While traveling to Southeast Asia and hopping from country to country is a little impractical right now, that doesn’t mean you’ll be denied of authentic Vietnamese food even here at home. It’s time to treat yourself to these mouth-watering dishes that reflect the best of what Hanoi has to offer!
If you’re a fan of the TV show Parks and Recreation, then you know that one of the best jokes shared by the characters is the exuberant phrase “treat yourself!” While traveling to Southeast Asia and hopping from country to country is a little impractical right now, that doesn’t mean you’ll be denied of authentic Vietnamese food even here at home. It’s time to treat yourself to these mouth-watering dishes that reflect the best of what Hanoi has to offer!
Che
Sometimes the best part of any meal is the dessert! If your two favorite flavors are sweet and savory, then you will adore che. Essentially, it is commonly referred to as a “sweet dessert soup” featuring ingredients like kidney beans, grass jelly, tapioca fruit, and coconut cream. While it is a wonderful treat for your taste buds at any time of year, it is particularly favored during the hot summers in Vietnam, where crushed ice completes the concoction.
Hu Tieu
Fall is a perfect time to cozy up on the couch with tea, soup, and comfy blankets. Hu tieu is a delightful pork bone soup. Despite its rather unappetizing name, it is quite delicious! There are different types of noodles, meats, and other proteins involved – it all depends on where you go! Cambodia and China have their own versions, as well.
Banh Xeo
If you love having pancakes or crepes for brunch, then banh xeo will blow your mind. Not all pancakes or crepes need to be sweet – just look at scallion pancakes for instance! Anyway, this amazing example of Vietnamese food is filled with pork and shrimp; turmeric and bean sprouts round it out; even though it might sound like a healthier alternative, its name literally means “sizzling cake” which comes from the sound it makes as it cooks in the frying pan.
Mi Vit Tiem
Peking duck lovers everywhere are probably dreaming of the next time they have a special occasion to celebrate – getting together with loved ones is even harder to organize and not a good idea considering the Coronavirus pandemic. That said, you shouldn’t be discouraged because mi vit tiem allows you to indulge in roasted duck along with egg noodles. There’s a definite Chinese cuisine influence here, but we’re not complaining! After all, there’s more to Vietnamese food than icons like pho and banh mi!
Bia Hoi
You’re going to need something to wash down all of the yummy food you’re about to try! That’s where intriguing drinks come into the picture. Bia hoi is a type of unique draft beer. While it’s not very strong, the bubbles are pleasant on the palate and can help you cool down after a long day of raking leaves, trimming tree branches, cleaning out gutters, and laying down new sod!
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 serve our customers better. Since we opened in 1976, our goal has always been to provide the best customer service and groceries to our customers. For answers to all of your questions, please email us at LottePlaza.com.