Vietnam’s Best Bites & Sips

The upcoming trip Wine-Knows will dine in this private residence owned by the Governor's descendants

The countdown is on for Vietnam….in roughly two months I’ll be enjoying one of the cuisines I most dearly love.  Not only is it one of the planet’s healthiest, but it is a gastronomic feast for all five senses (sight, smell, hearing, touch and taste).  Below are my three favorite bites and two celestial sips from many previous Vietnamese trips.

Anthony Boudain went so far as to call this place's Bahn Mi the best bite in Vietnam

Bahn Mi

More than a decade ago (well before street food became a phenomenon) I watched Anthony Bourdain’s foodie show on Vietnam.  He nailed this much-loved street sandwich inspired by the French colonization: Pâté & grilled pork with layers of fresh veggies on a just-out-of-the-oven baguette.   Every trip I make a pilgrimage to his beloved food-truck.  But I'm not the only one....it’s become so popular that it now has a restaurant.

            Pronounced BAWN SAY YO, this Vietnamese combines the best of France & Vietnam

Bahn Xeo

This is another French-roots street food specialty, although it’s become so popular that many restaurants are now offering it.  Bahn xeo is a savory Vietnamese-fusion crepe.  Common fillings include prawns, pork & bean sprouts, and it’s served with a mélange of leafy greens & herbs on the side.  For eating, think of a taco:  the greens act as a mini tortilla with pieces of bahn xeo & herbs make up the filling.

           Vietnamese street food from a portable grill is served with the country's classic fish sauce 

Betel Nut Leaf Filled with Minced Beef

I’m not much of a red meat eater and either are the Vietnamese.  These miniature treats remind me of stuffed grape leaves on the outside, but the betel leaf version is much more complex.  Adding to the complexity is a plethora of fresh herbs in the stuffing, the unique flavors of the betel, along with the flavors added by grilling over wood.

                                  Tea is made from lotus leaves, flowers, roots and stems

Lotus Tea

I had the honor of going on my first trip to Vietnam with a friend from California who was born in Saigon.  One of her favorite things as a child was lotus tea.  It was love at first sip (actually first smell) for me.  Lotus tea has an intense but delicate floral aroma and an out of this world flavor.  

    According to Forbes Magazine, the owner of this coffee brand is one of the richest men in Vietnam

 Vietnamese Coffee

The French introduced coffee to Vietnam in the 1850’s.  Fast forward to 2025:  Vietnam is now the world’s second biggest exporter of coffee, second only to Brazil. 

I still remember my first sip in Hanoi of coffee and that was over a dozen years ago.  I was so impressed that I brought home >5 lbs with me, never dreaming I could buy it here.  Wrong!    Appears there are many lovers around the world of Vietnam’s coffee.  Vietnamese coffee offers chocolate nuances along nutty flavors.  Keep in mind I’m not a fan of flavored coffees, but this one is way different. 

Coming on Wine-Knows' sold-out February trip to Vietnam?  You'll experience all of these gastronomic delights and more!   Afterall, how could I visit Vietnam without revisiting my favorite bites and sips?