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Family cuisine is a vital aspect, a distinctive feature of Vietnamese cuisine, and it undergoes changes, shifting trends throughout history. Let's explore these transformations!
Family is the basic cell of society, the fundamental foundation for building a complete and robust society. When it comes to family culture, people often refer to family cuisine, to the familiar daily meals; meals in Vietnamese families are not just where everyone enjoys delicious dishes, but more importantly, it's about bonding among family members, forming the traditions of the family.
Traditional Vietnamese Family Cuisine in the Past Society
Westerners live independently, hence family meals are not prioritized, children become independent from their parents, leading self-sufficient lives at 18. In contrast, Vietnamese, with their affectionate lifestyle, yearn to return home after a hard day's work or a long journey, to gather around a warm meal, embracing each other. It's the time when grandparents, parents, children, siblings sit together to enjoy favorite dishes cooked by grandma or mom, sharing cheerful stories. This is a cultural beauty upheld and preserved by Vietnamese from generation to generation.
Being agricultural residents, living collectively in village communities, Vietnamese family cuisine is often simple, varying according to each family's economic conditions. Ingredients for cooking are abundant and diverse, mostly grown or caught in nature. Typically, a Vietnamese family meal consists of a main dish, a stir-fry, and a soup, predominantly prepared from vegetables. Most uniquely, Vietnamese soups, where rice is dipped into the broth, accompanied by a bowl of fish sauce with various types such as fish sauce, shrimp paste, crab paste, alongside pickled vegetables.
Simple and Humble Dishes
The dining table embodies the essence of family cuisine and the communication etiquette of Vietnamese culture. The saying 'Eating while watching the pot, sitting while watching the direction' means: The woman sits at the head of the table to simultaneously eat and serve rice to the family. If there's not enough rice cooked, those sitting outside must eat slowly and yield to other family members. Each family meal is not only about satisfying hunger but also a time for family members to understand each other better, a thread that binds the affection of family members. Traditions, family norms are thus formed and strengthened. During meals, it's not just about asking questions or showing concern, but also an opportunity to learn valuable life lessons from grandparents, parents' teachings, thereby internalizing moral values.
Vietnamese Family Cuisine in Modern Life
In today's industrialized-modern era, everyone becomes busier, especially in big cities, making intimate family meals increasingly sparse. With more work, relationships growing, early mornings and late nights are no longer unfamiliar to young couples. The pressures of life, the race for positions, make them gradually lose cultural values to immerse themselves in work. And quick, convenient meals become their choice, without paying attention to family meals anymore, which is also partly responsible for the deteriorating family bonds.
The influx of fast food joints from the West is partly to blame for the decline of family cuisine
However, in the subconscious of every Vietnamese, the family meal with its cozy atmosphere remains an unforgettable beauty that cannot be lost. This is evident on occasions such as festivals, New Year, death anniversaries, full moon days, etc., where all members remind each other to gather, to return no matter how far away they are. The desire to reunite around the dining table, to rediscover warmth, closeness, to meet beloved ones, to share love, care, and affection from the bottom of the heart. To be taught by grandparents, to be advised by parents, to always feel that loved ones are still here, by our side, after life's storms and challenges.
Family Reunion Feast on Tet
For every Vietnamese, family is extremely important. Family is where traditional values are nurtured and shape individuals. Therefore, family meals, family cuisine can be considered symbols of Vietnamese culture that need to be preserved and promoted.
_ Ms. Tranquil _
