If you’re tired of traditional Western breakfast foods, you may want something unique to start your day off – and these Vietnamese breakfast items are a great way to mix things up.
Asian countries have breakfast dishes that are very different from Western foods and include rice, meat, vegetables, and savory sauces in their morning cooking.
Vietnamese breakfast foods are healthy and filling meals that can help you recharge and ready yourself for the day.
Here, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most delicious Vietnamese breakfast foods you can find in Vietnam or make at home!
These delectable little packages have different fillings, batter, and meat depending on who’s making it, but the traditional filling is pork, onion, jicama, and mushrooms.
Bánh cuốn is served with fresh herbs and veggies to help you start your day.
You can also find rolls made with shrimp, grilled pork, and even eggs!
Bánh mì directly translates to bread in Vietnamese.
These sandwiches were initially a cheap, on-the-go street food you could buy anywhere in Vietnam, but they can also be a fantastic choice for a quick and delicious breakfast.
This sandwich usually includes pork belly, pickles, cilantro, and cucumber. The bread should be Vietnamese baguettes, which are light and have a crispy crust.
Bahn mi is one of the most popular Vietnamese dishes around the world.
Bún bò huế is a close cousin to pho, but with some kick.
This soup includes beef, pork, a lot of fresh herbs and veggies on top, and thickened pork blood which is chewy and adds depth to the dish.
You can always leave the red chile paste on the side to customize this dish for your spice preferences.
You’ve likely heard of pho before, but you probably haven’t considered having it for breakfast.
Given the healthy greens, the protein from the broth and beef, and the carbs from the rice noodles, pho is a fantastic meal to start your day.
Xôi means sticky rice and is one of Vietnam’s most popular breakfast dishes.
Restaurants and street vendors will usually have one or two varieties ready to go in banana leaves.
There are two types: a cheaper version with mungbean on top and one with red sauce that looks spicy but is sweet.
Bò Kho is accessible to everyone and relatively easy to make.
It is an excellent meal if you want to get into Vietnamese cooking.
Like American beef stews, the meat cooks for a long time to break down the fat and connective tissues, but aromatic Vietnamese spices take the dish to a new level.
Every culture has its spin on steak and eggs, but Bò Né is genuinely spectacular.
Leaving the beef to marinate overnight will get the most flavor out of the dish.
For a traditional version of this meal, serve the meat and eggs with Vietnamese bread smothered in pate.
Crepes are a staple for breakfast, and Banh Xeo fills them with bean sprouts and shrimp.
The bean sprouts add crunch, and the shrimp tastes gorgeous with just the right amount of dipping sauce for some variety.
If you like savory crepes, this dish is a must-try!
Bun Cha are flat pork meatballs served in a broth with rice noodles and a good helping of vegetables.
The recipe is versatile and easy to make with ingredients you can find at any supermarket.
The pork's savory juiciness and crisp fresh vegetables will get you up and moving on even the most challenging days.
If I had to describe Chao Ga in one sentence, it would be simple yet fulfilling.
It's hard to believe that such a simple recipe of chicken and rice congee can make you feel warm and moving, but it’s the go-to recipe if you have a busy day ahead.
Cháo Lòng is not for the mildly adventurous, given the organs that you’ll be eating.
It’s super nutritious and tastes incredibly warm and inviting.
This congee has a long history of poverty and making the most of what you have, but it’s also about family and community coming together for a warm meal.
If you’re looking for a quick breakfast, you won’t find anything better than Bánh Khọt.
These small rice pancakes fry up fast, and each is a delectable bite of shrimp, scallions, fresh veggies, and aromatic spices.
It's everything good about Vietnamese cooking rolled up into tiny, bite-sized portions.
Bao is a steamed dumpling, and the Vietnamese Bánh Bao uses pork, a boiled egg, and Chinese sausages to create something extraordinary.
The savory pork surrounded by the fluffy, chewy bread makes a flavor combination you’d be lucky to taste at any time of day.
13 Vietnamese Breakfast Dishes
Learn what they eat for breakfast in Vietnam with these popular Vietnamese breakfast foods! Use these recipes to make them yourself.
Ingredients
- Bánh Cuốn (Vietnamese Rice Rolls)
- Bánh Mì (Vietnamese Sandwiches w/ Pork Belly)
- Bún Bò Huế (Spicy Vietnamese Beef & Pork Noodle Soup)
- Pho (Vietnamese Noodle Soup)
- Xôi (Sticky Rice)
- Bò Kho (Vietnamese Beef Stew)
- Bò Né (Vietnamese Steak and Eggs Breakfast)
- Banh Xeo (Vietnamese Crepes with Shrimp)
- Bun Cha (Vietnamese Meatballs)
- Chao Ga (Traditional Vietnamese Breakfast)
- Cháo Lòng (Pork Offal Congee)
- Bánh Khọt (Vietnamese Mini Rice Pancakes)
- Bánh Khọtnh Bao (Vietnamese Breakfast Bao)
Instructions
1. Choose your favorite recipe.
2. Gather the necessary ingredients.
3. Prep and cook your recipe.
4. Enjoy!