off topic Favorite Vietnamese Food

[BinhJerome 14]

I know this is off topic, but I wanted to post it in this forum. With all the talk about blue and pink, I want to know what some of your favorite foods were in Vietnam. What things you saw/ate that you did not understand or care for.

My favorite food the first time I went was a seafood hot pot and other dishes that my fiancee's mother made. I am telling you all her mom can cook!!! The second trip I really loved her moms cooking. It was just a white and yellow noodle that my fiancée insists only had some vegetables, but oh my it was so good. I was craving it last night,but I only had the rice noodles here and some nappa cabbage and onion, not enough to make it like her mom did. I also have to admit I really love the Vietnamese pancake. The first one I ate I was not really happy about, I found out that they leave the skin on the shrimp. Binh was worried that I was mad, when in fact I was thinking the waiter pulled a fast one on me. I asked my fiancée if hers was OK, and she said yes. I watched her eat a bite with shrimp in it and she just chewed and swallowed. I felt bad that Binh was worried over the meal, but that was a really quick learning experience. I also did not care for the chicken there. If you are used to the us when you eat chicken noodle soup there is no bone, and the chickens are very fat with tons of meat. The chickens in Vietnam were skinny, more bone than meat. It really tasted good, just not used to pulling things out of my mouth while I eat. Let me know what you think!! Oh the fruit is to die for. I love Dragon Fruit, mang cut, chom chom. I missed out on jack fruit the second time, it was out of season grrrr. Have any of you tried the squid jerky? Ben Thanh Market has the best. You can look at it and get the amount you want. I recommend that you hold your nose or just not smell on the first bite. It smells very very fishy, but if you can get over that smell it is really really good. Let me know your dishes, and any recipes you might have from Vietnam. I am all about trying new things!! Jerome

[BinhJerome 14]

I almost forgot, for all of you out there that are scared to go to a real Vietnamese place to eat, go to KFC they are everywhere in HCMC and try a Shrimp Burger. I have to admit there was better food in Vietnam that that, but that is truly the best "FAST FOOD BURGER" I have ever eaten even in the United states

[ScottThuy 140]

I almost forgot, for all of you out there that are scared to go to a real Vietnamese place to eat, go to KFC they are everywhere in HCMC and try a Shrimp Burger. I have to admit there was better food in Vietnam that that, but that is truly the best "FAST FOOD BURGER" I have ever eaten even in the United states

depends on time of day and where I am...

Love Bún bò Huế ...

and if I am having a snack Ốc hương nướng or Bánh cuốn ruốc tôm,

and veggies has to be Rau Muong Xao Toi

[BinhJerome 14]

I almost forgot, for all of you out there that are scared to go to a real Vietnamese place to eat, go to KFC they are everywhere in HCMC and try a Shrimp Burger. I have to admit there was better food in Vietnam that that, but that is truly the best "FAST FOOD BURGER" I have ever eaten even in the United states

depends on time of day and where I am...

Love Bún bò Huế ...

and if I am having a snack Ốc hương nướng or Bánh cuốn ruốc tôm,

and veggies has to be Rau Muong Xao Toi

that looks sooo gooood! bringing back memories!!

[ScottThuy 140]

I'm all about the fire roasted snails in Ben Thanh Market and maybe a summer roll or two... And a few Tiger Beers to wash it all down...

[Ronnie&Hang 12]

Oh my, you guys are becoming a pro on Vnese foods..and Rau Muong Xao Toi does bring back good times..my lady is Bac Ky too Scott, and that is all she has on almost every meals..and Ca Phao too Darn, I miss her, 3 more weeks..hehe

[ScottThuy 140]

Oh my, you guys are becoming a pro on Vnese foods..and Rau Muong Xao Toi does bring back good times..my lady is Bac Ky too Scott, and that is all she has on almost every meals..and Ca Phao too Darn, I miss her, 3 more weeks..hehe

I have 99 days till I am back in Ha Noi... I wish I knew a place here to get Rau Muong Xao Toi... actually its slim pickings when it comes to VN food in SW FL.

