Made from glutinous rice, it is soft and chewy – the texture is similar to but thicker than that of Japanese mochi. Commonly served with pork sausage or pork floss.
Appetizers & Sides
Hors d’oeuvre/appetizer/starter and sides – small dishes that can start or accompany a meal.
Cánh gà chiên nước mắm • Fish sauce wings
This is HANDS DOWN my favorite way to make/eat chicken wings. Yeah, Buffalo wings are good but have you had these savory, sweet, sticky, and sinfully delicious fish sauce wings? Just look at the glaze in that photo! The wings are marinated in fish sauce, […]
Đậu phụ rán tẩm hành • Fried tofu with sweet & savory green onion sauce
Delicious golden fried tofu doused in a sweet & savory sauce made with green onion, fish sauce (or soy sauce), and sugar.
Cá viên chiên • Fried fish balls & assorted skewers
One of my favorite after school snacks from primary school. I remember packing up my books as quickly as possible and running out the gates with my friends, straight to the little street cart waiting for us. Even though everyone calls them “cá viên chiên” […]
Oeufs cocottes
A simple, yet super decadent recipe. Why stop at just a runny egg yolk when you can triple the creaminess by adding crème fraîche and melted cheese. Crème fraîche, which translates to “fresh cream”, is a rich and thick soured cream. It is a beloved […]
Hến xúc bánh tráng • Sautéed baby clams with rice cracker
I love a good dip or charcuterie board, but if you want to spice up your appetizer game or win a “most unique appetizer” competition, here is a wonderful dish from Huế. My dad’s side of the family hails from Huế – the former imperial […]
Bánh đúc nóng • Vietnamese savory rice flour pudding
A delicious Hà Nội speciality: a warm savory rice flour pudding topped with ground pork, mushrooms, crispy fried shallots, herbs, and a tangy savory sauce.
Croque-monsieur • French ham & cheese sandwich
A staple of French familial cuisine, ‘croque-monsieur’ (literally “bite-mister”) originated as a quick snack in French cafés and you can still find it at numerous restaurants in Paris. Besides the ham and cheese, the key is the ‘sauce béchamel’, which gives that creamy texture to […]
Dưa muối • Fermented mustard greens
Crunchy and tangy balanced with a hint of pepperiness, these Vietnamese pickled mustard greens are the perfect accompaniment to your dinner, especially during Tết.