VietNamese Cuisine

In recent years, Vietnamese food has been introduced widely in the world, such as Australia, the United States, Canada, and France. Vietnamese cuisine is also popular in Japan, Korea, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, Poland, and Russia, and in areas with dense Asian populations. Vietnam is also well known for its street food. The cooking way of the northern part of the country, thanks to the influence of neighbouring China, people tend to use more soy sauce than other parts, where fish sauce is more usual.

Unlike the cooking way of southern Vietnam create an ideal condition for growing a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and livestock. As a result, foods in southern Vietnam are often vibrant and flavorful, with liberal uses of garlic, and fresh herbs. Sugar is added to food more than in the other regions. The preference for sweetness in southern Vietnam can also be seen through the widespread use of coconut milk. Vast shorelines make seafood a natural staple for people in this region.

Other common ingredients in Vietnamese cooking include black pepper (mainly in the north), hot chili, coconut milk, limes, lemon grass, tamarind and cane sugar, supplemented by asparagus and potatoes, courtesy of the French influence.  Many Vietnamese dishes include five fundamental taste senses: spicy , sour , bitter , salty and sweet, corresponding to: five organs: gall bladder, small intestine, large intestine, stomach, and urinary bladder. Vietnamese dishes also include five types of nutrients : powder, water or liquid, mineral elements, protein and fat. 

Viet nam also have exclusive tradiotion food on holidays such as The week-long Tết holiday. The Tet holiday marks the beginning of the Lunar New Year and this is the time for family gathering and fresh optimism for the coming year. And nothing is more synonymous with Tết than Bánh Chưng. Bánh Chưng is a square-shaped rice cake made with glutinous rice, mung beans, and pork. Wrapped in banana leaves, Bánh Chưng is boiled for a day, resulting in a rice cake that is soft, moist, and sticky. Bánh Chưng is often served with pickles including daikon, green papaya, chile peppers, carrots, and leeks.

Here are some famous Vietnamese cuisine featured around the world and vietnam:

( WARNING: DON'T READ THIS WOTH AN EMTY STOMACH)

1: Bún chả

Charcoal grilled meat patties, served with vermicelli rice noodles, spicy garlic fish sauce, and a heaping pile fresh herbs. The smokey meat oozes with flavor. The combination of meat, noodles, fresh herbs, and fish sauce is what makes it so special. 

2: Ca Phe Hanoi (Vietnamese coffee)

It’s no secret the Vietnamese love coffee. After a few days in Hanoi (or Saigon) you could feel the coffee culture at every street corner. Vietnamese typically drink a very strong iced coffee with sweetened condensed milk. The coffee flavor is very strong and yet balanced and sweet due to the milk.

3: Pho Bo (beef noodle soup)

Of course you have to try the signature dish of Vietnam, Pho Bo. There is quite a controversy over who makes the best bowl of beef noodle soup.  Pho is good, but other Vietnamese soups are better. 

4: Bun Rieu Cua (Tomato Crab soup)

A light brothy noodle soup cooked with tomatoes, onions, and herbs. The key flavor is the hint of sweetness coming from the bits of crab floating around. Although not my favorite dish in Hanoi, I’m willing to try another in Saigon after hearing Mark Weins proclaim it’s his favorite soup.

5: Bánh cuốn (Summer rolls)

Famous in Hanoi, these summer rolls are made by starting with a batter resembling pancake batter. After being cooked on a hot grittle, you’re served a very soft sloppy mess on your plate which you dip into a sweet fish sauce( Not easy for chopstick rookies !) Taste and texture is very different than fresh spring rolls, fried egg rolls, etc. My favorite flavor was pork and wood ear mushroom.

 

6: Phở cuốn (Fresh Spring Rolls)

Very simple process and set of ingredients yet they are always delicious. Fresh herbs and a good dipping sauce are the key.

  

7: Bánh Bèo (Water fern cake)

I enjoyed Ban Beo one morning for breakfast. A very simple Vietnamese dish that for some reason all the locals love. Steamed rice cakes topped with a savory tomato sauce.

  

8: Hột vịt lộn / Balut (Fertilized Duck Embryo)

It’s fair to say eating 17-day old fertilized duck eggs is one weirdest things in the world. They’re very popular in both Vietnam and in the Philippines. Typically enjoyed with spicy fish sauce and shaved green papaya. Nevermind the fact that you’re eating beak, feathers, bones, and all. Ironically, Balut tastes somewhere between a chicken and an egg. 

9: Bún Thịt nướng  Hoi An (Grilled Meat noodle)

Found all over Vietnam, Bún Thịt nướng is a crowd pleaser. You buy meat by the skewer and it comes with wet rice noodle, dry rice paper, herbs, cucumber, and a spicy peanuty dipping sauce. It takes some skill to eat them properly – first rolling the meat in a wet rice noodle, then adding greens and cucumber before wrapping everything in a dry rice paper. Finally you dip your hand creation into some awesome sauce and enjoy.

10: Bun Thit Nuong Cha Gao

The holy grail of Vietnamese food. Grilled pork mixed into a vermicelli noodle salad with peanuts, shaved papaya, herbs, fish sauce and topped with lightly fried spring roll. Do not miss this if you’re ever in Saigon.

11: Bun Bo Hue

Rich citrusy broth based noodle soup packed with sliced beef, onion, and of course a heaping pile of herbs. Vietnamese people much prefer Bun Bo Hue over the western favorite, Pho. Originally from Hue in central Vietnam – although now it’s served almost everywhere. Like most dishes in Vietnam, the flavors very slightly by the region.

12: Pho Bo (Beef noodle soup…. again)

Pho in the south (HCMC) is a little sweeter compared to Pho in the North (Hanoi)

13: Bánh Tráng Trộn (Mixed Rice paper salad)

Probably the cheapest and most readily available street food in Saigon. Made of sliced rice paper and various veggies, sauces, beef jerky, bird eggs, octopus, and herbs. I saw locals eating this dish constantly however I didn’t love it.

         

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