What to Serve with Vietnamese Pho? 7 BEST Side Dishes

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.

Get ready to meet the all-stars that will complete your Vietnamese Pho experience.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes with Vietnamese Pho?

To enjoy Vietnamese Pho wholeheartedly, adding a side dish would be marvelous.

You can stick to Thai basil or bean sprouts if you want a lighter side dish.

And if you’re planning to have it as dinner, you can opt for rice or bread roll.

With this dish, there are several side dishes that you can serve, whether meat or vegetable-based.

However, we recommend a vegetable-based dish for a balanced meal since Pho is rich in texture and full of flavor.

What to Serve with Vietnamese Pho? 7 BEST Side Dishes

From boiled rice to Vietnamese lettuce wrap, check out the seven best side dishes that make an excellent pair with this Vietnamese soup:

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.

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.

Additionally, you can have this lotus stem salad with other meat dishes as it’s known for versatility.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.