Foods and drinks in Vietnamese

In this chapter, we will discuss the basic foods and drinks in Vietnamese. This can help you to buy groceries or to order the right meal for you. Next to that, we will provide you with a list of typical Vietnamese dishes. Vietnamese people place high value in eating and a typical day consists of three warm meals. You will always find steamed rice cơm, or any rice product, in combination with fish sauce nước mắm, which is somewhat the substitute for salt, in Vietnamese dishes. Due to the fact that eating out is as cheap as cooking yourself, there are a lot of street vendors. People tend to go and sit down at those places with tiny plastic chairs. This is definitely a typical South-East-Asian experience.

Food in Vietnamese

Here you'll find an overview of the basic groceries in Vietnamese:

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Drinks in Vietnamese

Here is a list of drinks in Vietnamese:

Other vocabulary 

This vocabulary list helps you to order a meal:

Typical Vietnamese food

Here is a list of very popular Vietnamese dishes you should definitely try out:

Ordering street food

A: Bác cho xin một bát phở bò. (I would like to have a bowl of phở bò.)

B: Cô ăn tái hay chín? (Do you want it medium rare or cooked?)

A: Bác cho thịt chín. (Cooked, please.)

B: Cô có muốn uống gì không? (Would you like anything to drink?)

A: Bác cho xin một sinh tố xoài. (I would like to have a mango juice.)

...

A: Bác làm ơn cho tính tiền. (I would like to pay, please.)

B: Tất cả hết ba mươi nghìn. (It's 30,000.)

Summary

Now, you know all the words for food, drinks and typical Vietnamese dishes. You'll be able to purchase groceries or order food at a restaurant.