Vietnamese BBQ recipes

These recipes are by Nathan Houpapa, the executive chef of Cafe Hanoi, an award-winning Vietnamese restaurant in Auckland's CBD.

Food is a big part of Vietnamese culture. Their social occasions revolve around eating and children learn to cook from a young age, so everyone brings something to the table and talks about the food. The flavours are fresh - herbs are used as vegetables in Vietnamese cuisine - and there’s a balance of sweet, sour and spicy in every dish. That makes these dishes perfect for hot weather and meals shared with friends and family.

Lemongrass sesame pork with fast-pickled cucumber