Vietnamese favorites such as bo kho, pha lau, and thang co have been recognized among the best stews in Southeast Asia by renowned food guide Taste Atlas, according to its late March ranking.

With a score of 4.4 out of 5 stars, bo kho was ranked 9th in the list.

“Bo kho is a popular Vietnamese stew that can be enjoyed on its own or served with a baguette and fresh herbs. It features tender chunks of beef stewed with carrots, lemongrass, cinnamon, chili, black pepper, garlic, and shallots in a rich, aromatic broth,” the global culinary website wrote.

Though inspired by Indian cuisine, Vietnamese-style chicken curry (ca ri ga) also made the list thanks to its creamy, flavorful profile that sets it apart.

Taste Atlas culinary experts describe the dish as simple to make, using familiar ingredients like chicken, potatoes, carrots, onions, garlic, coconut milk, chicken broth, and spices such as lemongrass, fish sauce, bay leaves, and curry powder.

“Ideally, the chicken should be marinated overnight. The curry is then simmered until the potatoes are tender and all ingredients are fully cooked. It’s typically served with steamed rice or crusty bread,” the guide noted.

Also representing Vietnam are two distinctive stews from different culinary contexts: pha lau, a beloved street food staple in Ho Chi Minh City, and thang co, a traditional highland dish from the northern mountains.

Pha lau is made from various types of offal - often pork, chicken, duck, or beef intestines. The dish is seasoned with soy sauce, garlic, pepper, salt, sugar, white wine, cinnamon, star anise, and five-spice powder.

“After being deep-fried, the offal is stewed in coconut water until tender and fragrant. Pha lau is typically served with a garlic-chili dipping sauce and accompanied by either baguette or rice,” according to Taste Atlas.

Ranked 87th on the list is thang co, a signature dish of the ethnic communities in Vietnam’s northwestern highlands. Its unique flavor comes from horse meat and offal, which are simmered with spices in a large pan - similar in preparation to pha lau but rooted in the culinary traditions of mountainous cultures.

Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Zagreb, Croatia, Taste Atlas is a global food mapping platform that catalogs traditional dishes from around the world.

According to founder Matija Babić, the rankings are based on reviews and evaluations by culinary experts and food critics to ensure credibility and accuracy in their awards.

Do An