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Central Vietnamese cuisine offers unique flavors that are truly unforgettable.
The land of Central Vietnam may be humble, not favored by nature like other regions, but its people know how to appreciate and turn those wonderful products into dishes with very unique flavors, which anyone who has tasted them once will never forget.
Distinct, Individual Flavors
Central Vietnamese cuisine, while not as diverse as Northern cuisine nor as extravagant as Southern cuisine, possesses its own unique depth, reflecting the refined and gentle nature of the region. Mentioning Central Vietnamese dishes inevitably brings to mind the renowned locales of Quang Nam and Hue.
Hue Cuisine - The Cradle of Central Vietnamese Gastronomy
Hue dishes are intricately crafted both in form and content.
The people of Hue are renowned for their elegance, perhaps reflected in their sophisticated approach to dining. They exhibit discernment not only in selecting ingredients but also in the intricate preparation, presentation, and enjoyment of their meals. Each dish is elevated by the locals into a famous and enchanting work of art, both visually and in flavor.
Hue cakes are always a hit with diners
Hue dishes, whether sophisticated or simple, never fail to impress anyone who has tasted them, leaving behind an unforgettable flavor. Iconic dishes that contribute to the fame of Hue cuisine include: Hue beef noodle soup, grilled pork skewers, rice with baby clams, grilled meat vermicelli, Hue cakes, and more.
Hue famous grilled pork skewers
Especially when mentioning the culinary culture of Hue, we cannot overlook Hue desserts. There are dozens of dessert varieties in Hue, some carrying the elegance of the ancient royal court like lotus seed sweet soup, longan and lotus seed sweet soup, and mung bean sweet soup.
Each type of dessert represents a unique color and an incredibly enticing flavor
Each dessert has a distinct flavor but all are deliciously aromatic and highly appealing, especially the purple-colored Hue dessert - taro sweet soup. Together, they create a 'dessert kingdom'. It's these styles and characteristics that the people of Hue consider as their personality. And the Central region doesn't stop there; it also boasts unique characteristics of other regions.
Quang Nam - Contributing to the soul of Central Vietnamese cuisine
Quang-style noodles - emblematic of Quang cuisine culture
When mentioning Quang Nam, one immediately thinks of its distinctive dish, Quang-style noodles. Originating from Quang land as its name suggests, it's considered a specialty dish used to treat guests or for festive occasions, serving as an introduction to the cultural essence of Quang people.
Hoi An's Cao Lau
Speaking of dishes in the ancient town of Hoi An, one cannot overlook Cao Lau. Cao Lau has long been recognized as a typical dish contributing to the soul of the cuisine, preserving the ancient charm of Hoi An. It features yellow noodles served with shrimp, pork, and various fresh herbs. Similar to Quang-style noodles, Cao Lau is eaten with very little broth. It's only by setting foot in Hoi An, experiencing the quaint and ancient atmosphere here, and savoring a hot bowl of Cao Lau that one can truly appreciate the essence of this ancient and refined land of Vietnam.
There are plenty of other exquisite dishes for you to indulge in when you come here
Quang Nam cuisine, featuring Quang-style noodles, Cao Lau, beef jerky from Cau Mong, braised snakehead fish with young jackfruit, thick noodle soup, rice paper, ... has significantly contributed to the soul of Central Vietnamese cuisine filled with sunshine and wind.
In addition to Hue and Quang Nam, Binh Dinh's specialties such as Phuong Met fish salad (My Thang), tuna salad, steamed sticky rice cakes with prickly ash leaves, Bau Da wine, ... also contribute to creating the distinctive and diverse features of Central Vietnamese cuisine.
Binh Dinh also contributes to the diversity of Central Vietnamese cuisine
Just listing them makes each of us eager to visit the Central region to enjoy the local cuisine. That's the characteristic of Central Vietnamese cuisine. If you ever have the chance to set foot in this harsh land of sun and wind, don't forget to savor a bit of the warm affection of the people here through their rich and enticing dishes.
Ms. Misty Morning
