Vegetarian Vietnamese Food: A Guide When Traveling To Vietnam
In Southeast Asia's central region, Vietnam is home to 54 ethnic groups and 63 provinces. This country is distinctive due to its plethora of languages, customs, and cuisines.
It would be a serious oversight not to note how well-known its cuisine is for its unique blend of sweet, sour, spicy, salty, and occasionally bitter flavors. Each variety of Vietnamese cuisine strikes a balance between green herbs, meat, and spices, as seen by foreigners.
Besides, being a vegetarian in Vietnam is not big deal. As the popularity of vegan cuisine varies from North to South, you may enjoy your meal in any part of the country, whether it is a five-star restaurant or a street vendor. The Vietnamese term for "vegetarian" is chay, which is a straightforward and easy-to-remember word. Let's explore vegetarian Vietnamese food!
The History of Vegetarian Vietnamese Food
It is thought that vegetarian food first originated in Vietnam during the time of the Ly Dynasty in the eleventh century. However, it did not become popular until the early 19th century, during the long reign of the Nguyen Dynasty. As part of a royal rite, a prayer for peace and prosperity in the realm, the King commanded the cooks to prepare the greatest cuisine at that time. This meal type is vegetarian food.
Since then, vegetarianism has established a custom in Hue, where the King formerly resided. Many Hue individuals consume vegetarian meals on the first and full moon days of each month. These days, restaurants provide vegetarian meals rather than meat-based fare. On the first day of the New Lunar Year, Hue residents also eat vegetarian dishes.
Following the example of Hue, non-vegetarian establishments in Ho Chi Minh City began to close on the first and full moon days. The number of eateries selling vegetarian cuisine on the street has expanded. Then, vegetarian cuisine arrived in Hanoi and other northern regions. In the early days, pagodas mostly provided vegetarian cuisine. Then, there were several dozen vegan restaurants in Hanoi.
In recent years, Vietnam has embraced vegetarianism. Vegan eateries are expanding in all major cities, including the capital. From street food stalls to upscale restaurants, Ho Chi Minh City has several vegetarian options. More Vietnamese are going vegan for health and environmental reasons. Vietnam boasts plenty of vegan-friendly veggies, fruits, and roots.
Vegetarian Vietnamese Food's Specialty
Vegetables, roots, fruit, soy products, and mushrooms are the primary components of vegetarian Vietnamese food. Vegetarian Vietnamese food is tasty, nutritious, and also visually appealing. Vegans may discover a range of vegetarian cuisine in Vietnam. However, soybeans are the most popular ingredient in vegan cuisine. Soybeans are a wonderful substitute for animal meat since they are nutrient-dense, high in protein and calcium, and fat-free.
It is also believed that they can be used to treat a variety of diseases, including heart disease and cancer. Tofu, soya paste, fermented tofu, vegetable Vietnamese ham, and a vast range of other dips and foods may be made from soybeans. In Vietnam, vegans may also find numerous foods that resemble meat, such as chicken legs, grilled pig chops, beef wrapped in la lot leaves, stewed chicken, and steamed fish.
Best 8 Vietnamese Vegetarian Food You Must Try
Vegetarian Banh Mi
A journey to Vietnam is not complete without a banh mi. It is difficult to find a version without pork belly and paté, although vegetarian options are available.
A tasty vegetarian alternative may consist of tofu, egg, or mushrooms filled with a freshly baked baguette with fresh chilies, pickles, and herbs and topped with soy sauce.
Vegetarian Pho
Traditional Pho noodle soup is made with beef, noodles, and veggies; however, it is not difficult to get vegetarian Pho. The soup is named after the Vietnamese word for noodle. The preparation of vegetarian noodle soup is identical to that of traditional pho, with the exception that vegetables are used in place of beef.
Stacks of veggies, herbs, fresh chiles, and limes are included in the presentation of this dish. It is very common to find vegetarian pho in the towns of central Vietnam, such as Hue and Da Nang, where the bulk of the local people adheres to the Buddhist faith.
Green Papaya Salad
Green papaya, carrots, an abundance of peanuts, sesame seeds, basil, and coriander are used to create a crisp and fresh Vietnamese salad. A sweet-and-sour dressing of honey and rice vinegar is then applied.
Be cautious to inquire whether the dressing contains fish sauce. If so, ask if vegetarian fish sauce ("nước mắm chay") is available.
Vegan Hot Pot
Vietnam is a country where you may find a variety of foods during all four seasons. You can enjoy Vegan Hot pot or Lau chay if you visit the nation during the chilly weather of Autumn or the frigid days of winter, or if you are staying there during the winter.
This dish is very amazing since it has everything necessary for a complete, pleasant, and nutritious supper. This dish's amazing soup is the secret to its deliciousness. Imagine there is a strong wind blowing outside, and you are seated in a restaurant with the aroma of wonderful food and the sound of sipping hot soup.
