QUINTESSENCE OF VIETNAMESE SOUTHERN CULINARY CILTURE

Vietnam has cultural diversity and richness, in which cuisine is considered an indispensable part of human life. Among the countless typical cultures of the country's regions, Southern cuisine is regarded as a brilliant flag, the unique cultural quintessence of the country's South. Southern cuisine is not only delicious food but also love, an art, and a symbol of the cohesion and solidarity of the Vietnamese people.

Discover the typical flavors of Southern cuisine

With four regions: North - Central - South - West, each region has its own distinct culinary culture, but Southern cuisine is said to have a different view than the other three regions. With a delicate combination of ingredients and spices, Southern cuisine has created typical dishes with rich and seductive flavors.

One of the factors that make the difference in Southern cuisine is the use of many delicious vegetables such as celery, broccoli, pumpkin,... to create dishes with natural flavors. and fresh. At the same time, the combination of spices such as ginger, garlic, chili, shrimp paste... also creates a unique flavor for Southern cuisine. Not only the main dishes, light dishes such as mixed rice paper, and pan bread... also have a unique combination of these ingredients and spices.

In addition, it is impossible not to mention herbs commonly used in Southern cuisine such as pennywort, lime leaves, and curry leaves... From these simple ingredients, Southern people have created dishes with diverse and rich flavors. These ingredients not only add flavor to the dish but also bring health benefits to users.

With the development of society, Southern cuisine is constantly changing and updating to suit the tastes and needs of consumers. From traditional dishes, Southern people know how to combine and create new, highly creative dishes such as banh xeo rolls or pho rolls,... This shows flexibility and innovation in Southern cuisine, along with preserving the traditional features of culinary culture.

Specialties not to be missed when traveling to the South

When coming to the South of the country, tourists not only enjoy delicious food but also have the opportunity to explore the quintessential specialties of this land. Below are specialty dishes not to be missed when traveling to the South:

1. Saigon Banh Xeo

Banh xeo is one of the Southern specialties that many people know and love. From simple ingredients such as rice flour, coconut water, purple onions, shrimp, and meat,... we can prepare this rich and seductive cake. The highlight of Saigon banh xeo is the crispy golden crust, inside are delicious and rich ingredients.

To enjoy the typical flavor of Saigon pancakes, you can visit sidewalk eateries or high-end restaurants to enjoy. Each place has different ways of preparing and serving, but the typical flavor of Saigon pancakes remains the same and attracts tourists.

2. Nam Vang noodle soup

Nam Vang noodle soup is a specialty dish considered a symbol of the South. The main ingredients of this dish include noodles, pork, shrimp, bean sprouts, onions, and vegetables. The highlight of this noodle dish is the sweet broth with a delicious and rich flavor.

It's not difficult to find a delicious noodle soup restaurant in the South, each place has its flavor but still retains the general traditional quality of the dish. Extremely worth experiencing.

3. Saigon broken rice

Saigon broken rice is one of my favorite specialty dishes because of its rich and delicious flavor. With the main ingredients being broken rice, grilled meat and fried eggs, steamed rolls, wraps, etc. this broken rice dish is always the top choice of tourists when coming to the South.

To enjoy the typical flavor of Saigon broken rice, you can go to sidewalk eateries or high-end restaurants. In addition, Saigon broken rice also has different versions such as vegetarian broken rice, and grilled rib broken rice... to suit each person's needs and preferences.

4.Phu Quoc Stir-fried Vermicelli

Phu Quoc Stir-fried Vermicelli has a unique name, impressing many people. The reason for this name is that before eating a bowl of vermicelli, you "mix" it yourself, that is, get the ingredients yourself, mix the dipping sauce yourself, and serve it yourself. Phu Quoc mixed vermicelli originated from Binh Dinh, is a type of fresh seafood vermicelli, then modified by local people according to their recipe and became a specialty of this region. Phu Quoc's stir-fried noodle soup has enough sour, spicy, salty, and sweet flavors with ingredients such as shrimp, squid, fish cakes, raw vegetables, etc. A popular dish but a delicious Southern dish that you must try when you come here.

