Vietnam is widely known as the “herb food country” for the abundance of aromatic greens and fresh herbs that are used in its diverse and dynamic cuisine. The tropical warmth and lush terrain of Vietnam facilitate the profusion of a diverse range of aromatic herbs.
The use of fresh herbs in Vietnamese cuisine not only enhances the flavors, but are also said to have numerous health advantages, which is a top priority among Vietnamese. Let’s dive into more interesting things in the Vietnamese culinary world!
The aromatic essence of Vietnamese cuisine
Herbs are utilized as an essential component besides fresh veggies that elevates the dishes in every meal or even in street stalls or restaurants. Zooming into common herbs used in major dishes, there are some identical species such as:
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- Spring onion (Hành lá)
- Mint (Húng lủi)
- Cilantro (Rau mùi)
- Thai basil (Rau Quế)
- Vietnamese coriander (Rau răm)
- Perilla leaf (Tía tô)
- Lemongrass (Sả)
- Turmeric (Nghệ)
- Garlic chive (Hẹ)
- Fish mint (Diếp cá)
- Vietnamese balm (Rau kinh giới)
and much more!
Depending on the dish and personal preferences, these ingredients can be utilized in a variety of ways to enhance the overall flavors and textures such as Stir-fried, chopped and sprinkled on top of a dish, or freshly-eaten.
Typical Vietnamese dishes that highlight the extensive incorporation of herbs
Herbs add a fresh, crunchy textural element and also harmonize with other ingredients to define the unique tastes of Vietnam’s signature dishes. Let’s delve into some of the most iconic and delectable dishes that go well with a balanced herb mixture.
Phở: The iconic nourishing and aromatic rice noodle soup symbolizes Vietnam food, served with fresh herbs like chopped spring onion, cilantro, mint, bean sprouts, and Thai basil.
Gỏi cuốn: The refreshing spring rolls wrapped with fresh toppings like boiled meat, Thai basil, bean sprouts, garlic chive, and other vegetables.
Phở cuốn: This is a creative dish that offers a total contrast effect from the original Phở version. It consists of delicate, thin phở noodles expertly folded around a variety of appetizing filling. Thinly sliced meat, aromatic herbs like cilantro and mint, and a variety of crunchy veggies including carrots, lettuce, and bean sprouts are frequently used as stuffing.
Bánh mì: The iconic Vietnamese baguette, stuffed with savory meats, pâté, fresh pickled vegetables, spring onion and coriander, making a texture combination of crunchy and chewy.
Bún đậu mắm tôm: A special dish could be a yummy and unforgettable dish for you to try in Vietnam that assembles a very special “smelly” shrimp sauce with an array of delightful toppings and components into one tray. The bún đậu tray often includes rice vermicelli noodles, deep-fried tofu cubes – known as đậu, boiled meat, blood sausage, chả cốm, and many herbs such as perilla leaf, Thai basil, balm, fish mint, etc.
Bún Chả: Rated by CNN as must-try Vietnamese food beyond phở. Originating from the capital city of Hanoi, Bún Chả is regarded as a quintessential and beloved dish among Northern people and Vietnamese as a whole. A typical set often features rice noodle, charcoal- grilled meats called chả, hot fish sauce soup and an assortment of herbs.
Mì Quảng: Originating from the central region of Vietnam – Quảng Nam, it features wide, flat rice noodles that are dipped in a savory broth. You can choose the toppings to your liking like braised pork, shrimp, chicken, quail eggs, and an array of herbs such as mint, spring onion, Thai basil, sproutings.
Vietnamese cuisine is considered one of the world’s healthiest and most vibrant which also possesses tangible wellness benefits with plenty of herbs/veggies. Discovering Vietnamese cuisine is a truly delightful and appetite-igniting experience while nourishing the body and soul you should not miss!
