topped with a charcoal-grilled pork chop, often with steamed egg cake and shredded pork skin — Saigon's signature rice plate.
NameCơm cooked rice · tấm broken rice → Rice cooked from broken grains
Name in detail · 8 similar names
Cơm
Cooked (non-glutinous) rice, or a rice meal
tấm
Broken rice grains
Name says
Rice cooked from broken grains
Actually
Broken rice topped with a charcoal-grilled pork chop, often with steamed egg cake and shredded pork skin — Saigon's signature rice plate.
Not fried rice (cơm chiên): plain cooked rice with grilled meat and sides on top.

Dishes with similar names

NameName saysBrothHow it is made/eatenBaseMain proteinPlace in name
Cơm tấmRice cooked from broken grainsNoGrilled, Served over riceRicePork, Egg—
Cơm gàChicken riceNoGrilled, Fried, Served over riceRiceChicken—
Cơm chiên trứngEgg fried riceNoStir-friedRiceEgg—
Cơm chiên bòBeef fried riceNoStir-friedRiceBeef, Egg—
Cơm chiên gàChicken fried riceNoStir-friedRiceChicken, Egg—
Cơm chiên tỏiGarlic fried riceNoStir-friedRiceVaries—
Cơm chiên Dương ChâuYangzhou fried riceNoStir-friedRicePork, EggYangzhou (China)
Cơm chiên cá mặnSalted-fish fried riceNoStir-friedRiceFish, Egg—
Cơm chiên hải sảnSeafood fried riceNoStir-friedRiceShrimp, Egg—

Broth, method and ingredients come from the dish data, not from guessing at the name.

Word sources: cơm, tấm

Grilled · Hot
—₫42,000₫81,000Cơm Tấm Phúc Lộc Thọ, Cơm Tấm CaliGoogle Images ↗
Cà phê sữa đá (iced coffee with condensed milk)
Strong Vietnamese coffee with sweetened condensed milk over ice — sweet and intense.
NameCà phê coffee · sữa milk · đá ice → Coffee, milk, ice
Name in detail
Cà phê
Coffee
sữa
Milk
đá
Stone; in food and drinks, ice
Name says
Coffee, milk, ice
Actually
Strong Vietnamese coffee with sweetened condensed milk over ice — sweet and intense.

Word sources: cà phê, sữa, đá

Cold
—₫37,800 – ₫39,000—The Coffee House, Cơm Tấm CaliGoogle Images ↗
Bún thịt nướng
[Pork] [Dry or dipping noodles]
Grilled pork over cool rice vermicelli and greens, dressed with sauce and tossed.
NameBún rice vermicelli · thịt meat · nướng grilled → Rice vermicelli with grilled meat
Name in detail · 3 similar names
Bún
Rice vermicelli — thin, round rice noodles
thịt
Meat (usually not fish or shellfish)
The name alone does not say which animal.
nướng
To grill or roast directly over fire or charcoal
Name says
Rice vermicelli with grilled meat
Actually
Grilled pork over cool rice vermicelli and greens, dressed with sauce and tossed.

Dishes with similar names

NameName saysBrothHow it is made/eatenBaseMain proteinPlace in name
Bún thịt nướngRice vermicelli with grilled meatNoGrilled, Mixed or dippedNoodlesPork—
Bún chảRice vermicelli and pattiesNoGrilled, Mixed or dippedNoodlesPork—
Bún bò HuếHuế-style beef rice noodlesYesSteamed, boiled or simmeredNoodlesPork, BeefHuế (central city)
Bún bò Nam Bộ
Not in this guide yet · Rice vermicelli tossed with stir-fried beef, bean sprouts, peanuts, herbs, fried shallots and fish sauce; also called bún bò xào.
Southern-style beef rice noodlesNoStir-fried, Mixed or dippedNoodlesBeefsouthern Vietnam

Broth, method and ingredients come from the dish data, not from guessing at the name.

Word sources: bún, thịt, nướng

Grilled · Room temperature
———Cơm Tấm CaliGoogle Images ↗
Cơm gà (chicken rice)
[Chicken] [Toppings over rice] [Not fried rice]
Roast or fried chicken leg with rice, as chain menus serve it — not the Hội An-style shredded chicken rice.
NameCơm cooked rice · gà chicken → Chicken rice
Name in detail · 8 similar names
Cơm
Cooked (non-glutinous) rice, or a rice meal
gà
Chicken
Name says
Chicken rice
Actually
Roast or fried chicken leg with rice, as chain menus serve it — not the Hội An-style shredded chicken rice.