[Huong and Phung 0]

the best food I ate in vietnam is this special part from the female pig and it's the breast. The place where they sale items for those drinkers. They tasted so good over a low grill. I also enjoy all of the seafood over there and the food that my mother in law cooks. She made the bomb azz mam me and ca keo chien. Oh man, 1 more week and i'll be devouring these special items again. hehehehe That's just a few items. Gotta get off work and will post more later.

my mouth is all watering.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

Ok, I'm probably going to lose any credibility I've got with the following statement, but I've got to say it...

After four trips to Vietnam, and more than 40 days in the country, eating meals at a dozen or more family homes, as well as restaurants ranging from hole-in-the-wall neighborhood joints to gourmet "5 star" establishments, as well as countless visits to Vietnamese restaurants all over northern California, I have come to an unmistakable conclusion - I don't like Vietnamese food, and I probably never will.

I think my problem is my age. I'm over 50, and I didn't grow up eating this stuff. It's not what I'm used to eating, so I never developed a taste for it. I have never liked any sort of seafood, though I can tolerate shrimp depending on how it's prepared, and don't mind an occasional halibut steak (or other fish, provided it's flaky and dry, and doesn't smell at all like fish). I don't mind Vietnamese noodles, and can handle an occasional bowl of pho, but if there's something else on the menu then it wouldn't be my first choice. I don't like the clear noodles at all - they are slimy, and have the consistency of earthworms. They make me gag. I can only eat the opaque spaghetti-style noodles.

I don't care much for the way they roast chicken, and the sight of the pieces being served on the same platter with the head and feet completely kills my appetite. On my second trip Phuong's eldest daughter did me the "honor" of giving me the chicken head. I freaked out when I saw it in my rice bowl! Ever since then, she sneaks the chicken head into my bowl whenever we have roasted chicken just so she can see my reaction.

I do somewhat like a nice chicken breast cooked "ga nuong" style, but I'd much rather see that chicken breast breaded and covered with marinara sauce and Parmesan cheese!

Same with steak - I like nice cubes of beef, cooked tender on a grill with no fat or gristle. I hate gray boiled beef, and don't like most beef soups.

I like most of the vegetables they serve, but they love to put cilantro on everything, which I don't like at all.

While we're on the subject of food, what is with the Vietnamese passion for Heineken beer? I think it's bitter - not 'good' bitter like a good English ale, but 'bad' bitter like they used sour yeast to brew it. I think most Vietnamese beers are a lot better. I'll take a Saigon Export, Tiger, 333, or Huda or Festival (local brews in Hue) over a Heineken any day!

Phuong has the same problem with western foods. She's in her 40's, so she's not likely to change either. Once she arrives in the US with two of her kids then my house is going to consist of three Americans and three Vietnamese people. We figure each meal is going to consist of a selection of western and Vietnamese dishes, and just let everyone sort out what they want to eat.

[BinhJerome 14]

Oh my, you guys are becoming a pro on Vnese foods..and Rau Muong Xao Toi does bring back good times..my lady is Bac Ky too Scott, and that is all she has on almost every meals..and Ca Phao too Darn, I miss her, 3 more weeks..hehe

I have 99 days till I am back in Ha Noi... I wish I knew a place here to get Rau Muong Xao Toi... actually its slim pickings when it comes to VN food in SW FL.

Scott, there are all sorts of Vietnamese communities all over the usa. I would ask around, and if you can find one it would be a big help once she is here, and you might also be able to get some of the food we all crave!

[Anh map 2,098]

Ok, I'm probably going to lose any credibility I've got with the following statement, but I've got to say it...

After four trips to Vietnam, and more than 40 days in the country, eating meals at a dozen or more family homes, as well as restaurants ranging from hole-in-the-wall neighborhood joints to gourmet "5 star" establishments, as well as countless visits to Vietnamese restaurants all over northern California, I have come to an unmistakable conclusion - I don't like Vietnamese food, and I probably never will.

I think my problem is my age. I'm over 50, and I didn't grow up eating this stuff. It's not what I'm used to eating, so I never developed a taste for it. I have never liked any sort of seafood, though I can tolerate shrimp depending on how it's prepared, and don't mind an occasional halibut steak (or other fish, provided it's flaky and dry, and doesn't smell at all like fish). I don't mind Vietnamese noodles, and can handle an occasional bowl of pho, but if there's something else on the menu then it wouldn't be my first choice. I don't like the clear noodles at all - they are slimy, and have the consistency of earthworms. They make me gag. I can only eat the opaque spaghetti-style noodles.

