Pak choy does not equal Vietnamese food!
Vietnamese food is all about the crunch, right?”
I often hear such comments in Japan. But actually, that is a bit of a misconception.
It is true that pak choi (“sau mùi” in Vietnamese) is one of the most common herbs served with Vietnamese dishes such as pho and spring rolls, but the appeal of Vietnamese cuisine cannot be described only in terms of pak choi. The deep flavor created by using a variety of ingredients and seasonings is the greatest appeal of Vietnamese cuisine.
Vietnamese cuisine is said to be characterized by a perfect balance of five tastes: sour, spicy, salty, sweet, and bitter.
Take, for example, the way phở, a typical Vietnamese dish, is eaten,
Sweet (broth cooked from vegetables and meat bones) + salty (seasonings) + sour (lime) + spicy (chili sauce) + bitter (herbs)
You can see that the five flavors are combined, such as
In Vietnam, a good balance of acid, hot, salty, sweet, and bitter is considered good for “health,” and it is said that this flavor combination evolved naturally to adapt to the hot climate.
However, the best thing about Vietnamese cuisine is that herbs and seasonings are often provided separately so that they can be added later, and the balance of flavors can be adjusted to individual tastes!
We hope you will enjoy adding and subtracting to find your favorite flavor.
Pakuchi is not the only herb that can be found in Vietnam! Vietnam, a paradise of herbs
In Vietnam, a “herb platter” is often served with the dish, which includes many herbs besides pak choi, such as basil, mint, lemongrass, and dokudami.
Adding these to your own taste can completely change the flavor of a dish, which is the Vietnamese way. Even if you do not like pak choi, you can enjoy the refreshing taste of mint and basil alone. If you are not a fan of herbs, you can also eat the dish without them.
If you ask them to remove the “Pakuchi” at any restaurant, they will usually do so. they will usually respond to your request. Many Vietnamese restaurants in Japan are well aware that many Japanese people do not like Pakuchi, and therefore, many restaurants default to serving without Pakuchi or with Pakuchi as a side dish.
Even if you don’t like pak choi, you can enjoy it! Recommended Vietnamese Cuisine
There are many dishes that are safe for those who wish to avoid pak choi.
- Banhmi（Vietnamese Sandwich)
When ordering, simply say “No Pakuchi! There are many variations of ingredients. - Bun Cha (baked skewers and rice noodles with dipping sauce)
Herbs are served separately and can be adjusted to taste. - Kom Tam (rice topped with pork ribs)
Well seasoned and tasty without the pak choi!
Enjoy Vietnamese cuisine more easily!
Even those who have avoided Vietnamese cuisine because they “don’t like pak choi” will discover new tastes with a little effort. Local people do not use pak choi in all dishes, but use it according to the characteristics of the dish and individual tastes. One of the ways to enjoy Vietnamese cuisine is to “find your favorite flavor,” including the way the herb is used. We encourage you to put aside your preconceived notions and take a step into the deep culinary world of Vietnam.
