1. Garlic-Infused Tender Ribs
Succulent ribs, marinated to perfection, with crispy cartilage wrapped in a fragrant garlic coating, will make your family meal irresistible.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 kg of tender ribs
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- Soy sauce, fish sauce, chili powder, spices.
Instructions:
- Step 1: Blanch the ribs in boiling water, then rinse them with cold water to clean. Cut into bite-sized pieces.
- Step 2: Boil the ribs for 30 minutes until the meat is tender and easy to separate from the bone.
- Step 3: Remove the boiled ribs, leaving the broth for later use. Fry the ribs lightly in a pan.
- Step 4: Sauté the minced garlic until fragrant and crispy.
- Step 5: Fry the ribs until golden on both sides, then drain the excess oil. Add chili powder, 2 tablespoons of fish sauce, 1 teaspoon of salt, 5 teaspoons of sugar, and 1 teaspoon of soy sauce. Pour in some of the boiled rib broth to cover the meat and simmer until the sauce thickens, the ribs absorb the flavor, and the taste is perfectly balanced.
- Step 6: Toss the crispy garlic into the pan, stir to coat the ribs evenly, then cook for another 3 minutes before turning off the heat.


2. Honey Coconut Chicken Drumsticks
Chicken drumsticks, honey, and coconut water are not only delicious but also packed with nutrients essential for your health. This perfect combination will create a dish that’s both tasty and irresistible for you and your family.
Ingredients:
- 5 medium chicken drumsticks (you can leave them whole or cut them in half);
- 30ml honey;
- 300ml coconut water;
- 2 whole red chilies;
- Seasoning: Chicken bouillon, MSG, fish sauce, oyster sauce, cooking oil, salt, sugar, pepper, chili powder, green onions, dried onions, garlic, five-spice powder.
Instructions:
- Step 1: Heat oil in a pan and fry the chicken drumsticks until golden brown.
- Step 2: Remove excess oil from the pan, then sauté finely chopped onion and garlic until fragrant.
- Step 3: Pour in 300ml of coconut water, add 2 tablespoons of fish sauce, 1 tablespoon of sugar, 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce, ½ tablespoon of honey, ½ teaspoon of MSG, and ½ teaspoon of chili powder (if you like spicy). Stir to mix the ingredients well.
- Step 4: Turn the chicken drumsticks to ensure the seasoning is absorbed evenly on all sides.
- Step 5: Keep the heat low, stirring occasionally until the sauce reduces to a thick, sticky consistency and the chicken is fully coated with the flavors.
- Step 6: Garnish with finely chopped green onions before serving.


3. Sweet and Savory Beef Meatballs
These savory-sweet beef meatballs are infused with the rich flavor of honey and the tangy zest of ketchup, making them the perfect addition to any family meal, ensuring everyone enjoys a delicious bite.
Ingredients:
- 900g ground beef
- 3 slices of bread, crumbled
- 185g milk
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 eggs
- Salt and 1 teaspoon black pepper
- For the sauce: 1/2 tablespoon butter
- 2-4 cloves garlic, minced
- 85g honey
- 175ml ketchup
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 200°C. Line a baking tray with aluminum foil. Soak the bread crumbs in milk, and once absorbed, mix them in a bowl with ground beef, onion, eggs, salt, and pepper.
- Shape the mixture into small, uniform meatballs and place them on the baking tray.
- Bake the meatballs for 12 to 14 minutes.
- While the meatballs are baking, prepare the sauce: Melt butter in a pan, add the garlic, and sauté until fragrant. Then, add the soy sauce, honey, and ketchup, simmering for about 5 minutes.
- Once the meatballs are done, pour them into the sauce and stir well to coat. Let them cook in the sauce for another 7 minutes before serving.


