A Vietnamese saying supposedly says: "Life without you is like bowl of pho without the broth." Pho basically consists of thin rice noodles in a meat-based broth. Usually, this is a beef broth, courtesy of the French influence during their occupation of the country. There are different types of meat that go with this. Pho Tai, for example consists of thin, raw slices of beef tenderloin. When your bowl comes out, separate the slices of beef so the soup can cook them. The noodles will be underneath them. You will also receive a side dish of bean sprouts, mint, Vietnamese basil, chile, and a lime. Tear off basil and mint leaves. Put these in your bowl with the bean sprouts. Add chile as desired. Squeeze the lime juice out and mix. You want to mix it so all the noodles are on top of the other items so the soup can cook them all. Wait a few minutes, and it will be done. Then eat. Slurping is fine, but your clothes will end up smelling like Pho.
Cha Gio (Egg Rolls)
These are small egg rolls. When you get them, they will also give you some lettuce leaves, rice noodles, and pickeled vegetables. Basically, you want to wrap the egg roll. Select a lettuce leaf that will allow you to wrap it like a burrito. If the leaf is too big, tear it so you get the right size. Then place some of the rice noodles and pickeled vegetables on top. Enclose the rest of the leaf around it. Dip it in the fish sauce (nuoc mum). Eat, and pretend that you do this all the time.
Nuoc Mum (Fish Sauce)
Fish Sauce is the ubiquitous flavoring in Vietnamese cooking. It's made from fermented fish, but that's not as bad as it sounds. After all, Worcestershire sauce is made from fermented anchovies. Fish sauce gives Vietnamese cooking a complex and piquant flavor. When used as a dip for food, it is often diluted. Sugar and other flavorings are also added.
Banh Mi (Sandwiches)
These are often sold for $2-$3. The bread is often freshly baked (they must've learned this from the French imperialists). They are great bargains. Just be careful of the chile slice they often put in them.
Seven Courses of Beef
Beef is cooked in seven different ways. This is meant to be shared with a friend. It's heavy, so it's not something you want to do every time you go to a restaurant. But it's good.