Vietnamese cuisine is well loved around the world and Vietnamese restaurants are popping up in many Western and European cities. To experience the true exotic yet light taste of Vietnamese cooking, you should take a trip to this unique country and sample dishes that are authentically made. You would experience a gastronomical delight. Vietnamese cooks utilize fresh foods in their dishes and use little oil or fats which makes their cuisine one of the healthiest food choices you can make.

Rice is grown abundantly in Vietnam and forms the basis of many meals. Usual Vietnamese meal would include a rice and meat dish or a rice and vegetable dish. When served traditionally, each person has a bowl of rice and the main dish is shared. Vietnamese cuisine is often compared to Chinese food and they are similar, yet different from each other. Vietnamese food is much lighter than Chinese and relies heavily on fish sauce for seasoning.

Other common seasonings used in Vietnamese cooking include ginger, lemongrass, curry powder, onions, garlic, vinegar, and sugar. Fresh herbs such as basil, cilantro, mint, coriander, and fennel are also used. Cooks aim to create meals that have the perfect balance of spicy, salty, sour, sweet, and bitter. Much Vietnamese cuisine is vegetarian but you will also find all kinds of seafood specialties as well as dishes made with pork, beef, and chicken.