4. Crispy Pork Cracklings in Fish Sauce
Don't worry about gaining weight from eating fat. Allow yourself to indulge in this delicious dish of crispy pork cracklings with fish sauce on rainy days to truly savor its unique flavor.
Ingredients:
- 1kg pork fat
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
- 1/2 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 teaspoon MSG
- Chili peppers and chili powder
Instructions:
- Cut the pork fat into small pieces, then fry in a pan, stirring constantly until it becomes crispy. Remove from the pan.
- In a bowl, mix the fish sauce, vinegar, sugar, chili powder, chili peppers, and MSG until well combined.
- Sauté chopped onions until fragrant, then add the fish sauce mixture and simmer until it thickens.
- Return the crispy pork cracklings to the pan, stir well, and cook for an additional 2 minutes before serving.


5. Sweet and Savory Quail Eggs
Quail eggs are a beloved dish, especially when prepared in a sweet and savory sauce. Their vibrant golden color and rich flavor make them a perfect addition to family meals. This dish also makes for a delightful snack or appetizer.
Ingredients:
- 300g quail eggs
- 10g white sesame seeds
- 1 garlic clove, green onions, cooking oil, sugar, salt, chili paste, cornstarch
Instructions:
- Boil the quail eggs until fully cooked, then let them cool and peel the shells off.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a pan, then fry the quail eggs until golden and crisp. Remove them from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté the minced garlic in the same pan until fragrant, then add 2 tablespoons of chili paste and stir well. Next, add the toasted sesame seeds, 1 teaspoon of salt, 3 tablespoons of sugar, and mix. Add a cup of water and bring to a boil.
- Place the quail eggs back into the pan, stirring to coat them with the sauce. Let it simmer on low heat for about 15 minutes, allowing the sauce to reduce and thicken.
- Dissolve cornstarch in a small cup of cold water, then pour it into the pan while stirring to avoid clumps. Let the sauce thicken and adjust the seasoning to taste. Garnish with chopped green onions and turn off the heat.


6. Anchovy Stir-Fry
These anchovies are stir-fried with a rich mix of fish sauce, sugar, and the aromatic flavors of chili, onion, and garlic, creating a dish that's both flavorful and irresistible. It's a perfect accompaniment to a bowl of white rice.
Ingredients:
- 200g dried anchovies
- Fish sauce
- Sugar
- Chili, onions, garlic
Instructions:
- Step 1: Mix 2 tablespoons of fish sauce, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and 1 tablespoon of dried chili in a bowl.
- Step 2: Soak the anchovies in water to soften, then rinse and drain them.
- Step 3: Sauté the chopped onion and garlic until fragrant, then add the anchovies. Stir-fry the anchovies, then pour in the fish sauce, sugar, and chili mixture, stirring until the anchovies are well-coated with the flavors.


7. Black Soy Sauce Shrimp
The sweetness of the shrimp soaked in a savory-sweet black soy sauce will leave anyone craving more, with its unique and delicious flavor.
Ingredients:
- 500g fresh shrimp
- 1 tablespoon black soy sauce
- 1/2 shallot, minced
- A bit of chili, sugar, cooking oil, and pepper
Instructions:
- Step 1: Wash the shrimp and drain. Mince the chili and garlic.
- Step 2: Heat some oil in a pan and fry the shrimp until lightly crispy, then set aside on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Step 3: Sauté the garlic and chili until fragrant, then add some water and soy sauce. Cook until the mixture thickens slightly, then add the shrimp and cook for another 2-3 minutes before turning off the heat.


8. Fermented Pork with Chili and Garlic
If you're hesitant about eating raw fermented pork, this stir-fried version will allow you to enjoy the classic dish with a twist. The savory fermented pork, combined with spices, creates a flavor that’s both unique and delicious.
Ingredients:
- 10 pieces of fermented pork
- 8-10 cloves of garlic
- A few chilies, green onion tops
- 1 teaspoon of seasoning powder
- 1 tablespoon of sugar
- 2 teaspoons of chili paste
- 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
Instructions:
- Step 1: Peel the garlic, remove the stems from the chilies, and finely chop the green onion tops.
- Step 2: Mix the soy sauce, sugar, seasoning powder, and green onion tops, then pour the mixture into a pot. Add the fermented pork, chilies, and garlic and cook until boiling.
- Step 3: Add a little water and cook until the sauce thickens, then add chili paste.
- Step 4: Continue cooking until the sauce is thick and sticky, and the dish is ready to serve.