I don't care much for the way they roast chicken, and the sight of the pieces being served on the same platter with the head and feet completely kills my appetite. On my second trip Phuong's eldest daughter did me the "honor" of giving me the chicken head. I freaked out when I saw it in my rice bowl! Ever since then, she sneaks the chicken head into my bowl whenever we have roasted chicken just so she can see my reaction.

I do somewhat like a nice chicken breast cooked "ga nuong" style, but I'd much rather see that chicken breast breaded and covered with marinara sauce and Parmesan cheese!

Same with steak - I like nice cubes of beef, cooked tender on a grill with no fat or gristle. I hate gray boiled beef, and don't like most beef soups.

I like most of the vegetables they serve, but they love to put cilantro on everything, which I don't like at all.

While we're on the subject of food, what is with the Vietnamese passion for Heineken beer? I think it's bitter - not 'good' bitter like a good English ale, but 'bad' bitter like they used sour yeast to brew it. I think most Vietnamese beers are a lot better. I'll take a Saigon Export, Tiger, 333, or Huda or Festival (local brews in Hue) over a Heineken any day!

Phuong has the same problem with western foods. She's in her 40's, so she's not likely to change either. Once she arrives in the US with two of her kids then my house is going to consist of three Americans and three Vietnamese people. We figure each meal is going to consist of a selection of western and Vietnamese dishes, and just let everyone sort out what they want to eat.

So it will be Jim's Bay Area ameraisan buffet? Not so bad. Will i be able to reuse my plate?

One thing that we have found is that when some of the Viet foods are cooked using better cuts of meat everyone enjoys it more. So you may find some other things that work into your routine.

New foods take time, textures and aromas take getting used to. Though I have not been able to embrace the shrimp paste and the congealed blood.

I agree on the Heinekin, it's a skunky beer.

[ScottThuy 140]

Oh my, you guys are becoming a pro on Vnese foods..and Rau Muong Xao Toi does bring back good times..my lady is Bac Ky too Scott, and that is all she has on almost every meals..and Ca Phao too Darn, I miss her, 3 more weeks..hehe

I have 99 days till I am back in Ha Noi... I wish I knew a place here to get Rau Muong Xao Toi... actually its slim pickings when it comes to VN food in SW FL.

Scott, there are all sorts of Vietnamese communities all over the usa. I would ask around, and if you can find one it would be a big help once she is here, and you might also be able to get some of the food we all crave!

Orlando is a 3 hour drive for me to get good Viet food in Fl. too far for a meal in my book. I am with you on the Blood Roger... but I can deal with the shrimp paste as long as its not too strong..

[Kevin and 10]

I also did not care for the chicken there. If you are used to the us when you eat chicken noodle soup there is no bone, and the chickens are very fat with tons of meat. The chickens in Vietnam were skinny, more bone than meat. It really tasted good,.......

The reason the chickens are less meaty is they don't use hormones. I think VN chickens are much tastier than US chickens. I eat everything as long as it isn't a family pet. I love all the sea food. Being from fly over country, we don't get fresh sea food. So when I'm in VN I have to eat a lot of sea food.

[NQT1976 1]

thit ran, thit chuot, thit cho an rat ngon, american can't find these.

So ve vietnam ma khong an may mon nay la uong tien ve may bay do.

the best food I ate in vietnam is this special part from the female pig and it's the breast. The place where they sale items for those drinkers. They tasted so good over a low grill. I also enjoy all of the seafood over there and the food that my mother in law cooks. She made the bomb azz mam me and ca keo chien. Oh man, 1 more week and i'll be devouring these special items again. hehehehe That's just a few items. Gotta get off work and will post more later.

my mouth is all watering.

da an vu heo roi thi khong the bo qua vu de duoc.

happy eating

[bryonm4 0]

This was a place I go to everytime I am in Ho Chi Minh. Its my favorite food there. Fried rice and shrimp.