As one surveys the country of Vietnam, availability of local ingredients may change as will local cuisine. The family dynamic however remains strong. In the north, there’s a lot of traditional. Experimentation and strong taste is frowned upon in northern Vietnam. Instead, the people here prefer subtle, delicate tastes. The pho in the north tends to be sparser than what many may be used to. Comparatively, in the south, you have tastes and pho that’s stronger, bolder, and more colorful. The type of pho served in Toronto pulls predominantly from southern traditions.
Another difference you will find in north v. south in Vietnamese cooking is the difference in ingredients. North Vietnam uses season-based ingredients. This is why you have braised in winter and grilled in the summer. Spices and herbs are also used to complement the main ingredient prepared. Then, in south Vietnam, you have a lot of seafood, with sweet and sour as opposed to spice. Centrally, you’ll also find more complex foods that are spicier, small in portion size, and diverse in the tastes pulled from as well as on presentation. Family cooking in Vietnamese is something truly astounding in the many different influences pulled from. There’s nothing close to Vietnamese in East Asian cuisine or elsewhere in the world.
The clock is ticking! Are you looking for Vietnamese cooking in Toronto? Visit TorontoPHO, the GTA’s top Vietnamese restaurant. Put in your order today and stop on by. Don’t waste another minute! Get your walking shoes on and grab a plate.