9. Clay Pot Shrimp
This dish features sweet, golden-browned shrimp with firm, flavorful meat that is enhanced by a unique combination of spices and the special technique of cooking in a clay pot, making it irresistibly delicious.
Ingredients:
- 200g shrimp
- Some green onions, chili peppers, sugar, fish sauce, ground black pepper, annatto seed colorant
Instructions:
- Step 1: Peel the shrimp, remove the heads, and rinse thoroughly. Clean the green onions, chop the white parts into small pieces, and crush them.
- Step 2: Sauté the green onion pieces until fragrant, then add the shrimp. Stir in the sugar, fish sauce, annatto colorant, and seasoning powder, and mix well to coat the shrimp with the spices. Add a little water to the pot and bring it to a boil.
- Step 3: Stir the shrimp occasionally to ensure they absorb the flavors evenly. Once the shrimp has cooked through and the liquid reduces, lower the heat to allow the remaining sauce to thicken.
- Step 4: Sprinkle with ground pepper, whole chilies, and chopped green onions before serving.


10. Sweet and Savory Squid
This crispy, tender squid, infused with a savory-sweet flavor, is perfect for a cozy meal during chilly days. It's a great addition to any weekend dinner, and it's easy to prepare. Follow the steps below to create this delightful dish at home.
Ingredients:
- 300g squid
- 3-4 cloves of garlic
- Some green onions
- Seasoning and flavor enhancers
Instructions:
- Step 1: Soak the squid in water to reduce its saltiness. Remove the black membrane, discard the ink sac, and rinse thoroughly.
- Step 2: Heat some oil in a pan and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant. Add the squid and stir-fry until it firms up. Then, season with a little fish sauce and sugar, and simmer over low heat.
- Step 3: Add the chopped green onions and stir well. Continue cooking until the sauce reduces and the squid absorbs the flavors.


11. Garlic and Chili Mackerel
Mackerel is a meaty and firm fish that can be used in a variety of dishes such as stews, fried dishes, and with tomato sauce. During the cool late autumn days, cooking mackerel is an ideal choice for a hearty meal.
Ingredients:
- 4-5 mackerel fish
- 2 long chilies, 1 small hot chili (optional, especially if you have young children)
- 4 cloves of garlic, 1 stalk of lemongrass, 1 shallot, 2 stalks of green onions
- Seasoning: 3 tbsp fish sauce (70 ml), 120 ml water, 2 tbsp sugar (50g), 1 tsp pepper
Instructions:
- Clean the fish and season with a pinch of salt, then set aside to drain.
- Heat oil in a pan and fry the fish until the skin turns golden brown.
- Remove the fish and drain off excess oil, then clean the pan.
- Mix 2 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tbsp gac oil, 1/2 tsp minced garlic, 1/2 tsp pepper, 1 tbsp sugar, and 1/2 cup of water in a bowl.
- Stir well and add the fish back into the pan, then pour the mixture over the fish. Simmer on low heat to let the fish absorb the flavors.
- Cook until the sauce thickens and reduces, then sprinkle chopped green onions, chili, and pepper on top. Turn off the heat.


12. Sweet and Spicy Goby Fish
This simple recipe for goby fish simmered in fish sauce and black pepper brings out the delicious aroma of the fish and pepper, making it a satisfying and flavorful dish.
Ingredients:
- Goby fish: 250-300g
- Ground black pepper
- Fish sauce
- Salt
- Soy sauce
- Cooking oil
Instructions:
- Clean the goby fish, removing the innards, and place in a large bowl. Sprinkle with salt and toss the fish to coat. Let it sit until the fish firms up, then rinse it thoroughly to remove the salt. Drain well.
- Heat oil in a pan, then fry the fish until golden brown and crispy. Remove and set aside to cool.
- Mix black pepper, soy sauce, and fish sauce with water to taste. Bring the mixture to a boil, then add the fried fish and toss to coat evenly with the sauce.
- Serve the fish on a plate and enjoy it with rice. This dish is delicious whether served hot or cold, with the firm texture of the fish and the savory, spicy flavor of the pepper and fish sauce making it a perfect meal.


