Is Vietnamese food easy to digest?

Is Vietnamese food easy to digest? That’s a question I get a lot, actually, especially from friends who are a bit sensitive. And honestly? Mostly, yes, I think it is! At least, it’s been much kinder to my stomach than, say, that super greasy Indian takeaway I had last month – ugh, I still remember that.

Vietnamese food, a lot of the time, is pretty gentle. Think of all those bowls of pho – the broth is usually light, and the noodles and rice are, well, noodles and rice. They’re basically carbs in their simplest form, right? Easy peasy, lemon squeezy for digestion. And those fresh herbs, like the mint and basil? They’re not just tasty, they’re generally really soothing on the tummy. I remember once, after a really rough night, a bowl of pho was all I craved – and it really helped settle things down.

Of course, it’s not always a walk in the park. Some dishes are richer, you know? Things with a lot of coconut milk, for instance, can be a bit heavy sometimes. And don’t even get me started on the amazing but intensely flavorful bún bò Huế – that spicy beef noodle soup is delicious but… well, let’s just say I wouldn’t eat it before a big meeting. But overall, I find Vietnamese food tends to be pretty easy on my system, much easier than some other cuisines I’ve tried, anyway. Maybe it’s just me? But I think it’s the generally lighter, fresher approach to cooking that makes the difference.