Enjoy Vietnamese Cuisine at Home! Easy Recipes for Beginners

25/9/2024

Vietnamese cuisine is loved worldwide for its rich flavors and healthy ingredients. Dishes like pho, banh mi, and fresh spring rolls have become popular in many countries, including Japan. Why not try making these delicious Vietnamese dishes at home? In this article, we’ll introduce basic ingredients, essential seasonings, and easy-to-follow recipes that will allow you to recreate the taste of Vietnam in your own kitchen.

1. Basic Ingredients and Seasonings for Vietnamese Cooking

To create authentic Vietnamese dishes, you’ll need some basic ingredients and seasonings. Here are some of the most commonly used items:

• Rice Noodles: Essential for dishes like pho and bun, rice noodles are a staple in Vietnamese cuisine. You can easily find dried rice noodles in stores, which just need to be boiled before use.
• Fish Sauce (Nuoc Mam): This is the cornerstone of Vietnamese flavor. Fish sauce adds a salty, umami depth to soups, dressings, and marinades.
• Herbs: Fresh herbs like mint, basil, and cilantro are frequently used to add brightness and complexity to dishes.
• Lemongrass: A fragrant herb with a citrusy flavor, lemongrass is commonly used in soups and stir-fries to give dishes a signature Vietnamese taste.
• Hot Chili Sauce: Adds a spicy kick to your dishes. You can adjust the amount to suit your heat preference.

If you have trouble finding these ingredients locally, many of them can be substituted with other Asian ingredients available in most supermarkets.

2. Popular Vietnamese Recipes

1) Pho Ga (Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup)

• Ingredients:
  • Rice noodles: 200g
  • Chicken breast: 200g
  • Chicken broth: 800ml
  • Fish sauce: 2 tbsp
  • Ginger: 1 slice
  • Onion: 1/2, sliced
  • Mint, basil, cilantro: to taste
  • Lime: 1/2
  • Hot chili sauce: to taste
• Instructions:
  1. Cook the rice noodles according to package instructions and set aside.
  2. Boil the chicken breast, then slice it thinly.
  3. In a pot, heat the chicken broth and add fish sauce, ginger, and onion. Adjust the flavor.
  4. Pour the broth over the rice noodles, add the sliced chicken on top.
  5. Garnish with herbs, squeeze lime over the dish, and serve with hot chili sauce.

2) Banh Mi (Vietnamese Sandwich)

• Ingredients:
  • Baguette: 1 loaf
  • Sliced chicken or pork: 100g
  • Pâté: 2 tbsp
  • Fish sauce: 1 tsp
  • Cucumber: 1/2, thinly sliced
  • Pickled carrot and daikon: 50g each
  • Cilantro: to taste
  • Chili sauce: to taste
• Instructions:
  1. Slice the baguette in half and spread pâté on both sides.
  2. Season the meat with fish sauce and grill it until cooked through.
  3. Layer cucumber, pickled vegetables, cilantro, and meat inside the baguette.
  4. Drizzle with chili sauce, close the sandwich, and enjoy.

3) Goi Cuon (Fresh Spring Rolls)

• Ingredients:
  • Rice paper: 8 sheets
  • Cooked shrimp: 8 pieces
  • Sliced pork belly: 100g, cooked
  • Vermicelli noodles: 50g, cooked
  • Mint, basil, cilantro: to taste
  • Lettuce: a few leaves
• Instructions:
  1. Soak the rice paper in water until soft.
  2. Lay shrimp, pork, vermicelli, herbs, and lettuce on the rice paper and roll tightly.
  3. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

4) Cha Gio (Fried Spring Rolls)

• Ingredients:
  • Rice paper: 10 sheets
  • Ground pork: 150g
  • Onion: 1/2, finely chopped
  • Carrot: 1/2, finely chopped
  • Vermicelli noodles: 50g, cooked and chopped
  • Fish sauce: 1 tbsp
  • Garlic: 1 clove, minced
  • Oil: for frying
• Instructions:
  1. Mix the ground pork, onion, carrot, vermicelli, fish sauce, and garlic.
  2. Place the filling on the rice paper, roll it up, and fry in 180°C oil until golden brown.
  3. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.

3. Tips for Making Delicious Vietnamese Dishes

Here are some tips to help you make delicious Vietnamese dishes at home:

• Use Fresh Herbs and Spices: Fresh herbs are key to the flavor and aroma of Vietnamese cuisine. Always use fresh herbs to enhance your dishes.
• Be Cautious with Fish Sauce: Fish sauce is potent, so add it gradually, tasting as you go.
• Handling Rice Paper: Rice paper can become too soft if soaked for too long, so keep soaking time short to maintain its texture.

4. Advice for Enjoying Vietnamese Cuisine at Home

• Where to Find Ingredients: Most ingredients for Vietnamese cooking can be found in Asian grocery stores or online shops. Make a list before shopping to ensure you have everything you need.
• Cooking Together with Family and Friends: Vietnamese cooking often involves interactive elements like rolling spring rolls, making it a fun activity to share with others.
• Pairing Your Meal with Drinks: Vietnamese coffee or herbal tea pairs wonderfully with these dishes. Enjoy them together for a complete experience.

Conclusion

Vietnamese cuisine is a delightful and accessible way to bring new flavors to your home kitchen. With these recipes, you can recreate the authentic tastes of Vietnam and enjoy them with your family and friends. Embrace the joy of cooking and discover the richness of Vietnamese food right at home.

（Photo by Unsplash.com）