Cuisine
Ẩm thực Việt Nam rất phong phú
Vietnamese cuisine is very diverse
A broad introduction line.
Southern Vietnamese
Vietnamese Street Food Phrases
Use these phrases to point, order one portion, adjust herbs or chili, ask price, and pay at busy street-food stalls.
Mini lesson
Use this when...
Use this page when the stall is fast, there is no menu, and pointing plus short Vietnamese is the natural workflow.
Day 56 cuisine focus
Intro: Vietnamese cuisine
Introduce iconic dishes from different regions and describe what they are made from.
Cuisine tip
Knowing dish names is culture. Vietnamese people are proud of food.
Favorite dish
Tôi thích cơm tấm
I like broken rice
A common Southern dish.
Ingredients
Món này có thịt và cơm
This dish has meat and rice
Use món này có + ingredient.
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Day 56 vocabulary focus
Vocabulary: phở bắc, bún bò Huế, cơm tấm, bánh xèo, gỏi cuốn, chả giò, canh chua, hủ tiếu
Practice eight signature Vietnamese dish names.
Northern pho
phở bắc
Northern pho
Hue noodle soup
bún bò Huế
Hue beef noodle soup
broken rice
cơm tấm
broken rice
savory pancake
bánh xèo
Vietnamese savory pancake
fresh roll
gỏi cuốn
fresh spring roll
fried roll
chả giò
fried spring roll
sour soup
canh chua
sour soup
noodle soup
hủ tiếu
Southern noodle soup
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Day 56 speaking skill
Speaking skill: introduce Vietnamese food
Say what a dish is like and why someone should try it.
Pho
Phở bắc thơm
Northern pho is fragrant
Bún bò Huế
Bún bò Huế cay
Hue beef noodle soup is spicy
Cơm tấm
Cơm tấm ngon
Broken rice is delicious
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Day 56 grammar focus
Grammar note: Món này có + ingredient / được làm từ + ingredient
Use có for what is inside a dish and được làm từ for what it is made from.
Món này có + ingredient
Món này có thịt và cơm
This dish has meat and rice
This dish has meat and rice.
Được làm từ + ingredient
Bánh xèo được làm từ bột gạo
Bánh xèo is made from rice flour
Bánh xèo is made from rice flour.
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Day 56 speaking exercise
Exercise: introduce 3 Vietnamese dishes
Introduce three dishes to a foreign friend with one ingredient or flavor detail each.
1
Phở bắc
Phở bắc là món nổi tiếng của Việt Nam
Northern pho is a famous Vietnamese dish
2
Bánh xèo
Bánh xèo giòn và thơm
Bánh xèo is crispy and fragrant
3
Gỏi cuốn
Gỏi cuốn tươi và nhẹ
Fresh spring rolls are fresh and light
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Mark this task complete, then continue without going back to the checklist.
Real situations
Point and order
When you do not know the dish name, point and request one item or one portion.
Cho tôi cái này Lấy cái này Không lấy cái đó Cho tôi một phần Một phần nhỏ Một phần lớn Nửa phần được không?
Pointing is normal; make the Vietnamese phrase short and confident.
Eat here or takeaway
Say where you will eat and how you want the food packed.
Street-food stalls often ask this quickly.
Customize safely
Ask about herbs, chili, dipping sauce, raw greens, beef, fat, and allergy risk before the food is assembled.
Có rau không? Bỏ ớt Cho tôi thêm ớt Thêm nước chấm Nước chấm riêng Không rau sống Không bò được không? Không mỡ Tôi bị dị ứng đậu phộng
Allergy phrases matter more than perfect grammar.
Utensils and hygiene
Ask for utensils, tissue, or whether the stall still has food available.
Use hygiene questions carefully; tone matters.
Price and payment
Ask the portion price, pay, ask about cash, and close warmly.
Street-food speech is compact; do not over-explain.
All phrases
Play normal audio first, then slow audio, then save only the phrases you will actually need.
