There is no such simple thing as so-called “Vietnamese food”. With a territory as large and a history as long and complex as Vietnam’s, it is inevitable that distinct regional differences in cuisine have evolved over the centuries. Vietnam's long history, vast territory and extensive contact with other nations and cultures have given birth to the distinctive Vietnamese culinary art. As You know, the nearly endless variety of natural ingredients and methods of preparation employed in Vietnamese cuisine stand out unequaled in the world. Vietnamese food is known for its distinct use of fresh, fragrant and aromatic flavors. Sweet and sour, spicy and chilling, fresh and salty flavors are all in balance.
The cuisine of Vietnam's north has been inspired by China. Noodle soups and stir fries are popular. Food becomes sweeter as you travel south, and it combines Cambodian and Thai flavors. The Mekong Delta in the south, dubbed "Vietnam's Rice Bowl" because of its fertile soil and tropical climate, supports more rice paddies and coconut trees. In reality, rice production in Vietnam is the world's second largest exporter (after Thailand). Rice is a staple of Vietnamese cuisine, with steamed rice appearing in nearly every meal. It's also made into things like rice noodles, rice paper for spring rolls, and rice vinegar.
I suppose that may very well account for the universal popularity of Vietnamese restaurants and Vietnamese cooking overseas.
I really don't know which type of Vietnamese food I should talk about as I like many different dishes. Now, we have many different alternatives to choose from various ethnic foods, nutritionally-balanced health food, and convenient and delicious fast food, in addition to traditional home-cooked meals. If asked to choose, I think I like hotpot better. As you know, the hot and spicy food, very tasty. Besides, I have to say that Vietnamese cuisine is fresh, nutritious, and light, typified by Pho, the country's national meal, a fragrant rice noodle soup. It is eaten at any time of day - breakfast, lunch, or dinner – and is a staple of the country's street food culture. Aromatics and herbs like lemongrass, ginger, mint, parsley, and coriander are combined with fresh, crunchy vegetables like cucumber, bean sprouts, chili, and plenty of lime juice in a meat-y broth. To be honest, a bowl of Ph is always enticing to me. All of the components' flavors are in perfect balance. It has a subtle flavor and smells so nice that I can't stop myself from buying it anytime I pass by. Ph is also nutritious enough to constitute a common Vietnamese breakfast.
In addition, I like the careful efforts that went into creating Ph. You should note that making Pho could take up to ten hours. Those that create Ph should have a strong desire to do so, as the business of creating Ph has been sustained for decades despite the fact that it is not particularly profitable.
I would say that most people might consider rice as their main food as it is the staple 100 in the north. But in the south, people eat more noodles and vermicelli than in the north.
I don't know much about how people in other countries cook as I have never been abroad. But as far as the cooking techniques are concerned, Vietnamese people tend to use stir-fry or quick-fry methods while people from other countries like to have their vegetables or meat either steamed or boiled. Another difference is that they use cheese a lot while many Vietnamese people find it too greasy. Another very obvious difference is that Vietnamese people like to have their beef well done while people from other countries may like it rare or medium. You can also find some difference in the ingredients people have in Vietnam where they eat things like chicken or duck wings, necks, feet, intestines or liver, while other people find them disgusting.
But in the last 30 or 40 years, the diet or eating habits of the Vietnamese people has changed a lot, like with almost everything else. They go to the Western restaurants or ethnic restaurants to taste some exotic food now and then. As we have more varieties to choose from, many young people often go to the Western fast food places. There is actually a fast food craze in Vietnam. Another change we can find is that people have changed the traditional diet habit such as the age-long practice of eating a big feast with pork, beef, mutton, fish, etc. during the holidays or festivals. Now, they prefer to keep a balanced diet, eating green food free of pollution, paying more attention to nutrition or the quality of food rather than quantity. What is worth mentioning is that people nowadays can prepare, at home, those dishes that were once thought to be luxury ones instead of just having simple rice and vegetable dishes as they used to do.
Nowadays, the Vietnamese people keep healthy by keeping a balanced diet, taking regular exercise and avoiding stress. Take food as an example. They have changed the traditional diet habit from very heavy and spicy food to healthy food. They pay more attention to nutrition, protein, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins. So, healthy food is gaining popularity as people begin to think more seriously about their physical well-being. They have also changed their way of cooking, from deep-frying to stir-frying or just eating it raw as they know some vitamins can be lost as a result of cooking. A regular daily intake of vitamins is necessary.
This is just a basic introduction to Vietnamese food. Please chime in with your own Vietnamese food experiences!
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