Vietnamese food is built on balance: fresh herbs, bright acidity, savory fish sauce and gentle heat. These four classics are the perfect place to start — they cover noodle soups, sandwiches, fresh rolls and grilled pork, and every one is achievable in a home kitchen. Here are our best, fully tested Vietnamese recipes.
Authentic Pho Bo
The iconic Vietnamese beef noodle soup — a deeply aromatic broth simmered with charred onion, ginger and spices, ladled over rice noodles and rare beef. Get the recipe →
Vietnamese Banh Mi
A crackly baguette packed with savory pork, pickled vegetables, pâté, cilantro and chili — the world’s best sandwich, made at home. Get the recipe →
Fresh Spring Rolls (Goi Cuon)
Cool, light rice-paper rolls filled with shrimp, herbs and vermicelli, served with a creamy peanut-hoisin dip. No frying required. Get the recipe →
Bun Cha (Hanoi Grilled Pork)
Smoky charcoal-grilled pork in a warm sweet-sour fish-sauce broth, served with rice noodles and a basket of herbs to assemble yourself. Get the recipe →
New to Vietnamese cooking? Start with the fish sauce guide — it’s the backbone of nearly every dish here.
