Language/Vietnamese/Vocabulary/Vietnamese-Food

◀️ Modal Verbs — Previous Lesson

Next Lesson — Drinks and Beverages ▶️

Vietnamese → Vocabulary → 0 to A1 Course → Food and Drink → Vietnamese Food

Vietnamese cuisine is known for its vibrant flavors, fresh ingredients, and diverse dishes. In this lesson, we will explore the vocabulary related to traditional Vietnamese food. By learning these words, you will be able to navigate a Vietnamese menu with confidence and appreciate the rich culinary culture of Vietnam. Let's dive in!

Traditional Vietnamese Dishes

Vietnam has a wide variety of traditional dishes that are beloved both within the country and internationally. Here are some of the most popular ones:

Phở

Phở is perhaps the most well-known Vietnamese dish. It is a flavorful noodle soup made with beef or chicken, rice noodles, and fragrant herbs. The broth is slow-cooked for hours to develop its rich taste. Phở is often enjoyed with bean sprouts, lime, and fresh herbs.

Bánh mì

Bánh mì is a Vietnamese sandwich that combines French and Vietnamese culinary influences. It typically consists of a baguette filled with various ingredients such as grilled meats, pickled vegetables, pâté, and mayonnaise. Bánh mì is a popular street food in Vietnam.

Gỏi cuốn

Gỏi cuốn, also known as fresh spring rolls, are a refreshing and healthy Vietnamese dish. They are made by wrapping rice paper around a combination of fresh vegetables, herbs, and often shrimp or pork. Gỏi cuốn is typically served with a peanut dipping sauce.

Bún chả

Bún chả is a Vietnamese dish that features grilled pork served over a bed of rice noodles, fresh herbs, and a savory fish sauce-based broth. It is often accompanied by crispy spring rolls. Bún chả originated in Hanoi and is a popular lunchtime meal.

Cá kho tộ

Cá kho tộ is a traditional Vietnamese dish made with caramelized fish in a clay pot. The fish is braised in a flavorful sauce made from fish sauce, sugar, and spices. Cá kho tộ is typically served with steamed rice and garnished with green onions and cilantro.

Bánh xèo

Bánh xèo is a savory Vietnamese pancake that is crispy on the outside and filled with a variety of ingredients, such as pork, shrimp, bean sprouts, and mushrooms. It is often wrapped in lettuce leaves and dipped in a sweet and sour sauce before being eaten.

Bún bò Huế

Bún bò Huế is a spicy beef noodle soup that originated in the city of Huế in central Vietnam. The broth is flavored with lemongrass, shrimp paste, and chili oil, giving it a distinct and spicy taste. Bún bò Huế is served with rice noodles and various cuts of beef.

Cơm tấm

Cơm tấm is a popular Vietnamese dish made with broken rice, grilled pork chops, a steamed egg cake, and various accompaniments such as shredded pork skin and pickled vegetables. It is often served with a side of fish sauce and a bowl of soup.

Chả giò

Chả giò, also known as Vietnamese fried spring rolls or egg rolls, are a crispy and flavorful appetizer. They are made by wrapping a mixture of ground meat, vegetables, and spices in rice paper and deep-frying until golden brown. Chả giò is typically served with a dipping sauce.

Bánh cuốn

Bánh cuốn is a delicate Vietnamese dish made from steamed rice batter filled with a savory mixture of ground pork, mushrooms, and minced shallots. It is often topped with fried shallots and served with a side of fish sauce and fresh herbs.

Vocabulary

Now, let's learn some essential vocabulary related to Vietnamese food. Practice pronouncing these words to enhance your language skills.

Vietnamese	Pronunciation	English
Phở	/fəː/	Pho (Vietnamese noodle soup)
Bánh mì	/bæn miː/	Vietnamese sandwich
Gỏi cuốn	/ɡɔːj kuən/	Fresh spring rolls
Bún chả	/bʊn tʃa/	Grilled pork with rice noodles
Cá kho tộ	/kaː kɔ tɔː/	Caramelized fish in clay pot
Bánh xèo	/bæn seɪo/	Vietnamese savory pancake
Bún bò Huế	/bʊn bɔː hweɪ/	Spicy beef noodle soup from Huế
Cơm tấm	/kəʊm tæm/	Broken rice with grilled pork chops
Chả giò	/tʃaː zɔː/	Vietnamese fried spring rolls
Bánh cuốn	/bæn kuən/	Steamed rice rolls

Useful Phrases

Here are some useful phrases that you can use when ordering food in a Vietnamese restaurant:

• Tôi muốn đặt món này, xin vui lòng. (I would like to order this dish, please.)
• Cho tôi một tô phở bò, xin cám ơn. (Give me a bowl of beef pho, please.)
• Tôi không ăn thịt, có món chay không? (I don't eat meat, do you have vegetarian options?)
• Xin cho thêm gia vị. (Please add more seasoning.)
• Tôi muốn thêm chút nước mắm. (I would like some extra fish sauce.)
• Xin hóa đơn, xin cám ơn. (Can I have the bill, please?)

Cultural Insight

Vietnamese food is deeply rooted in the country's culture and history. The use of fresh ingredients, balanced flavors, and colorful presentation are key aspects of Vietnamese cooking. Family and communal meals are important in Vietnamese culture, and many dishes are designed to be shared among several people. Rice, noodles, and fresh herbs are staple ingredients in Vietnamese cuisine.

In Vietnam, it is common to see people sitting on low stools or mats while enjoying their meals. This informal dining style encourages a sense of community and togetherness. Vietnamese people also place great importance on the balance of flavors in their food, striving for a harmonious combination of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy tastes.

Summary

In this lesson, we explored the vocabulary related to traditional Vietnamese food. We learned about popular dishes such as phở, bánh mì, and gỏi cuốn. We also practiced useful phrases for ordering food in a Vietnamese restaurant. Vietnamese cuisine is a rich and diverse culinary tradition that is worth exploring. Keep practicing these words and phrases to expand your Vietnamese vocabulary and enhance your cultural understanding.

Table of Contents - Vietnamese Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Greetings and Introductions

• Hello and Goodbye
• Introducing Yourself

  ---

Vietnamese Culture Basics

• Vietnamese Values
• Social Etiquette
• Cuisine and Dining

  ---

Numbers and Counting

• Counting 1-10
• Counting 11-20
• Counting 21 and Beyond

  ---

Nouns and Pronouns

• Nouns and Gender
• Pronouns and Personal Pronouns
• Possessive Pronouns

  ---

Family and Relationships

• Family Members
• Relationships

  ---

Holidays and Celebrations

• Tet
• Mid-Autumn Festival

  ---

Verbs and Verb Tenses

• Present Tense Verbs
• Past Tense Verbs
• Future Tense Verbs
• Modal Verbs

  ---

Food and Drink

• Vietnamese Food
• Drinks and Beverages
• Food Ordering

  ---

Arts and Entertainment

• Traditional Music
• Movie and Television

  ---

Adjectives and Adverbs

• Adjectives
• Adverbs

  ---

Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Giving Directions

  ---

Traditional Clothing

• Ao Dai
• Other Traditional Clothing

Sources

• 30+ Easy Vietnamese Food Vocabulary - Ling App
• 100+ Common Vietnamese Words for Food & Cooking
• 17 Vietnamese Foods You MUST Try Pho-Sure!

Other Lessons

• Family Members
• Nature and Environment
• Counting 1 10
• Hello and Goodbye
• Geometry
• Parts of the Body
• Sports
• Body
• Idiomatic Expressions
• Family

◀️ Modal Verbs — Previous Lesson

Next Lesson — Drinks and Beverages ▶️