An ice-cold beer is probably what comes to mind when choosing a drink with your Vietnamese meal. It’s cold, refreshing and the most popular beverage of choice when dining in Vietnam. However, in recent years the country has seen an increase in wine consumption, likely due to its historical ties with France, and you can even find around 15 wineries within the country.
While many do not associate Vietnamese food with wine, its growing popularity has prompted discussion on what wines work best with such light, casual fare. Vietnamese food is all about the freshest, brightest vegetables, spices and aromatics, while finding the perfect balance of sweet and salty, spicy and tangy. The cuisine is fragrant and herbaceous, and milder in heat than many of its Asian counterparts. This can make wine pairing a bit easier, you just need to know what to look for.
Best Red Wine With Vietnamese Food
Red is very tough to pair with Vietnamese food, as so many dishes contain fish sauce, and fish sauce with tannins gives a very metallic taste. Reds are not completely off the table; you just have to be very selective in your pairings.
- Barbera: juicy, light, with notes of strawberry and sour cherry.
- Pinot Noir: always a popular choice; light on body, high on aromatics.
- Beaujolais: also known as Gamay, light, fruity and low tannins.
- Lambrusco: a slight bubbliness with strong berry notes.
Best White Wine With Vietnamese Food
White is a natural pairing with Vietnamese food. The acid cleanses the palate and residual sweetness balances and dulls any heat in the dish.
- Off-dry Riesling: Light, sweet, crisp, and highly acidic. Known for being food-friendly.
- Sauvignon Blanc: highly acidic, fruity, dry white with herb tones.
- Rosé: bright acidity with strong berry flavor.
- Grüner Veltliner: Light, citrus-focused flavors of lime, lemon and grapefruit.
- Champagne: Bubbly, floral, and fruity with notes of citrus, peach, or cherry.
Pairing Wine With Various Vietnamese Dishes
Pairing Wine With Pho Bo
Noodle soup with beef. A Merlot or Pinot Noir, or other medium-bodied red is a great match.
Pairing Wine With Veggie Pho
Vegetarian Pho can go white or red. We recommend a Chardonnay or Pinot Noir.
Pairing Wine With Seafood Pho
You can pair a heavier white with this soup. Try an Albariño or Viognier.
Pairing Wine With Pho Ga
Chicken Pho needs a white that isn’t too sweet. Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc are both great choices.
Pairing Wine With Banh Mi
Vietnamese baguette. Lambrusco, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc all balance the ingredients of this popular sandwich very well.
Pairing Wine With Banh Khot
Crispy pancakes topped with anything from squid to mung beans to pork. A white will be your best choice, regardless of topping. Grüner Veltliner or Champagne are excellent choices.
Pairing Wine With Banh Xeo
Vietnamese Crepe stuffed with pork belly, sprouts, shrimp, and mung beans. A medium-bodied, juicy red will balance all of the flavors in this dish.
Pairing Wine With Ca Kho To
Braised and caramelized catfish. A Riesling or Pinot Gris will provide a lovely balance to this fish-based dish.
Pairing Wine With Bun Bo Hue
Herbaceous beef broth soup with rice noodles, a mixture of proteins and served with lime. You’re safe with red here. Try a Pinot Noir or Syrah. For white, a Sancerre.
Pairing Wine With Thit kho to
Braised pork belly in sugar and fish sauce. An acidic white, think off-dry Riesling, will cut through the fat of the pork belly and complement the shrimp.
Pairing Wine With Com Tam
Vietnamese broken rice. Caramelized pork chops, sunny side up egg, cucumber, tomato and rice. Something bubbly, like a Lambrusco or sparking Rosé will provide a nice balance to the richness of the caramelized pork chops.
Pairing Wine With Bun Cha Gio
Grilled pork patties and pork belly, doused in nuoc cham sauce and served with vermicelli noodles. A crisp white or Rosé will be a lovely complement to this meal.
Pairing Wine With Bánh Chưng
Sticky rice cakes filled with pork, mung bean and black pepper. Try a Grüner Veltliner or Sauvignon Blanc with this classic Vietnamese staple.
Pairing Wine With Pho Cuon (Rolled Pho)
Beef, bean sprouts, vegetables and rice noodles rolled in rice paper. A Beaujolais or Barbera will pair nicely with this dish.
Pairing Wine With Shaking Beef (Bo luc lac)
Wok-fried beef served with lettuce, tomato and cucumber. This is one dish where a red will pair nicely. Try a Pinot Noir or Cabernet Franc.
Pairing Wine with Chinese Food
Pairing Wine With Japanese Food
Pairing Wine With Vietnamese Food
Pairing Wine With Thai Food
Pairing Wine With Korean Food
Pairing Wine With Filipino Food
