The Best Vietnamese And Pho Cookbooks
“What are the best Vietnamese And Pho Cookbooks?” We looked at 65 of the top cookbooks, aggregating and ranking them so we could answer that very question!
Learn and perfect recipes with the Best Vietnamese and, more specifically, Pho cookbooks. The top 22 books, all appearing on 2 or more lists, are below with images, descriptions, and links. The remaining books, as well as the articles we used, are listed alphabetically at the bottom of the page.
Happy Scrolling!
Top 22 Pho Cookbooks
22 .) A Vietnamese Kitchen: Treasured Family Recipes by Ha Roda
Lists It Appears On:
- Adopt Vietnam
- Viet World Kitchen
“The authentic family recipes included in A Vietnamese Kitchen capture the country’s home cooking at its best. Steaming bowls of pho, the ever-popular beef noodle soup, spring rolls, clay pot ginger chicken, and exotic desserts such as crumpled sweet rice and banana coconut pudding are just a few of the delicacies included. The recipes are designed for the American home kitchen, and are accompanied by an introduction to Vietnamese culture and a glossary of Vietnamese culinary terms.
Vietnam is known for some of the world’s most delicate and intriguing flavors. The country’s diverse terrain ranges from the island mountains, which produce numerous exotic fruits and vegetables, to the rice paddies of the Mekong and Red River Deltas. The country’s fascinating history has resulted in strong Chinese, Indian, and French culinary influences yielding surprisingly complex flavors. The cuisine is marked by the use of fish sauce as well as fresh herbs, chilies, and limes, which flavor everything from stir-fries to soups and noodle dishes.”
21 .) Authentic Recipes from Vietnam by Trieu Thi Choi and others
Lists It Appears On:
- Anh’s Food Blog
- Best Reviews
“Vietnamese food is fast emerging as one of the most popular of all Asian cuisines. Its emphasis on fresh herbs, raw vegetables and light seasonings makes it ideal for the health-conscious cook. This lavishly illustrated Vietnamese cookbook, gathered and photographed in Vietnam, examines the historical and regional influences that have shaped the cuisine and presents a selection of classic dishes.
The easy-to-follow recipes present a diverse range of dishes from the country’s major regions—from Hanoi and the cooler north, to Saigon, the Mekong Delta, and all the points in between. Detailed information on Vietnamese ingredients and cooking techniques makes Authentic Recipes from Vietnam the perfect guide for anyone interested in the cuisine of this vibrant and bountiful country, where food is a daily celebration of life.”
20 .) Indochine: Baguette and Banh Mi by Luke Nguyen
Lists It Appears On:
- Viet World Kitchen
- Inside Vietnam
The French colonisation of Vietnam, which lasted for nearly one hundred years, had a profound influence on Vietnamese lifestyle, architecture and cuisine. Chef and author Luke Nguyen once again revisits his beloved Vietnam to delve deeper into the culinary legacy left by the French. Against a backdrop of grand colonial hotels, Luke talks to chefs, bakers, farmers and family members to explore the impact the French had on what the Vietnamese eat and cook today. More than 100 recipes showcase the fusion of French and Vietnamese ingredients and techniques, interwoven with the heart-warming and personal stories Luke uncovers on his journey.
19 .) Lemongrass and Lime: New Vietnam Cooking by Mark Read
Lists It Appears On:
- Viet World Kitchen
- Adopt Vietnam
Evolving over the centuries, Vietnamese cuisine has drawn on the influences of Chinese, Indian, and French cuisine, and absorbed them to create an irresistible combination of delicate flavors, fresh ingredients, fantastic textures, and a simple, approachable cooking style. Vietnamese food is enjoying a rising popularity in the United States, with restaurants such as San Francisco’s Slanted Door and New York’s Le Colonial drawing national attention. LEMONGRASS AND LIME introduces modern Vietnamese cooking, as pioneered by chef Mark Read. Recipes range from traditional dishes, such as Sour Green Mango Salad or Pho-Bo Noodle Soup, to divinely decadent fare, like Crispy Quail with Watercress and Tamarind or Chocolate and Lemongrass Mousse. With its insight into the food traditions of Vietnam, detailed guide to ingredients, and over 70 recipes, this beautifully illustrated book contains everything you need to know to prepare sensational Vietnamese dishes.
