On Regionality in Vietnamese Cooking

From the country’s northern region, which emphasizes savory and clean flavors, to the southern region, which prefers sweet and strong seasonings, it’s hard to overstate how diverse Vietnamese palates and ingredients can be. In addition to food, accents vary across different Vietnamese regions.

Even with an iconic national dish like phở, there are differences between the northern and southern styles. For example, northern phở, or phở bac, is typically clear and minimally seasoned and garnished, resembling a consommé that is light but soul-warming as a breakfast. Meanwhile, southern phở is known for its rich broth and generous accoutrements like Vietnamese coriander, cilantro, and sliced chiles. It’s a hearty meal.