Flavors That Tell A Story

Vietnamese cuisine is one of the most celebrated in the world for its incredible freshness and balance of flavors. It is an art that combines aromatic herbs, simple ingredients, and wise techniques to create dishes that are a true pleasure for the senses. Each recipe holds historical and regional influences that make it unique.

I have collected 6 of the most beloved and known Vietnamese specialties to allow you to explore this marvelous gastronomy. If you are looking for new inspirations for your kitchen, there is no better way to start than with these classics, without delay.

If you haven't had the chance to try these dishes yet, no problem! Now you have the opportunity to discover them and learn how to prepare them directly at home. Click the button and start your culinary journey in Vietnam!

VIETNAM AT THE TABLE: 7 RECIPES TO DISCOVER

A Taste of Vietnam – The Recipes Included

• Phở (Noodle, Broth, and Meat Soup):

  • Additional Information: More than a dish, it is a Vietnamese symbol. Originally from North Hanoi, its secret lies in the rich broth, slowly cooked for hours with spices like star anise, cinnamon, and ginger. It is served with plenty of fresh herbs, bean sprouts, and lime; each person adds them to customize the flavor.

• Gỏi Cuốn (Fresh and Light Summer Rolls):

  • Additional Information: The perfect expression of fresh Vietnamese cuisine. These wraps are not fried, but are rolled in rice paper and filled with rice vermicelli, shrimp, pork, and a generous quantity of fresh herbs such as mint and coriander. They are traditionally dipped in a sauce of peanuts or nước chấm (sweet and sour fish sauce).

• Bún Chả (Mixed Vermicelli and Grilled Meatballs):

  • Additional Information: A Hanoi specialty, internationally famous, even having been tasted by President Obama and Anthony Bourdain. The dish is composed of pork meatballs and strips of pork belly grilled over charcoal (which imparts a smoky flavor) and served in a bowl of sweet and sour broth with green papaya, from which one fishes out the rice vermicelli and aromatic herbs.

• Bánh Mì (The Vietnamese Sandwich with Eastern and Western Roots):

  • Additional Information: An example of perfect culinary fusion, inherited from French influence in Indochina. It involves a crispy baguette (which is thinner than the French version) filled with a combination of paté, cold cuts, fresh vegetables, pickles (carrots and daikon), coriander, and a touch of peppercorns. It is the ideal street food for a quick and economical lunch.

• Nem Rán (or Chả Giò) (The Iconic Vietnamese Spring Rolls):

  • Additional Information: These involtini are famous throughout the country, but with different names and ingredients (Nem Rán in North, Chả Giò in South). They are filled with minced pork, shrimp, glass noodles, and vegetables. Their particularity is the double frying and the use of rice paper to ensure a surprising crispiness. They are generously dipped in nước chấm sauce.

• Bánh Xèo (The Crêpe of Rice, Savory, and Crispy):

  • Additional Information: The name Bánh Xèo literally means "sizzling cake," referring to the sound the batter makes when poured onto the hot griddle. These thin and crispy crêpes (the yellow color comes from turmeric) are typical of the South and Central regions. They are eaten with lettuce and fresh herbs and served whole, traditionally wrapped in a large leaf of lettuce with fresh herbs before dipping them in the sauce.

• Bún Bò Huế (Huế Beef Noodle Soup):

  • Additional Information: The perfect expression of the spicy and flavorful cuisine of Central Vietnam. This soup is known for its complex and intensely aromatic broth, characterized by the aroma of lemongrass, the savory touch of fermented shrimp paste (mắm ruốc), and the characteristic orange-red color given by chili. It is prepared with traditionally slow-cooked meat, served with round rice vermicelli, bean sprouts, slices of banana blossom, and a contour of aromatic herbs and lettuce to maximize flavor and richness of the broth.

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