5. Saigon mixed rice paper

Mixed rice paper is a Saigon snack, cheap but very delicious. This Southern delicacy is present on most Saigon streets, loved by locals and tourists. Soft and flexible rice paper fibers are mixed with toppings such as dried chicken, dried beef, quail eggs, mango, laksa leaves, and a special sauce.

6. Pha Lau Saigon

Walking around Saigon, you can easily come across shops selling pha lau. This is also a delicious Southern dish that many generations love. Pha lau is made from beef intestines, pork intestines, stomach, coriander leaves, etc. To create a fragrant aroma, pha lau is cooked with coconut water and spices, herbs, etc. A bowl of pha lau waves Compared to the brown color of cockroach wings served with hot, crispy bread, no one can refuse.

7. Trang Bang noodle soup, Tay Ninh

Also, a Southern delicacy in Tay Ninh, Trang Bang noodle soup receives many compliments from diners. The broth of banh noodle soup is carefully stewed from vegetables, pork bones, dried squid, coriander, etc. The banh noodle soup is made from a special type of rice, especially Mien rice, so the noodle soup is white and flexible. An important thing that makes Trang Bang noodle soup delicious is boiled pork trotters and sweet and sour, spicy and salty fish sauce.

8. Ca Mau Tamarind Cake

Ca Mau is the southernmost region of the country famous for its banh tam. Because of its delicious taste, this Southern delicacy is also very popular with many tourists coming here. Banh Tam is also known as banh tam because the fibers are made from rice flour and shaped like silkworms. The chewy, soft noodles are eaten with chicken curry sauce, chicken, shumai, bean sprouts, basil, salt and pepper with lemon. The combination of sweet, salty, sour, and spicy flavors makes you feel full without getting bored.

9. Can Tho sewer cake

Banh Tre Can Tho - the name sounds strange but the ingredients are very familiar, including rice flour, glutinous rice flour, green beans, shrimp, meat,... Banh Tre fried until golden and crispy is eaten with Raw vegetables dipped in sweet and sour fish sauce. For Can Tho people, Banh Tre is an afternoon snack and also a Southern delicacy that many tourists seek to enjoy.

10. Snail dishes

From North to South, almost every land has snail dishes. However, the variety of ingredients and unique cooking methods have made snail dishes a Southern delicacy that everyone wants to enjoy. Delicious snail dishes in Saigon that have made many people are stir-fried wool snails with coconut, salt-roasted snails, stir-fried eggplant snails with butter, fried fat snails with garlic,...

Southern culinary culture: Hospitality and richness

Southern culinary culture is not simply delicious food, but it also carries within it the quintessential values of hospitality and richness. These are values that are passed down from generation to generation, from hand to hand.

Hospitality is always considered an important element in Vietnamese culture. In Southern cuisine, sharing and respecting elders, family connections, and bonds are outstanding features of this culture. Family meals or special parties are not only to enjoy delicious food but also an opportunity for family members to interact and strengthen relationships with each other.

In addition, richness is also one of the outstanding characteristics of Southern cuisine. With a delicate combination of ingredients and spices, Southern cuisine has created rich and diverse dishes. This shows creativity and flexibility in turning simple ingredients into unique and attractive dishes.

Conclude

Through this article, we have together discovered the unique beauty of Southern cuisine - an indispensable part of the Vietnamese cultural picture. From delicious specialties to quintessential cultural values, Southern cuisine is not only a place to express creativity and sophistication but also a place to connect people with nature, preserving and promoting these values. traditional rule through generations.

Let's preserve and cherish Southern cuisine together so that the unique flavors and cultural beauty of the Southern land will forever be preserved and developed. We are the ones who preserve and spread these beautiful values to everyone, from domestic to international. Be proud of Southern cuisine - where the cultural and culinary quintessence of the Vietnamese people converge.