🏠 Home > 🗺️ Recipes > 🍝 Main Dishes > 🇻🇳 Vietnam Main Dishes > 🍝 Classic Beef Pho (Phở Bò) , Vietnamese Caramelized Pork (Thịt Kho Tàu) ,Lemongrass Chicken (Gà Xào Sả Ớt)
🍝 Traditional Vietnam Main Dishes Recipes Everyone Should Try
Published by Supakorn | Updated: February 2026
Vietnamese cuisine is a treasure chest of flavors that balance sweet, salty, sour, and spicy in ways that captivate food lovers around the world. While many people instantly think of pho or banh mi, Vietnam’s main dishes go far beyond those popular names. They are hearty, comforting, and steeped in tradition.
In this article, we’ll explore three must-try Vietnamese main dishes that you can easily recreate at home:
1.Classic Beef Pho (Phở Bò)
2.Vietnamese Caramelized Pork (Thịt Kho Tàu)
3.Lemongrass Chicken (Gà Xào Sả Ớt)
Each recipe includes a backstory, ingredients, step-by-step instructions, helpful tips, and common mistakes to avoid. By the end, you’ll be ready to bring authentic Vietnamese flavors into your kitchen.
🔹 Recipe 1: Classic Beef Pho (Phở Bò)
About this Recipe
Pho is arguably the most famous Vietnamese dish worldwide. It’s a flavorful beef noodle soup made with a rich, aromatic broth simmered for hours, served with rice noodles, thinly sliced beef, and fresh herbs. It’s more than just food—it’s a national symbol of comfort and identity.
Ingredients & Measurements
- Beef bones (marrow or knuckle): 1.5 kg
- Beef brisket: 500 g
- Thinly sliced raw beef (eye round or sirloin): 300 g
- Rice noodles: 500 g
- Onion: 1 (charred)
- Ginger: 1 large piece (charred)
- Star anise: 4 pods
- Cinnamon stick: 1
- Cloves: 4
- Fish sauce: 3 tbsp
- Rock sugar: 2 tbsp
- Salt: to taste
- Fresh herbs (Thai basil, cilantro, mint)
- Bean sprouts, lime wedges, chili, hoisin sauce, sriracha (for garnish)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1.Parboil beef bones for 5 minutes, then rinse clean.
2.In a large pot, add bones, brisket, charred onion, ginger, and spices. Cover with water.
3.Simmer for 4–6 hours, skimming impurities.
4.Remove brisket after 2 hours, slice, and set aside.
5.Strain broth, season with fish sauce, sugar, and salt.
6.Cook noodles separately.
7.To serve: place noodles, sliced brisket, raw beef, and pour hot broth over. Garnish with herbs, sprouts, and condiments.
Tips & Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t rush the broth—slow simmering is key for flavor.
- Always char onion and ginger; it deepens the broth aroma.
- Avoid overcooking noodles—blanch them briefly for best texture.
FAQ
Q: Can I make pho with chicken instead of beef?
Yes, chicken pho (phở gà) is a lighter alternative.
Q: Can I freeze the broth?
Absolutely—store in airtight containers for up to 2 months.
Q: Do I need all the spices?
Star anise and cinnamon are essential, but cloves and cardamom can be optional.
Summary
Pho is the soul of Vietnamese cuisine—rich, fragrant, and endlessly customizable with toppings.
🔹 Recipe 2: Vietnamese Caramelized Pork (Thịt Kho Tàu)
About this Recipe
This dish is a southern Vietnamese comfort food, especially popular during Lunar New Year (Tết). Pork belly is slowly braised in coconut juice with caramelized sugar, creating tender meat in a sweet-savory sauce. It’s usually served with boiled eggs and steamed rice.
Ingredients & Measurements
- Pork belly: 800 g (cut into chunks)
- Eggs: 6 (hard-boiled, peeled)
- Coconut water: 500 ml
- Fish sauce: 3 tbsp
- Sugar: 3 tbsp (for caramelizing)
- Garlic: 3 cloves (minced)
- Shallots: 2 (chopped)
- Black pepper: ½ tsp
- Oil: 2 tbsp
Step-by-Step Instructions
1.Heat sugar with a little oil until golden brown (caramel).
2.Add pork belly and sear until coated with caramel color.
3.Stir in garlic and shallots.
4.Add fish sauce, coconut water, and pepper.
5.Simmer for 1–2 hours until pork is tender and sauce is thick.
6.Add boiled eggs in the last 20 minutes.
7.Serve hot with jasmine rice.
Tips & Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t burn the caramel—it should be amber, not black.
- Coconut water is essential for authenticity; don’t replace with plain water.
- Cut pork into uniform chunks for even cooking.
FAQ
Q: Can I use chicken instead of pork?
Yes, though pork belly gives the best texture.
Q: Can I reduce the sweetness?
Use less sugar or balance with extra fish sauce.
Q: How long does it keep?
It tastes even better the next day—store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Summary
Sweet, savory, and comforting, thịt kho tàu is the kind of dish that makes you feel at home with every bite.
🔹 Recipe 3: Lemongrass Chicken (Gà Xào Sả Ớt)
About this Recipe
A fragrant stir-fry bursting with lemongrass and chili, this dish is a favorite for busy weeknights. It’s flavorful, quick, and pairs perfectly with rice. The aroma of lemongrass sizzling in a hot wok is unforgettable.
Ingredients & Measurements
- Chicken thighs (boneless, skinless): 600 g (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- Lemongrass stalks: 3 (finely minced)
- Chili: 2 (sliced)
- Garlic: 3 cloves (minced)
- Fish sauce: 2 tbsp
- Oyster sauce: 1 tbsp
- Sugar: 1 tsp
- Oil: 2 tbsp
Step-by-Step Instructions
1.Heat oil in a wok, sauté lemongrass, garlic, and chili until fragrant.
2.Add chicken pieces and stir-fry until browned.
3.Stir in fish sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar.
4.Cook until chicken is cooked through and coated in sauce.
5.Serve immediately with steamed rice.
Tips & Mistakes to Avoid
- Mince lemongrass very finely for best flavor.
- Don’t overcrowd the wok; cook in batches if necessary.
- Adjust chili level to your spice preference.
FAQ
Q: Can I use chicken breast instead?
Yes, but thighs stay juicier during stir-frying.
Q: Is this dish spicy?
It depends on the amount of chili you add—adjust to taste.
Q: What side dishes pair well with this?
Simple stir-fried greens or pickled vegetables balance the flavors.
Summary
Quick, fragrant, and full of zest, lemongrass chicken is perfect for a flavorful dinner with minimal effort.
Final Thoughts
Vietnamese main dishes are not only delicious but also reflect the heart of the country’s culinary culture. From the iconic beef pho to the sweet-savory caramelized pork and the zesty lemongrass chicken, each dish tells its own story.
Cooking them at home may seem intimidating at first, but once you try, you’ll realize how approachable and rewarding it is. Start with one recipe, then challenge yourself to explore the others. Share them with family and friends—it’s the Vietnamese way of bringing people together around the table.
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