Vietnamese cuisine is famous for its fresh ingredients and bold flavors. Apart from the famous pho, there are more comfort foods to explore. Banh mi is a French-inspired Vietnamese sandwich with pickled vegetables, fresh herbs, and meat pieces in a crispy baguette. Summer rolls, also known as Gỏi Cuốn, are light and refreshing spring rolls with shrimp or pork, fresh herbs, lettuce, and vegetables stuffed in a rice paper wrapper. The dipping sauce is made from peanut butter, hoisin sauce, and soy sauce. These Vietnamese dishes are easy to make and bring the authentic taste of Vietnam to your kitchen.

The Comfort Foods of Vietnam: A Guide to Pho and More

Vietnamese cuisine is known for its bold flavors and fresh ingredients. It’s no wonder that Vietnamese comfort foods are loved all over the world. One of the most popular dishes is Pho, a flavorful noodle soup that’s a staple for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. But there’s more to Vietnam than just Pho, and in this article, we’ll dive into other comforting dishes that will make you feel like you’re in Vietnam.

What is Pho?

Pho is a Vietnamese noodle soup made with aromatic herbs and spices, rice noodles, and meat or seafood. The broth is made from simmering beef or chicken bones for several hours with spices like cinnamon, ginger, and star anise. The result is a flavorful and comforting broth that’s perfect for any meal of the day.

Ingredients for Pho

– 2 lbs beef bones (marrow and knuckle bones)
– 1 onion
– 2-inch ginger root
– 2 cinnamon sticks
– 2 star anise
– 1 tbsp coriander seeds
– 1 tbsp fennel seeds
– ½ tsp black peppercorns
– 6 cloves garlic
– 1 tbsp salt
– 1 tbsp sugar
– Rice noodles
– Sliced beef

Steps to Make Pho

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Place the beef bones, onion, and ginger on a baking sheet and roast for 20 minutes. This will give the broth a deeper flavor.
2. Add the roasted bones, onion, and ginger to a large stockpot, along with the cinnamon sticks, star anise, coriander seeds, fennel seeds, black peppercorns, garlic, salt, and sugar.
3. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and let simmer for 6-8 hours. The longer it simmers, the better the broth will taste.
4. Cook the rice noodles according to the package instructions.
5. Thinly slice the beef and add to the pot to cook for a few minutes.
6. To serve, add the cooked noodles to a bowl and top with the beef and hot broth. Garnish with fresh herbs like basil, cilantro, and lime wedges.

Banh Mi

Banh Mi is a Vietnamese sandwich that’s made with a French baguette and filled with a variety of delicious ingredients. The bread is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, and the fillings are typically a combination of meat, cucumber, pickled vegetables, and fresh herbs.

Ingredients for Banh Mi

– 1 French baguette
– 2 tbsp mayonnaise
– 1 tbsp soy sauce
– 1 tbsp honey
– 1 tbsp vinegar
– 1 clove garlic
– Deli meat (ham, pork, or chicken)
– Cucumber, sliced
– Pickled radishes and carrots
– Fresh cilantro

Steps to Make Banh Mi

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Cut the baguette in half and spread mayonnaise on one side.
2. In a small bowl, mix together soy sauce, honey, vinegar, and garlic.
3. Spread the sauce on the other side of the baguette.
4. Add the deli meat, cucumber slices, and pickled vegetables to the sandwich.
5. Top with fresh cilantro.
6. Toast the sandwich in the oven for 5-7 minutes, or until the bread is crispy.

Gỏi Cuốn (Summer Rolls)

Gỏi Cuốn, also known as Summer Rolls, are light and refreshing rolls that are perfect for a healthy snack or appetizer. They’re made with rice paper wrappers, filled with fresh herbs, vegetables, and shrimp or pork, and served with a sweet and savory dipping sauce.

Ingredients for Gỏi Cuốn

– Rice paper wrappers
– Cooked shrimp or pork, sliced
– Rice noodles
– Fresh herbs (basil, cilantro, mint)
– Lettuce
– Cucumber, sliced
– Carrots, sliced
– Bean sprouts

Steps to Make Gỏi Cuốn

1. Dip a rice paper wrapper in warm water for a few seconds until it’s soft and pliable.
2. Lay the wrapper on a clean surface and add a few leaves of lettuce, a handful of rice noodles, and a few sprigs of herbs.
3. Top with sliced shrimp or pork, cucumber slices, carrot slices, and bean sprouts.
4. Roll the wrapper tightly, tucking the sides in as you roll.
5. Serve with a dipping sauce made from equal parts hoisin sauce and peanut butter, thinned with a little water and seasoned with a splash of soy sauce.

Conclusion

Vietnamese cuisine is full of delicious and comforting foods that will take you on a culinary journey. Whether you’re in the mood for a comforting bowl of Pho, a crispy Banh Mi, or refreshing Gỏi Cuốn, these recipes will transport you to the streets of Vietnam. So roll up your sleeves, grab your apron, and get ready to cook up some delicious and comforting Vietnamese dishes.