Vietnamese Menus

Vietnam’s cuisine is defined by the country’s location—at the crossroads of China, Southeast Asia, and Indonesia—and the time it spent under French colonial rule. Like their Thai neighbors, the Vietnamese use fish sauce and lime juice liberally. But their food is generally not very spicy; instead, they add loads of aromatic herbs—especially cilantro, basil, and mint—that add a scintillating freshness to their food. Take Pho Bo, for example, which has become a well-known dish in the States for good reason: it’s one of the world’s best soup recipes. And although the Vietnamese traditionally eat it for breakfast, I think Pho Bo’s subtle broth, chewy noodles, and thin slices of meat are good eating at any time of day.