Dishes with similar names

NameName saysBrothHow it is made/eatenBaseMain proteinPlace in name
Cơm gàChicken riceNoGrilled, Fried, Served over riceRiceChicken—
Cơm tấmRice cooked from broken grainsNoGrilled, Served over riceRicePork, Egg—
Cơm chiên trứngEgg fried riceNoStir-friedRiceEgg—
Cơm chiên bòBeef fried riceNoStir-friedRiceBeef, Egg—
Cơm chiên gàChicken fried riceNoStir-friedRiceChicken, Egg—
Cơm chiên tỏiGarlic fried riceNoStir-friedRiceVaries—
Cơm chiên Dương ChâuYangzhou fried riceNoStir-friedRicePork, EggYangzhou (China)
Cơm chiên cá mặnSalted-fish fried riceNoStir-friedRiceFish, Egg—
Cơm chiên hải sảnSeafood fried riceNoStir-friedRiceShrimp, Egg—

Broth, method and ingredients come from the dish data, not from guessing at the name.

Word sources: cơm, gà

Grilled, Fried · Hot
———Cơm Tấm Phúc Lộc Thọ, Cơm Tấm CaliGoogle Images ↗
Gỏi cuốn (fresh spring rolls)
Boiled shrimp, pork, vermicelli and herbs rolled in rice paper — not fried.
NameGỏi salad · cuốn rolled → Rolled salad
Name in detail
Gỏi
Salad-like dishes of raw vegetables, sometimes raw fish
cuốn
To roll
Name says
Rolled salad
Actually
Boiled shrimp, pork, vermicelli and herbs rolled in rice paper — not fried.

Word sources: gỏi, cuốn

Boiled · Room temperature
———Cơm Tấm CaliGoogle Images ↗
Bạc xỉu (milky coffee)
Mostly condensed milk and milk with a little coffee — the easy pick if you dislike bitterness.
NameBạc xỉu white milk, a little coffee → White milk with a little coffee
Name in detail
Bạc xỉu
A transliteration of Cantonese 白底小啡, "white milk with a little coffee"
Name says
White milk with a little coffee
Actually
Mostly condensed milk and milk with a little coffee — the easy pick if you dislike bitterness.

Word sources: bạc xỉu

Hot or cold
———The Coffee HouseGoogle Images ↗
One One rice crackers, matcha · Bánh gạo vị matcha (One One) · Packaged
Matcha-flavoured rice crackers from Vietnamese brand One One, made with 45% japonica rice.
Room temperature
———One OneGoogle Images ↗
One One rice crackers, spicy smoked bacon · Bánh gạo vị thịt xông khói cay (One One) · Packaged
Savoury spicy smoked-bacon rice crackers from One One, 56.5% rice.
Room temperature · Spicy
———One OneGoogle Images ↗
Phở bò (beef noodle soup)
[Beef] [Noodle soup]
Flat rice noodles and sliced beef in a clear beef broth.
NamePhở phở (noodle soup) · bò beef → Beef phở
Name in detail · 1 similar names
Phở
A soup made with flat rice noodles (bánh phở)
Phở is the dish name itself; "rice noodles" alone would not tell it apart from bún.
bò
Cattle; in dish names, beef
Name says
Beef phở
Actually
Flat rice noodles and sliced beef in a clear beef broth.

Dishes with similar names

NameName saysBrothHow it is made/eatenBaseMain proteinPlace in name
Phở bòBeef phởYesSteamed, boiled or simmeredNoodlesBeef—
Phở gàChicken phởYesSteamed, boiled or simmeredNoodlesChicken—

Broth, method and ingredients come from the dish data, not from guessing at the name.

Word sources: phở, bò

In broth, Boiled · Hot
———No verified chainGoogle Images ↗
Phở gà (chicken noodle soup)
[Chicken] [Noodle soup]
Rice noodles and chicken in chicken broth — lighter than the beef version.
NamePhở phở (noodle soup) · gà chicken → Chicken phở
Name in detail · 1 similar names
Phở
A soup made with flat rice noodles (bánh phở)
Phở is the dish name itself; "rice noodles" alone would not tell it apart from bún.
gà
Chicken
Name says
Chicken phở
Actually
Rice noodles and chicken in chicken broth — lighter than the beef version.

Dishes with similar names

NameName saysBrothHow it is made/eatenBaseMain proteinPlace in name
Phở gàChicken phởYesSteamed, boiled or simmeredNoodlesChicken—
Phở bòBeef phởYesSteamed, boiled or simmeredNoodlesBeef—

Broth, method and ingredients come from the dish data, not from guessing at the name.

