The yin-yang balance you’ll find in every Vietnamese recipe, particularly those that have been passed down from one generation to the next. Everything from the herbs to the sauce used is influenced by balance. You won’t find this same commitment to balance in Chinese, Indian, or European dishes. Great attention in particular is paid to the heating and cooling properties of ingredients. The Vietnamese believe having a diet comprised of meals like this result in the healthiest balance for the body. And, they’re not exactly wrong. Part of why Vietnamese cuisine remains so popular in cities like Toronto is because of the rise in Vietnamese families in Canada, the rise of ethnic food, the rise of environmentally sustainable meals, the rise of veganism and vegetarian eating, and a desire for the healthiest meals. Pho is something that fits all of these definitions.
Some Vietnamese cuisine you’ll find adhering to this yin-yang balance concept is those incorporating fish sauce and the way meat or vegetables are prepared. A lot of the time, you may see meat wrapped in lettuce or rice paper. Even in quick finger-foods like this or in a snack, measures are taken to help establish yin-yang balance. As elements of Chinese and Indian foods have found their way into Vietnamese dishes, their ingredients have always been counterbalanced with the appropriate components to achieve yin-yang balance.
As Canada recently moved to a new food guide, we can say we are living in an era where the world is coming to realize the power of balance in what we eat. No longer is it about incorporating certain food groups but rather, it’s about eating balanced meals. Although we know this movement is not inspired by Vietnamese cuisine, the philosophies of today have been used by the Vietnamese for over a century.
If you’re seeking Vietnamese food in Toronto, visit Toronto Pho. Drop in anytime and enjoy the absolute best pho in the GTA. We know you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the yin-yang balance achieved in our dishes.