Vegan Vietnamese Fried Tofu with Tomatoes
This is a popular vegetarian dish in Vietnam. It is prepared by frying thickly sliced chunks of tofu, which are then put into a garlic and tomato sauce that is simmering. After the sauce has been reduced, the tofu is served with a sprinkle of scallions and steaming rice.
Sticky Rice with Vegetables
Rice, as well as Xoi Chay, sometimes known as Sticky Rice, is a staple meal in Vietnam. Rice is a staple food that is easy to prepare, doesn't cost too much, and can be purchased at virtually any store. Rice, meat, and veggies are the three main ingredients of normal sticky rice.
Rice is cooked, then sliced into flat, round forms, and then fried in a skillet with heated oil until it becomes yellow and becomes crisp. This dish is called xoi chay. It is common practice to accompany this dish with chickpeas, coconut, sugar, mushrooms, broccoli, red pepper, and onion.
Vegan Steamed Buns
Banh bao, also known as steamed dumplings or buns, is a popular dish among Vietnamese people today. Banh bao was influenced by Chinese culture in the past, which explains why Vietnamese people like eating them so much. This may be had in the morning for breakfast or brunch, or even in the evening for snacks after work.
When you create it, there are tiny components like glass noodles, minced fungus, sliced carrots, diced jicama, and young onion tucked away inside the white and delicate wrapper. Absolutely everything is beneficial to your health.
Vegetarian Vietnamese Spring Rolls
It's possible that you've heard of it before, but if you haven't, it's called Vietnamese Vegetarian Spring Rolls, and it may be a snack or a meal for lunch or supper. Because the package contains a variety of components that appear appetizing, you are at liberty to use your ingenuity and creativity in order to alter and supplement the flavors that you experience.
In its traditional form, this dish is comprised of various herbs, rice or glass noodles, mushrooms, fungus, cucumbers, tomatoes, or carrots for the purpose of imparting various hues, and crispy fried tofu. Don't ever overlook the importance of dipping this white and full roll into a creamy sauce made with nuts. These whole rolls are so delicious, fresh, and nutritious that you can't help but fall in love with them!
Top Recommend Vegetarian Vietnamese Food Restaurant
In Hanoi
Uu Dam Vegan
Uu Dam Vegan is a restaurant that caters to the minority of people who maintain a strict vegetarian or vegan diet. This restaurant is attractive, well-designed, and serves nutritious, healthy, and unusual cuisine. It provides a fine-dining experience in a tranquil and pleasant atmosphere.
Add: 34 Hang Bai street, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi
Opening hours: 7.30am – 10.00pm (Mon-Thu) or 10.30pm (Fri-Sun).
An Lac Vegetarian Buffet
At the cost of about 99,000VND per person (around $4.3 per person), the An Lac restaurant offers over 50 vegan dishes that are healthy and delicious. This is a terrific venue for families and groups of friends due to the two-story space.
Add: 109 Tran Hung Dao street, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi
Opening hours: 10.00am – 9.00pm
In Ho Chi Minh
Golden Lotus Restaurant
You will feel special while visiting this vegetarian restaurant due to the layout and color scheme. The personnel at the Golden Lotus wore brown uniforms and were extremely devoted to providing excellent service. In addition to typical vegetarian meals like Duong Chau Fried Rice, Vegetarian Vermicelli Vermicelli, Vegetarian Mushroom Hotpot, and Vegetarian Vegetarian Ribs Rice, the restaurant frequently adds new vegetarian dishes such Com Chay Ngu Vi, Nam Boc Giay Bac Nuong, etc.
Add: 175B Cao Thang, Ward 12, District 10, Ho Chi Minh city.
Opening hours: 8 am - 10 pm
Mandala Restaurant
Local vegetarians and foreign visitors use the Mandala restaurant frequently. The vegetarian restaurant features an array of unusual vegetarian cuisine, such as Dau Hu Phi Pha, Goi Mien Nepal, and Dau Rong Xao Ruoc, among others. You should not worry about the food quality here, since everything is prepared using garden-fresh ingredients in a clean fashion. They may be both tasty and beneficial to your health.
Not only does the restaurant provide you with great and appealing vegetarian food, but it is also furnished in a manner that induces serenity. Here, you may unwind while eating 100% vegetarian cuisine.
Add: 745 Lac Long Quan, Ward 10, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh city.
Opening hour: 9 am - 9 pm
Final Thoughts
Vietnamese cuisine is guaranteed to pique the interest of vegans due to its wide variety of succulent vegetarian dishes. Increasing numbers of tourists travel to Vietnam to discover the culture, take in the stunning scenery, and, of course, sample the delectable cuisine. How do you feel? Plan a Vietnam cuisine trip if you have been to this nation, and you will not be disappointed!
