Vietnam is a unique place that has inspired my partner Andrew and I in terms of how we reinterpret cuisine at our Auckland restaurant Nanam. Last year was our second visit to Vietnam and we travelled from the bustling Ho Chi Min City in the south all the way to the quiet nature and mountain walks of Sa Pa in the north.
We appreciate how the Vietnamese prioritise the balance of flavour in their meals and the importance they place on vegetables and herbs, - it's what's helped shape their cuisine.
One of the most memorable things we did was sit on the sidewalks on little plastic stools, eating elbow to elbow with the local people. Whether it's noodle soups, Bun Cha or Banh Mi, the street food in Vietnam is amazing. Possibly the best way to truly experience daily life in Vietnam, you'll find locals gathered outside storefronts or under awnings, eating and enjoying each other's company.
If there's one thing I remember eating in Vietnam it is "Canh Chua Ca", a spicy fish stew seasoned with calamansi and kang kong or water spinach. Very close to what we eat at home, enjoying this sweet, sour, spicy and salty flavoured stew with crunchy kang kong and a simple bowl of rice while on a boat in the middle of Halong Bay was truly something to treasure.
