What is the dining etiquette in Vietnam? The Vietnamese culture has a rich and diverse culinary tradition. The country's cuisine is known for its fresh herbs, fish sauce, rice noodles, broth-based soups and French influences. Vietnam has over 3000 years of recorded history that includes the introduction of new ingredients such as soy sauce from China. It's no wonder that this blend of flavours makes for some amazing dishes! Here are 10 things you should know about eating in Vietnam.
1. Noodles are a must-have!
Vietnamese cuisine is famous for its noodle dishes, but rice noodles are the most common in northern Vietnamese food while wheat and egg noodles are more likely to be found in southern Vietnamese food. They're typically made from rice, mung beans, tapioca or a combination of these.
2. Pho is the most famous Vietnamese dish.
It's a soup with rice noodles, typically served with beef or chicken on top. The dish even has its own dedicated Wikipedia page! Pho originated in the early 20th century in northern Vietnam and today it's considered one of the country's national dishes.
3. It's customary to share food with friends and family members.
This creates a sense of community where everyone contributes around the table, but it also allows you to try several dishes at once! Vietnamese often eat out in communal spaces such as streetside cafes or market stalls. This can be difficult for Westerners who are used to eating at individual tables, but it's a great way to make friends with locals.
4. Be aware of your chopstick etiquette!
It's considered rude to point or play with your chopsticks when using them in Vietnamese food. Only the person who is currently eating should touch his/her chopsticks, and never stick them vertically inside your bowl of rice as it resembles incense sticks being held at a temple.
5. Banh mi is a popular sandwich.
This French-influenced dish usually contains pâté, cucumber and meat such as pork or chicken which is seasoned with fish sauce, garlic and black pepper among other things. It's a great way to try some of the unique flavours of Vietnamese cuisine.
6. Don't be afraid to ask for help!
If you're not sure how to eat a particular dish, don't be afraid to ask your waiter or another diner for help. They'll be more than happy to show you how it's done!
7. Use the herb plate for seasoning.
Many Vietnamese dishes are heavily seasoned with fresh herbs such as cilantro, mint and Thai basil. There should be a small plate of herbs provided at your table which you can use to season your food to taste.
8. Don't waste food!
In Vietnam, it's considered a bad form to waste food as there are people who would be grateful to have it. If you're not sure about a dish, make sure you at least take a few bites!
9. If you're not a fan of spicy food, be careful!
Many Vietnamese dishes are very spicy due to the liberal use of chilli peppers in cooking.
10. Follow the lead of your fellow diners.
When dining with a group, everyone will have a different pace at which they eat and entertain their guests. It's fine to go faster or slower than others, but be sure to follow what those around you are doing so as not to cause offence!
In the end, the most important thing to remember is to be open-minded and have fun when dining in Vietnam or at a Vietnamese restaurant! The food is delicious, and the company is sure to be good.
