Looking for meatless options? In this post, we’ll go over the best dishes that a vegetarian in Vietnam should try out. Lucky for you, Vietnam has a rich culinary culture that includes a wide variety of veggie-based choices, from savory soups to fresh spring rolls. To further help you out in your gastronomic adventure, we also added some of the Vietnamese terminologies and best restaurants. Let’s begin!
Food is a universal language that can connect people across cultures and borders. When you travel to a new country like Vietnam, trying out the local cuisine can be an exciting and delicious way to immerse yourself in the culture and gain a deeper understanding of its traditions and history. If you learn some basic phrases and terminologies in the native language, perhaps this can also be a great conversation starter, allowing you to interact with locals and learn about their way of life.
Vietnam’s strong Buddhist and Taoist influence, coupled with a wide range of fresh vegetables and meat substitutes, has led to the development of a diverse and delicious vegetarian cuisine. Whether you’re a vegetarian or just looking to try something new, exploring Vietnam’s tasty yet healthy options is a tasty way to experience the country’s cultural heritage. Let’s learn more about that in the sections below!
Meals For A Vegetarian In Vietnam
Get ready to discover the secret ingredient that makes Vietnamese cuisine so mouth-wateringly delicious – rau sống or fresh vegetables! From crisp herbs to vibrant greens, veggies are a crucial part of almost every Vietnamese dish. But why is that? Well, for starters, Vietnam’s climate is ideal for growing a huge range of fresh produce, and the country has a deep cultural connection to plant-based diets. But beyond that, veggies are used to add pops of color, texture, and freshness that balance out the richness of meats and sauces.
Vegetarian Banh Mi (Banh Mi Chay)
Bahn Mi is a popular street food sandwich in Vietnam that typically uses a French baguette with pork fillings. This food has a vegetarian version which replaces it with crispy tofu marinated in soy sauce and some pickled vegetables. You may even add creamy mayonnaise to add more flavor to your sandwich!
Vegetarian Pho (Pho Chay)
You might have heard about this dish from your friends or in certain movies. By just looking at it, you can tell that it’s a good meal, right? The traditional pho contains strips of beef, rice noodles, Vietnamese herbs, and flavorful broth. This description alone can make anyone drool!
Fortunately, it has vegetarian options. You can substitute it with well-seasoned, pan-fried shitake mushrooms. Its broth is improved by using different spices like cinnamon, clove, and star anise, alongside some charred gingers and onions. If you don’t want to wing it by doing things yourself, you can order them in most restaurants.
Fresh Spring Rolls (Gỏi Cuốn)
If you’ve seen the list of the finest Vietnamese cuisine, you’ll notice that this dish is quite popular and well-loved by Vietnamese people. Its traditional counterpart is already filled with green herbs, but some may occasionally add meat or seafood. But since we’re after some good vegetarian food, you can simply add all the vegetables you want to add, like bean sprouts, carrots, and lettuce. To make these vegetarian spring rolls tastier, it’s ideal for preparing a peanut dipping sauce.
Vegetarian Pancake (Bánh Xèo)
It’s a favored Vietnamese vegetarian cuisine that you’ll find in the country because of its crispy, sizzling, and flavorful taste. This has a crispy crepe that contains all the Vietnamese herbs and fillings that you prefer. Originally, it contained meat pieces like bacon, but in its vegetarian versions, you may try using tofu or mushrooms as fake meat. After gathering all the add-ons that you want, you may now prop them in the thin pancake.
This Vietnamese vegetarian food won’t go down to your stomach without a good dipping sauce. For its relish, locals usually use fish sauce, and as a substitute, you can either try vegetarian fish sauce or soy sauce.
Potato Bites (Banh Khoai Tay Chien)
This dish doesn’t really need a veggie version because it already is! Banh Khoai Tay Chien, or deep-fried potato cakes, are appetizers that are great for kids and people who like to eat vegetarian food. Its recipe usually contains mashed potatoes, onion, spring onions, salt, and whatever kind of cheese you like. After preparing all these ingredients and mixing them together, all you need to do is to deep-fry it until it turns a golden-brown color. It’s easy to make, and if you want some condiments, you may get tomato sauce or chili sauce— it depends on your preferences.
Vegetarian Restaurants In Vietnam
Ready to indulge? Whether you’re a vegetarian, vegan, or just looking to add some meat-free meals to your diet, Vietnam has plenty of options to choose from. From cozy cafes to bustling street stalls, you’ll find a diverse range of vegetarian cuisine that celebrates the country’s rich culinary heritage. In this section, we’ll take you on a culinary journey through some of Vietnam’s top vegetarian restaurants, and where to find them.
Shamballa, Vegetarian Restaurant & Tea House
They offer vegetarian food in Vietnam, and they even have delivery services in certain areas. It has a 4.6 review from Google Reviews, and plenty of customers claim that the place has a great relaxing ambiance. Their dishes were also said to be amazing based on 477 reviews from Tripadvisor.
Location: 17-19 Đ. Trịnh Văn Cấn, St, Quận 1, Thành phố Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Opening Hours: 10:00 AM to 10 PM (Daily)
Hum & Cafe Restaurant
Here’s another recommended vegetarian-friendly restaurant that you might want to try. Similarly to the first one, it has 4.6 rates from Google, written by 2000 customers. While they’re also commended for the high-quality meals, service, and the restaurant’s overall vibe.
Location: 32 Võ Văn Tần, Phường 6, Quận 3, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 70000, Vietnam
Opening Hours: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM (Daily)
Vegetarian-Related Words In Vietnamese
If ever you find yourself worrying about the menu, just remember the keywords below so that you’ll know whether a dish has veggies or not. Let’s begin!
| English | Vietnamese | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Carrot | Cà rốt | |
| Cabbage | Bắp cải | |
| Tomato | Cà chua | |
| Lettuce | Rau xà lách | |
| Eggplant | Cà tím | |
| Squash | Bí đỏ | |
| Bell pepper | Ớt chuông | |
| Mushroom | Nấm | |
| Sweet potato | Khoai lang | |
| Bean sprouts | Giá đỗ |
So, Are You In? Join Ling To Learn More!
If this Vegetarian guide in Vietnam didn’t convince you, then you might need to see things yourself! As you may have noticed, Vietnamese cuisine is very versatile, and you may enjoy your trip here despite having a different diet. So, when is your flight?
Before you board that plane after booking a ticket to Vietnam, you might want to learn things about their culture and language first. If you need help in doing so, Ling is here to give you a hand! With Ling, you can learn 60+ languages all over the world and have fun as you gain more knowledge. You won’t need to study tediously. You can take quizzes, puzzles, and challenging games as you learn more about the language that interests you.
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