Like most national cuisines, Vietnamese cuisine formed under the influence of neighbors: Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Korean cuisine and French culinary traditions. A characteristic feature of Vietnamese cuisine is considered to be not very pleasant in terms of European flavor dishes, coupled with their excellent taste.

The traditions of cuisine

As in other countries in Southeast Asia, the foundation of Vietnam cuisine is rice. Actively used different rice varieties: crisp served at the table with butter and nutmeg and is the basis of many dishes, as well as prepare glutinous cakes and cookies. Especially popular rice cake made of glutinous rice, steamed.

Traditionally, the Vietnamese do not like to eat at home: in some houses even no kitchen. Residents of countries prefer to eat in the many cafes and eateries. A favorite dishes they may vary depending on the region where they live: in the north, like soups and hot in the south of Vietnam are common dishes with hot peppers and herbs, in the central part of the country give preference to a complex fine dining.

In general, the Vietnamese dishes are simple enough. Since a long time, Vietnam was a French colony, it had an impact on the culinary traditions: fresh baguettes, savory cheeses, pies and sweet shallots pleasant variety Asian menu. From the French and the Vietnamese have a love for coffee.

In Vietnam, relatively little to eat beef, preferring pork and chicken. The restaurant serves exotic dishes: meat snakes and turtles, crocodiles, rats and cats. In everyday life, these dishes are usually not prepared, but the meat snake, for example, is considered to be the best New Year's dish. Use it as an aphrodisiac or medicinal meal to cleanse the blood and kidneys. Healing considered and dishes from the crocodile. Field rat meat is prized for a delicate flavor, and dishes of the cats are considered delicacies. From sobachatiny Vietnamese also not refuse: the dog is not considered to be friends of man.

Despite this loyalty to the different types of meat are popular in Vietnam, and vegetarian dishes. Dairy products are almost never used, but protein-rich soy is preparing a variety of ways. Fried bean curd, for example, supplemented by vegetables, bamboo shoots and rice unchanged. It is popular as soy sauce and young shoots of the soybean. And the abundance of fruit allows you to make a variety of vegetarian meals, hearty and very tasty.

Healthy Food in Vietnamese

Vietnamese cuisine is considered one of the healthiest, not only in Asia but around the world. The abundance of fruits and vegetables, fresh products, a very moderate use of fats and the unpopularity of the culinary techniques like roasting, make the cuisine of Vietnam is very useful. It is not accepted to do preparation: raw material for cooking should only be fresh. For this reason, the Vietnamese diet depends on the season.

Vietnamese salads are usually without refueling, food or boiled or baked on coals. As for rice, it is, according to nutritionists, is a perfect product for daily use.

Unlike the cuisines of neighboring countries, Vietnamese cooking is not scorching island. Taste dishes tender and juicy. Actively used clams and fish, as well as bamboo shoots. From the most popular seasoning lemongrass, mint and ginger. But the real hallmark of Vietnamese cuisine is, of course, fish sauce "Nyok moms."

Perhaps it is because of the fish sauce with its aroma Vietnamese cuisine has gained a mixed reputation. Those who tried the national cuisine, admire their delicate flavor. But there are also quite a few people who have not dared to try Vietnamese dishes because of their characteristic odor. However, lovers of Asian cuisine fish sauce is not surprising: this ingredient is used in many Eastern cuisines. For the Vietnamese version of the sauce is characterized by the addition of lime juice, coconut juice, garlic and sugar.

The most famous dishes

When meeting with Vietnamese cuisine can not ignore the most famous dishes of local chefs: Pho soup, fish Cha Ca and spring rolls (Spring Rolls). These foods are known worldwide.

Pho soup is a thick soup of rice noodles with meat, herbs and onions. This soup can be prepared with pork, chicken or beef Beef - Meat Guide . This nutritious meal perfectly satisfies hunger Psychology and physiology of hunger - the two sides of the same coin   and makes it easier to endure the heat and exercise. Feature soup that meat is cooked in broth: cut into very thin plates (so to cut the meat, it must be slightly frozen), it just poured boiling liquid and insisted for some time.

Fish Cha Ca - dish is relatively young, it was invented in the XIX century. The recipe of fried fish with peanuts, onions and rice noodles kept in the strictest confidence. Savour its original version can be only one small restaurant in Hanoi.

Spring rolls, rolled-roll - a traditional Chinese snack Low calorie snacks Which decided to prepare to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Such rolls of paper prepared rice in various Asian countries, including Vietnam. In the central part of the country is prepared rolls with shrimp and green onions in the north and the south of Vietnam are more common fried spring rolls with minced pork. In addition to the fried rolls, Vietnam, prepared and fresh. This is the traditional spring dish that is eaten, dipped the pieces of rolled pancakes in a black bean sauce.

Maria Bykov

Related Articles

Lagman: multinational individuality

Uzbek cuisine, not only plov

Couscous: original alternative to the usual side dishes

Kazakh cuisine: heritage of nomads