Word sources: phở, gà

In broth, Boiled · Hot
———No verified chainGoogle Images ↗
Bún bò Huế
[Beef] [Noodle soup]
Thick rice noodles in a spicy lemongrass beef-and-pork broth, from Huế in central Vietnam.
NameBún rice vermicelli · bò beef · Huế Huế (central city) → Huế-style beef rice noodles
Name in detail · 3 similar names
Bún
Rice vermicelli — thin, round rice noodles
bò
Cattle; in dish names, beef
Huế
Huế — a city in central Vietnam, the former capital
Name says
Huế-style beef rice noodles
Actually
Thick rice noodles in a spicy lemongrass beef-and-pork broth, from Huế in central Vietnam.

Dishes with similar names

NameName saysBrothHow it is made/eatenBaseMain proteinPlace in name
Bún bò HuếHuế-style beef rice noodlesYesSteamed, boiled or simmeredNoodlesPork, BeefHuế (central city)
Bún chảRice vermicelli and pattiesNoGrilled, Mixed or dippedNoodlesPork—
Bún thịt nướngRice vermicelli with grilled meatNoGrilled, Mixed or dippedNoodlesPork—
Bún bò Nam Bộ
Not in this guide yet · Rice vermicelli tossed with stir-fried beef, bean sprouts, peanuts, herbs, fried shallots and fish sauce; also called bún bò xào.
Southern-style beef rice noodlesNoStir-fried, Mixed or dippedNoodlesBeefsouthern Vietnam

Broth, method and ingredients come from the dish data, not from guessing at the name.

Word sources: bún, bò, huế

In broth, Boiled · Hot · Spicy
———No verified chainGoogle Images ↗
Hủ tiếu Nam Vang
[Pork] [Noodle soup]
Southern noodles with pork, shrimp and chewy rice noodles in pork broth; also served dry with the broth on the side.
NameHủ tiếu rice noodle soup · Nam Vang Phnom Penh → Phnom Penh-style rice noodle soup
Name in detail
Hủ tiếu
Rice noodle soup; the word comes from Teochew kway teow (粿條)
Nam Vang
The Vietnamese name for Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Name says
Phnom Penh-style rice noodle soup
Actually
Southern noodles with pork, shrimp and chewy rice noodles in pork broth; also served dry with the broth on the side.

Word sources: hủ tiếu, nam vang

In broth, Boiled · Hot
———No verified chainGoogle Images ↗
Mì Quảng (Quảng Nam noodles)
[Dry or dipping noodles]
Wide turmeric-yellow rice noodles with just a little broth, topped with pork, shrimp, peanuts and a rice cracker — from Quảng Nam in central Vietnam.
NameMì wheat noodles · Quảng Quảng Nam → Quảng (Nam) noodles
Name in detail · 1 similar names
Mì
Noodles made of wheat flour, or made of wheat
Mì Quảng has mì in its name but is made with rice noodles — do not judge the ingredient by the name alone.
Quảng
Quảng Nam — the central province where the dish began
Name says
Quảng (Nam) noodles
Actually
Wide turmeric-yellow rice noodles with just a little broth, topped with pork, shrimp, peanuts and a rice cracker — from Quảng Nam in central Vietnam.
The name says wheat noodles (mì), but the dish uses rice noodles.

Dishes with similar names

NameName saysBrothHow it is made/eatenBaseMain proteinPlace in name
Mì QuảngQuảng (Nam) noodlesYesSteamed, boiled or simmered, Mixed or dippedNoodlesPork, ShrimpQuảng Nam
Bánh mìWheat bánh — breadNoGrilled, Raw or dressedBreadPork, Egg—

Broth, method and ingredients come from the dish data, not from guessing at the name.

Word sources: mì, quảng

In broth, Boiled · Hot
———No verified chainGoogle Images ↗
Bò lúc lắc (shaking beef)
[Beef]
Cubed beef tossed in a very hot wok, served with rice or fries and salad.
NameBò beef · lúc lắc shaking → "Shaking" beef
Name in detail
Bò
Cattle; in dish names, beef
lúc lắc
To swing from side to side
Name says
"Shaking" beef
Actually
Cubed beef tossed in a very hot wok, served with rice or fries and salad.

Word sources: bò, lúc lắc

Stir-fried · Hot
———No verified chainGoogle Images ↗
Cơm chiên trứng (egg fried rice)
[Egg] [Fried rice]
Rice fried with egg — the plainest fried rice.
NameCơm cooked rice · chiên fried · trứng egg → Egg fried rice
Name in detail · 8 similar names
Cơm
Cooked (non-glutinous) rice, or a rice meal
chiên
To fry (chiefly southern)
Cơm chiên (rice + fry) is fried rice, called cơm rang in the north; gà chiên, by contrast, is fried chicken.
trứng
Egg
Name says
Egg fried rice
Actually
Rice fried with egg — the plainest fried rice.

