Vietnam

The Vietnamese love their banh mi (bánh mì). The foundation of this versatile sandwich is French: baguette, mayonnaise and sometimes paté. But everything else in the Saigon sub is pure Vietnamese. They can be filled with barbecue pork, grilled chicken, tofu or even scrambled eggs in a breakfast version. Your typical banh mi also sports pickled vegetables and a few sprigs flavorful fresh herbs. Hungry patrons buy these cheap sandwiches from streetside carts and eat them on the go. Pronounced "bun me." Sometimes spelled banh my. Read more »

Banh xeo ("bahn SAY-oh") is a popular street snack in Vietnam, especially the south. The name means "sound crepe," and it indicates the sound the batter makes when it hits the hot skillet. The shrimp-studded crepe is rolled up in a leaf of lettuce and dipped in a flavorful lime-scented sauce before it gets popped in your mouth. Read more »

Bun thit nuong is a simple and favorite meal in Vietnam consisting of cold rice vermicelli mixed with fresh vegetables and topped with hot barbecued pork. Served with nuoc cham sauce, it is a good summer dish--light, lowfat, healthy and cool. Read more »

Ga xao sa, or lemongrass chicken, is one of the better known Vietnamese dishes, often on the menu of Vietnamese restaurants. It is a wonderfully light, refreshing and easy chicken recipe, with all of the bright flavors of that Southeast Asian nation. Read more »

Nuoc cham is the all-purpose Vietnamese condiment served with and poured over many dishes. Its salty-sour flavor is wonderfully bright and fresh. Nuoc cham will keep for about a week in the refridgerator. Read more »

Luxuriously rich and creamy, sweet avocado shakes are a favorite Vietnamese dessert or mid-afternoon snack. Avocados, known as "butter fruit" in Vietnam, are used as a dessert ingredient throughout southeast Asia. The Indonesian version of the avocado shake, es apokat, adds coffee or chocolate syrup. Brazilians enjoy creme de abacate. These smoothies may pack a lot of calories, but the fat in avocados is the kind that's good for you. So don't feel so guilty -- indulge! Read more »