North to South, taste of Vietnam

Saachi Dhillon 

Vietnam, a vibrant Southeast Asian country with a unique heritage, is a foodie’s haven. From local breads to delicious soups to street food, there is something to satisfy everyone’s palate. We spent a week touring the country, from the capital city of Hanoi in the north to the metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City in the south. We gorged on a variety of local delicacies along the way, making this one of the most drool worthy trips we’ve ever undertaken. Here are the top local foods and drinks to try while there: 

Coconut Coffee, Hanoi: When you’re in Hanoi, a trip to Cong Caphe is a must. Their coconut coffee is the perfect refreshment after a long day of sightseeing. The delicious coconut flavour coupled with coffee will give you the much-needed kick and energy. It is right beside St. Joseph’s cathedral; so, the convenient location helps you tick off one more place from your ‘must visit’ list.

Beef Pho, Hanoi: Pho or rice noodle soup is the Vietnamese national dish, an important part of their daily diet. The wholesome Beef Pho at Pho Ly Quoc Su, located in the Old Quarter, was highly recommended to us and did not disappoint. I’m not really into soups, but this one was both decadent and filling.

Bahn mi: This is the Vietnamese word for bread or a baguette. You can have this for breakfast with eggs or as a delicious sandwich at any time of the day. It is usually made with an assortment of meats and vegetables, laden with fresh herbs, chillies and seasoning sauces. Available at every street corner, your trip to Vietnam would be incomplete without trying this.

Chicken rice, Hoi An: Hoi An is an ancient port town in central Vietnam; chicken rice being its specialty. Although the dish is available everywhere, Com Ga, a small restaurant located in the old part of town, is best known for it. Served with salad and soup, this traditional staple is a wholesome meal.

Fresh Tra Que Salad, hoi an: We rented a cycle and explored Hoi An’s neighbouring villages. Tra Que village, a herb garden, has a lovely restaurant. We tried their salad containing fresh veggies and herbs. It was light and fresh. This was the first time that we only had salad as the main meal. This says it all.

Bear pudding, hue: After a long day of sightseeing in Hue, we came across this busy little Cafe called Toto’s close to the night market. As it buzzed with locals, we decided to have some dessert there and we must say, their unique chocolate flavoured Teddy Bear pudding is lip smacking good.