Dishes with similar names

NameName saysBrothHow it is made/eatenBaseMain proteinPlace in name
Cơm chiên trứngEgg fried riceNoStir-friedRiceEgg—
Cơm tấmRice cooked from broken grainsNoGrilled, Served over riceRicePork, Egg—
Cơm gàChicken riceNoGrilled, Fried, Served over riceRiceChicken—
Cơm chiên bòBeef fried riceNoStir-friedRiceBeef, Egg—
Cơm chiên gàChicken fried riceNoStir-friedRiceChicken, Egg—
Cơm chiên tỏiGarlic fried riceNoStir-friedRiceVaries—
Cơm chiên Dương ChâuYangzhou fried riceNoStir-friedRicePork, EggYangzhou (China)
Cơm chiên cá mặnSalted-fish fried riceNoStir-friedRiceFish, Egg—
Cơm chiên hải sảnSeafood fried riceNoStir-friedRiceShrimp, Egg—

Broth, method and ingredients come from the dish data, not from guessing at the name.

Word sources: cơm, chiên, trứng

Stir-fried · Hot
———No verified chainGoogle Images ↗
Cơm chiên bò (beef fried rice)
[Beef] [Fried rice]
Fried rice with beef.
NameCơm cooked rice · chiên fried · bò beef → Beef fried rice
Name in detail · 8 similar names
Cơm
Cooked (non-glutinous) rice, or a rice meal
chiên
To fry (chiefly southern)
Cơm chiên (rice + fry) is fried rice, called cơm rang in the north; gà chiên, by contrast, is fried chicken.
bò
Cattle; in dish names, beef
Name says
Beef fried rice
Actually
Fried rice with beef.

Dishes with similar names

NameName saysBrothHow it is made/eatenBaseMain proteinPlace in name
Cơm chiên bòBeef fried riceNoStir-friedRiceBeef, Egg—
Cơm tấmRice cooked from broken grainsNoGrilled, Served over riceRicePork, Egg—
Cơm gàChicken riceNoGrilled, Fried, Served over riceRiceChicken—
Cơm chiên trứngEgg fried riceNoStir-friedRiceEgg—
Cơm chiên gàChicken fried riceNoStir-friedRiceChicken, Egg—
Cơm chiên tỏiGarlic fried riceNoStir-friedRiceVaries—
Cơm chiên Dương ChâuYangzhou fried riceNoStir-friedRicePork, EggYangzhou (China)
Cơm chiên cá mặnSalted-fish fried riceNoStir-friedRiceFish, Egg—
Cơm chiên hải sảnSeafood fried riceNoStir-friedRiceShrimp, Egg—

Broth, method and ingredients come from the dish data, not from guessing at the name.

Word sources: cơm, chiên, bò

Stir-fried · Hot
———No verified chainGoogle Images ↗
Cơm chiên gà (chicken fried rice)
[Chicken] [Fried rice]
Fried rice with chicken; some shops put the chicken on top instead of mixing it in.
NameCơm cooked rice · chiên fried · gà chicken → Chicken fried rice
Name in detail · 8 similar names
Cơm
Cooked (non-glutinous) rice, or a rice meal
chiên
To fry (chiefly southern)
Cơm chiên (rice + fry) is fried rice, called cơm rang in the north; gà chiên, by contrast, is fried chicken.
gà
Chicken
Name says
Chicken fried rice
Actually
Fried rice with chicken; some shops put the chicken on top instead of mixing it in.

Dishes with similar names

NameName saysBrothHow it is made/eatenBaseMain proteinPlace in name
Cơm chiên gàChicken fried riceNoStir-friedRiceChicken, Egg—
Cơm tấmRice cooked from broken grainsNoGrilled, Served over riceRicePork, Egg—
Cơm gàChicken riceNoGrilled, Fried, Served over riceRiceChicken—
Cơm chiên trứngEgg fried riceNoStir-friedRiceEgg—
Cơm chiên bòBeef fried riceNoStir-friedRiceBeef, Egg—
Cơm chiên tỏiGarlic fried riceNoStir-friedRiceVaries—
Cơm chiên Dương ChâuYangzhou fried riceNoStir-friedRicePork, EggYangzhou (China)
Cơm chiên cá mặnSalted-fish fried riceNoStir-friedRiceFish, Egg—
Cơm chiên hải sảnSeafood fried riceNoStir-friedRiceShrimp, Egg—

Broth, method and ingredients come from the dish data, not from guessing at the name.

