20 Vegetarian Vietnamese Dishes You Must Try

When I started planning my trip to Vietnam, I have to admit I didn’t really know too much about it. It didn’t look like I would be hurting for activities to fill my day though, so my attention turned to food. What were the Vietnamese dishes I had to try? Vietnamese food was not something I grew up with. In a small city in the North of the UK our international food options were not the most diverse. I think westernized Chinese and Indian food were about as exotic as it came. We had one Thai restaurant, and Japanese was unheard of. Vietnamese similarly so.

I live in Vancouver now, and while Vietnamese food is popular, it’s still not something I had ever really tried. In fact the first time I had Vietnamese food was after my friend and I had already booked our tickets to Vietnam. I was therefore somewhat in the dark over what to expect for my vacation. At this point I’ll throw in another curve ball. I’m vegetarian. All I knew for sure about Vietnamese food was the love of Pho, or beef noodle soup. That wasn’t going to fly for me obviously, so I was a little worried what I might eat.

Vegetarian Vietnamese Dishes

I think I only had one big problem finding vegetarian food during the whole trip to Vietnam. It was a restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City and the menu said they only served vegetarian food on the 1st and 15th days of the lunar calendar. Since I had no idea when the lunar started in relation to the actual date this didn’t help much. And as expected, luck and the lunar calendar were not on my side. When I asked the waiter I was advised that today was neither the 1st nor the 15th so I was s*#t out of luck for veggie food.

But other than this I found vegetarian food most places I went. In fact when I got to Vietnam I was overwhelmed with delicious food to try. Chay is the word for vegetarian in Vietnamese. Really easy to say, really easy to see on menus. This word is your lifeline if you are a non meat eater like me. On our trip we visited Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City. There were some national Vietnamese dishes we found everywhere and some regional dishes we found in each location, all delicious. Here are some of the best vegetarian Vietnamese dishes we tried during our time in Vietnam.

Phở Chay

Pho has to be the most recognized of Vietnamese dishes. It’s as simple as it comes: noodle soup. Yet, the slow cooked flavorful broth makes this one of the most delicious dishes you ever had. I had never had Phở until I got to Vietnam, so naturally this dish is ruined for me because even the cheapest, hole in the wall “restaurant” in Vietnam makes better phở that I will get anywhere else. The veggie version (Phở Chay) often includes tofu and a few vegetables to give it some extra sustenance. But even the most basic noodles, green onions and broth is amazing and a really good meal. Get it with some spring rolls and you’ll be set.

Chả Giò Chay (Fried Vegetarian Spring Rolls)

Much like my trip to Thailand I spent my Vietnam trip searching for the best spring rolls. I had so many spring rolls you would think I would get sick of them. While I prefer Thai spring rolls, the Vietnamese ones are still really tasty, if not a little greasier. Filled with vermicelli noodles, tofu, and fresh vegetables like carrot and jicama they are then deep fried until the skin starts to bubble. I even made my own in a cooking class, see how they turned out. Spring rolls can also be made using fresh vegetables and rice paper, not fried, and with a peanut dipping sauce.

Bánh Mì

After pho, Banh Mi is likely second on any most famous Vietnamese dishes list. Bánh mì are sandwiches made with French style bread and filled with any combination of meat, cheese, egg, vegetables and delicious spicy sauces. While most commonly involving meat, banh mi are easily adapted to being veggie friendly. I got fried egg in the ones I had but you can get without egg, or with cheese also. For a vegan version the amount of delicious vegetables and sauce in there is enough to still make it a filling lunch. The crispy French bread (a nod to Vietnam’s colonial history) is the key ingredient that means it’s good whatever you put in it. If you’re in Hoi An, go to the famous Banh Mi Queen.

Bún Chả

Bun cha is actually one of my favorite Vietnamese dishes I had in Vietnam. We found it in Hanoi, where the dish is thought to have originated, so you’ll find it a staple dish in the North and not much anywhere else. Bún chả is like a build your own bowl of deliciousness. Noodles, pickled vegetables, herbs and greens, broth and grilled meat if you wish. I had the version without meat and with the veggie broth, and it came with spring rolls. We also had a bunch of condiments and things to add: hot sauce, lime, garlic, vinegar and a dipping sauce. We were so excited about this dish we hunted out one of the best known places for it, Bun Cha Ta. I’m glad we did as they were really helpful, even explaining how we were meant to eat it. Perfect for the Vietnamese food novice!

Bún Thịt Nướng

Bún thịt nướng is a version of Bun Cha, found elsewhere in Vietnam. The big difference I noticed was that this dish was more salad like than noodle soup like. The noodles were cold and while all the other fixings were there, there was no broth. I got a peanut style sauce with mine which I drizzled over and mixed in along with the lime and herbs. This vegetarian version, from Phở Thư in Hoi An, came with grilled tofu instead of grilled meat and was really good. But I think I still prefer bun cha.

