Joanna James
When in Vietnam, you should not miss trying out its stunning array of food. All the alleys, laneways and street food stalls in the town are packed with eateries and restaurants. Here are some Vietnamese specialities to try out during your holiday.
Hoi An street food is filled with local specialities. The delicious dishes which are being served at restaurants began their days as street food. Com Ga, Mi Quang and Cao Lau are popular dishes among working people in Vietnam. This street food sums up a three-tier process: it’s quick, satisfying and healthy. Even though it is called ‘street food’, the standards of these dishes are high.
Pronounced “Barn Mee”, this local speciality is a baguette dish with a variety of ingredients. It will look like an ordinary sandwich offered at any restaurant but there is a difference in terms of ingredients and texture. There two major exponents of sandwich makers here: Mi Phuong, and Madam Khanh. If you drop in one of the best restaurants in Vietnam including dining venues at resorts like Avani Quy Nhon Resort, you will be offered popular local food such as Bánh Mì.
Here is a treat for all soup lovers! Pronounced “Mee Kwong” this bowl of soup is a favourite pick of locals. The Hoi An version of Mi Quang is more of a saucy noodle dish. The dish was first introduced in the Quang province which gives the meaning ‘noodles from Quang’. The noodles get its impressive yellow colour with the addition of turmeric. It is usually served with broth-based herbs, various proteins and sauce. In order to give it more taste, the dish can include chicken, pork sausages, prawns or quail eggs.
When it comes to Mi Quang Ong Hai, it is the highest-rated dish by bloggers and foodies. You will not regret taking a short walk from the Old Town to Mr Hai’s eatery to savour this dish. The perfectly cooked noodles with rice broth and light turmeric flavour turn it into an excellent version of the dish. Unlike spaghetti noodles, this dish gives a lovely texture for a heartier meal. It is also served with spring rolls and grilled meat.
This popular dish is a Hoi An only affair! A rich pork bone broth, pork and local vegetables over chewy noodles make this dish extra classic. There is a reason as to why you will not find this dish in any other restaurant or eatery in the town. The chunky rice meal noodles are dried and hand-shaped only in Hoi An. The alkalinity and minerality of water in this part of the region convert the noodles into its shallow colour, extra chewy texture by giving it a unique identity.
Also known as pork with broken rice, this will be a magical treat for all pork lovers. Never miss this dish while you stroll around local markets and food stalls in downtown Siem Reap. It would cost nearly US$1. If you are wondering what is included in this dish, it has juicy slices of pork slices topped on rice and scrambled egg.
Do you know how any food served in banana leaves would taste? No words can explain, you should try it. Fish Amok is a popular freshwater fish fillet steamed with banana and curry leaves. Steaming it with banana or curry leaves add a soft and mousse-like texture to the dish. It is not too spicy like other Asian dishes since the fish fillet is combined with kroeung.
A delicious stir-fried beef dish is a must-try when in Siem Reap. The taste of Lok Lak might vary from one cook to another but it is usually cooked with cucumber slices, red onion, fresh lettuce and tomato. The meat is marinated overnight by mixing with soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, lemon and pepper to get a distinctive flavour.
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.