Word sources: cơm, chiên, gà

Stir-fried · Hot
———No verified chainGoogle Images ↗
Cơm chiên tỏi (garlic fried rice)
[Fried rice]
Fried rice built on garlic fried in oil; often served alongside a meat dish.
NameCơm cooked rice · chiên fried · tỏi garlic → Garlic fried rice
Name in detail · 8 similar names
Cơm
Cooked (non-glutinous) rice, or a rice meal
chiên
To fry (chiefly southern)
Cơm chiên (rice + fry) is fried rice, called cơm rang in the north; gà chiên, by contrast, is fried chicken.
tỏi
Garlic
Name says
Garlic fried rice
Actually
Fried rice built on garlic fried in oil; often served alongside a meat dish.

Dishes with similar names

NameName saysBrothHow it is made/eatenBaseMain proteinPlace in name
Cơm chiên tỏiGarlic fried riceNoStir-friedRiceVaries—
Cơm tấmRice cooked from broken grainsNoGrilled, Served over riceRicePork, Egg—
Cơm gàChicken riceNoGrilled, Fried, Served over riceRiceChicken—
Cơm chiên trứngEgg fried riceNoStir-friedRiceEgg—
Cơm chiên bòBeef fried riceNoStir-friedRiceBeef, Egg—
Cơm chiên gàChicken fried riceNoStir-friedRiceChicken, Egg—
Cơm chiên Dương ChâuYangzhou fried riceNoStir-friedRicePork, EggYangzhou (China)
Cơm chiên cá mặnSalted-fish fried riceNoStir-friedRiceFish, Egg—
Cơm chiên hải sảnSeafood fried riceNoStir-friedRiceShrimp, Egg—

Broth, method and ingredients come from the dish data, not from guessing at the name.

Word sources: cơm, chiên, tỏi

Stir-fried · Hot
———No verified chainGoogle Images ↗
Cơm chiên Dương Châu (Yangzhou fried rice)
[Fried rice]
Chinese-style fried rice with char siu, Chinese sausage, Vietnamese pork roll, egg, peas and carrot; some shops add shrimp or squid.
NameCơm cooked rice · chiên fried · Dương Châu Yangzhou (China) → Yangzhou fried rice
Name in detail · 8 similar names
Cơm
Cooked (non-glutinous) rice, or a rice meal
chiên
To fry (chiefly southern)
Cơm chiên (rice + fry) is fried rice, called cơm rang in the north; gà chiên, by contrast, is fried chicken.
Dương Châu
Yangzhou — a city in Jiangsu, China
The encyclopedia notes the fried rice is named after the city but did not originate there.
Name says
Yangzhou fried rice
Actually
Chinese-style fried rice with char siu, Chinese sausage, Vietnamese pork roll, egg, peas and carrot; some shops add shrimp or squid.

Dishes with similar names

NameName saysBrothHow it is made/eatenBaseMain proteinPlace in name
Cơm chiên Dương ChâuYangzhou fried riceNoStir-friedRicePork, EggYangzhou (China)
Cơm tấmRice cooked from broken grainsNoGrilled, Served over riceRicePork, Egg—
Cơm gàChicken riceNoGrilled, Fried, Served over riceRiceChicken—
Cơm chiên trứngEgg fried riceNoStir-friedRiceEgg—
Cơm chiên bòBeef fried riceNoStir-friedRiceBeef, Egg—
Cơm chiên gàChicken fried riceNoStir-friedRiceChicken, Egg—
Cơm chiên tỏiGarlic fried riceNoStir-friedRiceVaries—
Cơm chiên cá mặnSalted-fish fried riceNoStir-friedRiceFish, Egg—
Cơm chiên hải sảnSeafood fried riceNoStir-friedRiceShrimp, Egg—

Broth, method and ingredients come from the dish data, not from guessing at the name.

Word sources: cơm, chiên, dương châu

Stir-fried · Hot
———No verified chainGoogle Images ↗
Cơm chiên cá mặn (salted-fish fried rice)
[Fish] [Fried rice]
Fried rice with flaked salted fish — salty, with a strong fish flavour.
NameCơm cooked rice · chiên fried · cá fish · mặn salty → Salted-fish fried rice
Name in detail · 8 similar names
Cơm
Cooked (non-glutinous) rice, or a rice meal
chiên
To fry (chiefly southern)
Cơm chiên (rice + fry) is fried rice, called cơm rang in the north; gà chiên, by contrast, is fried chicken.
cá
Fish
mặn
Salty
Cá mặn means "salty fish" — salted fish.
Name says
Salted-fish fried rice
Actually
Fried rice with flaked salted fish — salty, with a strong fish flavour.

