What Vietnamese Really Eat for Breakfast -

If you ask someone overseas what Vietnamese people eat for breakfast, the most common answer is probably: Phở. And they’re not wrong, phở bò (beef noodle soup) is a national treasure. But here’s the twist: while phở is iconic, it’s not the only thing, or even the most common everyday breakfast for most Vietnamese people.

So, what do locals really eat to start their day? Let’s take a friendly walk through a Vietnamese morning.

1. Phở – The Fancy Weekend Treat

Yes, let’s talk about phở first.

Phở is fragrant, flavorful, and full of love. But it’s also a bit of a project. It requires simmered bone broth, lots of herbs, and a proper setup. That’s why, for many people, phở is more of a weekend treat, or something you grab when you have a little more time (and money) to spare.

2. Bánh Mì – Vietnam’s On-the-Go Breakfast King

Fast, portable, and delicious, bánh mì is Vietnam’s go-to breakfast for busy mornings. A crusty French-inspired baguette filled with eggs, pork, pâté, pickled veggies, and fresh herbs, and often costs less than 20,000 VND (~$1)

You’ll see people grabbing bánh mì on their motorbike, munching it at their desk, or eating it standing on the sidewalk before heading to work. It’s Vietnam’s breakfast sandwich, and it’s glorious.

3. Xôi – Sticky Rice for a Solid Start

Need something more filling? Enter xôi, sticky rice topped with a variety of savory or sweet things.

Xôi mặn: sticky rice with shredded chicken, Chinese sausage, egg, and fried shallots
Xôi ngọt: topped with mung bean, coconut, or sugar sesame salt

It’s cheap, satisfying, and super portable. Wrapped in banana leaves or plastic bags, xôi is everywhere, from street stalls to train stations.

4. Cháo – The Ultimate Comfort Food

Feeling under the weather? Need something gentle? Try cháo (rice porridge). You have many options, whether it’s Cháo gà (chicken porridge), Cháo lòng (pork innards porridge) or even Cháo trắng (plain porridge, sometimes with salted egg or braised fish).

Cháo is light but warm and cozy. It’s what grandma might serve when you’re sick, or what you grab on a cool morning when you want a hug in a bowl.

5. Bánh Mì Ốp La – A Vietnamese Diner Breakfast

Think of this as Vietnamese sunny-side-up eggs with a twist. Fried eggs served on a sizzling plate, with slices of Vietnamese sausage (chả), pâté, sometimes beef, eaten with a crusty bánh mì.

You usually sit down to eat this, often at a street-side cafe or small eatery. Pair it with iced coffee, and you’ve got a classic Saigon morning.

6. Don’t Forget the Coffee

No Vietnamese breakfast is complete without a cup of cà phê sữa đá (iced coffee with condensed milk) or cà phê đen đá (strong black iced coffee). Coffee is not just a drink here, it’s a ritual.

Morning coffee shops are full of locals reading newspapers, chatting with friends, or just watching the street wake up. Life moves fast, but Vietnamese coffee mornings feel slow and grounded.

Final Thought

So yes, phở is wonderful. But Vietnamese breakfasts go way beyond that. Whether it’s a bánh mì on the run, a plate of eggs with friends, or a steamy bowl of cháo in grandma’s kitchen, breakfast in Vietnam is diverse, delicious, and deeply cultural.

And best of all? You don’t have to wake up early to enjoy it, many of these dishes are available all day.

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