Joanna James
If there is one thing better than food budding from Vietnamese cuisine, it is food budding from a mixture of Chinese, French, Japanese and Vietnamese influences altogether! Here is a tasteful summary of 5 such dishes you must give a try out when visiting Hoi An! You can thank us later!
Ideally, there is not even the need to mention how important it is to try out Banh Mi when visiting Vietnam- after all, isn't it the whole reason why people pack up and jet – set over here? In case you didn't know already, Banh Mi is a quick and delicious Vietnamese staple dish that you dare not miss out on! This hearty soft baguette is stuffed with plenty of pickled vegetables, pate, butter, soy sauce, cilantro, chillies and a touch of hot peppers as well. Depending on whether you choose to buy it at one of the many restaurants in Hoi An such as the delightful Art Space Hoi An, or even at one of the many different food stalls scattered throughout the city, there is no way you could go wrong with any choice of meat from either roasted pork belly, fried fish, boiled sausages, meatballs, boiled chicken, fried egg or even grilled pork loin!
This dish of rice noodles served with barbecued pork, greens and croutons are nothing like you ever had. The chewy rice noodle and barbecued pork cuts come together in an unbelievable marriage of flavours that is kicked a notch higher with the fresh herbs along with the rich pork-based gravy! An interesting fact about this dish- it is only found in the city of Hoi An0 the reason being the noodles can only be cooked to achieve the said texture and consistency using the water from the well-hidden ancient Cham wells of Hoi An! What better reason to add this delicious bowl-o-noodles to your must-try list right?
Is it possible to describe a dish of food as dramatic? Because if it is not illegal to do so, that would be our one word, to sum up, this dish- dramatic! Banh Bao Vac is yet another localised delicacy that takes a lot of effort not only in its making but also recites a whole tale with its presentation as well! It is a local appetiser with a very close consistency to that of a fresh dumpling and is made with a sumptuous filling of shrimp or pork filling into an almost gelatinous, flattened rice dough right before cooking it through on a steamer. When cooked well, it is served up on a flat plate topped with shallots and is often served with a dipping sauce made of shrimp broth, chillies, lemon and sugar. Now as for the reason why we called it a dramatic dish- the story has it that these white dumplings laid out flat on a plate resembles white roses displayed on a platter! Now if that is not drama, what is?
If you are one to like colours of all sorts, look no further what could be your favourite dish for the rest of your life is here and it is Mi Quang- and I have to say- me like! This dish is the definition of colour – with bright yellow rice noodles, bone broth, black pepper, green shallot garlic all topped with a variety of meats herbs and local greens, this dish is like summer in a bowl!
Last but not least, the Bun Thit Nuong dish is one that features white vermicelli rice noodles, freshly chopped lettuce, sliced cucumber, beansprouts, pickled daikon, basil, chopped peanuts and mint. To finish off, this dish is topped with sweet and peppery pork (thit nuong) grilled over a charcoal stove.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
