20 Vietnamese Appetizers You Should Know About
Vietnamese cuisine is celebrated for its bold flavors, fresh ingredients, and delightful textures. Among the myriad of dishes, appetizers hold a special place, offering a tantalizing glimpse into the country’s rich culinary heritage. Here are 20 Vietnamese appetizers you should know about:
1. Gỏi Cuốn (Spring Rolls)
Gỏi cuốn, or fresh spring rolls, are made with rice paper filled with shrimp, herbs, rice vermicelli, and sometimes pork. They are often served with a peanut or hoisin dipping sauce.
2. Chả Giò (Fried Spring Rolls)
Unlike gỏi cuốn, chả giò are deep-fried spring rolls filled with a mixture of minced pork, mushrooms, and vermicelli noodles, resulting in a crispy outer shell and a savory filling.
3. Bánh Xèo (Vietnamese Pancakes)
These savory pancakes are made from rice flour and turmeric, filled with pork, shrimp, bean sprouts, and green onions. They are typically served with fresh herbs and a tangy dipping sauce.
4. Bánh Tráng (Rice Paper)
This versatile rice paper is often used to wrap various fillings for fresh rolls or served as a base for other appetizers, often complemented with seafood or sautéed vegetables.
5. Nem Nướng (Grilled Pork Roll)
Nem nướng is grilled pork patties served with rice paper, fresh herbs, and vegetables, often rolled up for a flavorsome and interactive dining experience.
6. Xôi Gà (Chicken Sticky Rice)
Xôi gà is a dish of sticky rice topped with tender chicken, garnished with fried shallots and sometimes served with soy sauce, making it a hearty appetizer.
7. Bánh Bột Lọc (Tapioca Dumplings)
These translucent dumplings are filled with shrimp or pork and are usually served with a sweet and spicy dipping sauce, providing a chewy and delightful texture.
8. Đậu Hũ Hấp (Steamed Tofu)
Steamed tofu is often served with a soy-sauce dressing and garnished with green onions, offering a light and healthy appetizer option.
9. Gà Nướng (Grilled Chicken Skewers)
Marinated chicken skewers grilled to perfection, gà nướng are often served with a savory dipping sauce, making them a popular choice among meat lovers.
10. Bò Lá Lốt (Grilled Beef in Wild Betel Leaves)
This dish features seasoned beef wrapped in wild betel leaves, grilled and served with rice paper, fresh herbs, and dipping sauce for added flavor.
11. Canh Chua (Sour Soup)
Canh chua is a delicious sour soup made with tamarind, fish, and a variety of vegetables, typically served as a light appetizer to stimulate the appetite.
12. Bánh Căn (Mini Pancakes)
Bánh căn are small pancakes made with rice flour, often topped with seafood or meat and garnished with herbs, served with dipping sauce for extra flavor.
13. Chả Cốm (Green Sticky Rice Meat Cake)
This unique dish combines green sticky rice and minced meat to create bite-sized cakes, often enjoyed with a side of vegetables.
14. Bánh Mì Sò Điệp (Scallop Sandwich)
A twist on the beloved bánh mì, this sandwich features scallops and various toppings, encased in a crispy baguette, perfect for seafood lovers.
15. Hến Xào (Stir-fried Razor Clams)
Stir-fried razor clams with herbs and spices create a fragrant and appetizing dish that is often served with rice or bread as a delightful starter.
16. Mực Nướng (Grilled Squid)
This appetizer features tender squid marinated in spices and grilled until perfectly cooked, often accompanied by a zesty dipping sauce.
17. Chả Cá (Fish Cake)
Chả cá is a dish of marinated fish that is grilled and served with rice vermicelli, fresh herbs, and a savory dipping sauce, deliciously showcasing the flavors of Vietnam.