When people talk about Vietnamese food in Vancouver, the conversation often leans heavily toward pho shops and bánh mì counters. But tucked away in downtown Vancouver, Tre Viet is quietly showcasing something a little more specific, a little more traditional, and honestly, a lot more exciting: Northern Vietnamese food done with care, balance, and bold flavours. If you’re searching for Vietnamese food downtown Vancouver, or you’re curious about dishes beyond the usual southern-style pho, Tre Viet Denman deserves a spot at the top of your list.
Northern Vietnamese cuisine is known for being more restrained, aromatic, and balanced compared to its southern counterpart. Less sweetness, more savoury depth, and a stronger emphasis on fermented sauces and fresh herbs. Tre Viet leans into this beautifully, offering dishes that feel authentic but still approachable for diners who may be new to northern Vietnamese flavours. Located conveniently in downtown Vancouver, Tre Viet is perfect for lunch, dinner, or a casual food crawl through the city.
Tre Viet Denman – My Menu Recommendations (Starters)
On my visit we got the following to try:
- Hanoi Crispy Crab Parcel (Nem Cua Bể) ($14.25) – crab meat, prawn, grounded pork, glass noodles, shiitake mushroom, black fungus, carrot, jicama. Served with Tre fish sauce
- Rainbow Salad (Gỏi ngũ sắc) ($12.25) – purple cabbage, carrot, onion, Vietnamese mint, roasted peanuts, fried onion, finished with Tre chili sweet and sour sauce
The Hanoi Crispy Crab Parcels are deeply satisfying. Crunchy on the outside and generously filled with ingredients. Every bite is layered with texture. What really ties it together is the Tre house fish sauce. It adds a salty, tangy depth without overpowering the delicate crab flavour.
Light, refreshing, and visually stunning, the Rainbow Salad is exactly what you want to balance out richer dishes. You can choose prawn or chicken. We went with prawn, and it added just the right amount of sweetness and protein.
Tre Viet Denman – My Menu Recommendations (Mains)
- Hanoi Style Vermicelli Noodles with Charred & Caramelized Pork Grilled Over Hot Charcoal (Bún Chả) ($19.75) – grilled pork, pork meatballs in Tre chili lime dipping sauce, vermicelli noodles, and fresh herbs. Served with rice vermicelli noodles, cucumber, crunchy carrot, mooli daikon, crisp lettuce, bean sprouts, roasted peanuts, sesame, and fried shallots garnish
- Tre Special Salted Superior Egg Beef Ball – unique pho is with a rich and flavourful broth, beef ball stuffed with salted egg yolk, rare beef and beef brisket
- Vermicelli Noodle and Fermented Shrimp Paste (Bún Đậu Mắm Tôm) ($25.55) – steamed pork hock slices, deep-fried tofu, deep-fried young rice cake with ground pork, vermicelli noodles, fresh herbs, and shrimp paste dipping sauce. Served with rice vermicelli noodles, cucumber, crunchy carrot, mooli daikon, crisp lettuce, bean sprouts
If you’re familiar with Bún Chả, you already know how iconic this dish is in Northern Vietnam and Tre Viet does it justice. The pork is grilled over hot charcoal, giving it a smoky, caramelized exterior while staying juicy inside. The accompanying fresh vegetables make this feel like a complete meal that feels both hearty and fresh.
Tre Viet’s Special Salted Superior Egg Beef Ball Pho features a deeply flavoured broth paired with a beef ball stuffed with salted egg yolk. Rich, savoury, and surprisingly indulgent. Add in rare beef and beef brisket, and you’ve got a bowl that is hearty and comforting. If you’re someone who thinks you’ve tried every pho in Vancouver, this dish will absolutely change your mind.
This dish was the one I was most looking forward to, and this was an excellent version. Vermicelli Noodle and Fermented Shrimp Paste isn’t for the faint of heart, but if you love bold flavours, you’ll appreciate its complexity. The fermented shrimp paste dipping sauce is pungent, funky, and deeply savoury. A true staple of Northern Vietnamese cuisine.
Worth a Try?
Absolutely. Tre Viet offers some of the most authentic and thoughtfully prepared Northern Vietnamese food in downtown Vancouver. Whether you’re craving crispy crab parcels, smoky grilled pork, or adventurous fermented shrimp paste dishes, this restaurant delivers flavour, balance, and authenticity. Every dish was made with care and the portion sizes are very generous. Pricing is reasonable and you will definitely leave full. Service was very friendly and overall I had a great experience. I can’t wait to be back!
Tre Viet
Address: 1114 Denman St, Vancouver, BC V6G 2M8
Website: http://treviet.ca/