Vietnamese cuisine is famous for its fresh ingredients, balanced flavors, and rich culinary traditions. Many people associate Vietnamese food with pho, the well-loved beef noodle soup. However, Vietnam has a diverse noodle culture that goes far beyond pho. Across the country, each region has its own unique noodle dishes, offering different broths, toppings, and ways to enjoy them.

In this article, we will introduce you to the top 5 best Vietnamese noodle dishes beyond pho. From the spicy and bold Bún Bò Huế to the rich seafood flavors of Bún Mắm, these dishes will take your taste buds on an unforgettable journey through Vietnam. If you love pho, you will definitely enjoy these other noodle dishes!

Top 5 best Vietnamese noodle dishes beyond Pho

1. Bun Bo Hue – The Spicy Noodle Soup from Central Vietnam

If you think pho is the only Vietnamese noodle dish worth trying, you are missing out on a world of flavors. Bún bò Huế is a rich and spicy beef noodle soup that comes from Huế, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. Unlike pho, which has a light broth, bún bò Huế has a bold and complex taste with a combination of beef bones, lemongrass, shrimp paste, and chili oil. The result is a flavorful, slightly spicy, and aromatic broth that is perfect for those who love intense flavors.

How to Best Enjoy Bún Bò Huế

Bún bò Huế is served with thick, round rice noodles, which are different from the flat noodles used in pho. The dish usually includes tender beef shank, pork knuckles, and sometimes cubes of congealed pig’s blood. You get a plate of fresh herbs and vegetables on the side, including banana blossoms, bean sprouts, and lime wedges, which you can add to your bowl to enhance the taste.

If you enjoy spicy food, you can mix in some chili paste for an extra kick. The best way to enjoy bún bò Huế is to take a spoonful of the broth first, then mix in the herbs and lime juice before slurping up the noodles and meat.

Where to Eat Bún Bò Huế

You can find bún bò Huế all over Vietnam, but the best bowls are in Huế, where the dish originated. If you are in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, many restaurants specialize in this dish as well.

• In Huế: Try Bún Bò Huế Mệ Kéo or Bún Bò Huế O Cương Chú Điệp for an authentic experience.
• In Ho Chi Minh City: Bún Bò Huế Đông Ba is a popular spot.
• In Hanoi: Bún Bò Huế O Xuân is well-known for its rich broth.

2. Bun Rieu – The Tangy and Savory Crab Noodle Soup

If you love seafood and bold flavors, bún riêu is a must-try. This Vietnamese noodle soup is known for its rich, tomato-based broth and delicious crab and pork toppings. Originating from northern Vietnam, bún riêu is one of the most flavorful noodle dishes you can find. Unlike pho or bún bò Huế, which have a meaty broth, bún riêu has a slightly sour and refreshing taste, thanks to the use of tomatoes and tamarind.

How to Best Enjoy Bún Riêu

Bún riêu is made with thin rice noodles and topped with a mixture of crab meat, pork, and eggs, which form soft and fluffy crab cakes in the soup. Some versions also include fried tofu, blood pudding, and even snails for extra texture. The broth has a unique tangy-sweet flavor that comes from tomatoes and fermented shrimp paste.

A plate of fresh herbs like perilla leaves, shredded banana blossoms, and bean sprouts is always served on the side. You can add these to your bowl along with a squeeze of lime and a spoonful of chili paste for an extra punch. The best way to enjoy bún riêu is to mix everything well and take a sip of the broth before diving into the noodles and toppings.

Where to Eat Bún Riêu

Bún riêu is a popular street food, so you can easily find it in markets and small food stalls across Vietnam. The best places to try it are in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

• In Hanoi: Bún Riêu Cua 11 Hàng Bạc is a famous local spot.
• In Ho Chi Minh City: Bún Riêu Gánh and Bún Riêu Nguyễn Cảnh Chân are well-loved by locals.

3. Bun Mam – The Bold and Flavorful Fermented Fish Noodle Soup

If you enjoy rich and intense flavors, bún mắm is a must-try. This dish comes from the Mekong Delta in southern Vietnam and is known for its deep umami taste, thanks to the use of fermented fish sauce. Unlike other Vietnamese noodle soups, which have clear and light broths, bún mắm has a dark, flavorful soup that packs a punch.

