How to Pair Vietnamese Food with Drinks: Tips from Pho Beyond

A great meal is always elevated by the right drink. Vietnamese cuisine, with its complex flavors, fresh herbs, and balance of sweet, sour, salty, and umami, pairs beautifully with a wide range of beverages. At Pho Beyond in Las Vegas, here are our recommendations for the perfect drink to accompany your meal.

The Classic: Vietnamese Iced Coffee (Ca Phe Sua Da)

No Vietnamese meal is truly complete without ca phe sua da — strong, dark Vietnamese drip coffee mixed with sweetened condensed milk and poured over ice. The coffee’s bitterness and the milk’s sweetness create a perfectly balanced drink that complements the savory, aromatic flavors of pho beautifully.

Fresh Coconut Water

For something lighter and more refreshing, fresh coconut water is a natural partner for Vietnamese food. Its subtle sweetness and electrolyte-rich profile help cleanse the palate between bites and cool the heat of any spicy dishes you might order.

Jasmine Tea

Hot jasmine tea is the traditional Vietnamese table drink, and for good reason. Its floral, lightly fragrant character pairs effortlessly with virtually everything on our menu, from delicate spring rolls to bold bun bo Hue.

Fresh Fruit Smoothies

Vietnamese fresh fruit smoothies — sinh to — blend tropical fruits like avocado, jackfruit, durian, and mango with condensed milk and ice. They are rich, sweet, and satisfying as both a beverage and a light dessert.

Beer Pairings

A light, crisp lager is the ideal beer pairing for Vietnamese food. The clean flavor profile does not compete with the complex spice notes of pho broth, and the carbonation provides a refreshing counterpoint to rich, fatty proteins.

What to Avoid

Heavy red wines and intensely hopped IPAs can overwhelm the delicate flavors of Vietnamese cuisine. If wine is your preference, opt for a light, aromatic white such as a Riesling or Gewurztraminer, which echo the floral spice notes in our broth.