Lotus Veggie Rice

Most Asian countries have their own take on a fried rice dish. Since rice is a staple food everywhere, including Vietnam, there are many dishes centered around it. Simple but delicious dishes. Vietnam is no different but I included it here because while in Vietnam I found one that had lotus roont added on top of the usual vegetables in a fried rice. Lotus root is a very popular Asian food item, and the roots are similar to a raw potato in their natural state. But they add a little something extra to an otherwise plain fried rice dish. Definitely try something with lotus root if you’re in Vietnam, either mixed in like this rice dish, or sliced and stir fried.

Gỏi bắp chuối (Banana Blossom Salad)

I had no idea what a banana blossom was until I was eating it in a salad. As the name suggests, a banana blossom is the flower at the end of a banana. Vietnam was the first place that I’d seen not only add them to a dish, but made them the highlight of the dish. This salad is light and refreshing, with nice crisp and fresh vegetables finely shredded. Carrot, onion, pepper, mint and cilantro, then a light and sweet/spicy dressing. It’s so good, especially on a hot day.

Gỏi đu đủ (Green Papaya Salad)

Similar ingredients to the banana blossom salad only using shredded green papaya instead of banana blossom. Sometimes you’ll find both ingredients combined in one salad. But I really enjoyed the green papaya. Again, something I didn’t really know about. It’s not like the usual papaya we know, the sweet, orange fruit. But it also is. You see, the papaya is just picked earlier before it has fully ripened. And instead of being sweet and soft (like a mango) it is crisp and has a lot less flavor, but works very well as the base of these salads. Kind of like Romaine lettuce would be in a salad you might have. The salad is usually a little spicier and was one of my favorite Vietnamese dishes.

Taro Dumplings

I absolutely love taro. It’s such a popular Asian vegetable that is purple in color. It’s a root but is kind of potato-like in texture. Funny story about my first experience with taro. I was in China, I bought an ice cream and couldn’t read the flavors so went with the purple one as I thought it was blueberry or something. As I was eating it someone translated that the lady who sold it said it was like a purple potato. It’s more aromatic than a potato but I still love it to this day.

Anyway, I was on a cruise on Halong Bay and got way more excited about one of the dishes than anyone should. Most other people, having being served a purple dumpling would have been confused if not a little skeptical. Not me. I savored every bite of those tasty taro dumplings. If you find taro dumplings, have them. If you don’t, just find anything taro flavored and trust me on this!

Red bean steamed buns

These little steamed bread buns are so yummy. The sticky dough and the sweet red bean paste, which doesn’t sound good but it is. They are an easy snack on the go from many street food vendors and you’ll also find them in small bars and little restaurants that serve snacks. I had eaten these before in China so knew what they were, but you can’t go wrong. There will be other fillings to these steamed buns too – meat, vegetables or other fruits – but red bean paste is where it’s at.

Vietnamese Coffee

Vietnam is famous for its coffee. I’m not a coffee drinker, or at least I wasn’t until I went to Vietnam. Couldn’t stand the stuff before, but after being introduced to the Vietnamese style coffees I actually quite like it. One of the best ways to try coffee in Vietnam is with condensed milk. Trust me, it’s amazing. Another of my favorite types of coffee was coconut coffee. Cold or hot, the coffee in Vietnam is incredible. I even brought some back with me. Read more about other drinks you need to try in Vietnam.

Bánh khoái Huế

When we first arrived in Hue we were told we needed to try the local specialty, bánh khoái Huế. A crispy pancake that adorably translates as “happy pancake”. The pancake is made of rice flour, deep fried and folded with mixed veggie and tofu inside. There are meat versions but we stuck to the vegetarian (chay) version. As with many other places we’d eaten in Vietnam we were given instructions on how to eat the pancake by the restaurant owner. Wrap it in the green leaves and herbs and dip into the sauce. When I asked if the sauce was vegetarian also I was told “it’s 95% vegetarian, 1% pork”. Since this not only meant there was at least some meat in it, as well as 4% unaccounted for, I skipped the sauce. But the pancake was delicious.

Stir fried noodles

I think this is something you can find most places, and if you’re ever struggling to find vegetarian options this is a great go to. In Vietnam noodles are king, and the limitless ways to eat them is unfathomable. But sometimes stir fried noodles are like comfort food. These ones I discovered in Hue at a place called Nina’s Cafe. The noodles had just the right amount of spice, and were loaded with fresh vegetables, egg and crispy fried garlic. It doesn’t get much better than crispy fried garlic!

Ice Cream rolls

These are not limited to Vietnam, but there are a lot of street food vendors selling these cups of ice cream rolls so I’m including them here. They are a novelty snack. Don’t expect the best ice cream you’ve had in your life, but it’s worth getting for the entertainment value alone. You may have seen these ice cream carts where they pour fruits and milk on a frozen metal plate and proceed to chop it up quickly and mix it while simultaneously cooling it down to ice cream temperature. After watching them hack up the fruit and milk with metal spatulas for a couple of minutes they spread it out, cool it down and roll it up. Then it’s served in a cup with fruit toppings. A true Instagrammable dessert! Overpriced but fun.

