Bún chả is a pork and noodle dish that is intricately connected to Hanoi, where it is believed to have originated. The dish combines three elements: a bowl of grilled pork meatballs served in a cold broth, a plate of rice noodles, and a combination of various fresh greens such as perilla leaves, lettuce, coriander, and morning glory.
Although bún chả or similar varieties can be found in other parts of Vietnam, the local Hanoi version is held in high regard. Not much is known about its history or origin, but the dish became internationally recognized in 2016 when it was featured on the show Parts Unknown – in which the host Anthony Bourdain enjoyed bún chả together with the former president Barack Obama.
MOST ICONIC Bún chả
View moreDe tai chanh is a traditional dish and a specialty of Ninh Binh. The dish is made with goat meat that's boiled with lemon juice. Other common ingredients include chili peppers, lemon leaves, garlic, pepper, and sesame. The meat must be thinly sliced, fresh, and just lightly boiled so that it doesn't lose its sweetness.
De tai chanh is usually served accompanied by figs, green bananas soaked in vinegar, and soy sauce for dipping on the side.
Nem phùng is a traditional dish originating from the province of Hà Tây. It's made with a combination of pork, pork skin, soy beans, fig leaves, long-grain rice, and glutinous rice. It's recommended to use fresh pork rump or loin that's cut, steamed, then filleted as lean, skin, and fat, which are all cut into strips.
Later on, it's mixed with thinh, a roasted and ground combination of two types of rice and soybeans. The mixture is wrapped in fig leaves and banana leaves before it's tied into square-shaped packs. The dish is usually served with a chili-based dipping sauce on the side, and it's often paired with alcoholic beverages such as beer and rice wine.
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