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10 Vietnamese Breakfasts You Can’t Miss (Local Guide’s Picks!)
Sitting on a small wooden boat at Cái Răng floating market, Gordon Ramsay, one of the world’s most famous chefs – once declared the bowl of hủ tiếu he tasted there as “one of the best dishes I’ve ever eaten.” That says it all: Vietnam is truly a paradise for breakfast.
Nowhere else can you start your day with such variety and flavor – from steaming bowls of phở and bún bò to delicate bánh cuốn, crispy bánh mì, or a simple yet comforting xôi. Whether you’re Vietnamese, living abroad, or a first-time visitor, one taste of these breakfasts is enough to understand why they’re invincilble.
Join me, a local guide, as we explore the Top 10 breakfast dishes you absolutely shouldn’t miss in Vietnam.
- 1. Xôi (Steamed Sticky Rice)
- 2. Bánh Mì (Vietnamese Sandwich)
- 3. Bánh Cuốn (Vietnamese steamed rice roll)
- 4. Cháo sườn Hà Nội (Pork Rib Porridge)
- 5. Bún Riêu (Rice Vermicelli Soup with Crab)
- 6. Phở (Beef/Chicken Noodle Soup)
- 7. Bún Bò Huế (Hue Beef Noodles)
- 8. Mì Quảng (Quang Nam Noodle Soup)
- 9. Cao Lầu (Hoi An Noodles)
- 10. Hu Tieu (Saigonese Noodle Soup)
- 11. Cơm tấm (Broken Rice)
Back when I lived in Hanoi,
One of my daily joys was simply stepping outside and deciding what to eat. Every street felt like a morning food festival: steaming bowls of phở, carefully plated bún mọc (pork meatball noodle soup), delicate bánh cuốn (steamed rice rolls) pulled fresh from the steamer, or sticky rice topped with savory meat sauce.
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No country showcases the art of breakfast quite like Vietnam. A single ingredient, like chicken, can be transformed into phở, bún, miến, or the refined bún thang. Beef takes on countless forms in phở alone, while moving south introduces you to rich, bold flavors like bún bò Huế.
Unlike much of the world, Vietnam also embraces fish and seafood in the morning with bún cá (fish noodle soup), bún ốc (snail noodle soup), bún riêu (crab paste noodle soup). Even rice, usually reserved for main meals, becomes breakfast with dishes like Huế’s baby basket clams rice or the beloved Sai Gon's broken rice.
In short: Vietnamese breakfast is diverse, creative, and impossible to resist.
1. Xôi (Steamed Sticky Rice)
Xôi is a beloved traditional dish, made from fragrant glutinous rice and paired with a variety of toppings like peanuts, gac fruit, or corn. It comes in savory and sweet variations, making it a versatile breakfast option.
Where to try:
- Xoi Yen: 35b Nguyen Huu Huan, Hanoi
- Xoi May: 31 Ly Thuong Kiet, Hanoi
2. Bánh Mì (Vietnamese Sandwich)
Bánh mì, a French-inspired baguette filled with meats, vegetables, and sauces, is a fast and delicious breakfast choice that has become a Vietnamese icon. It's popular throughout the country but has its roots in Saigon.
Where to try:
- Bánh Mì Lan Ong: 20 Cha Ca, Hanoi
- Bánh Mì Phương: 2B Phan Chu Trinh, Hoi An
3. Bánh Cuốn (Vietnamese steamed rice roll)
Bánh cuốn consists of thin rice flour pancakes stuffed with minced pork and mushrooms. It’s a soft, savory dish that’s often enjoyed with a sweet and sour dipping sauce.
Where to try:
- Bánh Cuốn Hàng Bồ: 57A, Hang Bo, Hanoi
- Bánh Cuốn Ba Hành: 26B Tho Xuong, Hanoi
4. Cháo sườn Hà Nội (Pork Rib Porridge)
Cháo sườn is a silky smooth rice porridge cooked with tender pork ribs, served hot with crispy fried dough sticks, a sprinkle of pepper, and chili. Simple yet deeply comforting, it’s one of Hanoi’s most iconic breakfast dishes.
