Welcome to our page! We invite you to ăn cơm with us!

About Vietnamese Cuisine

What does a typical Vietnamese meal consist of?

There are 4 main parts of a typical Vietnamese home dinner: the  main dish, vegetables, steamed white rice, and a light soup. There are endless combinations that depend on what flavors you prefer. Each person is given their own bowl of rice and the food is enjoyed family style – served on large plates for everyone to share.

How would you describe Vietnamese cuisine?

Vietnamese cuisine is influenced by its history under Chinese rule and French Indochina colonialism. It’s well known for the distinctive fish sauce flavor, which is fermented and salty, but also offers counterbalances of sweetness, spiciness, and acidity. Fresh raw herbs and aromatics are another important component of Vietnamese cuisine.

What is the most important thing to know when cooking Vietnamese food?

Everything is seasoned to taste! Most recipes don’t have actual measurements in any Vietnamese household. You just add ‘a little of this and that’ until you reach your taste preference. The same dish in any household could taste totally different, depending on their taste palate!

Vietnamese Culture & Cuisine

In our culture, cooking for others is a symbol of care and love, while eating the food prepared by others is a symbol of gratitude and respect – all of which are exchanged at the table. “Ăn cơm” reminds us how we can connect with our roots as first generation Vietnamese Americans: by the cuisine and recipes we pass down, and by the traditions and values we keep alive.

We invite you to put on your apron and start on this journey of learning about Vietnamese cuisine, Asian ingredients, herbs and aromatics, as well as new methods for preparing savory, delicious meals.