Discovering Phuong Nam: Unveiling the Culinary Culture of Southern Vietnam

Exploring Phuong Nam: A New Perspective on Southern Dining Customs

I arrived at Phuong Nam on a pleasantly cool early autumn day. Arriving quite early, there were no other guests yet, and the owner was busy arranging tables nearby.

Engaging with locals around the dining table revealed many fascinating stories from the South.

The owner of Phuong Nam hails from the South, ventured to the North for career opportunities, and opened Phuong Nam in the bustling city to satisfy her homesickness and to welcome fellow compatriots and Southern cuisine enthusiasts.

The dining style somewhat mirrors the lifestyle of Southern people.

While waiting for the dishes to be served, we engaged in conversation with the relaxed owner, who was not busy at the moment. Our group began to inquire about the culinary culture of the South, discovering many interesting and informative insights to carry along for future travels.

The flavors of the dishes are rich and distinctive.

The owner of Phuong Nam restaurant from the Southern region revealed that people there often use sugar, tamarind, chili, etc., directly in cooking, resulting in a very authentic and flavorful taste. Those accustomed to subtle flavors may be pleasantly surprised at the bold and genuine flavors on their first try.

People from the South have a rich and hearty eating style.

Indeed, during our visit to Phuong Nam buffet (priced at 199k per person), we finally understood what the owner meant by 'authentic and flavorful' taste.

The dipping sauce is rich and thick, and those who prefer mild flavors are sure to find it salty enough to ask for extra rice. However, when paired with rice, this dish becomes incredibly aromatic and delightful!

Each dish has a distinct sour, spicy, salty, and sweet flavor profile.

Fried chicken wings with fish sauce, grilled salt and chili tilapia, coconut salad,... all boast distinct sour, spicy, salty, sweet flavors. Particularly the grilled salt and chili tilapia, with its tender, sweet white flesh, infused with the flavors of salt and chili, each bite is a burst of delight!

Southerners are adept at utilizing wild vegetables, foraged greens, and garden produce in their meals.

Looking at the rolls, hotpot,... at Phuong Nam restaurant, one can see a wider variety of greens compared to the North. Some types are entirely new to me, never seen or heard of before, yet they look so fresh and vibrant, just looking at them makes one crave.

Southerners are skilled at utilizing readily available, affordable ingredients around them such as snakehead fish, wild greens,...

Aside from leafy greens, I also noticed in the basket of accompaniments for pancakes, Trang Bang rice paper, and tilapia leaf hotpot, various yellow flowers, white moonflowers, long tender shoots, small Thai tree stems,... Overall, they make use of all parts, colors, and varieties, resulting in a rich array of flavors.

The dining table is adorned with wild greens, garden vegetables, wild herbs,... all lush green.

The owner of Phuong Nam shared that due to the absence of many characteristic greens from the Northern region in Southern dishes, the restaurant has undertaken research to cultivate them, ensuring fresh and delicious greens that meet the standard of picking them right from our own garden!

Comfort and ease without formality at the dining table

The owner of Phuong Nam shared that when she first came to Hanoi, she was surprised to see Northerners dining with much formality, waiting and hesitating excessively. At Phuong Nam, guests are divided into two groups: Southerners living in Hanoi and Northerners who love Southern cuisine.

'Just by observing their eating habits, I can easily tell who is from the South and who is from the North. Southerners eat very casually, not as reserved as Northerners,' said the owner.

Southerners don't wait for each other at the table; whoever arrives first starts eating, and those who come later can join in leisurely. They also don't insist on being invited to the meal beforehand – this has been a habit since the days of clearing fields and clearing forests in the Southern region!

Two dishes I really enjoyed at Phuong Nam are Trang Bang rice paper rolls with pork and Southern-style shrimp pancakes.

With the beginning of autumn, we were inspired to try Southern dishes because of a promotion offering 6 dishes for the price of 5. Surprisingly, our group gained a deeper understanding of the Southern eating habits and lifestyle!

The Southern dishes are delicious and unique, and I plan to visit Phuong Nam again to explore more dishes. Let me recommend 4 dishes: tilapia hotpot, Trang Bang rice paper rolls, bird nest hotpot, and crispy rice with savory dip. Not trying them would be a waste of a day exploring Southern cuisine, as they are both delicious and exotic!

There aren't many renowned Southern cuisine restaurants around Hanoi yet. If you don't have a favorite spot, I recommend Phuong Nam (Lane 2, Alley 69 Chua Lang or No. 155 Bui Thi Xuan). Great food, cozy ambiance, and excellent service await!