Where to try:
- Cháo sườn sụn Huyền Anh – 14 Đồng Xuân, Hoàn Kiếm, Hanoi
- Cháo Cúc sườn sụn – 20 Phố Huế, Hai Bà Trưng, Hanoi
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5. Bún Riêu (Rice Vermicelli Soup with Crab)
A flavorful noodle soup, bún riêu is made with crab, tomatoes, and vermicelli noodles. The combination of fresh ingredients and savory broth makes it a refreshing breakfast dish.
Where to try:
- Bún Riêu Nguyễn Sieu: 23 Nguyen Sieu, Hanoi
- Bún Riêu Hàng Bạc: 11 Hang Bac, Hanoi
6. Phở (Beef/Chicken Noodle Soup)
Phở is Vietnam's most iconic dish, with tender noodles in a flavorful broth, typically served with beef or chicken. It’s a must-try breakfast that’s deeply ingrained in the country's culture.
Where to try:
- Phở Khôi Hồi: 50C Hang Vai, Hanoi
- Phở Lý Quốc Sư: 10 Ly Quoc Su, Hanoi
7. Bún Bò Huế (Hue Beef Noodles)
A spicy, savory noodle dish from central Vietnam, bún bò Huế features rich beef broth, tender noodles, and toppings like pork blood, crab cakes, and bean sprouts.
Where to try:
- Bún Bò Mụ Rỗi: 48 Nguyen Chi Dieu, Hue
- Bún Bò O Gái: 47 Chu Van An, Hue
8. Mì Quảng (Quang Nam Noodle Soup)
A flavorful noodle soup from Quang Nam, mì Quảng features a balance of savory pork, chicken, and shrimp, along with fresh vegetables and quail eggs, all served with a rich broth.
Where to try:
- Mì Quảng Cô Sâu: 191 Nguyen Truong To, Hoi An
- Mì Quảng Cô Bích: 272 Hung Vuong, Hoi An
9. Cao Lầu (Hoi An Noodles)
Cao Lầu is a type of yellow noodle served with a savory broth made from pork bones, grilled pork, shrimp, and fresh vegetables. It’s topped with crispy fried noodles, adding texture to the dish.
Where to try:
- Cao Lầu Ba Le: 45/3 Tran Hung Dao, Hoi An
- Cao Lầu Cô Lien: 21 Thai Phien, Hoi An
10. Hu Tieu (Saigonese Noodle Soup)
Hu Tieu is a popular Southern Vietnamese breakfast, consisting of tender rice noodles served with a rich pork-based broth. It’s often garnished with pork intestines, shrimp, and bean sprouts, creating a deliciously savory start to the day.
Where to try:
- Hu Tieu Hong Phat: 389-391 Vo Van Tan, Ho Chi Minh City
- Hu Tieu Nam Vang Quynh: A65 Nguyen Trai, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
11. Cơm tấm (Broken Rice)
A signature dish of Saigon, cơm tấm was once a humble meal for workers made from leftover broken rice grains, but today it has become a southern staple. The classic combo is sườn – bì – chả: grilled pork ribs, shredded pork skin, and steamed pork-egg cake, all served over broken rice with scallion oil and a side of sweet-sour fish sauce for the perfect balance of flavors.
Where to try:
- Cơm tấm Bà Cường – 263 Trần Quang Khải, District 1
- Cơm tấm Nguyễn Văn Cừ – 74 Nguyễn Văn Cừ, District 1
Food is magical as it’s not just what keeps us alive, but what connects us, brings joy, and anchors memories. That’s exactly what makes Vietnamese breakfasts so special: they’re not only about eating well, but also about sharing laughter, feeling the rhythm of the city, or soaking in the calm of a seaside morning. Whether enjoyed at home, in a bustling shop, or on a humble street corner, breakfast in Vietnam has always been the same: delicious, unique, and a subtle reminder of joy, warmth, and togetherness.
✨ Join our tours to discover Vietnam’s gems today!
>>> Also read:
- 12 Best Restaurants and Places to Enjoy Cuisine in Hanoi
- Train Street in Hanoi: Complete Guide by Locals
- Vietnamese Desserts: Top 10 Dishes You Must try!
- Sapa Travel Guide
- Train Street in Hanoi: Complete Guide by Locals
- Ninh Binh: 7 Essential Questions Before You Go!
- Halong Bay travel guide: How to visit & Things to do
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