Cho tôi một phần
Please give me one portion
Works at many food stalls.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Cho cho level Keep the voice steady and level. tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. một mot heavy Drop the voice low and short. phần phan falling Keep the final n short.
Cho tôi cái này
Please give me this one
Use while pointing.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Cho cho level Keep the voice steady and level. tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. cái cai rising Lift the voice upward. này nay falling Let the voice fall gently.
Ăn ở đây
Eat here
Use when sitting down.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Ăn an level Keep the final n short. ở o dipping Dip slightly, then recover. đây day level Đ starts like English d; do not say z.
Gói mang về
Pack it to go
Good for takeaway.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Gói goi rising Lift the voice upward. mang mang level Keep the voice steady and level. về ve falling Let the voice fall gently.
Có rau không?
Does it have herbs?
Rau often means fresh greens.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Có co rising Lift the voice upward. rau rau level Keep the voice steady and level. không khong level Keep the voice steady and level.
Bỏ ớt
Leave out chili
Useful if you avoid heat.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Bỏ bo dipping Dip slightly, then recover. ớt ot rising Lift the voice upward.
Thêm nước chấm
More dipping sauce
Common street food request.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Thêm them level Keep the voice steady and level. nước nuoc rising Lift the voice upward. chấm cham rising Lift the voice upward.
Cho tôi muỗng
Please give me a spoon
Useful at stalls.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Cho cho level Keep the voice steady and level. tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. muỗng muong broken Use a short broken rise.
Cho tôi đũa
Please give me chopsticks
Useful at stalls.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Cho cho level Keep the voice steady and level. tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. đũa dua broken Đ starts like English d; do not say z.
Bao nhiêu một phần?
How much for one portion?
Ask price before ordering.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Bao bao level Keep the voice steady and level. nhiêu nhieu level Keep the voice steady and level. một mot heavy Drop the voice low and short. phần phan falling Keep the final n short.
Tính tiền giúp
Bill, please
Use after eating.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Tính tinh rising Lift the voice upward. tiền tien falling Keep the final n short. giúp giup rising Lift the voice upward.
Ngon quá
So delicious
Friendly compliment.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Ngon ngon level Start with the back-of-mouth ng sound. quá qua rising Qu is closer to kw than English q.
Tôi bị dị ứng đậu phộng
I am allergic to peanuts
Important food safety phrase.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. bị bi heavy Drop the voice low and short. dị di heavy Drop the voice low and short. ứng ung rising Lift the voice upward. đậu dau heavy Đ starts like English d; do not say z. phộng phong heavy Drop the voice low and short.
Một phần nhỏ
One small portion
Portion size.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Một mot heavy Drop the voice low and short. phần phan falling Keep the final n short. nhỏ nho dipping Dip slightly, then recover.
Một phần lớn
One large portion
Portion size.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Một mot heavy Drop the voice low and short. phần phan falling Keep the final n short. lớn lon rising Keep the final n short.
Nửa phần được không?
Can I get half a portion?
Smaller order request.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Nửa nua dipping Dip slightly, then recover. phần phan falling Keep the final n short. được duoc heavy Đ starts like English d; do not say z. không khong level Keep the voice steady and level.
Không lấy cái đó
I do not want that one
Pointing correction.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Không khong level Keep the voice steady and level. lấy lay rising Lift the voice upward. cái cai rising Lift the voice upward. đó do rising Đ starts like English d; do not say z.
Lấy cái này
I will take this one
Fast pointing phrase.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Lấy lay rising Lift the voice upward. cái cai rising Lift the voice upward. này nay falling Let the voice fall gently.
Cho tôi thêm ớt
Please give me more chili
Customization.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Cho cho level Keep the voice steady and level. tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. thêm them level Keep the voice steady and level. ớt ot rising Lift the voice upward.
Không rau sống
No raw herbs or vegetables
Food safety preference.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Không khong level Keep the voice steady and level. rau rau level Keep the voice steady and level. sống song rising Lift the voice upward.