18 .) Living and Cooking Vietnamese: An American Woman’s Experience by Paula Tran
Lists It Appears On:
- Sally’s Place
- Viet World Kitchen
Paula Tran is the ideal guide to Vietnamese food and culture because she began as most of us begin: as an American raised on steak and potatoes and high-school homemaking. When she met and married Lac Tran in Texas in 1979. so if you are looking to the point you want to change your diet?
17 .) Quick & Easy Vietnamese: 75 Everyday Recipes by Nancie McDermott
Lists It Appears On:
- Adopt Vietnam
- Viet World Kitchen
From the author of the popular Quick & Easy Thai come these 75 oh-so-delicious recipes for every level of cook. Though it shares certain culinary traditions with its Asian neighbors, Vietnamese cuisine is entirely distinct, focusing on a bounty of fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs for signature clear, bright flavors with contrasting notes of salty, sweet, sour, and spicy. Creamy chicken curry is paired with the zesty tang of lime juice and the heat from ground pepper and chilies. Crisp, fried fish is served with a puree of pineapple-chili sauce. Delicate, rice paper wrapped summer rolls merit a rich and savory soybean dipping sauce. From snacks and soups to grilled meats and seafood to the essential noodle dishes and desserts, Quick & Easy Vietnamese presents the full spectrum of Vietnamese cooking at its most simply delicious.
16 .) The Banh Mi Handbook: Recipes for Crazy-Delicious Vietnamese Sandwiches by Andrea Nguyen
Lists It Appears On:
- I’m Not The Nanny
- Inside Vietnam
Created by Vietnamese street vendors a century or so ago, banh mi is a twist on the French snack of pâté and bread that is as brilliant as it is addictive to eat. Who can resist the combination of crisp baguette, succulent filling, and toppings like tangy daikon and carrot pickles, thin chile slices, refreshing cucumber strips, and pungent cilantro sprigs? You’ll have ample opportunities to customize your sandwich with filling options such as grilled pork, roast chicken, and “the special”—a delectable combination of garlicky pork, liver pâté, and Vietnamese cold-cuts.
15 .) The Classic Cuisine of Vietnam by Bach Ngo and Gloria Zimmerman
Lists It Appears On:
- Sally’s Place
- Viet World Kitchen
14 .) The Little Saigon Cookbook : Vietnamese Cuisine and Culture in Southern California’s Little Saigon by Ann Le
Lists It Appears On:
- Adopt Vietnam
- Viet World Kitchen
“There’s a rule savvy diners seeking the ultimate in ethnic authenticity always follow: Eat where the locals eat. The Little Saigon Cookbook takes you inside the local restaurants in Southern California’s Little Saigon, the site of the largest single population of Vietnamese outside of Vietnam. From the French-inspired bakeries, the lunch delis, and the food courts to the weekend mayhem of the Pho house and wedding receptions at the boisterous seafood restaurants, these are the extraordinary meals that Vietnamese diners and others in the know enjoy every day.
The Little Saigon Cookbook offers dozens of family recipes, many surviving through oral history alone. It takes readers on a tour of culinary landmarks and introduces them to the wealth of authentic dishes found in Little Saigon―from the hot and crispy Vietnamese crepes down Bolsa Avenue to the crunchy, tangy chicken and cabbage goi salad from the Asian Mall.”
