A Foodie’s Guide to Vietnamese Cuisine

Vietnam is a country with a rich history and culture, and that is reflected in its food. The Vietnamese people have a saying: “Thức ăn ngon, làm nên dân ngon.” This translates to “Good food, good people.” So what makes Vietnamese food so good? Let’s take a closer look at some of the most popular dishes and snacks, as well as the customs surrounding them.

The Three Meals of the Day:

In Vietnam, breakfast is typically light, consisting of items like pho (a rice noodle soup), bánh mì (a type of sandwich), or bún (rice vermicelli noodles). Lunch is usually the biggest meal of the day, and it often consists of rice, vegetables, and meat. Common dinner items include things like cơm tấm (broken rice), canh chua (a sour soup), and gà nướng (grilled chicken).

Of course, no meal is complete without snacks! Popular snacks include bánh cam (fried dough balls coated in sesame seeds), bánh rán (fried glutinous rice balls), chè (sweet soup or pudding), and xôi xéo (sticky rice with mung beans). For something savoury, try hến xào xả riêu cua (clams stir fried with tomatoes and egg). And for something sweet, try chè thái (a type of Thai jelly pudding). For an extra zing try Vietnamese coffee, that is often served with condensed milk, ice, and coffee extract.

Who cooks in the Family?

Traditionally, it is the women who do the majority of the cooking in Vietnamese families. However, as more and more women enter the workforce, this is starting to change. These days, it is not uncommon for men to help out with cooking, or even to do all of the cooking themselves! Recipes are typically passed down from generation to generation within families. However, with the advent of the internet, younger generations are now also turning to online sources for recipes. Who knows? Maybe someday your family will be passing down one of these recipes!

What do Vietnamese people say before eating?

During a meal, it is polite to say “Xin mời” before starting to eat. This can be thought of as the Vietnamese equivalent of saying “Bon appetit”. It is specifically manners for young children at the table to extend this invitation to everyone before they begin eating themselves.

What are some special Vietnamese dishes?

Vietnamese cuisine has many special dishes that are served on important occasions, such as weddings and festivals. Some of these dishes include thịt kho tàu (braised pork with eggs), bánh chưng (a traditional rice cake made with pork, mung beans, and other ingredients), and cà ri gà (curry chicken). These dishes are usually served as part of a larger meal, along with other side dishes and snacks.

Vietnamese cuisine is delicious, varied, and reflective of the country’s rich history and culture. Meals are typically light at breakfast and heavier at lunch and dinner, with snacks in between. If you find yourself in Vietnam — or even just in your own kitchen — why not give this recipe a try? Bon appetit!

Recipe for Bánh Cam:

Ingredients:

1 cup glutinous rice flour

1/4 cup tapioca flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup sugar

1 egg beaten

1/4 cup milk

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Sesame seeds for coating

Vegetable oil for frying

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the glutinous rice flour, tapioca flour, baking powder, salt and sugar.

2. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add in the egg, milk, oil and vanilla extract. Mix everything together until it forms a thick dough.

3. Cover the bowl with a damp kitchen cloth and let it rest for 15 minutes until the dough is slightly puffed up.

4. Preheat about 4 inches of vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat until it reaches 375°F (190°C).

5. Place sesame seeds in a shallow dish.

6. Take a small portion of the dough and roll it into a ball, then flatten it between your palms.

7. Place the flattened dough in the sesame seeds, coating both sides evenly with sesame seeds.

8. Carefully drop the bánh cam into hot oil and fry for about 5–7 minutes until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside.

9. Remove the bánh cam from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to cool down and absorb any excess oil.

10. Serve warm and enjoy!

Happy cooking!

What Does TorontoPHO offer?

If you’re looking for Asian-style Pho soup in Woodbridge, Vaughan, Kleinburg, Toronto, or Hamilton, visit https://TorontoPho.com.

We are a growing Vietnamese restaurant committed to serving authentically prepared Asian Vietnamese foods done right and healthy. Our PHO is a proud creation, alongside so many of our other menu items