A special dish from Vietnam rounds off the latest edition of my “5 People, 5 Breakfasts, 5 Countries” series. It’s no secret that Vietnam knows how to make one heck of a noodle soup. These spicy, slurpy soups can be found all throughout the country with northern Vietnam representing Phở and central Vietnam proudly serving up Bún bò Huế. But in southern Vietnam, it’s all about Hù Tiéu.

Tien, who is originally from Vietnam and currently living in Texas, shared this Hù Tiéu recipe with me. Growing up, Tien frequently enjoyed a bowl of Hù Tiéu with her friends before school. And let me tell you, it certainly beats the school breakfasts I grew up with. There’s soft rice noodles, quail eggs, shrimp, minced pork, and a ham loaf all steaming together in a rich stock. With an abundance of ingredients, Hù Tiéu is really all about balance. Rich umami flavors are lifted with just a hint of sweetness. The soup is lightly seasoned, yet still bursting with flavor. It’s a breakfast that I could honestly eat again and again.  

Although Vietnam claims Hù Tiéu, the recipe is heavily influenced by both China and Cambodia. The original noodle dish actually began in the Guangdong province of China. As the people migrated from Cambodia and then into Vietnam, Hù Tiéu migrated with them. Cambodian Kuyteav closely resembles what Hù Tiéu was like before it made its way into Vietnam. Here, the Southern Vietnamese people added a touch of sweetness to the broth, created thinner noodles, and modern Hù Tiéu was born.

As much as I loved preparing Hù Tiéu, I do have one teeny tiny problem with it. It’s a lot of work. At least for me, I see Hù Tiéu as more of a weekend breakfast investment, instead of a quick weekday breakfast. But I also have a few tips up my sleeve to help shorten the cooking time. First, absolutely buy the pre-shelled, canned quail eggs instead of peeling them manually. That’s a lesson I learned the hard way. Second, treat yourself to the powdered stock base. I know it won’t be for everyone, but it saves so much time and still turns out a delicious stock.  

At the end of the day, Hù Tiéu is a wonderful representation of so many Asian flavors and Vietnam’s history. It’s a rich and comforting breakfast that you can curl up with on a chilly morning.