Bánh Bèo Huế (Steamed Rice Cakes)

Traditionally Bánh Bèo Huế would be served with shrimp or pork, but I was able to get the vegetarian (chay) version which is often an option. There’s something about glutinous rice balls that just seems so unappealing yet they’re in many Vietnamese dishes. But surprisingly these squishy little balls made from rice flour are really tasty. I had these on a food tour at a market stall in Saigon and since my friend was not vegetarian I got a plate to myself. This was the first stop on the tour though so I was stuffed after devouring half of these. They were in a slightly sweet and spicy sauce, mixed with cilantro and fried dough with give a crispy texture.

Cao lầu

We discovered Cao lầu in Hoi An, Central Vietnam. It’s one of the regional Vietnamese dishes from here. When we were getting clothes made in Hoi An, we asked the owner of the tailor what food we should try here. Without hesitation she told us to try Cao lầu. It might seem like any other noodle dish, but Cao lầu is a by product of a mixture of cultures by using thicker noodles similar to Japanese Udon, some Indian style spice combinations and Chinese style meat. The rice made to use the rice noodles is pre-soaked in a local wood-ash water and for authentic Cao lầu the water is from one of the city’s centuries old wells. The vegetarian version uses a vegetable broth, skips the meat and instead opts for tofu and crispy fried dough crackers. It’s a mix of textures and works perfectly.

Bánh xèo (Vietnamese crepes)

If you haven’t noticed by now Vietnam loves a good pancake. These are a little different from the Hue specialty. They are usually much bigger, and thinner but eaten in a similar way. We tried Bánh xèo at a restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City while on a food tour, and got a vegetarian version that was filled with mixed mushrooms. The most interesting part was that the greens you are served with it are one of the most important parts. Our tour guide told us to hold out our hand as she piled leaves and herbs, detailing characteristics of each one. Some sweet, some aromatic, some spicy, some terrible on their own but work well together. Then you put some of the pancake on, roll it up and dip in the sauce to eat. So good!!

Crispy banana pancakes

I can’t find the Vietnamese name for these anywhere but I discovered them in Ho Chi Minh City. I never saw them anywhere else in Vietnam but they might be around if you look for them. They are very, very thin slices of banana pressed into what looks like a sheet of paper. They are then fried and are best eaten while hot (otherwise they get too crispy to chew). It seems so simple, but they were so tasty. This is the reason why you should always take a chance and try street food, because you’ll find new things that you definitely wouldn’t find in a restaurant.

Bánh rán

Possibly the best street food snack I tried while I was there. Bánh rán are little round cakes made with rice flour that are fried, and typically have a sweet center. The ones we had were like a little sweet ball within the big ball. A lot have sesame seeds on them but I hate sesame so I went for the sweeter ones that I was told were made with condensed milk. People carry them around in the street selling them, these are not the best ones. After much sampling we found the best place in Hanoi. I would walk back to Vietnam for a bag of these fried cakes.

Cà Phê Trứng (Egg Coffee)

Egg coffee sounds weird, I’ll admit. For someone who didn’t even like coffee until visiting Vietnam in 2019 I was especially concerned someone was going to make me try this. But after having already supped my first coffee I decided to go for it. Egg coffee was not what I was expecting. I kind of pictured a cup of coffee and you throw an egg in there and mix it instead of milk. But egg coffee is actually more like a dessert. A custard like foamy sweet dessert that you then pour coffee into. Then eat it with a spoon. It was fantastic, and I urge you to make sure to try it when you visit Vietnam.

Fresh fruit

This isn’t Vietnamese, per se, but something I did enjoy while I was in Vietnam was the abundance of fresh tropical fruit. Walk through any market and you can get some pineapple on a stick. Fresh fruit is sold on the street by street vendors. And absolutely everywhere sells passionfruit.

It’s my favorite fruit and in Canada it’s so expensive, usually almost $3 for one. So here in Vietnam, where it’s available with every hotel breakfast buffet, in every cafe that sells fruit smoothies, and at every market stall, I was a happy person. I probably had one or two for breakfast every single day I was there. My friend started to question whether I was sick of passionfruit smoothies, juice or desserts. The answer was, and always will be, NO!

Vietnamese dishes every vegetarian will enjoy

I’m still blown away with the amazing food I found in Vietnam. It has quickly become one of my favorite countries. I definitely thought the food in the North (Hanoi) was better, for me and my tastes, but I found excellent food all around the country. Vietnam was a country I was worried about traveling as a vegetarian but I shouldn’t have been so concerned. The only thing to watch for is the use of fish sauce in many items. So you should ask about that if you’re not willing to risk it. Most places that served vegetarian food had two separate broths, one meat and one veggie. So this definitely made me feel better. The food is worth a trip to Vietnam alone, but it’s also an incredible country. To start planning your trip here are my 7 tips for a first time visit to Vietnam.

If you’ve enjoyed this post leave a comment or share using the social media buttons below. Which Vietnamese dishes are you most excited to try? Let me know any other vegetarian dishes you managed to find in Vietnam.