Japchae (Sweet & Savoury Korean Glass Noodles with Beef) Japchae is one of Korea’s most recognisable celebration dishes: glossy sweet potato glass noodles (dangmyeon) tossed with savoury beef, colourful vegetables, and a lightly sweet, sesame-scented sauce. It’s popular at birthdays, holidays, and special gatherings because it looks festive, scales well for groups, and tastes great warm or at room temperature. …
Chè Thưng (Mung Bean & Coconut Medley Soup) A Bountiful Southern Vietnamese Dessert If you’re looking to explore the comforting world of Vietnamese desserts, Chè Thưng is a beautiful place to start. This traditional Southern Vietnamese sweet soup is known for its rich, creamy base and its delightful mix of textures – from soft mung beans and tender peanuts to …
Bringing Authentic Vietnamese Flavours to Your Table In the past century, whenever the word “Vietnam” was mentioned, it often conjured a single image: “the war.” People would immediately think of those iconic black-and-white photos – bombed villages, civilians fleeing the chaos, soldiers clutching their weapons, bracing for the next wave of intense fighting. “Vietnam” and “Vietnam War” were almost synonymous, …
Korean Ground Beef & Rice Cake Soup (Tteokguk) Korean Rice Cake Soup, also known as Tteokguk, is a comforting and deeply meaningful dish made with tender sliced rice cakes simmered in a savoury broth and topped with beautifully prepared garnishes like egg strips, green onions, sesame seeds, and seaweed. Light yet satisfying, this classic Korean soup is loved for its …
Vietnamese Glutinous Rice Balls with Ginger Syrup (Chè Trôi Nước) Chè Trôi Nước is one of Vietnam’s most beloved traditional desserts – soft, chewy glutinous rice dumplings filled with creamy mung bean, gently simmered in a warm ginger syrup and finished with silky coconut sauce. Comforting, fragrant, and beautifully balanced, this dessert is especially loved for its signature texture: tender …
Crispy Fried Pork Lard (Tóp Mỡ) If you have ever enjoyed a bowl of Vietnamese noodles or a plate of broken rice and wondered what adds that irresistible crunch and rich savoury flavour, the answer is often Tóp Mỡ – crispy fried pork lard. In Vietnamese cuisine, this humble yet flavour-packed ingredient is a staple condiment, while in Chinese cooking, …
Asian Beef and Noodle Salad If you’re craving something light but still satisfying, this Asian Beef and Noodle Salad is the perfect go-to. It combines tender marinated beef, soft rice noodles, and a rainbow of fresh add-ins like edamame beans, cherry tomatoes, and thinly sliced red onion – all tied together with a bright, savoury, lime-forward dressing. It’s the kind …
Tết and the Game of Symbols in Cuisine For Vietnamese people, Tết is a colourful festival full of joy and hope. Hope for a new year filled with good things, good fortune, peace for loved ones, and abundant prosperity. These hopes are not only expressed through congratulatory wishes and Tết greeting cards, but are also conveyed elegantly and subtly through …
Beef Chow Fun (Bánh Phở Xào Thịt Bò Kiểu Hoa) If you love that irresistible aroma of smoky stir-fry from your favourite Cantonese spot, this Savoury‑Smoky Beef Chow Fun will win you over. Using fresh rice noodles, thinly sliced marinated beef, and a simple soy-oyster sauce, this dish celebrates wok technique and texture. It’s a beloved Cantonese classic that has …
Vietnamese Three-Colour Dessert (Chè Ba Màu) If you love Asian desserts with chewy jellies, soft beans, and creamy coconut, this luscious Vietnamese Three-Colour Dessert (Chè Ba Màu) needs to be on your list. Traditionally, this dessert is served in a tall glass with three vibrant layers of red beans, yellow mung beans, and green pandan jelly, all finished with shaved …
Vietnamese Food Recipes by Categories
"Soups" in Vietnamese cuisine are comforting, homestyle dishes, often enjoyed as part of family dinners. These include various canh (clear soups) made with ingredients like vegetables, tofu, and meats. Known for their light yet flavourful broths, Vietnamese family-style soups bring balance to the meal with their subtle savoury and sweet profiles.
"Rice & Noodles" in Vietnamese cuisine features iconic dishes that have gained international acclaim. From the aromatic phở with its delicate, spiced broth and tender beef or chicken to the spicy flavours of bún bò Huế, these dishes showcase the heart of Vietnamese culinary tradition. This category also includes a variety of rice dishes, rice bowls and noodle soups.
"Fried & Stir-Fried Dishes" in Vietnamese cuisine brings together an array of flavourful dishes prepared with quick, high-heat cooking techniques that lock in freshness and texture. This includes crispy spring rolls (chả giò), savoury stir-fried beef, pork or chicken with vegetables, and caramelized pork or seafood dishes that balance sweet, spicy and savoury notes.
"Braised & Stew Dishes" in Vietnamese cuisine highlight slow-cooked, flavourful meals that are both comforting and richly seasoned. Dishes like thịt kho tàu (braised pork belly with eggs in coconut juice) and cá kho tộ (braised fish in a clay pot) are iconic examples, featuring tender meats and fish infused with caramelized flavours and savoury seasonings.
"Steamed Dishes" in Vietnamese cuisine emphasize simplicity and the natural flavours of fresh ingredients. Using gentle steaming methods, dishes like bánh cuốn (rice rolls filled with minced pork and mushrooms) and chả lụa (Vietnamese steamed pork sausage) and bánh bèo (steamed rice cakes) are crafted to retain moisture and tenderness.
"Baked Goods & Pastries" in Vietnamese cuisine blend traditional flavours with French-inspired techniques, creating a unique selection of treats. This includes the beloved bánh mì, a Vietnamese baguette filled with savoury ingredients, delicate pastries like bánh patê sô (savory puff pastry), bánh trung thu (moon cake), bánh bông lan (sponge cake) and egg tarts.
"Sweets & Desserts" in Vietnamese cuisine highlight a delicate balance of flavours and textures, often featuring tropical ingredients like coconut and mung beans. From the smooth bánh flan (Vietnamese crème caramel) to chewy rice cakes like bánh bò and sweet soups (chè), these treats offer a variety of experiences, from creamy to gelatinous to crispy.
