Hanoi street food

Hanoi cuisine is considered as the representative of cuisine in the north of Vietnam. The sophistication of Hanoi culinary is in how to prepare and enjoy. Each of Hanoi’s dishes has its own taste, beauty and especially, has the traditional way to enjoy. Hanoi’s dishes did please the Hanoian expatriates and tourists those who first came to Hanoi. There are many cuisines that visitors should not miss to taste when visiting Hanoi: 1. Pho (Phở - Vietnamese noodle) No matter what time day or night, a steaming bowl of pho noodle soup is never hard to find in Vietnam. Pho is Vietnam's unofficial national dish exported with pride all over...

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Caramel Spare Rib with Shrimp

1 lb lean sparerib, cut into 2-inches pieces12 medium shrimps, shelled and deveined1 shallot, minced1 clove garlic, minced1/2 onion, cubed1 green onion, cut into 1-inch length1 T vegetable oil1 T white wine2 T sugarFish sauce, salt, pepper to tastePut spareribs + garlic + shallot + 1 T fish sauce + 1/4 t salt + 1/2 T sugar + fresh ground black pepper, mix well, cover and refrigerate overnight or 4 hrs.Heat oil in a heavy bottom skillet. Add the ribs and cook until brown, about 15-20 minutes. In a small pan, make caramel sauce from 1 T sugar. Add caramelized sugar and stir for 5 minutes. Add 1 T white wine and let it simmer for 5-7 more...

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Pig Moon Cake

Pig Moon Cake Moon cake is the traditional food during Vietnam Mid-autumn Festival. Besides many kinds of traditional moon cake, pig moon cake is more attractive to the children. It was first made in Hanoi in mid-autumn festival 1988 by a craftsman (in Nguyen Sieu Street, Hanoi) and “pigs” are made by hands. Up to now, there are many bakers make pig moon cake, but most of them now make “pig” with frames. The crust of “the pig” is made from flour and their eyes are black beans. The filling inside is mung bean with salted eggs or scraped coconut with Chinese sausage and lemon leaf. After baking, pig moon cakes are put into small baskets...

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Vietnamese Spring Rolls - specific taste of Vietnamese cuisine

Known as one of the famous food cities in Asia, Vietnam is not only an attractive destination by beautiful landscape but also diversified cuisine. if you go to Vietnam, you will not forget specific taste by delicious food and hospitality of Vietnamese people. That was true feeling of my foreign friend after his coming to my home for the invitation of dinner.  As a hospitable tradition, a welcome party was prepared by my mother with some Vietnamese food that I thought he will like. In menu, Spring Rolls is familiar dish with Vietnamese that we often make in celebration like wedding, new house celebration, special parties… as well as...

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"Vu Lan" Festival in memories

Every year, when Vu Lan festival coming, I am almost moved to tears by my parents image, my country. Despite being far away from home but I am always towards my family.  I remember during Vu Lan festival (the seventh month of the lunar calendar), my mother did offerings for ancestors. There was many times i wondered what the meaning of this festival is, my mother told me that this ceremony was original from long time ago, to feed the hungry ghosts, to pray for their salvation and also a way for people to meet their compassionate filial duty. According to the traditions, Vietnamese families put out offerings and burn incense for the...

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Pho (Vietnamese Rice Noodle)

No matter what time day or night, a steaming bowl of pho noodle soup is never hard to find in Vietnam. Just as pad thai in Thailand, pho is Vietnam's unofficial national dish exported with pride all over the world. Pho consists of flat rice noodles in a light, meat-based broth. The dish is usually accompanied by basil, lime, chili, and other extras on the side so that eaters can season the soup to their own taste. The balanced tastes of sweet, salty, spicy, and citrus are highly contagious; pho usually becomes an instant favorite for anyone visiting Vietnam! Pronounced something like "fuuuh" with a drawn-out vowel, pho is difficult...

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Com Ga (Hoi An Chicken Rice)

Rice in Hoi An is a very typical dish of this ancient city, and yet very different from others chicken rice in other places in the same province of Quang Nam or Da Nang. While Northern Vietnamese people like to eat the whole piece of boiled chicken thighs or chest, Hoi An people have their own way to make the chicken unforgettable with customers.  Boiled chicken is cut or torn into smaller slices, seasoned with spices like salt, pepper, chilli and Vietnamese coriander - the main factor that makes the dish savory. Combine perfectly with chicken slices, the golden rice made in pilaf form complete the wonderful dish. The rice in this set...

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