What did the North Vietnamese eat?

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North Vietnamese cuisine emphasizes fresh, light flavors. The fertile Red River Delta provides abundant rice, herbs, and vegetables. Freshwater fish from rivers and lakes are also staples. Common ingredients include rice noodles, soy sauce, fish sauce, ginger, and chili.

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What Did the Viet Cong Eat?

Okay, so what the Viet Cong ate… Hmm, tricky. I can’t say for sure what every single fighter ate, obviously. But I do remember reading accounts from American soldiers in Vietnam, back in the 70s when my dad was stationed there. They talked about finding meager rations – rice, mostly.

Simple stuff, you know? Things like dried fish, maybe some greens if they were lucky. One story mentioned finding a cache of sweet potatoes – that stuck with me. It was about a patrol near the DMZ, 1968, if I recall correctly.

Northern Vietnamese food, in general, leaned towards lighter fare. The Red River Delta is super fertile, so lots of rice, fresh veggies. The highlands? More rice, herbs, and things like that. Plenty of freshwater fish too. All readily available, especially in the countryside.

Think simple, basic meals. Survival food. Not exactly fancy Michelin star cuisine. That’s for certain. The focus was on sustenance, not gourmet.

What is the most popular food in Vietnam?

Bun cha reigns supreme. Lunchtime Hanoi. Fact.

Ubiquitous. Find it everywhere.
Charcoal-grilled. The aroma? Unmistakable.
Pork. Various cuts. Marinated. Delicious.

Pho is famous. Bun cha is preferred. A subtle difference. A critical one.

My aunt in Hanoi confirms this. 2023 data, not speculation.

Other popular dishes:

Goi cuon (fresh spring rolls)
Banh mi (sandwiches)
Com tam (broken rice)

The lunchtime rush is a spectacle. Don’t miss it. It’s a sensory experience. Expect crowds. The smell alone… worth the trip.

What is breakfast in Vietnam?

Okay, breakfast in Vietnam… Let’s see…

Pho! obvs. Everyone knows that. Rice noodles, beef or chicken… yum. Grandma always made the best broth, like, seriously the BEST.
Wait, what ELSE did we eat? Sticky rice, right? Xoi. All different kinds. I liked the one with mung beans.
Banh mi! yeah! a sandwich. So good with pate and pickled veggies. Makes me homesick.
Oh and congee! Chao. Mom would make that when I was sick. So comforting. Not just for breakfast, though, is it?
Spring rolls! Fresh ones, not fried. Are those REALLY breakfast though? I dunno. Delish either way!

Is that it? Feels like I’m forgetting something super obvious. Maybe I should just google “Vietnamese breakfast foods” lol.

Pho: The classic, always a winner. The broth is key. It takes hours.

Xoi: Sticky rice. So many varieties with different toppings like beans or shredded pork.

Banh Mi: The world’s greatest sandwich. Influenced by the French.

Chao: Rice porridge. Perfect for when you’re feeling under the weather.

Goi cuon: Fresh spring rolls. Healthy and refreshing.

What is northern Vietnamese cuisine?

Oh, Northern Vietnamese grub, huh? Picture this: food so subtle, it’s like a ninja sneak attack on your taste buds. Not gonna smack you in the face with chili peppers, that’s for dang sure.

Think gentle, like a grandma patting your cheek. Fish sauce and shrimp paste? They’re there, but they’re playin’ it cool. No sugar rush either, thank goodness.

Freshness? It’s, like, a religion! Imagine a farmer sprinting straight from the field to your plate. No kidding!
Veggies galore! More greens than my neighbor’s prize-winning lawn. I swear, he waters it with miracle grow!
Seafood’s the business! Shrimp, crab, fish—the whole ocean’s having a party in your mouth. (minus the seaweed, usually)

Basically, Northern Vietnamese food is the sophisticated, understated cousin of the louder, flashier cuisines down south. It’s all about that umami, that savory-deliciousness factor. Like a perfectly tuned guitar, not a screaming electric one. Know what I mean? My Aunt Mildred wouldn’t touch anything spicy, but she’d inhale a bowl of pho from Hanoi like it was her last meal! Sheesh.

Is food better in north or South Vietnam?

North. South. Preferences diverge.

North: Subtlety reigns. Less spice. Pho. Bun cha. Cha ca, yes.
South: Flavor explodes. Bun bo Hue. Banh xeo sizzles. Goi cuon delights.

My taste? Northern simplicity resonates. A cafe in Hanoi held the key. South? Too loud, perhaps.

Different strokes, right?

Is it OK to eat at 11?

Eleven, huh? Is it okay? Who knows.

Three hours before bed, they say. 8 PM then, for me. Easier said than done.

Acid reflux. Ugh. Cutting out late snacks… maybe it helps. I need sleep.

Always tired.
Never enough hours.

Nighttime eating is tough to avoid. It’s a comfort thing, I guess.

My mom always told me dinner was at six. Maybe she was right.

She knew everything.
I miss her.

#Northvietnam #Nvadiet #Vietnamfood

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