Nước chấm riêng
Sauce separately
Sauce request.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Nước nuoc rising Lift the voice upward. chấm cham rising Lift the voice upward. riêng rieng level Keep the voice steady and level.
Gói riêng giúp
Please pack it separately
Takeaway detail.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Gói goi rising Lift the voice upward. riêng rieng level Keep the voice steady and level. giúp giup rising Lift the voice upward.
Có sạch không?
Is it clean?
Use carefully for hygiene concerns.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Có co rising Lift the voice upward. sạch sach heavy Drop the voice low and short. không khong level Keep the voice steady and level.
Cho tôi khăn giấy
Please give me tissue
Street-food essential.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Cho cho level Keep the voice steady and level. tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. khăn khan level Keep the final n short. giấy giay rising Lift the voice upward.
Có bàn ngồi không?
Is there a place to sit?
Seating question.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Có co rising Lift the voice upward. bàn ban falling Keep the final n short. ngồi ngoi falling Start with the back-of-mouth ng sound. không khong level Keep the voice steady and level.
Hết rồi hả?
Is it sold out?
Common stall moment.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Hết het rising Lift the voice upward. rồi roi falling Let the voice fall gently. hả ha dipping Dip slightly, then recover.
Còn món nào không?
What dishes are still available?
Stall choice.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Còn con falling Keep the final n short. món mon rising Keep the final n short. nào nao falling Let the voice fall gently. không khong level Keep the voice steady and level.
Không bò được không?
Can you make it without beef?
Dietary customization.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Không khong level Keep the voice steady and level. bò bo falling Let the voice fall gently. được duoc heavy Đ starts like English d; do not say z. không khong level Keep the voice steady and level.
Không mỡ
No fat or grease
Food preference.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Không khong level Keep the voice steady and level. mỡ mo broken Use a short broken rise.
Tiền mặt được không?
Is cash okay?
Payment question.
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Tiền tien falling Keep the final n short. mặt mat heavy Drop the voice low and short. được duoc heavy Đ starts like English d; do not say z. không khong level Keep the voice steady and level.
Ẩm thực Việt Nam rất phong phú
Vietnamese cuisine is very diverse
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Ẩm am dipping Dip slightly, then recover. thực thuc heavy Drop the voice low and short. Việt viet heavy Drop the voice low and short. Nam nam level Keep the voice steady and level. rất rat rising Lift the voice upward. phong phong level Keep the voice steady and level. phú phu rising Lift the voice upward.
Tôi thích cơm tấm
I like broken rice
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Tôi toi level Keep the voice steady and level. thích thich rising Lift the voice upward. cơm com level Keep the voice steady and level. tấm tam rising Lift the voice upward.
Món này có thịt và cơm
This dish has meat and rice
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Món mon rising Keep the final n short. này nay falling Let the voice fall gently. có co rising Lift the voice upward. thịt thit heavy Drop the voice low and short. và va falling Let the voice fall gently. cơm com level Keep the voice steady and level.
phở bắc
Northern pho
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
phở pho dipping Dip slightly, then recover. bắc bac rising Lift the voice upward.
bún bò Huế
Hue beef noodle soup
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
bún bun rising Keep the final n short. bò bo falling Let the voice fall gently. Huế hue rising Lift the voice upward.
cơm tấm
broken rice
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
cơm com level Keep the voice steady and level. tấm tam rising Lift the voice upward.
bánh xèo
Vietnamese savory pancake
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
bánh banh rising Lift the voice upward. xèo xeo falling Let the voice fall gently.
gỏi cuốn
fresh spring roll
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
gỏi goi dipping Dip slightly, then recover. cuốn cuon rising Keep the final n short.
chả giò
fried spring roll
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
chả cha dipping Dip slightly, then recover. giò gio falling Let the voice fall gently.
canh chua
sour soup
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
canh canh level Keep the voice steady and level. chua chua level Keep the voice steady and level.
hủ tiếu
Southern noodle soup
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
hủ hu dipping Dip slightly, then recover. tiếu tieu rising Lift the voice upward.