13 .) The Songs of Sapa by Luke Nguyen
Lists It Appears On:
- Anh’s Food Blog
- Viet World Kitchen
Luke Nguyen, of Secrets of the Red Lantern fame, is going home. Travelling on a personal and culinary tour through Vietnam, Luke visits his family and friends, and is invited into the homes of local Vietnamese food experts and cooks, to learn more about one of the richest, most diverse cuisines in the world. Starting in the northwest of Vietnam, in the villages and hills around Sapa, Luke explores the roots of traditional cooking. Moving south, he travels to the capital, Hanoi, renowned for its French- Vietnamese cuisine. He explores the imperial cooking of Hue, discovers the famed cau lau noodles in Hoi An, and tastes a host of simple seafood dishes of coastal Nha Trang and Quy Nhon, his journey culminating in Saigon, where he is reunited with family…The Songs of Sapa is a vibrant, visual essay of Luke’s journey, the stories and recipes from each region, with stunning photographs bursting with colour and texture, capturing the beauty of Vietnam, her people and their deep connection to food.
12 .) The Vietnamese Cookbook by Diana My Tran
Lists It Appears On:
- Adopt Vietnam
- Viet World Kitchen
In The Vietnamese Cookbook, Diana My Tran transforms many of her complex traditional dishes into new simpler versions – tailored to the fast pace of America and the freshest ingredients from our local supermarkets. In Vietnam, a traditional meal consists mainly of rice accompanied by a salty dish of seafood or meat, vegetables and/or a composed salad. Diana invites you to create your own memorable meals with more than 100 tantalizing recipes for authentic Vietnamese sauces, appetizers, salads, soups, main dishes, desserts, and beverages. Combine the tempting healthful food with Steve Raymer’s magnificent photographs of Vietnam, and you’ll truly taste the exquisite flavors of this age-old country in all its beauty and richness.
11 .) The Vietnamese Market Cookbook by Anh Vu and Van Tran
Lists It Appears On:
- Inside Vietnam
- Best Reviews
Salty, sweet, bitter, sour, and spicy: these are the flavorful tenets of Vietnamese cuisine. This exhilarating culinary culture is rich but light, deeply flavorful but made with simple ingredients, and filling while also easy to prepare. That’s the message that authors Van Tran and Anh Vu wanted to bring to a hungry crowd when they opened their banh mi stall in London, an international city that surprisingly lacked the tastes of the authors’ childhoods in Hanoi. As their business expanded, The Vietnamese Market Cookbook followed. The recipes are simpler than you might think but explode with the purest flavors of vegetables, seafood, lean meats, spices, chiles, and treasured Vietnamese condiments like fish sauce. Old and new favorites collide: Asparagus and Crabmeat Soup, Papaya Salad with Crispy Anchovies, Claypot Chicken with Ginger, Sea Bass Carpaccio, Kumquat Jasmine Iced Tea, and Crème Caramel. From chapters like “Sweetness and Happiness” to “Spiciness and Adventure” and “Saltiness and Healing,” this lusciously filling book will bring a little bit of Vietnam into your home.
10 .) Wild, Wild East: Recipes and Stories from Vietnam by Bobby Chinn
Lists It Appears On:
- Anh’s Food Blog
- Viet World Kitchen
The world is discovering Vietnamese food, and it’s a happy discovery indeed! Wild, Wild East is the creation of chef Bobby Chin, Hanoi’s enfant terrible and renowned master of Vietnamese cuisine. He characterizes Vietnamese food as having fresh, clean flavors, and as being light, healthy, and diverse. More than a recipe book, Wild, Wild East is the author’s authentic guide to Vietnamese food as it is prepared and enjoyed today. Combining his lively text with Jason Lowe’s striking color photos of Vietnam’s markets, kitchens, people, and foods, Bobby Chin starts out with instructions for preparing Vietnamese sauces, garnishes, and dips.
9 .) Authentic Vietnamese Cooking : Food from a Family Table by Corinne Trang
Lists It Appears On:
- Adopt Vietnam
- I’m Not The Nanny
- Viet World Kitchen
“Refined, subtle, challenging, and accessible all at the same time, the food of Vietnam was the first true fusion cuisine, blending the techniques and ingredients of French and Chinese culinary traditions. In Authentic Vietnamese Cooking, culinary writer and consultant Corinne Trang introduces you to the pleasures of regional Vietnamese cooking. Born in France’s Loire Valley to a French mother and Cambodian-born Chinese father, and raised in Phnom Penh, Paris, and New York, Trang shares more than 100 delicious, authentic Vietnamese recipes designed especially for the home cook.
