
2. Sticky rice with peanuts
Sticky rice with peanuts is a childhood treat that almost everyone has enjoyed. The fragrant aroma of glutinous rice combined with the nutty flavor of peanuts delights many. Sticky rice with peanuts is an indispensable dish on the offering table during the first and full moon days of the lunar month. This is a hearty breakfast that also works wonders for postpartum women; glutinous rice and peanuts are golden foods that help stimulate abundant milk production for mothers with low milk supply.
Ingredients:
- Glutinous rice 500 gr
- Peanuts 200 g
- Coconut milk 50 ml
- Grated coconut 200 gr
- Salt 1/3 teaspoon
Instructions:
- Rinse the glutinous rice, remove impurities, and gently massage to preserve its nutrients. Clean the peanuts, remove any floating ones on the water surface, and soak them in water for 3 to 4 hours to soften for better cooking.
- After soaking the rice and peanuts, drain the water. Then, thoroughly mix the rice, peanuts, and 1/3 teaspoon of salt.
- Put the mixed rice and peanuts into the rice cooker. Next, pour warm water just enough to cover the rice surface (do not pour too much) to prevent the rice from becoming mushy, and make small holes on the rice surface. Turn on the rice cooker and let the cooking process begin. After the cook button switches to warm for about 5 minutes, open the rice cooker, mix coconut milk with the sticky rice to enhance its appeal. Once mixed, turn on the cook button again and let the rice cook thoroughly.

3. Vegetarian spring rolls
Vegetarian spring rolls are beloved by many, with each bite offering a delightful crunch of fresh and sweet vegetables, never overwhelming. Using rice paper to wrap or substituting with bean curd skin when frying will result in a crispy texture. Pay attention to tightly wrapping the spring rolls and deep frying in ample oil to ensure even crispiness. At first glance, a piece of spring roll may resemble traditional fried spring rolls, still golden in color, but what sets it apart is the refreshing taste of various vegetables, eaten in abundance without worrying about being greasy.
Ingredients:
- Fresh vegetables: carrots, sweet potatoes, onions, chives, bean sprouts, tofu
- Dried vegetables: wood ear mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms
- Dried ingredients: cellophane noodles, rice paper
- Seasonings: cooking oil, sugar, seasoning powder, pepper, lime
Instructions:
- Fresh vegetables: peel and clean carrots, sweet potatoes, and onions, thinly slice, and chop
- Soak wood ear mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms in warm water until they expand, remove stems, rinse thoroughly, and finely chop
- Blanch cellophane noodles in boiling water, then dip in cold water, drain, and cut into small pieces
- Squeeze tofu to remove excess water, mix with carrots, sweet potatoes, onions, wood ear mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, and chopped cellophane noodles, season with pepper, seasoning powder to taste (note that salt should not be added to spring rolls as rice paper is already salty)
- Cut square rice paper in half, place filling in the middle, roll into long cylinders about 3cm to 4cm
- Heat cooking oil in a pan, fry the spring rolls over low heat, gently turn until the crust turns crispy and golden brown

4. Vegetarian sour soup
A bowl of vegetarian sour soup with its refreshing, tangy flavor will tantalize your taste buds. A bowl filled with fresh vegetables, oil-free tofu will cleanse your body and enhance your appetite. This vegetarian soup provides plenty of vitamins and essential minerals from green vegetables, promoting overall health. For those on a diet, this is a fantastic menu to fill the void in your stomach, providing long-lasting satiety and smooth skin.
Ingredients:
- Tamarind 2 tablespoons
- Bean sprouts 100 gr
- Water spinach 2 stalks (mint)
- Tomatoes 2
- Star fruit 1/2
- Tofu 1 piece (200g)
- Cilantro 5 gr
- Chilies 2
- Vegetarian seasoning powder 1 teaspoon
- Salt 1/2 teaspoon
Instructions:
- Cut tofu into bite-sized pieces. Clean and chop cilantro. Slice chilies. Rinse bean sprouts. Clean tomatoes, cut into wedges. Peel and remove seeds from star fruit, cut into bite-sized pieces. Clean water spinach, remove dirt, and trim outer layer with a knife. Cut into diagonals, about 1 - 1.5cm thick, then soak in salt water for 20 - 30 minutes. Dissolve tamarind with about 50ml hot water, soak until dissolved, then strain and discard residue, keep the liquid.
- Heat a pan over high heat, add about 2 tablespoons of cooking oil, when the oil is hot, add tomatoes and star fruit, stir-fry until slightly soft. Season with 1 teaspoon of vegetarian seasoning powder, 1 teaspoon of salt, and stir well.
- Once tomatoes and star fruit are slightly cooked, pour 500ml of filtered water into the pot, add 50ml of strained tamarind liquid, stir well, and bring to a boil. When the water boils, add the chopped tofu, simmer for 2 minutes, then add water spinach, a few slices of chilies, and simmer for another 5 minutes. Finally, add bean sprouts, chopped cilantro, and cleaned bean sprouts to the pot, cook for about 2 minutes, then turn off the heat.

5. Vegetarian betel leaf rolls
A piece of vegetarian betel leaf roll carries the delicious aroma, exuding the distinct scent of betel leaves through the alleys, captivating many with its flavor. However, betel leaf rolls made with meat ingredients may lead to weight gain, and eating a few pieces could quickly become monotonous. You should explore creative variations with vegetarian betel leaf rolls.
Ingredients:
- Tofu 300 grams (3 packs)
- Betel leaves 20 leaves
- Shiitake mushrooms 50 grams
- Wood ear mushrooms 50 grams
- Vegetarian seasoning powder 10 grams
- Black pepper 10 grams
- Cooking oil 10 grams
Instructions:
- Clean the ingredients, then finely chop the shiitake mushrooms and betel leaves. Soak the wood ear mushrooms in hot water until they expand, then thinly slice.
- Combine the shiitake mushrooms, wood ear mushrooms, and mashed tofu, along with finely chopped betel leaves, vegetarian seasoning powder, and black pepper to create the tofu filling mixture.
- Place betel leaves on a plate or cutting board, add an adequate amount of tofu filling mixture onto each leaf, roll tightly, and press firmly.
- Heat oil in a pan over low heat, fry the rolls until the filling is evenly cooked without burning the leaves.
- Turn off the heat, transfer the rolls to a plate, and serve with rice. You can also serve with soy sauce or vegetarian fish sauce for added flavor.
















