Top 10 Vegetarian Dishes in Vietnam

1. Vegetarian Banh Mi (Banh Mi Chay)

Among Vietnamese street foods, Banh Mi is king. This amazing sandwich is usually made with a French baguette and many different ingredients. Vegetarian options are made with tofu or egg, and at some stalls you will find a cheese version too.

2. Vegetarian Pho (Pho Chay)

For a vegetarian version of the most famous Vietnamese dish, Pho (a noodle soup with mint, lime, and soybeans), order a Pho Chay, and your broth will have no meat.

3. Vegetarian Spring Rolls (Banh Cuon Chay)

Deep-fried spring rolls are delicious, and vegetarian spring rolls are very common in Vietnam. These will be stuffed with mushrooms, carrot, and tofu instead. Banh Cuon Chay are made with rice flour batter spread like a crepe and then stuffed with plenty of greens and spices.

4. Green Papaya Salad (Nom Du Du)

For a cold Vietnamese vegetarian dish, try Nom Du Du, a crunchy salad made with green papaya, carrots, peanuts, sesame seeds, basil, and coriander, all covered with a sweet and sour dressing of honey and rice vinegar.

5. Glutinous Rice Dumplings (Banh It Tran)

When it comes to street snacks, try the Bahn It Tran, a dumpling made of glutinous rice filled with beans, fried shallots, and spring onions.

6. Sticky Rice with Vegetables (Xoi Chay)

If you want to keep it simple, try this sticky rice with vegetables! The rice is cooked and sliced, then fried, making for crispy slices of rice served with an array of different vegetables. Depending on the restaurant or stall you go to, this can range from chickpeas and coconut to broccoli and mushrooms.

7. Potato Cakes with Vegetables (Banh Khoai Tay Chien)

Made using mashed sweet potato, coconut, and green beans, these little potato cakes come with a peanut dipping sauce and spices. They're available from stalls throughout the country and make for a great snack on the go.

8. Tofu with Tomato, Green Onion and Herbs (Dau Sot Ca Chua)

A stir-fry made with tofu as the main ingredient, this is a great Vietnamese vegetarian dish to have alongside steamed rice. The yellow tofu is cooked with slices of tomato, green onions, and herbs for extra flavor.

9. Fried Garlic Water Spinach (Rau Muong Xao Toi)

Fresh water spinach stars heavily in Vietnamese cuisine, especially when it comes to vegetarian dishes. Try it fried with garlic and other Vietnamese herbs, perfect for on steamed rice.

10. Fried Bok Choy with Shitake Mushrooms (Cai Xao Nam)

A very simple Vietnamese dish, this one combines bok choy, shitake mushrooms, and sometimes comes with tofu pieces. Cai Xao Nam is also best eaten alongside some steamed rice!

1. Blue Butterfly Restaurant in Hanoi

This lovely, small restaurant is located in the heart of the Old Quarter in Hanoi, and has an extremely good atmosphere. The service is excellent, and the staff (fluent in English) will do everything to make you feel at home. The restaurant is spread out across two floors and sitting upstairs will give you a great view of the bustling street below.

Hanoi Old Quarter

Some of their best dishes are the deep-fried spring rolls served with dips, herbs, and fresh rice vermicelli; or the Vietnamese rice pancake, with herbs and dumpling sauce. You can order à la carte or choose between four different set menus. Most of the time, it is possible to ask for a vegetarian version of their regular dishes, too.

Location: 69 Ma May Street, Hanoi 100000

Opening hours: 8 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.

2. Home Hoi An Vietnamese Restaurant in Hoi An

Located inside a French townhouse in Hoi An, this restaurant, with its elegant and warm setting, aims to preserve the amazing culinary tradition of the city. The chef uses only the freshest ingredients, and everything is locally produced.

Their vegetarian dishes, inspired mostly by traditional Vietnamese cuisine, include caramelized mushrooms in chili and garlic; stewed tofu with mushrooms served in a clay pot; and steamed seasonal vegetables with a thick dipping sauce. The stir-fried morning glory with chili and garlic, and the stir-fried organic mushrooms are two simple yet delicious dishes not to miss. You can also ask the waiter for a vegetarian version of the most popular traditional Vietnamese dishes.

Location: 112 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Ancient Town Hoi An, Hoi An

Opening hours: 1–11 p.m.

3. Hum Vegetarian Café & Restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City

The philosophy of Hum Vegetarian Café & Restaurant is to serve you only the freshest ingredients to nourish the body and soul, and this concept is mirrored in the  peaceful atmosphere of the restaurant and their Vietnamese vegetarian dishes.

The restaurant, strictly vegetarian, chooses its dishes according to their health benefits. You can start your meal with olives and fruit in a chili sauce, and have the young ivory bamboo soup as appetizer. Some of their signature salads are the polyscias leaf salad and the floral salad, made with local edible flowers. Their delicious main courses include tofu in a fermented bean sauce; steamed mushrooms in coconut; and stewed taro with red pepper.

They also serve delicious rice-based dishes with pineapple, magenta, or seaweed; or ask for some steamed or sauté veggies to enjoy as a side dish. Even the desserts are unique: sweets like black glutinous rice yogurt or bean curd in ginger caramel sauce are not found everywhere.

Location: 2 Thi Sach, Ben Nghe, Quan 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Opening hours: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.

4. Den Long Home Cooked Vietnamese Restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City

Den Long is a restaurant characterized by fine décor and exquisite food. The serving sizes are smaller than those at other places, as they try to recreate the experience of a Vietnamese homecooked meal. This means it is best to share more different dishes with your group! Their waiters will help you choose dishes based on your preferences.

Only the freshest ingredients are used to cook these amazing and simple dishes, all coming from the Vietnamese culinary tradition. Think fried rice, rice paper rolls, egg rolls, mango salad, and lots of vegetables.

Location: 130 Nguyen Trai, Ben Thanh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Opening hours: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.