Anastasia Smith
During your visit to Vietnam, you will have the chance to sample a variety of delicious street foods such as bo la lot, pho, goi cuon, banh xeo, com tam and che; each of these delectable dishes has a special taste that would delight and capture the interest of food lovers.
An interesting choice with which to commence your experience of Vietnamese culinary specialities is the distinctive bo la lot. This delectable dish blends the flavours provided by grilled beef and fragrant betel leaves. To make this dish, the beef would be marinated with a combination of garlic, lemongrass, various spices and fish sauce; it will then be enfolded in betel leaves and grilled. The result is a smoky charred exterior and juicy, tender meat within. The blend of smokiness and the fragrant spices make for a marvellous balance of flavours for the diner.
One of the best-known and most loved Vietnamese foods is pho which can be found in many parts of the country. Basically, pho consists of steaming rice noodles in an aromatic fragrant broth along with tender pieces of chicken or beef and a garnishing of freshly obtained herbs. When it comes to beef pho, you may try out variants like bo chin (featuring well-done beef flank) or bo tai (containing rare tenderloin). There also happen to be vegetarian varieties of pho for those who do not consume meat.
Another interesting local food to try out is goi cuon, a refreshing light dish that may also be called summer spring rolls. This appealing food features rolls of rice paper with a filling of shrimp, meat, lettuce, vermicelli and herbs. It is accompanied by a special sauce; you could try out Hoisin sauce or fish sauce to complement goi cuon. Roasted peanuts and a slice or two of chilli will provide an additional burst of flavour to this dish.
Your experience of Vietnamese foods wouldn’t be complete without trying out the distinctive banh xeo which may be compared to a crepe or crispy pancake. The exterior layer of banh xeo is composed of a blend of rice flour, coconut milk, turmeric powder and water. It is filled with a delectable combination of ingredients including shrimp, strips of boiled pork, crispy bean sprouts and so on. An accommodation choice to consider where you could enjoy banh xeo and base yourself as you sample diverse culinary creations at Quy Nhon restaurants is the conveniently located Anantara Quy Nhon Villas.
You may also look to savour com tam, a delicious rice dish which would tantalize your taste buds. This flavourful dish includes broken rice, tasty grilled pork and a selection of mouth-watering accompaniments. The broken rice provides a distinctive texture and special flavours, whilst the grilled pork is typically marinated in a blend of zesty fish sauce, lemongrass, garlic and a touch of sweetness.
A delightful dessert that you could enjoy in Vietnam is che which you will find in a variety of flavours and forms. It may be served cold or hot and could include ingredients like fruits, beans, jelly and coconut milk. Popular kinds of che are a three-coloured dessert (che ba mau), sweet corn pudding (che bap) and mung bean sweet soup (che dau xanh). Each of these varieties features distinctive textures and tastes providing a perfect end to a meal or satisfying those sudden sweet cravings!