Dishes with similar names

NameName saysBrothHow it is made/eatenBaseMain proteinPlace in name
Cơm chiên cá mặnSalted-fish fried riceNoStir-friedRiceFish, Egg—
Cơm tấmRice cooked from broken grainsNoGrilled, Served over riceRicePork, Egg—
Cơm gàChicken riceNoGrilled, Fried, Served over riceRiceChicken—
Cơm chiên trứngEgg fried riceNoStir-friedRiceEgg—
Cơm chiên bòBeef fried riceNoStir-friedRiceBeef, Egg—
Cơm chiên gàChicken fried riceNoStir-friedRiceChicken, Egg—
Cơm chiên tỏiGarlic fried riceNoStir-friedRiceVaries—
Cơm chiên Dương ChâuYangzhou fried riceNoStir-friedRicePork, EggYangzhou (China)
Cơm chiên hải sảnSeafood fried riceNoStir-friedRiceShrimp, Egg—

Broth, method and ingredients come from the dish data, not from guessing at the name.

Word sources: cơm, chiên, cá, mặn

Stir-fried · Hot
———No verified chainGoogle Images ↗
Cơm chiên hải sản (seafood fried rice)
[Fried rice]
Fried rice with seafood such as shrimp and squid; the mix varies by shop.
NameCơm cooked rice · chiên fried · hải sản seafood → Seafood fried rice
Name in detail · 8 similar names
Cơm
Cooked (non-glutinous) rice, or a rice meal
chiên
To fry (chiefly southern)
Cơm chiên (rice + fry) is fried rice, called cơm rang in the north; gà chiên, by contrast, is fried chicken.
hải sản
Seafood
The name does not say which seafood.
Name says
Seafood fried rice
Actually
Fried rice with seafood such as shrimp and squid; the mix varies by shop.

Dishes with similar names

NameName saysBrothHow it is made/eatenBaseMain proteinPlace in name
Cơm chiên hải sảnSeafood fried riceNoStir-friedRiceShrimp, Egg—
Cơm tấmRice cooked from broken grainsNoGrilled, Served over riceRicePork, Egg—
Cơm gàChicken riceNoGrilled, Fried, Served over riceRiceChicken—
Cơm chiên trứngEgg fried riceNoStir-friedRiceEgg—
Cơm chiên bòBeef fried riceNoStir-friedRiceBeef, Egg—
Cơm chiên gàChicken fried riceNoStir-friedRiceChicken, Egg—
Cơm chiên tỏiGarlic fried riceNoStir-friedRiceVaries—
Cơm chiên Dương ChâuYangzhou fried riceNoStir-friedRicePork, EggYangzhou (China)
Cơm chiên cá mặnSalted-fish fried riceNoStir-friedRiceFish, Egg—

Broth, method and ingredients come from the dish data, not from guessing at the name.

Word sources: cơm, chiên, hải sản

Stir-fried · Hot
———No verified chainGoogle Images ↗
Bánh mì (Vietnamese sandwich)
A crisp baguette with cold cuts or grilled meat, liver pâté, pickled vegetables and coriander.
NameBánh bread, cake, pancake… · mì wheat noodles → Wheat bánh — bread
Name in detail · 2 similar names
Bánh
A broad word for shaped foods made from grain or legume flour or rice — bread, cakes, pancakes, crackers
Not always "bread": bánh mì is bread, bánh xèo a pancake, bánh gạo a rice cracker.
mì
Noodles made of wheat flour, or made of wheat
Mì Quảng has mì in its name but is made with rice noodles — do not judge the ingredient by the name alone.
Name says
Wheat bánh — bread
Actually
A crisp baguette with cold cuts or grilled meat, liver pâté, pickled vegetables and coriander.

Dishes with similar names

NameName saysBrothHow it is made/eatenBaseMain proteinPlace in name
Bánh mìWheat bánh — breadNoGrilled, Raw or dressedBreadPork, Egg—
Mì QuảngQuảng (Nam) noodlesYesSteamed, boiled or simmered, Mixed or dippedNoodlesPork, ShrimpQuảng Nam
Bánh xèoSizzling pancakeNoFried—Pork, Shrimp—

Broth, method and ingredients come from the dish data, not from guessing at the name.

Word sources: bánh, mì

Grilled, Pickled · Room temperature
———No verified chainGoogle Images ↗
Bánh xèo (crispy rice pancake)
A thin, crisp turmeric rice-flour pancake filled with pork, shrimp and bean sprouts, wrapped in greens and dipped in sauce.
NameBánh bread, cake, pancake… · xèo sizzling → Sizzling pancake
Name in detail · 1 similar names
Bánh
A broad word for shaped foods made from grain or legume flour or rice — bread, cakes, pancakes, crackers
Not always "bread": bánh mì is bread, bánh xèo a pancake, bánh gạo a rice cracker.
xèo
The sizzling sound of batter poured into a hot pan
Name says
Sizzling pancake
Actually
A thin, crisp turmeric rice-flour pancake filled with pork, shrimp and bean sprouts, wrapped in greens and dipped in sauce.

