4 Vietnamese pork dishes rank among world’s best

4 Vietnamese pork dishes rank among world's best
March 21, 2026

LATEST NEWS

4 Vietnamese pork dishes rank among world’s best


International food magazine TasteAtlas has listed four Vietnamese favorites, including bun cha and com tam, among the world’s best pork dishes.

Coming in at number 27 is banh mi thit, or cold cuts banh mi. This baguette is layered with Vietnamese cold cuts such as cha (ham) or pork sausage along with pate and mayonnaise.

To balance the richness, cucumber, pickles and chili are often added.

At number 57 is bun cha or grilled pork with vermicelli noodles, a dish believed to have originated in Hanoi.

Bun cha is served with fish sauce already poured over the grilled meat. Photo by VnExpress/Tung Dinh

Bun cha features three elements: grilled pork served in a fish sauce broth, rice noodles and a side of greens like perilla and lettuce.

The dish gained global fame in 2016 when the late Anthony Bourdain shared a meal of it with former U.S. President Barack Obama on the show “Parts Unknown”.

Ranked 85th is com tam, or broken rice. Originally made from imperfect rice grains discarded during the milling process, it has become a signature dish of Ho Chi Minh City.

A plate of broken rice com tam in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo by VnExpress/Bich Phuong

It is typically topped with grilled pork chops, shredded pork skin or fried eggs, and served with a side of pickles and fish sauce. You can spot local eateries by the smoke of charred meat rising from their coal-fired street grills.

Taking the final spot at number 92 is bun bo Hue or spicy beef noodle soup. This dish features a broth simmered with both pork and beef bones and seasoned with shrimp paste.

Hailing from the former imperial capital of Hue, the soup is spicier and more complex than other Vietnamese noodles. Often topped with sliced brisket or crab balls, many believe the recipe was influenced by the traditions of the royal court’s cuisine.

A bowl of beef noodle soup served at a stall in Hue in central Vietnam. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Tran

Leading the global list is China’s zhengjiao (steamed dumplings), with Greece’s kontosouvli (roasted pork) and China’s tangbao (soup buns) rounding out the top three.

Share this post:

POLL

Who Will Vote For?

Other

Republican

Democrat

RECENT NEWS

Records shattered as US heatwave moves eastward

Records shattered as US heatwave moves eastward

Vietnam’s English center chain launches free online exam prep platform for national high school tests

Vietnam’s English center chain launches free online exam prep platform for national high school tests

Malaysian construction firm IJM’s leaders urge rejection of $2.8B takeover bid from billionaire Jeffrey Cheah’s Sunway

Malaysian construction firm IJM’s leaders urge rejection of $2.8B takeover bid from billionaire Jeffrey Cheah’s Sunway

Dynamic Country URL Go to Country Info Page