Vietnamese Food

It's easy to be biased when it comes to your native food, but to be honest, I also love Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, Italian, and French cuisine. However, it's fair to say that Vietnamese food is one of the best in the world if you know where to go and what to order. Vietnamese cuisine is full of creativity and delicacy, and for that reason, the only place to find truly excellent Vietnamese food is in Vietnam or from a kitchen of a passionate Vietnamese food lover like my friend Mai. Most Vietnamese food takes a lot of work, time, and effort to make, which makes it difficult for restaurants to make a profit on it, hence the reason why it's not always easy to find some dishes. Here are some of my off-menu favorites:

Cơm Sen

(lotus rice): This beautiful dish is usually only served at important events such as weddings or other celebrations, and is considered a royal dish. I feel like I've been elevated three ranks in status after eating it. Originally from Huế

Gỏi Cuốn:

This is not a really off the menu dish but it is worth mentioning. I have been making these refreshing and delicious spring rolls since I was 15. To be honest, anything that takes more than an hour to make, I'm out. These yummy rolls will only take you from 30 to 45 minutes to make and are still fancy enough to impress your guests. Many of my American friends love them and have successfully made them once I showed them how. One important tip: avoid ordering them in random restaurants as they are often dry and not good.

Bò Lá Lốt:

This dish is a secret known only to Vietnamese people (and those married to them) or those in highly Vietnamese-populated communities such as San Jose, California, or Toronto, Canada.

The tender, juicy beef, meticulously marinated in a heavenly blend of spices that will make your taste buds tango with excitement. As you take your first bite, the explosion of flavors will leave you spellbound - a symphony of lemongrass, garlic, and exotic Vietnamese spices dancing on your palate like nothing you have ever tasted before..

Bò Lá Lốt is not just a dish; it's a passionate affair, a love letter to your taste buds. With each bite, you'll find yourself falling deeper under the delectable spell of Vietnamese cuisine, losing yourself in the delightful maze of exotic flavors.

Once you have tried it, the taste will forever changing the way you experience food.

Bánh Da Lợn:

This was my childhood favorite dessert and also my son's favorite. My friend Mai who is an amazing cook and often stays up until 2am to make it for us. This picture is from one of those time. It only took her 3 hours to make them.

Bún Riêu (Ốc):

This refreshing noodle dish not only reminds me of my high school days in Vietnam, but it's also surprisingly tasty for many foreigners. The trick is to skip the blood cubes, which I've never been a fan of. This is also one of Mai's delicious dishes. Sometimes it is served with snails but I like it without.

Bún Bò Huế

This is one of the absolute hidden gems of Vietnamese cuisine, originally from the central region of Vietnam, Huế, hence the name. It's spicy, rich, and flavorful, and you will never get enough of it. This dish also takes days to cook. It is Mai's specialty.