Vietnam A Cultural Cookbook Sample

THE GLOBAL KITCHEN

VIETNAM

A Cultural Cookbook

National Cuisine • Regional Cuisine • Classic Dishes • Daily Meals Dining Etiquette • Recipes in 8 Categories • Special Occasion Foods Street Food • The Vietnamese Pantry

Recipes in The Global Kitchen series are provided for informational and cultural purposes only.

Results may vary due to differences in ingredients, equipment, and individual cooking experience.

Always follow safe food-handling practices and exercise caution with sharp utensils and hot surfaces. Check all ingredients for potential allergens before use.

World Trade Press has not independently tested every recipe and assumes no responsibility for the outcome, safety, or accuracy of any recipe or information presented.

Copyright © 2025 by World Trade Press Publisher: Edward G. Hinkelman Editors: Brielle Burt, Felicia Topp, Kasey Myers, Emily Padgett Series Designer: Kristie Wolgamott Production Designer: Michael Warner Cover Image: Ratov Maxim/Shutterstock No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise, except as permitted under Section 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act, without the prior written permission of the Publisher.

For information about permission to reproduce selections from this report, please contact Permissions: permissions@worldtradepress.com For information about special discounts for bulk purchases, please contact Sales: sales@worldtradepress.com

ISBN: 978-1-61840-028-4 www.TheGlobalKitchen.com www.worldtradepress.com World Trade Press, 616 E. Eighth St., Ste. 7, Traverse City, MI 49686

THE GLOBAL KITCHEN

VIETNAM

A Cultural Cookbook

Gen S. DuMonde

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF RECIPES

FOREWORD

TABLE OF CONTENTS

7

REGIONAL CUISINE Culinary Regions of Vietnam NORTHERN

TABLE OF CONTENTS

11

CLASSIC DISHES MAIN DISHES

DESSERTS

Coconut Custard

BEVERAGES SIDE DISHES

Beer is a common beverage among Vietnamese men.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

15

DINING ETIQUETTE Social Dimension of Dining

Hosts may insist that guests eat a wide variety of dishes.

Meals in Vietnam tend to be long, leisurely, and full of conversation.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

19

SPECIAL OCCASION FOODS Cultural and Regional Festivals

TABLE OF CONTENTS

23

STREET FOOD Sweet Treats

TABLE OF CONTENTS

27

DID YOU KNOW? Exotic Delicacies

Symbolic and Edible

Controversial Delicacy

TABLE OF CONTENTS

33

TEA CULTURE How It’s Enjoyed

Interesting Facts

Coffee is usually brewed directly into a glass using a

TABLE OF CONTENTS

37

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Rest Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Servings: 4

66

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 57 minutes

Dietary Considerations: Gluten Free, Dairy Free

TABLE OF CONTENTS

APPETIZERS

CHÈ BA MÀU

Prep Time: 45 minutes Recipe Servings: 4

102

Rest Time: 4 hours

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 5 hours 30 minutes

Dietary Considerations: Vegetarian, Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Kosher, Halal

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SOUPS

Prep Time: 15 minutes Recipe Servings: 4

132

Rest Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Dietary Considerations: Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Kosher, Halal

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SALADS

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Rest Time: 4 hours

Recipe Servings: 4

172

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 4 hours 50 minutes

Dietary Considerations: Gluten Free, Dairy Free

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MAIN COURSES

BÁNH CHUNG

Prep Time: 30 minutes Rest Time: 9 hours 30 minutes Cook Time: 6 hours 20 minutes Total Time: 16 hours 20 minutes Recipe Servings: 4

224

Dietary Considerations: Gluten Free, Dairy Free

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SIDE DISHES

Prep Time: 20 minutes Rest Time: 1 hour 30 minutes Cook Time: 1 hour Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes Recipe Servings: 10

252

Dietary Considerations: Vegetarian, Kosher, Halal

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DESSERTS

BÁNH BÈO

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Rest Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Servings: 4–6

280

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Dietary Considerations: Gluten Free, Dairy Free

SNACKS

COCONUT CUSTARD

Prep Time: 5 minutes Recipe Servings: 4

Ingredients

304

Rest Time: 2 hours

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes

Dietary Considerations: Vegetarian, Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Kosher, Halal

Directions

SNACKS

CILANTRO Cilantro leaves and stems are pungent, with a clean, grassy, citrusy bite.

minerals such as zinc, magnesium, iron, and potassiine, pantothenic acid, folate, calcium, phosphorus, copper, and manganese.

Preparations Cilantro can be used fresh or dried and is often a component in Latin and Tex-Mex cooking, such as in salsa, gazpacho, and guacamole. It also is a common ingredient in Thai and Chinese recipes, in South Asian chutneys and salads, in Russian (dumplings), in Middle Eastern and East Indian dishes, and as a garnish on Vietnamese pho. Cilantro pairs well with tomatoes, citrus, avocado, and chilies.

Season Dried and fresh cilantro are typically available from grocers year-round. Fresh cilantro grows best in the cooler weather of spring and fall.

Description Cilantro is the name used for the leaves and stems of . A relative of the coriander plant, parsley, cilantro is a green, leafy herb about 20 inches (51 cm) high. The plant’s broad, lobed leaves become feathery toward the top of its slender, edible stalks.

Did You Know?

• Cilantro is an herb that people either love or hate, but it’s not purely a matter of palate. A genetic variant in some people can cause cilantro to taste bitter and soapy.

Origin The coriander plant originated in North Africa and West Asia. In Central and South America, is the Spanish name for the leafy part of the plant.

Varieties is the most widely grown variety of cilantro. Other common names for cilantro include Chinese parsley and Mexican parsley. It also may be named fresh coriander or coriander leaves, especially in East Indian and Asian cooking. Culantro ( ) is a related, similar herb, as is Vietnamese coriander (

TABLE OF CONTENTS

THE VIETNAMESE PANTRY

329

ABOUT WORLD TRADE PRESS World Trade Press is a publishing and information products company specializing in country-based information company’s mission is to strengthen mutual understanding across cultures by lowering the information barriers that prevent individuals and organizations from succeeding in the international arena. World Trade Press clients include academic and public libraries, universities, global businesses, government agencies, global logistics

Databases World Trade Press has developed and maintains more than a dozen large-scale online databases of country and city information covering business, culture, food, import/export, local living, and travel for 174 world countries and 201 world cities.

Physical Books, Atlases, and Maps

World Trade Press has published multiple editions of more than 100 physical reference books, country business guides, books for international trade and logistics, world atlases for travel and logistics, and world and country wall maps.

Professional Reports and E-Books World Trade Press has developed and maintains more than two dozen professional-level country e-reports and e-books for each of 174 countries. These products cover topics such as business culture, cost of living, demographics, education, environment, holidays and festivals, government, money and banking, music, quality of life, religion, security, social indicators, and more.

Contributors editors, and cartographers and more than 100 external subject-matter experts to create world-class security, and travel. To view a partial list of contributors to titles in The Global Kitchen series, go to www.TheGlobalKitchen.com/contributors.html.

Learn more about World Trade Press and its products at www.WorldTradePress.com.

Enjoyed this cookbook?

For more recipes, updates, and global food inspiration, follow The Global Kitchen on Facebook and BlueSky.

Social Links: Facebook - www.facebook.com/wtpglobalkitchen

Check out all the titles in The Global Kitchen series, including:

616 E. Eighth Street, Suite 7 Traverse City, MI 49686 USA 358

www.TheGlobalKitchen.com