Embarking on an Indochina trip means immersing yourself in a culinary journey that spans three of Southeast Asia’s most fascinating countries: Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos.
This journey isn’t just about food—it’s about understanding the essence of each country through its culinary offerings. Vietnam’s dishes often reflect the harmony of yin and yang, balancing flavors and textures, while Cambodian cuisine is a testament to the country’s resilience and adaptability, with influences from Thailand, Vietnam, and even France. In Laos, meals are a communal affair, reflecting the importance of family and community, with sticky rice—a staple food—serving as the heart of every meal.
Here’s a guide to 12 must-try dishes that will elevate your Indochina experience.
Table of Contents
Vietnam – A culinary paradise on your Indochina trip
1. Phở (Vietnamese Noodle Soup)
No Indochina trip is complete without savoring a steaming bowl of pho – Vietnam’s national dish and an absolute must-try. This aromatic noodle soup, made from a slow-cooked broth with beef or chicken, is seasoned with a blend of spices, including star anise, cloves, and cinnamon. It’s typically served with fresh herbs, bean sprouts, lime, and chili on the side.
The combination of tender meat, soft rice noodles, and flavorful broth makes it a comforting meal at any time of day. Each region in Vietnam has its own variation, so be sure to try pho in different cities during your Indochina trip.
Pho Bo | Source: Pho Thin Ha Noi
2. Bánh Mì (Vietnamese Baguette Sandwich)
Vietnamese Banh Mi is a beloved fast and simple dish enjoyed worldwide. This sandwich features a crispy, airy baguette filled with various ingredients like pork, pâté, pickled vegetables, cucumber, and cilantro. As you explore Vietnam during your Indochina trip, you’ll encounter many different versions of Banh Mi from the North to the South, each offering a unique taste experience. The balance of flavors and textures makes it the perfect meal to enjoy on the go while strolling through the streets.
The debate over whether the Banh Mi in Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi is superior continues to spark discussions. Be sure to try both and decide for yourself!
Banh Mi – The perfect quick bite for a comfortable Indochina trip
3. Bún Chả (Grilled Pork with Noodles)
Bun cha is a Hanoi specialty that gained international fame when Anthony Bourdain and Barack Obama shared a meal of it together. This dish consists of grilled pork patties and pork belly served with rice noodles, fresh herbs, and a tangy dipping sauce. The smoky flavor of the grilled meat combined with the freshness of the herbs creates a delightful contrast that you’ll remember long after your Indochina trip.
Bun Cha is an iconic dish of Hanoi, Vietnam
4. Cà Phê Trứng (Egg Coffee)
Egg coffee is a unique specialty of Hanoi that you won’t find anywhere else during your Indochina trip. Made from a blend of egg yolks, sugar, condensed milk, and robusta coffee, this creamy mixture tastes almost like a liquid tiramisu. It’s a delicious treat, perfect for a mid-afternoon pick-me-up.
Take a sip of rich egg coffee and enjoy it with a bit of young green rice to recharge for your Indochina trip
Cambodia – A taste of unique dishes
5. Amok Trey (Fish Amok)
Fish Amok is Cambodia’s signature dish and a must-try during your Indochina trip. This dish features fish cooked in a rich, coconut-based curry, flavored with kroeung (a blend of lemongrass, galangal, turmeric, and kaffir lime leaves). The fish is steamed in banana leaves, resulting in a tender and fragrant dish that’s usually served with rice.
This dish boasts a delicate texture and exquisite flavor, with all the ingredients blending together and melting in your mouth. It’s sure to be a highlight of your Indochina trip!
Fish Amok is Cambodia’s signature dish and a must-try during your Indochina trip
6. Nom Banh Chok (Khmer Noodles)
During your Indochina trip, when you set foot in Cambodia, you absolutely must try Nom Banh Chok. It consists of rice noodles topped with a green fish curry sauce made from fermented fish, turmeric, and coconut milk, along with fresh herbs and vegetables. The combination of the creamy curry with the fresh, crisp toppings is a delightful way to start your day.
