A taste of Saigon to the Island: An introduction to Vietnamese cuisine in Victoria

Victoria, BC, is celebrated for its seaside splendour and colonial street capes, Though it doesn’t wear this reputation on its sleeve the way it does, its culinary diversity is nowhere more vibrantly expressed than in its Vietnamese food. With a burgeoning list of places serving old-school and new-wave versions of traditional dishes, Vietnamese cuisine in Victoria has become a go-to for locals seeking both comfort and complexity. The Vietnamese are known for harmonious tastes: sweet, salty, sour, umami-an intense amount of flavour in every bite. Victoria has all sorts of never-before-seen (or tasted) dishes to offer, from the fragrant broth and tender rice noodles of pho to the airy tropical snack that is bánh xèo (Vietnamese savoury pancakes). Vietnamese You’ll find more than just pho at popular Vietnamese restaurants in Downtown, Burnside and Fernwood. There’s bún bò Huế (spicy beef noodle soup) and gỏi cuốn (fresh spring rolls) and bánh mì sandwiches crammed with pickled vegetables...