Famous vermicelli specialties throughout the three regions of Vietnam

Update: 17/01/2024
(TITC) - Each region in Vietnam has a type of vermicelli with its own unique flavour.

Ha Noi Bun Cha (Ha Noi grilled pork vermicelli)

When talking about typical dishes of Ha Noi, in addition to pho and banh mibun cha is indispensable. There are many different variations of bun cha, of which the most popular is still a plate of vermicelli with a bowl of tangy dipping sauce of green papaya, carrots and patties or balls.

Pork can be sliced or minced, rolled into balls, marinated to taste and then grilled over charcoal, until it turns the colour of cockroach wings. Some shops also roll in lolot leaves and blumea lanceolaria leaves to add flavour.

Sweet and sour dipping sauce, add some green papaya, carrots… And raw vegetables such as herbs, lettuce... are also indispensable side dishes of bun cha. Bun Cha Tuyet (34 Hang Than Street, Ba Dinh District, Ha Noi), Bun Cha Huong Lien (24 Le Van Huu Street, Hai Ba Trung District, Ha Noi) are famous bun cha addresses in Ha Noi that diners can try.

Bun cha (Photo: Vinpearl)

Hai Phong prawn vermicelli

Prawn vermicelli is a famous dish in Hai Phong also named the Port land. Common ingredients are black tiger prawn, sea prawn or giant prawn. Vegetables change with the seasons such as celery, mustard greens, bamboo shoots... The special thing about vermicelli with prawn lies in the broth.

In addition to bones, the cook also uses boiled prawn water to get the sweet, rich taste and characteristic seafood smell. Diners can eat prawn vermicelli with lolot leaf meat rolls, fish balls, and sliced black fungus.

Famous prawn vermicelli addresses in Hai Phong include a restaurant called Bun Tom ngon on Tran Quang Khai Street or Le Loi and Lach Tray Streets… Or Hoi Hoi restaurant on Luong Khanh Thien street, Nhat Thien prawn vermicelli soup on Le Hong Phong street…

Bun Bo Hue (Hue Spicy beef vermicelli soup)

This specialty is commonly called Hue spicy beef vermicelli soup - indicating its origin, but Hue people simply call it beef vermicelli soup. A yummy beef vermicelli soup must be clear, sweet from the stewed bones, and fragrant with lemongrass, onions, and fish sauce. The vermicelli bowl has beef, pork trotters, and most especially crab rolls - made from crab roe. Some restaurants replace it with beef balls and pork rolls for convenient preparation.

​Beef noodle soup served with bean sprouts, banana heart, some herbs… Diners can find beef vermicelli soup in many places, but the flavour in Hue is always the most special. The difference is that the original beef vermicelli soup in Hue does not use large vermicelli like other places.

Hue spicy beef noodle soup (Photo: TITC)

Nha Trang jellyfish vermicelli soup

When coming to the coastal city of Khanh Hoa, diners should try the extremely delicious and unique Nha Trang jellyfish vermicelli dish. Jellyfish are small, milky white, thick, and carefully and skillfully prepared to retain their natural sweetness and crunch. The broth of vermicelli is not from simmered bones but from cooked fish. Although the dish is monotonous in colour, it is attractive due to its typical sea flavour. When eating, diners can order fish cakes and raw vegetables.

Famous jellyfish vermicelli shops that Nha Trang people often go to are: Han Thuyen jellyfish vermicelli soup (24 Han Thuyen Street, Nha Trang), Jellyfish vermicelli soup and fish cake at Dam market, Song Ngu fish vermicelli soup, Cay Bang restaurant, Nam Beo fish vermicelli soup restaurant in Dam Market, Quan Min on Bach Dang street…

Nha Trang jellyfish noodle soup (Photo: Vinpearl)

Soc Trang vermicelli soup

Vermicelli soup (or fish sauce vermicelli) is a famous specialty in the Southwest region, especially in Soc Trang Province. The broth made from bones, shrimp, white radish, fresh coconut water and especially fish sauce is the factor that creates the rich, sweet and fragrant flavour of this vermicelli dish. Vermicelli soup can be eaten with boiled snakehead fish, peeled fresh shrimp, chopped roasted meat and raw vegetables. The unique aroma of fish sauce, the crunchy taste of roasted meat, and the sweetness of shrimp will be the perfect combination for your taste buds.

Ba Xim Vermicelli Soup Restaurant (45 Phu Loi, Ward 2, Soc Trang), Freshwater Fish Vermicelli Soup Restaurant (655 National Highway 1A, Hamlet 3, Ward 2, Soc Trang)... are familiar addresses that selling famous vermicelli soup in Soc Trang.

Tourism Information Technology Center