The Key Ingredients of Vietnamese Cuisine

Fresh herbs, one of the key ingredients of Vietnamese cuisine
Do you know your basic ingredients?

This article originally appeared as part of the story Family Af-fare in the May 2019 issue. For recommendations on what to drink with your Lotus take-out, click here.

Understanding a little bit more about the cuisine you’re eating makes any meal more enjoyable.

  • Vietnam is one of the largest exporters of rice worldwide. You’ll see it steamed, in vermicelli noodles, vinegars, cakes, patties and more.

RiceCourtesy of iStock.com

  • Known as nuoc mam, fish sauce is a staple ingredient that is made from salting and fermenting fish (traditionally anchovies) for a pungent umami flavor.

Nuoc mamCourtesy of iStock.com

  • Vietnamese cuisine is known for finishing dishes via a heaping pile of fresh herbs, like cilantro, basil, lime-leaf and shaved ginger or chopped scallions.

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