Texans love multi-ethnic food but Vietnamese does not get as much recognition as Chinese or Japanese. Gastronomes of Cypress, Texas will be surprised to know what they are missing out.
7th June 2019, Cypress, TX
The Texan food culture welcomes cuisine from across the globe, and Asian cuisine plays a big part in this. Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese cuisines are immensely popular in Texas. But, surprisingly, the good people of Texas have not warmed up to Vietnamese as much as they prefer Chinese and Japanese. Often customers go on the phone and search ‘Chinese delivery near me’ to have a box of noodles delivered; or, go out for some Japanese sushi. But, Vietnamese remains misunderstood like a distant cousin of the other two cuisines, known for its eclectic mix of ingredients and smoked recipes.
Vietnamese cuisine is undoubtedly more than that; with history, culture, and traditions all coming together to give birth to exquisite, exotic cuisine. Those who are not very familiar with this food type will be surprised to know that:
i. The flavorful five
Vietnamese cuisine worships all five flavors conventionally found in food- sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and hot. Vietnamese folk philosophies advise that there must always be a balance of all five different flavors in your food as it creates a nutritional balance and fosters well-being. The sensory experience of all five flavors at once is also said to be therapeutic.
ii. Breakfast of champions
You will seldom find light snacks in Vietnamese cuisine. Most Vietnamese preparations exist for two primary purposes- to offer nutrition, and to fill your stomach; which is why even the noodle soups can leave you on a full stomach. The Vietnamese noodle soup, ‘pho’, is a staple breakfast in Vietnam. Rice dishes and ‘banh mi’ is also consumed for breakfast.
iii. Sum of parts
Like Chinese cuisine, which is a blanket term for food from all the eight provinces, Vietnamese cuisine is also made up of food from three different regions- north, south and central Vietnam. Food from the Northern areas is spicy. The Central cuisine adheres to the hot flavor as well and achieves it with a variety of seasonings and spices. The cooking in the South of Vietnam is the sweetest of the three with several herbs used generously to obtain exotic flavors.
iv. Fish sauce
The Vietnamese love to use the fish sauce on the side as a dip. The preparation requires fermented anchovies and has a strong, signature, fishy flavor that requires sweetening and seasoning. The sauce is served with most Vietnamese delicacies and is an integral part of the Vietnamese cuisine experience.
So, Cypress residents, when you plan to have something unfamiliar but assuredly savory, search ‘Vietnamese restaurant near me’ online. You will love the cuisine more with every bite.