In this beautiful volume, the complicated processes of assimilation, adaptation, and evolution have been distilled into magnificent dishes that represent the three distinct culinary regions of Vietnam: the Simple North, the Sophisticated Center, and the Spicy South. There are recipes for family meals and special occasions, sauces, marinades, flavored oils, soups, noodle dishes, and more.”
8 .) Pleasures of the Vietnamese Table by Mai Pham
Lists It Appears On:
- Anh’s Food Blog
- Adopt Vietnam
- Viet World Kitchen
“A land of vibrant cultures and vivid contrasts, Vietnam is also home to some of the most delicious and intriguing food in the world. While its cooking traditions have been influenced by those of China, France, and even India, Vietnam has created a cuisine with a spirit and a flavor all its own.
Chef and restaurateur Mai Pham brings to life this diverse and exciting cooking in Pleasures of the Vietnamese Table. Born and raised in Saigon before emigrating to the United States, Mai has often returned to her native land to learn the secrets of authentic Vietnamese cooking, from family, friends, home cooks, street vendors, and master chefs. Traveling from region to region, she has gathered the simple, classic recipes that define Vietnamese food today: Green Mango Salad with Grilled Beef, Stir-Fried Chicken with Lemongrass and Chilies, Caramelized Garlic Shrimp, and especially pho, the country’s beloved beef-and-noodle soup. With more than 100 recipes in all, Pleasures of the Vietnamese Table offers home cooks the chance to create and savor the traditional flavors of Vietnam in their own kitchen.”
7 .) Secrets of the Red Lantern: Stories and Vietnamese Recipes from the Heart by Pauline Nguyen, Luke Nguyen, Mark Jensen
Lists It Appears On:
- Anh’s Food Blog
- Viet World Kitchen
- Steamy Kitchen
6 .) The Best of Vietnamese & Thai Cooking : Favorite Recipes from Lemon Grass Restaurant and Cafes by Mai Pham
Lists It Appears On:
- Adopt Vietnam
- Viet World Kitchen
- Sally’s Place
“Light, Fresh, Exotic, and Delicious!
Tangy, sweet, and savory traditional dipping sauces. Mouthwatering soups. Innovative stir-fries. The Best of Vietnamese & Thai Cooking offers just that—the very best! Weaving a fascinating memoir amidst her splendid recipes, Mai Pham recreates the almost magical reverence with which food was prepared and enjoyed in the Vietnam and Thailand of her childhood. Inside she discloses the secrets to preparing her personal favorites”
5 .) Vietnamese Home Cooking by Charles Phan
Lists It Appears On:
- Steamy Kitchen
- I’m Not The Nanny
- Viet World Kitchen
“When Charles Phan opened his now- legendary restaurant, The Slanted Door, in 1995, he introduced American diners to a new world of Vietnamese food: robustly flavored, subtly nuanced, authentic yet influenced by local ingredients, and, ultimately, entirely approachable. In this same spirit of tradition and innovation, Phan presents a landmark collection based on the premise that with an understanding of its central techniques and fundamental ingredients, Vietnamese home cooking can be as attainable and understandable as American, French, or Italian.
With solid instruction and encouraging guidance, perfectly crispy imperial rolls, tender steamed dumplings, delicately flavored whole fish, and meaty lemongrass beef stew are all deliciously close at hand. Abundant photography detailing techniques and equipment, and vibrant shots taken on location in Vietnam, make for equal parts elucidation and inspiration. And with master recipes for stocks and sauces, a photographic guide to ingredients, and tips on choosing a wok and seasoning a clay pot, this definitive reference will finally secure Vietnamese food in the home cook’s repertoire.”
