When it comes to captivating culinary cultures, Vietnamese cuisine undoubtedly takes one of the top spots. Bursting with vibrant fresh herbs, a perfect balance of sweet, salty, spicy, and sour flavors, Vietnamese food is a food-lover’s paradise. In this blog, we will cast our net wider into the flourishing street food scenes of Hanoi and Saigon, exploring two of Vietnam’s powerhouse dishes – Pho and Banh Mi.
Dish 1: Pho: Vietnam’s Signature Soup
Pho, a noodle soup with a rich, clear broth, is a Vietnamese culinary export known worldwide. We’ll focus on the Hanoi version, Pho Bo (beef pho).
Pho Bo Ingredients:
- 1 kg of beef bones
- 5 shallots
- 5 pieces of ginger
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 5-star anise
- 2 liters of water
Instructions:
- Char the shallots and ginger till they develop a blackened outer shell.
- Rinse the beef bones and place them in a large pot. Add water.
- Bring to a boil and add the charred shallots, ginger, cinnamon stick, and star anise.
- Simmer for about 6 hours.
- Strain the broth and season to taste.
Now all that’s left is to assemble your Pho with cooked rice noodles, sliced raw beef (which cooks in the hot broth), and a generous handful of fresh herbs and lime wedges. Enjoy this warming bowl of goodness that captures the essence of Hanoi.
Dish 2: Banh Mi: A Vietnamese Culinary Icon
Next up is Banh Mi, an internationally recognized Vietnamese sandwich and a Saigon street food speciality.
Banh Mi Ingredients:
- 1 Vietnamese baguette
- 200g of pork belly
- Pickled daikon and carrots
- Cilantro
- Mayonnaise, chili sauce
Instructions:
- Marinate the pork belly with soy sauce, garlic, and pepper.
- Grill the pork belly until it’s crispy.
- Assemble the banh mi: Slice the baguette, spread mayonnaise and chilies, add the pork, pickles, and cilantro.
Take a bite of this delightfully eclectic sandwich that brings you the taste of Saigon with its crisp exterior, succulent meat, tangy pickles, and zesty chili-mayo.
In conclusion, Vietnamese cuisine, with its delectable and diverse offerings from Hanoi’s Pho to Saigon’s Banh Mi, asserts itself as a compelling player in the global culinary scene. Offering a harmonious blend of delicate flavors and contrasting textures, these dishes paint a vibrant culinary portrait of Vietnam, and set taste buds alight. Give these recipes a try to experience the explosive flavors of Vietnam in your own kitchen!