How to Best Enjoy Bún Mắm

The broth is made from mắm cá linh or mắm cá sặc (fermented fish), which gives it a strong and salty aroma. While the smell might be strong at first, the taste is incredibly delicious, especially when balanced with fresh herbs and vegetables. The soup is served with thick rice vermicelli noodles and a variety of toppings, including crispy roast pork, shrimp, squid, and eggplant.

Bún mắm always comes with a big plate of fresh herbs and vegetables, such as water lilies, banana blossoms, and Vietnamese coriander. Squeezing a bit of lime and adding some chili can enhance the flavors even more. The combination of seafood, pork, and fragrant broth makes bún mắm one of the most exciting noodle dishes in Vietnam.

Where to Eat Bún Mắm

Bún mắm is most popular in southern Vietnam, especially in the Mekong Delta and Ho Chi Minh City. Some great places to try it include:

• In Can Tho: Bún Mắm 173
• In Ho Chi Minh City: Bún Mắm Cô Ba and Bún Mắm 22 Phan Bội Châu near Ben Thanh Market

4. Mi Quang – The Signature Turmeric Noodles of Central Vietnam

If you want to try something different from the usual Vietnamese noodle soups, mì Quảng is the perfect choice. This dish comes from Quang Nam Province in central Vietnam, and it is one of the most iconic foods of the region. Unlike pho or bún bò Huế, mì Quảng has a thick, flavorful broth that barely covers the noodles, making it more like a noodle salad than a soup.

How to Best Enjoy Mì Quảng

The dish starts with wide, flat rice noodles that have a slight yellow color due to turmeric. The broth, made from pork or chicken bones, is rich and slightly sweet but is only added in small amounts—just enough to coat the noodles.

The toppings are what make mì Quảng special. You’ll often find shrimp, pork, chicken, or even frog meat, along with crushed peanuts, crispy rice crackers, and fresh herbs like mint and basil. A squeeze of lime and some chili make the flavors even better.

Mì Quảng is usually served with a plate of fresh vegetables, including lettuce, bean sprouts, and sliced banana blossoms. The best way to eat it is to mix everything together so that the broth coats the noodles and toppings evenly.

Where to Eat Mì Quảng

Mì Quảng is most popular in central Vietnam, especially in Da Nang, Hoi An, and Quang Nam. Some great places to try it include:

• In Hoi An: Mì Quảng Ông Hai
• In Da Nang: Mì Quảng Bà Mua and Mì Quảng 1A

5. Hu Tieu – The Versatile Southern Vietnamese Noodle Dish

Hủ tiếu is one of the most popular noodle dishes in southern Vietnam, especially in Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta. What makes this dish special is its versatility—you can have it as a soup or a dry noodle dish. It has Chinese and Cambodian influences, but over time, the Vietnamese have made it their own.

How to Best Enjoy Hủ Tiếu

There are many different types of hủ tiếu, but the most common version features a clear and slightly sweet broth made from pork bones. The noodles can be thin rice noodles (hủ tiếu dai) or flat rice noodles (hủ tiếu mềm).

You can find hủ tiếu served in two ways:

• Hủ tiếu nước (with broth) – A comforting and flavorful soup
• Hủ tiếu khô (dry version) – Noodles tossed in a sweet-savory sauce, served with a separate bowl of broth

The dish usually comes with pork, shrimp, quail eggs, and sometimes squid. It’s always served with fresh herbs, lettuce, bean sprouts, and chili to add extra flavor.

Where to Eat Hủ Tiếu

Hủ tiếu is everywhere in southern Vietnam, from street stalls to famous restaurants. Some well-known places to try it include:

• Hủ Tiếu Nam Vang Nhân Quán (Ho Chi Minh City) – Famous for Phnom Penh-style hủ tiếu
• Quán Hủ Tiếu Mực Phúc - Bún Thái (Can Tho) – A popular local spot
• Hủ Tiếu Mỹ Tho 43 (Tien Giang) – A must-try if you’re in the Mekong Delta

Hủ tiếu is a great choice if you want a lighter noodle dish with a touch of sweetness. Whether you prefer the soup or dry version, it’s always a satisfying meal.

Conclusion

Vietnam is a paradise for noodle lovers, with each region offering a different taste experience. Exploring these top 5 best Vietnamese noodle dishes beyond Pho is a great way to dive deeper into Vietnam’s rich food culture.

The best way to experience these amazing dishes is by going on a local food tour. A guided tour will take you to the best spots, introduce you to local cooking styles, and help you understand the flavors that make Vietnamese cuisine special. So why not book a food tour and taste these delicious noodles for yourself? Vietnam is waiting for you!

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