4 .) Vietnamese Street Food by Tracey Lister and Andreas Pohl
Lists It Appears On:
- Best Reviews
- Viet World Kitchen
- Inside Vietnam
As any traveller to Vietnam will know, the street food is second to none in terms of its diversity, great taste and availability. Vietnam is a real foodie’s destination – and nowhere is it more vibrant than among the hustle and bustle of the streets. Vietnamese Street Food gives you an insider’s view of the country and features over sixty well-loved and authentic recipes, from the ever-popular pho to prawn rice paper rolls and the tangy, crunchy peanut-studded rice balls favored by snacking students. With stunning food photography of every dish and complemented by evocative location photography, Vietnamese Street Food provides an unforgettable insight into Vietnamese street food and culture that will inspire both the home chef and the armchair traveller.
3 .) Street Cafe Vietnam by Annabel Jackson
Lists It Appears On:
- Adopt Vietnam
- Viet World Kitchen
- I’m Not The Nanny
The 75 recipes in this cookbook capture the essence of Vietnamese cooking. Staple ingredients such as fish, soy sauce, coconut, red chilies and lime are mixed to create a range of dishes, from fresh spring rolls with dipping sauce, to crab and asparagus soup.
2 .) The Foods of Vietnam by Nicole Routhier
Lists It Appears On:
- Adopt Vietnam
- Sally’s Place
- Viet World Kitchen
- Jade Luck Club
With Vietnamese restaurants flourishing across America, the cuisine of Vietnam has won a broad US following. Containing 150 traditional recipes, this book discusses the culinary history of Vietnam.’
1 .) Into the Vietnamese Kitchen: Treasured Foodways, Modern Flavors by Andrea Nguyen
Lists It Appears On:
- Anh’s Food Blog
- Jade Luck Club
- Steamy Kitchen
- I’m Not The Nanny
- Viet World Kitchen
When author Andrea Nguyen’s family was airlifted out of Saigon in 1975, one of the few belongings that her mother hurriedly packed for the journey was her small orange notebook of recipes. Thirty years later, Nguyen has written her own intimate collection of recipes, INTO THE VIETNAMESE KITCHEN, an ambitious debut cookbook that chronicles the food traditions of her native country. Robustly flavored yet delicate, sophisticated yet simple, the recipes include steamy pho noodle soups infused with the aromas of fresh herbs and lime; rich clay-pot preparations of catfish, chicken, and pork; classic bánh mì sandwiches; and an array of Vietnamese charcuterie. Nguyen helps readers shop for essential ingredients, master core cooking techniques, and prepare and serve satisfying meals, whether for two on a weeknight or 12 on a weekend.
The #23-65 Additional Best Vietnamese Cookbooks
| # | Book | Author | Lists |
| (Books Appear On 1 List Each) | |||
| 23 | An: To Eat: Recipes and Stories from a | Best Reviews | |
| 24 | Appetites and Aspirations in Vietnam | Erica Peters | Viet World Kitchen |
| 25 | At Home with Madhur Jaffrey: Simple, Delectable Dishes from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka | Madhur Jaffrey | Jade Luck Club |
| 26 | Bento Boxes: Japanese Meals on the Go | Naomi Kijima | Jade Luck Club |
| 27 | Celebrity Chefs’ Cookbooks: Vietnamese Soul Food | Ha Mai | Adopt Vietnam |
| 28 | Cooking the Vietnamese Way | Chi Nguyen, Judy Monroe | Viet World Kitchen |
| 29 | Cuisines of Southeast Asia | Gwenda L. Hyman | Sally’s Place |
| 30 | Didier Corlou’s Vietnamese Cuisine | Didier Corlou | Viet World Kitchen |
