Features of Vietnamese cuisine
Though Vietnamese cuisine varies from north to south, the mainstream culinary tradition still shares some fundamental features. Indeed, local cooks always try to balance typical flavors of saltiness, sweetness, sourness and herbs, chilly & pepper in each dish together with the practice of local customs.
Using chopsticks
While fork, spoon and knife are irreplaceable eating utensils at dining table of most of countries over the world, using chopsticks to eat from shared plate of dishes is a long tradition of Vietnam and some other Asian countries such as Japan, China and Korea. Although it’s difficult, foreigners had better know and learn this etiquette to show respect to local cuisine tradition.
Rice and noodles
In this agriculture-based country, locals from generations to generations have been familiar with rice-based meals, accompanied by a variety of vegetable dishes, stir-fried meat or fish since their childhood. Alternatively, cooked to a soupy state with chicken, fish or pork rib, rice becomes “chao” (porridge). Other variations made from rice include noodles, vermicelli, sticky rice and translucent papers that are the base for many other specialties.
Fish sauce
From street stalls to upscale dining, there is one thing you’ll always be guaranteed to find: fish sauce or “nuoc mam”. Fish sauce is more than just a condiment; like rice, it is already a staple of almost every Vietnamese meal. In fact, Vietnamese cooks use quite a lot fish sauce and a small bowl of fish sauce is always put in the center of dining table so everyone can reach it.
Low Fat
Vietnamese cuisine is characterized to be low in fat when abundant dishes are made of vegetables which range from the mundane (tomatoes, potatoes, cabbage, cauliflower and so on) to the exotic (banana blossoms and ‘thien ly’ flowers). Besides, the combination of so many herbs provides complex flavors and healthiness.
Family style
Unlike Western style, Vietnamese way of eating is sharing or family style. Food is placed in the center of the table and consumed jointly by all members by using their chopsticks. This practice brings a sense of coziness and bonds family member relationship.
Commentaires