Since Vietnam was a former French colony, there is a lot of French influence on their food, and it’s more than likely that outside of Vietnam, that is where their food is best known. Here in America though, we’d like to share with you some fun facts about Vietnamese food.
Vietnamese food may not be as well known in America, and in the West, for that matter. Since Vietnam was a former French colony, there is a lot of French influence on their food, and it’s more than likely that outside of Vietnam, that is where their food is best known. Here in America though, we’d like to share with you some fun facts about Vietnamese food.
These Vietnamese Food Facts Will Amaze Your Stomach
- In Vietnam, people enjoy eating animal blood. This the only country in the world where animal blood is considered a delicacy. It is known as Tiet Canh, and the most popular types of animal blood are pig, duck, shrimp, and yes, even dog.
- Speaking of pigs, did you also know that when the pig is being cooked, the entire pig is used? Lungs, kidneys, livers, and hearts are all possible meal components. A soup containing all of these parts is often turned into a Vietnamese hot pot known as Pha Lau.
- Noodles are a staple of Asian cuisine. Not only are they popular in Vietnam, but also in China, Korea, and Taiwan. Instant noodles may be familiar to you – but if you think Americans (typically college students?) own the world record for most amounts of instant noodles consumed, you’d be misinformed. It’s actually Vietnam who owns that distinctive title.
- What sorts of noodles are popular in Vietnam? Some examples include the iconic pho; vermicelli; glass noodle; rice noodle; and egg noodle. Pho is so popular and widespread that there are many uses for it – can you think of 20 ways to use spaghetti?
- Don’t forget about appetizers! Summer rolls are thin rice paper wraps filled with meat, veggies, noodles, and herbs. Spring rolls are even more iconic than summer rolls, although they are typically saved for special occasions.
- Have you saved room for dessert? Che is another famous Vietnamese dessert. Try this with your next Vietnamese meal, along with all the dipping sauce you could want!
Get All Your Asian Groceries at Lotte Plaza Market
Lotte Plaza Market is your one-stop shop for all of your Korean and Asian grocery needs. With more than 10 locations in Maryland and Virginia, this growing market is always expanding and opening new markets to better serve our customers. Opened since 1976, our goal has always been to provide the best customer service and groceries to our customers. For answers to all of your questions, email us at LottePlaza.com.