Phở bắc thơm
Northern pho is fragrant
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Phở pho dipping Dip slightly, then recover. bắc bac rising Lift the voice upward. thơm thom level Keep the voice steady and level.
Bún bò Huế cay
Hue beef noodle soup is spicy
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Bún bun rising Keep the final n short. bò bo falling Let the voice fall gently. Huế hue rising Lift the voice upward. cay cay level Keep the voice steady and level.
Cơm tấm ngon
Broken rice is delicious
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Cơm com level Keep the voice steady and level. tấm tam rising Lift the voice upward. ngon ngon level Start with the back-of-mouth ng sound.
Bánh xèo được làm từ bột gạo
Bánh xèo is made from rice flour
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Bánh banh rising Lift the voice upward. xèo xeo falling Let the voice fall gently. được duoc heavy Đ starts like English d; do not say z. làm lam falling Let the voice fall gently. từ tu falling Let the voice fall gently. bột bot heavy Drop the voice low and short. gạo gao heavy Drop the voice low and short.
Phở bắc là món nổi tiếng của Việt Nam
Northern pho is a famous Vietnamese dish
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Phở pho dipping Dip slightly, then recover. bắc bac rising Lift the voice upward. là la falling Let the voice fall gently. món mon rising Keep the final n short. nổi noi dipping Dip slightly, then recover. tiếng tieng rising Lift the voice upward. của cua dipping Dip slightly, then recover. Việt viet heavy Drop the voice low and short. Nam nam level Keep the voice steady and level.
Bánh xèo giòn và thơm
Bánh xèo is crispy and fragrant
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Bánh banh rising Lift the voice upward. xèo xeo falling Let the voice fall gently. giòn gion falling Keep the final n short. và va falling Let the voice fall gently. thơm thom level Keep the voice steady and level.
Gỏi cuốn tươi và nhẹ
Fresh spring rolls are fresh and light
Say it
Listen first, then use these tone cues.
Gỏi goi dipping Dip slightly, then recover. cuốn cuon rising Keep the final n short. tươi tuoi level Keep the voice steady and level. và va falling Let the voice fall gently. nhẹ nhe heavy Drop the voice low and short.
Mini dialogue
You
Cho tôi cái này, một phần.
Please give me this one, one portion.
Staff
Ăn ở đây hay mang về?
Eat here or take away?
You
Ăn ở đây. Bỏ ớt.
Eat here. Leave out chili.
You
Bao nhiêu một phần?
How much for one portion?
Practice ladder
- 1 Play the first phrase at normal speed once.
- 2 Play it slowly, then repeat it aloud without reading English.
- 3 Cover the Vietnamese and recall it from the situation.
- 4 Save only the phrases you would actually need this week.
- 5 Review saved phrases tomorrow before learning new ones.
Common mistakes
- Do not translate “I would like to have...” into a long sentence at a busy stall.
- Do not assume rau means one specific herb; it can mean fresh greens generally.
- Do not wait to mention allergies.
Cultural notes
- Street-food staff may answer quickly because the workflow is repetitive.
- A simple Ngon quá can make the exchange feel friendly.
Meaning check
Quick practice
You are pointing at food and want one portion. What should you say?
Finish this phrasebook
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Mark complete only after you have listened, practiced, and saved at least one useful phrase. Then continue straight to the next task.
Week 8 · Day 56 in the 90-day path
Listen to at least 3 phrases
Use normal audio first, then slow audio.
Save at least 1 phrase
Only save phrases you would actually reuse.
Finish the quiz or practice task
Check that you can recall the idea, not only read it.
Mark this page complete
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Ready for the next step?
Mark this task complete, then continue without going back to the checklist.
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FAQ
How should I practice this phrasebook?
Start with the Learn these first section, listen at normal speed, repeat slowly, then save only the phrases you expect to use.
Do I need to memorize every phrase on this page?
No. Memorize the first urgent or high-frequency phrases, then use scenarios and spaced review to add the rest gradually.