13. Sweet and Salty Braised Pork Belly
With just a few simple adjustments during cooking, a regular pork belly dish can become much more flavorful and irresistible.
Ingredients:
- 500g pork belly
- 2 shallots
- 2 stalks of green onions
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 tablespoon white wine
Instructions:
- Rinse the pork belly thoroughly, then cut it into bite-sized pieces.
- Peel and thinly slice the shallots.
- Heat a pan and add 1 tablespoon of oil and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Cook on low heat until the sugar turns golden, then add the pork and stir-fry.
- Continue stir-frying for about 2 minutes, then add the green onions and pepper. Turn off the heat once the pork is fully cooked, and you have a delicious and savory sweet-salty braised pork dish.


14. Sweet and Salty Braised Ribs
Ribs are a familiar dish, but not everyone can make them taste as authentic as they should. Check out the recipe below for the best way to cook this dish.
Ingredients:
- 500g pork ribs
- 1 teaspoon rice wine
- 1 teaspoon ginger
- 1 teaspoon shallots
- 1 teaspoon garlic
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon seasoning powder
- Cooking oil
Instructions:
- Step 1: Rinse the ribs, cut them into smaller pieces, and blanch them in boiling water for about 3-4 minutes. Remove and set aside to drain. Finely chop ginger and shallots.
- Step 2: Sauté the shallots, garlic, and ginger in a pan until fragrant, then add the ribs and stir-fry until the meat is browned.
- Step 3: Add the rice wine, seasoning powder, soy sauce, and sugar. Braise the ribs until the sauce thickens, then turn off the heat.
- Step 4: Sprinkle sesame seeds over the ribs, and your dish is ready.


15. Pineapple Braised Chicken Wings
Tender chicken wings combined with the tangy taste of pineapple and the spicy kick of chili make this dish a perfect choice for your family meal.
Ingredients:
- 4 chicken wings
- 1/4 pineapple
- Chopped green onions
- Fish sauce, salt, pepper, seasoning powder, chili powder
- 3-4 garlic cloves, minced
Instructions:
- Step 1: Slice the pineapple into bite-sized pieces, chop the green onions, and clean and cut the chicken wings in half.
- Step 2: Sauté the garlic in oil until fragrant, then add the chicken wings and fry them until golden on both sides.
- Step 3: Add the pineapple, fish sauce, seasoning powder, salt, and chili powder. Stir well, then cook over low heat.
- Step 4: Braise until the chicken wings are tender, then turn off the heat and sprinkle with chopped green onions before serving.


16. Sweet and Savory Braised Pork Chops
This braised pork chop dish is tender and infused with rich, savory flavors. The sauce that accompanies it is perfect to serve over rice, making it a delicious choice for dinner tonight!
Ingredients:
- 2-3 pork chop slices
- Salt, sugar, soy sauce, fish sauce, chili powder or cayenne pepper
- Garlic, green onions
Instructions:
- Step 1: Clean the pork chops, pat them dry, and tenderize them lightly with a knife. Marinate with a small spoon of salt, a pinch of pepper, and garlic for 1-2 hours to let the flavors soak in.
- Step 2: Heat a pan with a little oil, then sear the pork chops on both sides until golden brown.
- Step 3: Add 2 tablespoons of fish sauce, 1 tablespoon of sugar, 1 teaspoon of soy sauce, some chili powder or cayenne pepper, and a little water to just cover the meat. Bring to a boil and cover the pot.
- Step 4: Simmer until the pork chops are tender and the sauce thickens, then turn off the heat. Finally, sprinkle chopped green onions on top and your dish is ready to serve!


