Xôi

With as many versions as one can imagine, xôi is one of Vietnam's favorite foods that is easily found anywhere from numerous roadside vendors to traditional and upscale restaurants. Made with a base of steamed sticky rice, these dishes can be made in savory - xôi mặn, or sweet versions - xôi ngọt.

They are traditionally served in a banana leaf, and most commonly enjoyed either as a cheap and scrumptious on-the-go breakfast meal, a mid-day snack or a dessert, although in many mountainous areas of northern Vietnam people eat xôi as a main dish.

Some of the most common ingredients for the savory xôi include Vietnamese ham known as chả lụa, Chinese sausage called lạp xưởng, shredded chicken, dried shrimps, and rước or chà bông, meaning dried shredded pork or chicken, respectively.

Xôi mặn dishes are often flavored with garlic, drizzled with either soy sauce or scallion oil, and sprinkled with chili flakes. On the other hand, xôi ngọt desserts can be made with virtually anything from fruits like mango, gac, durian, and coconut, to mung beans, cassava, or even silkworm pupae.