Dishes with similar names

NameName saysBrothHow it is made/eatenBaseMain proteinPlace in name
Bánh xèoSizzling pancakeNoFried—Pork, Shrimp—
Bánh mìWheat bánh — breadNoGrilled, Raw or dressedBreadPork, Egg—

Broth, method and ingredients come from the dish data, not from guessing at the name.

Word sources: bánh, xèo

Fried · Hot
———No verified chainGoogle Images ↗
Cà phê trứng (egg coffee)
[Egg]
Coffee topped with a cream whipped from egg yolk and condensed milk, a Hanoi speciality.
NameCà phê coffee · trứng egg → Egg coffee
Name in detail
Cà phê
Coffee
trứng
Egg
Name says
Egg coffee
Actually
Coffee topped with a cream whipped from egg yolk and condensed milk, a Hanoi speciality.

Word sources: cà phê, trứng

Hot or cold
———No verified chainGoogle Images ↗
Cà phê cốt dừa (coconut coffee)
Vietnamese coffee blended with coconut cream into a slushy drink.
NameCà phê coffee · cốt dừa coconut milk → Coconut-milk coffee
Name in detail
Cà phê
Coffee
cốt dừa
Coconut milk (the rich pressed extract)
Name says
Coconut-milk coffee
Actually
Vietnamese coffee blended with coconut cream into a slushy drink.

Word sources: cà phê, cốt dừa

Cold
———No verified chainGoogle Images ↗
Cà phê muối (salt coffee)
Coffee topped with a lightly salted cream; the salt rounds off bitterness and sweetness.
NameCà phê coffee · muối salt → Salt coffee
Name in detail
Cà phê
Coffee
muối
Salt
Name says
Salt coffee
Actually
Coffee topped with a lightly salted cream; the salt rounds off bitterness and sweetness.

Word sources: cà phê, muối

Hot or cold
———No verified chainGoogle Images ↗
118 words you will see on menus

Noodles, rice, bánh

phở
A soup made with flat rice noodles (bánh phở)
Phở is the dish name itself; "rice noodles" alone would not tell it apart from bún.
bún
Rice vermicelli — thin, round rice noodles
hủ tiếu
Rice noodle soup; the word comes from Teochew kway teow (粿條)
mì
Noodles made of wheat flour, or made of wheat
Mì Quảng has mì in its name but is made with rice noodles — do not judge the ingredient by the name alone.
cơm
Cooked (non-glutinous) rice, or a rice meal
bánh
A broad word for shaped foods made from grain or legume flour or rice — bread, cakes, pancakes, crackers
Not always "bread": bánh mì is bread, bánh xèo a pancake, bánh gạo a rice cracker.
xôi
Steamed glutinous rice
cháo
Rice congee
miến
Cellophane noodles
canh
Vegetable soup; broth
chè
A thick sweet dessert soup or pudding; also tea
Chè can mean a dessert or tea — check the menu context.
nem
Fermented pork; spring roll
Depends on region — look at the next word (rán = fried roll, chua = fermented).
giò
Meat paste; pork sausage

Drinks

cà phê
Coffee
rượu
Liquor
trà
Tea

Meat, seafood, egg

bò
Cattle; in dish names, beef
heo
Pig; the southern and central word
lợn
Pig; the northern word
gà
Chicken
cá
Fish
tôm
Shrimp, prawn
thịt
Meat (usually not fish or shellfish)
The name alone does not say which animal.
hải sản
Seafood
The name does not say which seafood.
trứng
Egg
đậu phụ
Tofu
vịt
Duck
ốc
A spiral-shelled mollusc
tép
Small shrimp
lươn
Asian swamp eel
mực
Squid, cuttlefish, octopus
cua
Crab
ghẹ
Swimming crab
sứa
Jellyfish
cá lóc
Snakehead
lòng
Intestines; entrails

Cooking

nướng
To grill or roast directly over fire or charcoal
chiên
To fry (chiefly southern)
Cơm chiên (rice + fry) is fried rice, called cơm rang in the north; gà chiên, by contrast, is fried chicken.
xào
To stir-fry
hấp
To steam
luộc
To boil
cuốn
To roll
kho
To braise; to stew
kho (braise) and khô (dried) are different words.
rán
To fry (northern word)
nấu
To cook; to boil
trộn
To mix; to blend
nhồi
To stuff; to fill
lọc
To filter
tráng
To spread a thin layer

Places

dương châu
Yangzhou — a city in Jiangsu, China
The encyclopedia notes the fried rice is named after the city but did not originate there.
huế
Huế — a city in central Vietnam, the former capital
hà nội
Hanoi — the capital, in the north
nam bộ
Southern Vietnam (region)
nam vang
The Vietnamese name for Phnom Penh, Cambodia
quảng
Quảng Nam — the central province where the dish began

