Roasted pork banh mi secured the top spot in the "100 best dishes of Vietnam" ranking, updated by TasteAtlas as of 10/1. This result compiles nearly 8,500 reviews from diners and experts, with over 5,500 reviews validated by the system based on criteria for identifying real users.

TasteAtlas describes roasted pork banh mi as a combination of two popular ingredients: a traditional crispy baguette and roasted pork belly with crispy skin. The food specialized website notes that roasted pork banh mi is a distinct variation of Vietnamese banh mi, offering a more diverse experience compared to the common cold cut fillings.

The roasted pork banh mi features crispy pork belly skin. Photo: TasteAtlas

The dish's highlight is the pork belly, featuring a crispy skin while the meat inside remains tender and juicy. The "soul" of this sandwich lies in the sauce, made from pork broth seasoned with local spices. Components like pickled vegetables, cilantro, cucumber, and fresh chili help balance the flavors, preventing a heavy feeling for diners.

TasteAtlas experts believe that roasted pork banh mi's leading position reflects global diners' interest in dishes that blend intricate cooking techniques with the convenience of street food.

The list of the 10 best Vietnamese dishes includes a variety of items, from noodle soups and dry dishes to dipping sauces and stir-fried vegetables.

Following roasted pork banh mi is bun bo Nam Bo, a dish that impresses with its freshness from herbs, stir-fried beef, and roasted peanuts. Beef pho ranks third, highly praised for its broth, simmered from beef bones, shank, and oxtail, combined with various types of rare and well-done beef.

Mi Quang and dipping sauce hold the 4th and 5th positions, respectively. The inclusion of dipping sauce in the list indicates that international diners appreciate the role of combining fish sauce, lime, sugar, and chili garlic in Vietnamese-style meals.

The remaining dishes in the top 10 are bun cha, bo kho, bun bo Hue, stir-fried water spinach with garlic, and bo luc lac.

TasteAtlas emphasizes that these results are not based on subjective majority opinion but are filtered through an algorithmic system capable of identifying real users and eliminating fake reviews to ensure objectivity.

Beyond the top contenders, the ranking of 100 delicious dishes also honors many regional specialties, such as banh xeo (18th), bun rieu (20th), com tam (22nd), banh cuon (38th), banh tet (42nd), hu tieu (45th), chao long (52nd), bun cha ca (58th), and cha ca La Vong (78th).

TasteAtlas's top 10 best dishes in the Vietnamese cuisine category:

By Mai Phuong (Source: TasteAtlas)