To order at a Vietnamese restaurant, start with a familiar dish like phở, a bánh mì, or fresh spring rolls, then use the herbs, lime, and sauces at your table to customize it. Menus are usually grouped by noodle soups, rice plates, vermicelli bowls, and drinks — so once you know the categories, ordering is easy.
Ordering at a glance
- Best first order: Phở, bánh mì, or fresh spring rolls
- Menu sections: Appetizers, noodle soups, vermicelli bowls, rice plates, drinks
- Customize at the table: Herbs, bean sprouts, lime, chili, hoisin, sriracha
- Spice: Most dishes are mild by default — add chili to taste
- Don’t miss: A cà phê sữa đá (Vietnamese iced coffee)
How a Vietnamese menu is organized
Vietnamese menus look long, but they’re usually grouped into a handful of clear sections. Once you recognize them, the whole menu makes sense:
| Section | Vietnamese | What’s in it |
|---|---|---|
| Appetizers | Khai vị | Spring rolls (gỏi cuốn, chả giò), salads |
| Noodle soups | Phở, bún | Phở, bún bò Huế, and other soups |
| Vermicelli bowls | Bún | Cold noodle bowls with grilled meat |
| Rice plates | Cơm | Broken rice (cơm tấm) with grilled meats |
| Sandwiches | Bánh mì | Vietnamese baguette sandwiches |
| Drinks | Đồ uống | Vietnamese coffee, smoothies, sugarcane juice |
What to order first (beginner-friendly)
If it’s your first time, you can’t go wrong with these:
- Phở — the classic beef or chicken noodle soup. Pho guide →
- Bánh mì — a crisp, savory Vietnamese sandwich. Banh mi guide →
- Gỏi cuốn — fresh, light spring rolls with peanut sauce. Spring rolls guide →
- Bún thịt nướng — a cool vermicelli bowl with grilled pork.
- Cơm tấm — broken rice with a grilled pork chop. Com tam guide →
- Cà phê sữa đá — sweet Vietnamese iced coffee to finish. Coffee guide →
How to order phở like a regular
Phở comes with a choice of broth (beef or chicken) and beef cuts. You can simply order “phở tái” (rare steak) or “phở tái chín” (rare steak plus well-done brisket) — the two most popular options. Here are the common cuts you’ll see:
| Term | What it is |
|---|---|
| Tái | Rare steak (cooks in the hot broth) |
| Chín | Well-done brisket |
| Nạm | Flank |
| Gầu | Fatty brisket |
| Gân | Tendon |
| Bò viên | Beef meatballs |
Prefer chicken? Ask for phở gà. Want it meat-free? See the vegetarian tips below.
The condiments — and how to use them
Part of the fun of Vietnamese food is finishing the dish yourself. With phở, you’ll usually get a plate of garnishes and a few sauces:
- Fresh herbs (Thai basil, cilantro) and bean sprouts — tear and drop them into the hot broth.
- Lime — squeeze in for brightness.
- Sliced chili or jalapeño — add for heat.
- Hoisin sauce (sweet) and sriracha (spicy) — many people squirt these into a small side dish to dip the meat, rather than into the broth, so the soup stays clean. Either way is fine.
For vermicelli bowls and spring rolls, you’ll get nước chấm (a light fish-sauce dip) or peanut sauce — pour or dip to taste.
Ordering tips for everyone
If you don’t like spice
Good news: most Vietnamese dishes are mild by default, and the heat is added by you at the table. The main exception is bún bò Huế, which is spicy by nature — ask how hot it is if you’re unsure.
If you’re vegetarian or vegan
Look for “chay” (vegetarian) on the menu, or ask for a vegetarian version (phở chay) with tofu and vegetables. Note that fish sauce and shrimp paste appear in many dishes, so it’s worth asking your server to leave them out.
If you’re new to the cuisine
Order a shared appetizer of spring rolls, a noodle soup, and a Vietnamese coffee — that trio covers fresh, savory, and sweet, and shows off the range of the cuisine.
A quick pronunciation cheat sheet
| Dish | Sounds like |
|---|---|
| Phở | “fuh” |
| Bánh mì | “bun mee” |
| Gỏi cuốn | “goy koo-uhn” |
| Bún | “boon” |
| Cơm tấm | “kuhm tuhm” |
| Cà phê sữa đá | “kah-fey soo-uh dah” |
A note on etiquette
Use chopsticks for noodles and the spoon for broth — and don’t worry, slurping is perfectly acceptable. It’s normal to customize your bowl at the table. In the US, standard restaurant tipping applies.
Ready to order? 🍜
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Find a Vietnamese Restaurant Near Me →Frequently asked questions
What should I order at a Vietnamese restaurant for the first time?
Start with phở (beef or chicken noodle soup), a bánh mì sandwich, or fresh spring rolls (gỏi cuốn). Add a Vietnamese iced coffee to finish. These are flavorful, widely available, and easy to enjoy.
How do you order pho?
Choose a broth (beef or chicken) and a beef cut. The easiest order is “phở tái chín,” which comes with rare steak and well-done brisket. For chicken, ask for phở gà.
What are the sauces and herbs on the table for?
The herbs, bean sprouts, lime, and chili are for adding to your soup to taste. Hoisin (sweet) and sriracha (spicy) are often used in a side dish for dipping the meat, though you can add them to the broth if you prefer.
How do I ask for food that isn’t spicy?
Most Vietnamese dishes are mild by default, with chili added by you at the table, so you can simply leave the chili out. The main spicy dish to watch for is bún bò Huế.
What can vegetarians order at a Vietnamese restaurant?
Look for “chay” (vegetarian) dishes or ask for a vegetarian phở (phở chay) with tofu and vegetables. Because fish sauce and shrimp paste are common, ask your server to leave them out.
How do you eat pho?
Use chopsticks for the noodles and meat, and the spoon for the broth. Add herbs, bean sprouts, lime, and chili to taste, and feel free to slurp — it’s completely normal.
New to the cuisine? Browse our full Vietnamese food guide and Vietnamese noodle soups guide.