Other words

chả
A grilled or fried patty of ground meat, fish or egg; in some regions, pork sausage
Meaning depends on context; in bún chả it is grilled pork patties.
tấm
Broken rice grains
xèo
The sizzling sound of batter poured into a hot pan
gỏi
Salad-like dishes of raw vegetables, sometimes raw fish
lúc lắc
To swing from side to side
sữa
Milk
đá
Stone; in food and drinks, ice
cốt dừa
Coconut milk (the rich pressed extract)
tỏi
Garlic
mặn
Salty
Cá mặn means "salty fish" — salted fish.
muối
Salt
bạc xỉu
A transliteration of Cantonese 白底小啡, "white milk with a little coffee"
mắm
Salted, fermented fish or shrimp
tương
A generic word for sauce
mứt
Jam; candied sweets
kẹo
Candy
nước
Water; liquid; the liquid part of a broth
đậu
Bean
đậu phộng
Peanut (southern word)
nếp
Glutinous rice
gạo
Dehusked, uncooked rice
bột
Powder; flour; starch
cốm
Flattened rice made from toasted green rice
thính
Powdered grilled rice
bì
Skin (as food)
riêu
Sour crab or fish soup; crab meatball
khô
Dry, dried; jerky
chua
Sour
ngọt
Sweet
cay
Burning; hot
xanh
Green; blue
đen
Black
ướt
Wet
trần
Bare
sương
Dew
trôi
To drift, float
phồng
To puff up
món
Dish (food item)
lá
Leaf
lá lốt
Lolot leaf
rau
Leafy greens; herbs
măng
Bamboo shoot
ớt
Chili pepper
hành
Green onion; shallot
sả
Lemongrass
gừng
Ginger
chanh
Lime
cà
Eggplant-family plants
cà (eggplant), cá (fish) and cà phê (coffee) differ.
khoai
Yam; tuber
sắn
Cassava
dứa
Pandan; (southern) pineapple
dứa and dừa (coconut) differ.
dừa
Coconut
chuối
Banana
mít
Jackfruit
bưởi
Pomelo
xoài
Mango
nhãn
Longan
sen
Lotus
hạt
Seed; grain; nut
hoa
Flower
mè
Sesame (southern word)
sâm
Ginseng
quẩy
Youtiao

Meanings checked against Wiktionary’s Vietnamese entries and Wikipedia. They help you read a name; for real ingredients and cooking, see each dish.

Easy to mix up

DifferenceBún chảBún thịt nướng
How you eat itDunk noodles and meat into a bowl of sauceSauce poured over, then tossed
MeatGrilled pork slices and pattiesGrilled pork
OriginHanoi (north)Common in the south
PeanutsUsually noneOften sprinkled on top
DifferencePhở bòHủ tiếu Nam Vang
BrothBeef broth with spice aromaPork broth, slightly sweet
NoodlesFlat, soft rice noodlesThin, chewy rice noodles (wheat egg noodles at some shops)
SeafoodUsually none (fish sauce possible)Shrimp is common
Dry versionRareDry style is common
DifferenceCà phê sữa đáBạc xỉu
RatioMostly coffee, condensed milk for sweetnessMostly milk, a little coffee
BitternessStrongMild
Pick it ifYou like strong coffeeYou dislike bitter coffee

BRAND DIRECTORY

Vietnam chain & brand directory

Only brands whose menu items were confirmed from official material. Listing is not paid; there are no sponsored brands at the moment.

Rice meal chains

Multi-store brand · checked 2026-10-18
Cơm Tấm Cali — Bún chả, Bún thịt nướng, Cơm tấm, Cơm gà, Gỏi cuốn, Cà phê sữa đáFind stores on Google Maps ↗Official site ↗

Coffee chains

Multi-store brand · checked 2026-10-18
The Coffee House — Cà phê sữa đá, Bạc xỉuFind stores on Google Maps ↗Official site ↗

Snack brands

Manufacturer · checked 2026-10-18
One One (Bánh gạo One One) — Bánh gạo vị matcha (One One), Bánh gạo vị thịt xông khói cay (One One)Find shops on Google Maps ↗Official site ↗

DATA

What this page is based on

  • Ingredients follow the general recipe in the cited encyclopedia articles, not any particular shop.
  • Prices and chains come only from official brand menus, ordering pages and store lists, each with the date checked. VAT-exclusive menu prices are also shown with VAT added.
  • For dishes like phở, bánh mì, bánh xèo and egg coffee no HCMC chain with an official price was found yet, so chains and prices are blank. Street-stall (budget) prices have no official source and are blank too.
  • AMS stores no photos; the photo link opens Google Images.