Trying Vietnamese Food for the First Time

By Krista S.W.

I love learning about different cultures and one of the best things about them is the food. Food is an important part of a culture’s identity. When I realized that there was a Vietnamese restaurant not too far from me, I wanted to try it. My father was willing to, and his friend had also recommended it. So, on a Saturday afternoon, that’s where we went to eat.

I walked inside, excited to try a new type of food. There were some interesting dishes on the menu, including many kinds of soups. We ordered egg rolls, then I chose a Pho that had round steak, flank, brisket, noodles and green onions.

The egg rolls were the first to come out. The outside wrap was a bit crumbly, but they were delicious. The fish sauce added a salty yet addictive flavor to it and I couldn’t resist it; it was too tasty.

Next, came the Pho. They had given us a plate of Thai basil, lime, bean sprouts, and jalapeño slices for the Pho. I added the bean sprouts and Thai basil but left out the jalapeño slices and limes. The meat was thinly sliced and quite long, but it was tender and easy to chew. The broth was good and added an extra flavor to the meat. The onions made the soup more exciting and the noodles were nicely cooked. All of the qualities mentioned made for a memorable meal.

Would I have Vietnamese food again? Absolutely! It was tasty and had a great impression on me. It’s literally on my mind as I write this. I would love to go to Vietnam someday and try the cuisine in the country itself. In the meantime, I had a great time trying something new and dipping my foot into Vietnamese culture, though I had to take the rest of my Pho home with me. It’s going to be Sunday dinner.

Have you ever tried Vietnamese cuisine?