Serve Vietnamese Pho alongside Boiled Rice, Lotus Stem Salad, Vietnamese Fried Rice, Cucumber and Avocado Salad, and Vietnamese Lettuce Wraps.
Boiled rice to Vietnamese lettuce wrap, check out the seven best side dishes that make an excellent pair with this Vietnamese soup: 1.
For a lighter option, try Vietnamese Lettuce Wraps. Vietnamese Lettuce Wraps
Vietnamese lettuce wrap will make an excellent pair with Pho if you like to have a lighter meal.
Ah, Vietnamese Pho: it's more than just a meal; it's a bowl of heaven.
Every spoonful hits you with flavors that can turn a dull day bright.
Yet, even the most perfect bowl of Pho might leave you wondering, "What else can I add to make this experience even cooler?"
That's where the magic of side dishes comes into play. They're like the backup singers to your star performer, boosting the show to a whole new level.
Whether you're hosting a dinner or just spicing up a Tuesday night, the right sides can transform your Pho from great to unforgettable.
7 Traditional Sides for Vietnamese Pho
From boiled rice to Vietnamese lettuce wrap, check out the seven best side dishes that make an excellent pair with this Vietnamese soup - also consider chili party side ideas for gatherings when planning a larger menu:
1. Boiled Rice
Boiled rice and Vietnamese Pho make a great combo, especially if you plan to have it as a dinner.
Rice is a rich source of fiber, selenium, manganese and more.
It has a bland taste but pairing it with rich flavored pho evens out the meal.
And if you're looking for a simple side dish, make this simple boiled rice - or pair it with hard-boiled egg side ideas for protein for extra heft.
Just wash the rice and cook it in a pressure cooker or boil in a pot until it's tender.
You can garnish the boiled rice with sesame oil and soy sauce for added flavor.
2. Lotus Stem Salad
Lotus stem is packed with Vitamins and other nutrients and is also known to have various health benefits.
If you haven't tried this salad with Pho yet, perhaps now would be an excellent opportunity to try them.
This salad is easy to prepare as all you need is a lotus stem, salt, white onion and peanut sauce.
Plus, you can add pickled carrots for extra flavor.
Also, you can have this lotus stem salad with other meat dishes as it's known for versatility - similar to orzo salad side suggestions for flexibility that pair with many mains.
3. Vietnamese Fried Rice
If you don't like to have plain boiled rice with Pho, you can go for Vietnamese fried rice.
It's a simple dish, and you can have it as a main dish because of its flavor - much like chicken fried rice side pairings for mains that turn rice into the centerpiece.
Whether beef or chicken pho, this flavorful fried rice blends perfectly and makes it more delicious.
You can make this dish at home as it's pretty simple and easy, plus the cooking time doesn't take more than fifteen minutes.
4. Cucumber and Avocado Salad
Cucumber is known for its cool and crisp texture, while avocado is quite nutty.
And this combo makes an excellent and refreshing salad.
This refreshing salad makes a great accompaniment with highly flavored Pho, and it helps to even out the meal - similar to cucumber soup side ideas for balance that cool spicy or rich mains.
If you're planning to have a light meal, you should give this combo a chance, especially during summer.
You can also prepare this salad yourself as it's pretty simple to make.
Just get a cucumber, ripe avocado, shallots, olive oil, lime juice, mint and basil.
5. Vietnamese Lettuce Wraps
Vietnamese lettuce wrap will make an excellent pair with Pho if you like to have a lighter meal - and explore lettuce wrap side ideas for light menus for more variations.
You can infuse your style with this dish by adding tons of vegetables and sauce for flavor.
If you're on a balanced diet, you should give this combo a chance because it's worth giving a shot.
It's a fully packed nutritional meal suitable for any occasion, whether big or small.
Stop thinking hard and serve this wrap with Vietnamese Pho for the next gathering.
6. Egg Rolls
Egg rolls are the ultimate side dish or appetizer for any Asian-inspired dish.
It makes a good pair with Pho, and you shouldn't miss out on it if you are more into a heavy meal.
This combo would be great for dinner as the roll comes with a layer of fillings cabbage, carrot, green onions and more.
You can also have this side dish with other dishes as it's a versatile food - consider egg bite side options for versatile meals when varying appetizers.
You can serve this combo to your guest or family for dinner or lunch as it's pretty heavy and turns it into a wholesome meal.
7. Garlic Ginger Bok Choy
Bok choy is a cruciferous vegetable and has a high intake of vitamins and minerals.
Garlic ginger bok choy is a simple dish and takes a couple of minutes to cook it.
So, if you're in a rush, you can prepare this side dish.
Here is how you can make this dish: take a sauté pan or wok and add two tablespoons of oil; when the oil is enough, add minced ginger and garlic and stir fry for thirty seconds.
Now add bok choy and stir fry for two minutes.
The next step is to pour a small quantity of water, preferably two tablespoons, into the pan and cover it for two minutes.
And there you go, garlic ginger bok choy is ready. Sprinkle black pepper and salt for garnishing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Boiled Rice Boiled rice and Vietnamese Pho make a great combo, especially if you plan to have it as a dinner. If you haven't tried this salad with Pho yet, perhaps now would be an excellent opportunity to try them.
A leafy green or fiber-rich vegetable balances the meal best. This side dish is a good pick for adding color and nutrients.
Pairing a protein-heavy main with a lighter vegetable side keeps the meal from feeling too heavy.
Not always. A vegetable-only pairing works when the main course already includes starch.
Add rice, bread, or potatoes only if the meal needs more substance.
Roasted frozen vegetables, pre-cooked grains, or a quick pan sauté all come together in under 15 minutes with minimal prep and no special equipment needed.
For a coffee contrast, see Vietnamese coffee flavor overview. For a deeper look at pho itself, read pho taste profile and notes.