Initially, I wanted to write my top 10 Vietnamese food. But it was too difficult. I still have to leave out some food that I liked like the caramelized chicken in fish sauce, the hot vit lon in tamarind sauce, sour soup with shrimp (canh chua tom) and the spring rolls. It is no wonder that I can’t find my size in a local dress shop.

Here are my top 12 favorite Vietnamese food (in no particular order) which I crave for in cycles. 😛

1. Goi Cuon

It is the fried spring rolls, fresh counterpart. It is much like the fresh lumpia of my home country which is actually dipped in peanut sauce too — except that our wrapper would be made from egg and flour while the goi cuon’s wrapper is made from rice. I don’t have to go far to find this dish. I just go to La Chuoi Quan right down our apartment.

2. Bun Bo Hue or Pho Bo

I love noodles with soup and beef so it’s a close call between Bun Bo Hue or Pho Bo for me.  So far, Nam Giao’s Bun Bo Hue is yum. But I heard that the Lunch Lady’s version is something worth trying.

3. Banh Cuon

My first banh cuon was from Banh Cuon LA. But I really enjoy La Chuoi Quan’s version way better. This is made of rice, pork, tofu, cucumber and fried onions. I order this for 40kVND and this fills me up!

4. Banh Khot

I’ve tried the Banh Khot from Khoai Restaurant, Co Ba Vung Tau, and Hoa Tuc. I liked  Hoa Tuc’s the best.

5. Cha Ca La Vong

The cha ca fish with dill is really, really good. I hope to visit Hanoi someday and try this Hanoian dish. To satisfy my cravings, I go to Cha Ca Ha Noi or Cha Ca La Vong.

6. Raw Fish Salad

Fish is really a favorite. And I enjoy Vietnam’s raw fish salad wrapped in rice paper and dipped in some sauce that I’m not sure what. 😛 Phan Thiet’s Cay Bang has this on their menu but I like Hoa Vien’s version better.

7. Banh Beo

This is really pretty straightforward dish. It’s like a rice cake and you just add fish sauce and voila, yum! An Restaurant in District 1 serves this.

8. Tofu with Lemongrass and Chilli

One of the lightest and tastiest tofu in lemongrass and chilli that I’ve ever tasted is that from Cuc Gach Quan. You can never go wrong with this one!

9. Prawn in Tamarind Sauce

Another favorite from Cuc Gach Quan is this prawn dish.

10. Banh Xeo

Co Ba Vung Tau serves the most delicious banh xeo. I just love the mix of veggies in this egg-based wrapper. I remember enjoying this dish too in Phu Quoc.

11. Deep Fried Soft Shell Crab

Again, this delectable meal is best tasted from Cuc Gach Quan. 🙂

12. Che Chuoi

This sweet banana dessert is my favorite dessert in Vietnam. I don’t enjoy the other sweet soup they serve here, except for this. I get my fix from La Chuoi Quan.
How about you?  What’s your favorite Vietnamese dish?