| 31 | Essentials of Asian Cuisine : Fundamentals and Favorite Recipes | Corinne Trang | Adopt Vietnam |
| 32 | Fire | Christine Manfield | Anh’s Food Blog |
| 33 | Green Mangoes and Lemon Grass: Southeast Asia’s Best Recipes from Bangkok to Bali | Wendy Hutton | Adopt Vietnam |
| 34 | Happy in My Stomach | Marjorie Doughty | Viet World Kitchen |
| 35 | Hawaii’s Bento Box Cookbook: 2nd Course | Susan Yuen | Jade Luck Club |
| 36 | Healthy Salads From Southeast Asia | Vatcharin Bhumichitr | Adopt Vietnam |
| 37 | Little Saigon Cookbook: Vietnamese Cuisine And … | Le, Ann/ Ashborn, Julie Fay (PHT) | Best Reviews |
| 38 | Lonely Planet World Food Vietnam | Richard Sterling | Adopt Vietnam |
| 39 | Lucky Peach Pho Issue | Steamy Kitchen | |
| 40 | Memories of Philippine Kitchens | Amy Besa | Jade Luck Club |
| 41 | Momofuku | David Chang | Jade Luck Club |
| 42 | My Vietnam: Stories And Recipes | Best Reviews | |
| 43 | My Vietnamese Kitchen: recipes and stories to bring Vietnamese food to life on your plate | Uyen Luu | Inside Vietnam |
| 44 | Nicole Routhier | Adopt Vietnam | |
| 45 | Practical Korean Cooking | Chin-hwa | Jade Luck Club |
| 46 | Recipes from My Home Kitchen: Asian and American | Best Reviews | |
| 47 | Reclaiming Vietnam with Vietnamese Cookbook | Bobby Flatt | Best Reviews |
| 48 | Southeast Asia Cookbook | Ruth Law | Sally’s Place |
| 49 | The Asian Diet: Get Slim and Stay Slim the Asian Way | Diana My Tran and Idamarie Laquatra | Adopt Vietnam |
| 50 | The Asian Grandmothers Cookbook: Home Cooking from Asian American Kitchens | Patricia Tanumihardja | Jade Luck Club |
| 51 | The Breath of a Wok: Unlocking the Spirit of Chinese Wok Cooking Through Recipes and Lore | Grace Young | Jade Luck Club |
| 52 | The Flavours of Vietnam | Meera Freeman, Le Van Nhan | Viet World Kitchen |
| 53 | The Food of Vietnam | Luke Nguyen | I’m Not The Nanny |
| 54 | The Food of Vietnam: Authentic Recipes from the Ascending Dragon | Trieu Thi Choi, Marcel Isaak | Viet World Kitchen |
| 55 | The Korean Table: From Barbecue to Bibimbap 100 Easy-To-Prepare Recipes | Taekyung Chung | Jade Luck Club |
| 56 | The Noodle Shop Cookbook | Jackie Passmore | Sally’s Place |
| 57 | The Simple Art of Vietnamese Cooking | Binh Duong, Marcia Kiesel | Viet World Kitchen |
| 58 | The Slanted Door: Modern Vietnamese Food | Charles Phan | I’m Not The Nanny |
| 59 | Vietnamese : Fragrant and Exotic: A Deliciously Simple Cuisine | Ghillie Basan | Adopt Vietnam |
| 60 | Vietnamese Cookery | Jill Nhu Huong Miller | Viet World Kitchen |
| 61 | Vietnamese Cuisine: Authentic Recipes of Vietnam | J. R. Stevens | Best Reviews |
| 62 | Vietnamese Dishes | Duong Thi Thanh Lien | Viet World Kitchen |
| 63 | Vietnamese Food with Helen’s Recipes | Helen Le | Best Reviews |
| 64 | Vietnamese Home Cooking | Robert Carmack, Didier Corlou, Nguyen Thanh Van | Viet World Kitchen |
| 65 | Vietnamese Home Cooking for Everyone | Adopt Vietnam | |
9 Best Pho Book Sources/Lists
| Source | Article |
| Adopt Vietnam | Vietnamese Cook Books |
| Anh’s Food Blog | Delicious Vietnam #1 – My favourite Vietnamese cookbooks. |
| Best Reviews | 10 BEST VIETNAMESE COOKBOOKS |
| I’m Not The Nanny | MY FAVORITE VIETNAMESE COOKBOOKS |
| Inside Vietnam | The best Vietnamese cookbooks to recreate the flavours of your trip |
| Jade Luck Club | Top 10: Best Asian Cookbooks to Savor UPDATED |
| Sally’s Place | Vietnamese Cuisine Cookbooks |
| Steamy Kitchen | My Favorite Vietnamese Cookbooks |
| Viet World Kitchen | Vietnamese Cookbooks List |
