Vietnamese
Banh Mi (Vietnamese Baguette Sandwich)
Saigon's iconic street sandwich — a crackly Vietnamese baguette stuffed with pâté, cold cuts or grilled pork, cilantro, and tangy pickled daikon-and-carrot (do chua). French bread meets Vietnamese flavor.
Bun Cha (Hanoi Grilled Pork & Noodles)
Hanoi's signature dish — char-grilled pork in a sweet-sour-salty nuoc cham, eaten by dipping rice vermicelli, herbs, and greens into the bowl. Yes, the bun cha Obama and Bourdain shared.
Pho (Vietnamese Noodle Soup)
Vietnam's national dish — rice noodles and beef in a clear, fragrant broth simmered for hours with spices and charred onion and ginger. Finished at the table with sprouts, herbs, and lime to taste.