Ngọc Anh Lê
Stories (2/0)
Vietnamese cuisine. Content Warning.
The city is hosting international festivals to promote cultural diversity through enhancing colors, sounds, and aromas. I observed numerous women on the streets wearing brightly colored traditional attire, as I am a food enthusiast. I am eager to explore the potential connection between colors and cuisine in this gourmet journey. The variety of cuisines here, from cooking techniques to flavors, simple to complex, and of course, the diversity of colors in the dishes, impressed me the most. Imagine if these dishes were only black and white, how that would change the experience. As I ventured into a bookstore in the city center to find culinary books guiding the preparation of these vibrant dishes, I stumbled upon a book titled "The Art of Gourmet Cuisine" by a local chef. Flipping through the pages of the new Queen's culinary guide, I am soon to meet her in person to delve deeper into the vivid colors of the regional folk cuisine. Artis H, a renowned culinary expert in the city, has conducted various research projects on cuisine, especially the use of natural colors in this culinary landscape. The intimate and warm ambiance of SMY's small home was a fascinating experience. She even showed me images of dishes she created using natural food coloring. I was struck by the predominant purple hue in her creations. Many women I encountered throughout my journey wore purple, which sparked my immediate desire to revisit the bustling market I explored earlier, filled with a plethora of colorful fruits, the hues of which inspire local artists. In the fruit market by the riverbank, we sailed towards the city center, passing through enchanting and romantic waterways. The city's allure with its myriad of riverside boats ferrying visitors, occasionally spotting the vibrant purple attire and hearing the melodies of autumn songs. Holding a fruit and a tarot card with basic ingredients from the countryside, I am about to meet Ha, a seasoned chef of over 20 years, who will skillfully craft delicious and visually appealing dishes from her adept kitchen. Ha, the head chef at Hang Hotel, one of the city's premier establishments, known for hosting royal feasts for years, discovered that purple yam is a top favorite. Most notably, from the tarot deck's purple hues, not the fruit. Many dishes have origins similar to the fruit market, a specialty of this land. The purple yam and flour resemble the famous tomato soup in Poland, a dish our grandmothers used to make. The journey continues with the leaf-wrapped cake in Hong K Village, showcasing an alluring and captivating purple hue. There is something about this color here; it might be a simple white hue created using rice flour. However, why not turn it into a fun game and color it red, matching the vibrant tones in royal cards, temples, and royal structures? The striking red symbolizes power and pride of the dynasties following Eastern traditions. Red also symbolizes luck, happiness, health, and celebration. Another aspect easily observed is the widespread use of red and gold in building structures, symbolizing the supreme power of the monarchs. Although commoners and officials were banned from using yellow, the significance of using yellow in cuisine was explained by Miss New. Yellow represents kings, and being in the city of kings urged me to search for a street with golden hues. The most popular Vietnamese dish in the world, found on a small street in Chunwang, is a simple yellow noodle dish known as turmeric vermicelli. The elderly lady serving diligently prepared the dish for customers with just a few basic ingredients like mint and turmeric. Quickly ordering a bowl, the aromatic turmeric scent filled the air. This unique flavor, with the noodles and meat cooked in turmeric broth, not only has a yellow hue but also brings health benefits. Turmeric is a familiar spice, not only in Vietnam but also in other East Asian cultures, used for its vibrant yellow color, flavor enhancement, and health benefits. Turmeric is the main ingredient in turmeric noodles, known as B, where fresh turmeric is essential for a smooth texture. The fresh turmeric root is peeled, soaked in water to retain its color, then mashed or ground to ensure its quality in B.
By Ngọc Anh Lê4 months ago in Confessions
Vietnam travel destination
Every year, during major holidays, especially Tet, many people, both local and international, seek a place to travel, relax, enjoy festive days, and experience the beautiful scenery of Vietnam. With that spirit, we introduce some typical and beautiful travel destinations in Khoi My from the South to the North. When one arrives in Can Tho City, Vietnam, there is a place that everyone must visit, which is Ninh Kieu Wharf. Ninh Kieu Wharf is considered an ideal location for gatherings with loved ones, family, friends, or even turning couples into one. It is a bustling spot attracting many visitors daily from around 5 pm until midnight. This wharf, known as Ninh Kieu Park, is a cultural tourist spot in Can Tho City, built as a 7,000m2 park following the style of Le Huu Tinh, conveniently located overlooking the Hau River towards Ninh Kieu, now a popular tourist destination. From Ninh Kieu Wharf, you can see the Can Tho Bridge, the longest main span in Southeast Asia. As of 2010, Ninh Kieu Wharf is open at night. Looking from the Chai neighborhood, it sparkles like hidden gems in the calm waters of the Hau River leading to Ninh Kieu, Can Tho. Visitors can enjoy the traditional music performances of the Southern region, creating a serene and poetic atmosphere reflecting the essence of our homeland. Ninh Kieu Wharf leaves a lasting impression on visitors. Can Tho City, the capital of the Mekong Delta, is worth exploring for two days, visiting famous tourist spots, especially in Can Tho. Each place we visit leaves a unique mark, making us grow fonder of the Mekong River region. In our Journey to the South, we ventured into the deep waters, sailing through the vast rivers of the Mekong Delta, exploring ancestral landmarks on our way to the South. Visiting Thoi Son tourist area, we sailed through the Thoi Son tourism area and admired the beauty of the Tien River. On the Tien River, you can easily spot the Rach Mieu Bridge connecting Tien Giang and Ben Tre provinces. Standing by the My Tho River bank in Tien Giang province, part of the Mekong River system, we journeyed through the Thoi Son tourism area, where we navigated through the canals. Each boat can accommodate up to six people, one boatman, and one assistant. In the mountainous regions, cancer is far away. Arriving at Thoi Son Island, we took a leisurely horse carriage ride along winding roads by the lush Coconut Canal, immersing ourselves in the serene atmosphere by the Mekong River. We then boarded a large boat back to Con Phung islet via the waterway to Con Phuc. The boats dock at Rach Gam Xoai Mut, where the heroic Nguyen Hue defeated a 50,000-strong army in 1785. Formerly known as Tan Vinh islet, it was later renamed Coconut Religion Island due to Nguyen Thanh Nam building the Nam Quoc Phat Pagoda and founding the Nam Quoc Phat sect here. From the early 20th century, coconuts were planted leading to Con Phuc, where visitors can explore fruit gardens and savor the unique cuisine of the Mekong Delta, a delightful experience when visiting Con Phuc by hand. Crocodile fishing involves numerous crocodiles waiting in the pond for skilled fishermen to conquer and extract them from the area. If we were to stay in Ben Tre, we could think of another tourist area, gladly known as that area. Road-building tourism at Lan Phuong tourist area offers a vast rural pearl setting, where tourist groups often engage in team-building games to foster camaraderie amidst the pristine landscape and vast waterways in our Southern journey. Visiting Saigon at the year-end when the whole city is preparing for the new year, the city's French colonial architecture designed with a European model. Saigon is often referred to as the gem of the Far East in Asia, inspired by Duy Khanh Gia. A special feature is the pedestrian street. Nguyen Hue, how do you feel about it? Many people come here just to see this couple. Every night, they have something to talk about. At 8 pm, they come here, take each other's hands, and now we seek to fulfill the desire to take a stroll around Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street to explore together. This is an overview of Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street at night, a bustling hub.
By Ngọc Anh Lê4 months ago in Serve