Heavily influenced by the French and Chinese colonial past, Vietnamese cuisine has formed a unique combination of many different countries, which makes its dishes , to some extent, similar to the world cuisine, yet still maintaining its very own delicacy.
Pho, with its worldwide popularity, is considered Vietnamese’s most well-known dish. However, there are so many more mouthwatering dishes that for sure can make you remember forever once you’ve tasted it. To help you navigate in an ocean of options out there, here are the top 3 must-try Vietnamese dishes:
Pho, with its worldwide popularity, is considered Vietnamese’s most well-known dish. However, there are so many more mouthwatering dishes that for sure can make you remember forever once you’ve tasted it. To help you navigate in an ocean of options out there, here are the top 3 must-try Vietnamese dishes:
1. Bun Bo Hue which means “beef noodles”, the “Hue” denotes its origin city. This dish is the quintessential item of Hue, which was once a capital of Vietnam and still known as the Imperial City.
To make good broth, a chef has to simmer beef bone and meat for several hours with a generous amount of lemongrass and then seasoned with shrimp paste, sugar, chili oil...It’s the annato that gives the dish a reddish spicy looking. The job is finished with a tangle of herb, a variety of meat on top, and a squeeze of lime. Voila!. One of the most dynamic and complex soup of Vietnam is ready to be served. Its result is a nice harmonious balance of all the elements: spicy, sour, sweet, and salty; it’s like an orchestra in your mouth. Give it a try and you’ll believe me. |
2. Banh xeo (Pancake) - The Vietnamese crepe. In Vietnamese, its name is derived from the loud sizzling noise when the rice batter hit the hot skillet. It’s a savory crepe made from rice flour and turmeric powder, which adds the delicious yellow hue to the cake. Then, it’s stuff with individual preferences such as, shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts. With some more lettuce wrapped around the cake and a dip into the (spicy) fish sauce, Banh Xeo is truly a crunchy blessing to your senses.
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3. Banh Mi - The Sandwich that brings together several cultural traditions, from the Golden French baguette, pork pâté, to the Chinese BBQ pork, to the American Mayonnaise and to the Vietnamese herbs and chili sauces. This is the basic one, today, there are a lot more varieties such as, Tuna Banh Mi, Sardine Banh Mi, Grilled Chicken Banh Mi. With just one bite of a browny crispy bun, the world cuisine is wrapped up in your mouth!
Now, do yourself a favor! Go find a good Vietnamese restaurant and taste them all!
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