Nom Banh Chok noodles are made from the Rumduol rice variety, a name that has won the World’s Best Rice award multiple times. Combined with the flavorful broth, these ingredients create a dish that rivals even the most luxurious and expensive cuisines.
Diners can also add green chili, chili powder, dried garlic, and lime to the broth, although the Khmer do not eat Nom Banh Chok with onions.
“Nom Banh Chok Fermented Rice Noodles Are Cambodia in a Bowl”
7. Bai Sach Chrouk (Grilled Pork and Rice)
This simple yet delicious dish is a Cambodian breakfast staple that has won the hearts of both locals and foreign tourists. Bai Sach Chrouk features thinly sliced pork marinated in coconut milk and garlic, grilled to perfection, and served over broken rice with pickled vegetables and a side of fresh cucumber.
You can find this dish almost everywhere across Cambodia, from small alleyways to large eateries. This is the most delightful meal and a wonderful way to recharge for a day of exploring your Indochina trip!
A simple dish that holds rich flavors within
8. Prahok Ktiss (Fermented Fish Dip)
Prahok Ktiss is a classic Cambodian dip made from prahok (fermented fish paste), pork, coconut milk, and spices. It’s typically served with a platter of fresh vegetables for dipping. While the strong, pungent flavor of prahok might be an acquired taste, it’s an essential part of Cambodian cuisine that’s worth trying.
This is an incredibly unique dish—not everyone can handle it!
Laos – Unforgettable flavors
9. Laap (Larb)
Laap is a traditional Laotian dish made from minced meat (usually pork, chicken, or beef), mixed with toasted rice powder, fish sauce, lime juice, and a variety of fresh herbs. It’s a dish that’s both tangy and spicy, and it’s often eaten with sticky rice.
Laap is considered the national dish of Laos and is a must-try when you visit Laos on your Indochina trip. The flavor of this dish is surely what you’re looking for, with your taste buds being stimulated and dancing in your mouth.
Laap is a traditional Lao dish made from minced meat mixed with roasted rice powder, fish sauce, lime juice, and various fresh herbs
10. Tam Mak Hoong (Papaya Salad)
Tam Mak Hoong, also known as green papaya salad, is a dish that’s popular in both Laos and Thailand. Made with shredded green papaya, tomatoes, chili, lime, and fish sauce, it’s a salad that’s bursting with flavor. The combination of the crunchy papaya with the tangy, spicy dressing makes it a refreshing and addictive dish.
Its dark, savory sauce, enriched with crab paste, shrimp paste, and padaek, creates a taste sensation that dances on your palate. For an extra treat, you might be lucky enough to find tangy Lao plums and succulent pieces of salted crab mixed in. This is definitely a refreshing dish for your Indochina trip.
Tam Mak Hoong, also known as green papaya salad, is a dish that’s popular in both Laos and Thailand
11. Khao Niew (Sticky Rice)
Sticky rice, or Khao Niew, is a staple in Laotian cuisine and is often considered the heart of a Laotian meal – a must-try dish on your Indochina trip. It’s served with almost every dish and is eaten with the hands by forming it into small balls. Sticky rice is also used in a variety of desserts, such as Khao Niew Mamuang (sticky rice with mango), making it a versatile and essential part of the Laotian diet.
This dish is truly delicious and easy to enjoy
12. Or Lam (Laotian Stew)
Or Lam is a traditional Laotian stew made with a variety of vegetables, wood ear mushrooms, and sometimes meat, cooked in a broth flavored with lemongrass, dill, and Lao chili wood. This hearty and flavorful dish is perfect for a comforting meal, especially when your Indochina trip takes place during the cooler months.
Or Lam (Laotian Stew) is a flavorful dish, perfect for enjoying in cooler weather
Conclusion
An Indochina trip is not just about visiting beautiful landscapes and historic sites; it’s also about diving into the rich and diverse culinary traditions of Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. Each country offers unique flavors and dishes that reflect their culture and history. From Vietnam’s comforting Phở to Cambodia’s aromatic Fish Amok, and Laos’s refreshing Tam Mak Hoong, these 12 must-try foods will ensure that your journey through Indochina is as delicious as it is memorable.
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