Vietnam is a long, narrow country in Southeast Asia. In the past few years Vietnamese food has become more and more popular around the world. Food paramours must try the two best known Vietnamese dishes – spring rolls and bread rolls. Besides these, rice, noodles, fresh vegetable and herbs all play big roles in Vietnamese food, which makes it one of the healthiest cuisines in the world.
Vietnamese food is quite different from any other food in Southeast Asia. It is even quite dissimilar to China. Overall it is an amalgamation of Malay, Indian, French and influences and incorporates bead and dome from France; and curries and chilies from India. Recently it is voted as the world’s healthiest food by the health experts. Vietnamese cuisine mixes fresh vegetables, grilled meats, cold noodles, and all kinds of seafood dishes spiced with tamarind and chili.
As you travel up or down the country, you can notice a sharp difference in both main dishes and snacks eaten by locals. You will be gratified traveling to Vietnam, and it is a good idea to ask your guide to point out interesting dishes to eat.
Considering the production of the country, Vietnam is the second biggest rice exporter in the world and most of Vietnamese eat rice as the main course for their daily meals. So almost cuisines of the country depend heavily on rice grown in water paddies throughout the country, along with its dishes varies from simple everyday meals to most complex dishes. Reaching a balance between fresh herbs and meats; as well as a selective use of spices to reach a fine taste, the food of Vietnam can be considered one of the healthiest yet most divine cuisines in the world.
Food of three regions in Vietnam:
Like everything else, Vietnamese food also differs geographically from location to location. With the weather so cold for so much of the year, soups play a great role in Vietnamese cuisine. Almost all North Vietnam’s food uses soy sauce, prawn sauce, and fish sauce and has many stir fried dishes.
Due to harsh weather and less developed agriculture than the South, the people of North Vietnam tend to use less meat, fish and vegetables; and they use black pepper instead of chili to create spice. The taste is less sweet, but more salty than in other regions.
Central Vietnam is specific in its extreme spices and color of food. It also boasts the country's most complex and savory cuisine. The dishes are spicier with less Chinese influence than the north, while still holding some of the French flavors and techniques that are popular towards the southern part of the country.
The South of Vietnam is considered to have the best food in the country, especially because of Saigon, with its increasingly affluent inhabitants, demand the highest quality vegetables fruits meats etc., and foreign foods. Southerners prefer sweet tastes and spicy tastes, and elephant ear fish. A variety of dried fish and sauces originate from the South. Southern Vietnamese prefer seafood and use simple cooking methods with larger and less servings.
Customs:
Customs in the world are the great and unique field to find out. Each country has an original custom which cannot be perplexed with others. In this country, eating custom was valuated mixed and special. Influenced by the Chinese, chopsticks and spoons are used in Vietnam. Many foods (such as cakes) are wrapped in banana or coconut leaves. The most important fact is that, when eating with elders, younger Vietnamese always ask the elders to eat first.
A typical family meal:
In Vietnam, family meals with many traditional Vietnamese foods have been one of the unique cultural appearances. Since the ancient time, it has become a very familiar thing whenever they go far away, they think about it with high regard. Whether it is lunch or dinner, a typical Vietnamese meal always includes steamed rice, a soup dish to eat with rice, a fish or meat dish and a vegetarian dish. They do not eat in separate servings, so the food is placed in the middle and each member of the family has a small bowl and chopsticks with which they take food from the table throughout the meal.
Food during Religious and Holiday Celebrations:
Of the many influences that China has had on Vietnam, the most subtle is probably the introduction of Buddhism. In this country, the widespread practice of Buddhism has led to the development of one of the world's most sophisticated style of vegetarian cooking, particularly in the seaside city of Hue that is home to many Buddhists.
On the first and middle days of each lunar month, many Vietnamese do not eat meat, chicken, eggs or any seafood. On these days, the street hawkers have plentiful vegetarian dishes available.
Vietnamese noodles and cakes Pho Vietnam:
Besides the typical meal with rice, the country’s cuisine has many different types of noodles and cakes and they are mostly made from rice. Vietnamese noodles are available in either fresh or dried form. These noodles are a popular choice for visitors who travel to Vietnam. There are many variations, which include soups and dishes.
Eating out:
Vietnam has a rich eating out tradition. Most of the Vietnamese dishes can be made at home, but many people of the nation prefer to eat out. The restaurants are usually famous for one specialty that many recipes have been passed down from generations to generations.
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