Vietnamese cuisine is renowned around the world for its bold flavours, fresh ingredients and culinary diversity. From the vibrant streets of Hanoi to the bustling markets of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnamese food captures the essence of the country’s rich culture and history and this culture has spread far and wide.
Fortunately, Australians enjoy a lot of choice when it comes to food from all around the world and Vietnamese is currently one of the favourites. In this brief guide, we’ll explore some of the unique flavours, ingredients and dishes that make Vietnamese cuisine so popular in Australia and around the world.
Vietnamese Cuisine Provides a Melting Pot of Flavours
Whether you’re looking for Vietnamese dishes in Western Sydney or anywhere else in the country, Vietnamese cuisine is a delightful fusion of flavours. There is a delicate balance of sweet, sour, salty and spicy present in many Vietnamese dishes, with flavours often enhanced with aromatic herbs to add freshness and complexity to the cuisine.
Southeast Asian countries are well-known for producing food bursting with flavour and Vietnamese food is certainly no exception.
Signature Dishes from the Region
Venture into any Vietnamese restaurant and you’ll likely be greeted with a menu that’s both diverse and quite extensive. However, while Vietnamese offers diners loads of variety, there are some signature dishes that are worth noting.
Pho noodles are extremely common in Vietnamese cooking. Rather than always using noodles made from flour, Vietnamese chefs often favour pho noodles which are made from rice. The result is a variety of fragrant pho noodle soup dishes. Combine tender slices of chicken or beef and add in some fresh vegetables and aromatic herbs and you have a noodle soup that everyone will enjoy. No Vietnamese restaurant would be complete without a selection of dishes that feature pho noodles. Pho noodle soup is one of the must try Vietnamese dishes.
Fresh spring rolls are a very popular choice as an appetiser in most Vietnamese restaurants. Also known as Goi Cuon, these spring rolls feature rice paper wrapped around a filling of shrimp, pork, fresh herbs and rice vermicelli. A delicious peanut sauce is often the condiment of choice to accompany the spring rolls.
Mongolian Lamb is another classic that’s popular in both Vietnam and Vietnamese restaurants the world over. Classic chicken or beef laksa is also a menu highlight.
Enjoy Healthy Dining
Besides variety and being delicious, another thing Vietnamese cuisine is famous for is its health benefits. In fact, food from this part of the world is rated as some of the healthiest there is. Vietnamese chefs limit the amount of oil they use in cooking many of their dishes and so many meals on the menu are loaded up with fresh vegetables, including lots of leafy greens.
Many dishes you find on a typical Vietnamese restaurant menu in Australia will feature vegetables and will be light on oil if it’s not a deep fried dish. Although the cuisine is considered to be very healthy, kids will also enjoy dining out in a Vietnamese restaurant due to the variety of meal choices and the explosion of delicious flavours.
Vegetarians and Vegans Adore Vietnamese Food
Vietnamese cuisine is a haven for those who follow and enjoy a plant-based diet. Buddhist influences have led to the development of a wide variety of vegetarian and vegan dishes on Vietnamese menus. From fragrant lemongrass tofu to crispy vegetable stir-fries and hearty clay pot eggplant, Vietnamese restaurants offer a plethora of options for vegans and vegetarians alike.
Don’t Be Afraid To Experiment
The cool thing about having a diverse and extensive menu is it gives you plenty of opportunity to experiment and try different dishes. Each time you dine at your local Vietnamese restaurant, you could try something different on the menu.
Another fun way to experiment is to order a selection of different dishes that will be shared and enjoyed by everyone at the table. This gives each diner the chance to sample multiple dishes all in one sitting. It’s also a cost-effective way to discover your favourites, so you can order those the next time you dine out.
Do your taste buds a favour and choose Vietnamese cuisine the next time you plan to eat out. It’s a delicious and healthy cuisine that the whole family will enjoy.
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