How to Order Keto at a Vietnamese Restaurant

You're out to eat with some friends at your favourite Vietnamese restaurant, and you're feeling pretty good about sticking to your keto diet. But then the waitress hands you the menu, and you realize you need to figure out what to order. Sound familiar? Don't worry; we're here to help. You can enjoy a delicious, keto-friendly meal at any Vietnamese restaurant with a few tips.

What is Keto?

First things first, let's review what keto is. The ketogenic diet is a low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet that has been shown to lead to weight loss and other health benefits. When following a keto diet, your goal is to get 70-80% of your calories from fat, 20-25% from protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates.

Now that we've got that out let's talk about how to order keto at a Vietnamese restaurant.

What are Vietnamese Main courses keto-friendly?

When it comes to main courses, there are a few safe bets that will be keto-friendly. Many Vietnamese dishes are naturally low in carbs thanks to their reliance on meat and vegetables instead of rice or noodles. Popular options include:

• Pho (a soup made with beef or chicken).

• Bun (a vermicelli noodle dish).

• Mi Quang (a noodle dish made with pork).

Most of these dishes can be made without noodles or rice upon request, making them an even better option for those on a keto diet. Just be sure to ask for extra vegetables instead of noodles or rice.

Another great option is com tam; broken rice served with grilled meat. This dish is usually served with pickled daikon radish, carrots, cucumber slices, cilantro, and green onion. While the broken rice does contain carbohydrates, it's a much better option than white rice or noodles. Plus, the other vegetables will help balance out the carbs in the rice. Just be sure to ask for extra vegetables and hold the nuoc cham (fish sauce) if you want to keep things as low-carb as possible.

Are Stir-Fries Keto friendly?

Stir fries are another great option when dining out on a keto diet. Many Vietnamese stir-fries are made with protein and vegetables, causing them relatively low in carbs. Plus, they can easily be made without noodles or rice upon request. Standard stir-fry options include:

• Thit bo xao (beef stir fry).

• Thit ga xao (chicken stir fry).

• Tom xao (shrimp stir fry).

Again, ask for extra vegetables instead of noodles or rice.

What are some keto-friendly side dishes?

In addition to main courses, a few side dishes are perfect for those on a keto diet. One of our favourites is goi cuon—fresh spring rolls made with shrimp, pork, lettuce, and herbs wrapped in thin rice paper sheets. These are usually served with dipping sauces on the side, so be sure to ask for nuoc cham on the side so you can control how much you use.

Another great option is banh mi op la—an omelet served on a banh mi sandwich without the bread. And, of course, no meal would be complete without a heaping serving of steamed veggies like broccoli or green beans.

Can Vietnamese food be 100% keto?

Now that we've gone over some of the best keto-friendly Vietnamese dishes, you might wonder if it's possible to make a 100% keto meal. Unfortunately, that's only possible sometimes. While there are many great low-carb options, Vietnamese cuisine relies heavily on rice and noodles—two things that are off-limits on a keto diet. However, you can quickly put together a delicious, keto-friendly meal at any Vietnamese restaurant with creativity.

With a few tips, enjoying a delicious and keto-friendly meal at any Vietnamese restaurant is easy. Main courses like pho soup, bun noodle dishes, com tam broken rice, and stir-fries can all be made without noodles or rice upon request, making them perfect for those on a ketogenic diet.

Side dishes like goi cuon spring rolls, banh mi op la omelets,, and steamed broccoli or green beans are also great options for sticking to your macros., So next time you find yourself at a Vietnamese restaurant, don't hesitate to indulge in some deliciousness—keto style!

Please use our easy-to-use app for Android and iPhone smartphones to place an order online for pickup or delivery. (Only for Toronto, North York, Hamilton, Woodbridge, and Vaughan cities)