The Japanese man visits Vietnam 6 times a year.

Having been passionate about Vietnamese cuisine for 15 years, Yuki Mori says that Vietnam has not only changed his life but also led him to his current job.

Yuki Mori and her Japanese friend explore Da Nang.

In May, Yuki Mori (40 years old, Japanese nationality) was in Vietnam for a trip lasting nearly two weeks. This is part of a habit he has maintained for many years: visiting Vietnam about six times a year.

This time, Mori traveled to Da Nang , Ho Chi Minh City, and the Southwestern region of Vietnam. The Japanese man immersed himself in the daily lives of the locals. He wandered through markets, sat in casual eateries, and enjoyed a variety of specialties, from broken rice dishes, banh mi (Vietnamese sandwiches), bun mam (noodle soup with fermented fish sauce), banh xeo (Vietnamese savory pancake), and hu tieu (noodle soup) to snacks like sweet soups and bo bia (Vietnamese spring rolls). Each time he tried a dish, Mori would excitedly exclaim in Vietnamese, "It's incredibly delicious!"

"I always wished I could stay longer," he told Tri Thuc - Znews .

I'm totally addicted to Vietnamese food.

Mori first set foot in Vietnam about 15 years ago, during a trip to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Yuki Mori took photos wearing ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress) to celebrate Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) in February.

His most vivid memories are of bustling streets, the vibrant energy of everyday life, and unexpected meals.

From that trip, he began returning to Vietnam several times a year. He traveled to many places, from Ha Long Bay, Hung Yen, Hai Phong, Hue, Da Nang, Da Lat, Con Dao to the Mekong Delta. With each trip, his affection for this country grew stronger.

Mori believes that the most distinctive aspect of Vietnamese cuisine lies in its simple appearance yet profound flavor. Many dishes look simple, with uncomplicated ingredients, but when tasted, they offer multiple layers of flavor.

What surprised him most was that the same dish could have its own unique flavor in each locality and each restaurant. It is this diversity that makes every trip to Vietnam a new discovery.

The Japanese guest was captivated by the fish sauce hotpot and exclaimed "delicious beyond words" after the first bite.

He particularly loves street food stalls and home-cooked meals. For Mori, it's not just a place to eat, but also a place to experience Vietnamese culture, lifestyle, and people.

If asked to choose his favorite dish, Mori said that vermicelli with tofu and shrimp paste and fish sauce hot pot are two particularly special names to him. He admitted that it's difficult to pick just one delicious dish because almost every dish offers a different experience.

"Vietnamese food is incredibly delicious," he said jokingly.

According to him, what makes him love Vietnam is not just the food, but also the culture, lifestyle, and the warmth of the people. He recounted how many times strangers in restaurants or markets have proactively struck up conversations, shared dishes, or enthusiastically offered help.

"Every time I return, I feel more connected to this country. There's something about Vietnam that's hard to put into words, a feeling that's irreplaceable," Mori shared.

"Vietnam gave me a job."

Mori's love for Vietnam gradually influenced his work. He now runs a Vietnamese restaurant in Osaka, Japan. The restaurant has been in business for about 25 years; Mori took over 16 years ago instead of building it from scratch.

Initially, the majority of staff and customers were Japanese. However, after many years of working in Vietnam, he gradually shifted his focus, concentrating more on introducing Vietnamese cuisine and culture.

Currently, the restaurant serves over 100 different dishes, from pho, vermicelli, and spring rolls to familiar Vietnamese ingredients like duck, frog, and goat. In addition, there are many types of Vietnamese beer and beverages.

Mori's Vietnamese restaurant in Osaka, Japan, is decorated and serves authentic Vietnamese dishes such as bun cha (grilled pork with vermicelli), goi cuon (spring rolls), nem ran (fried spring rolls), etc.

What makes Mori happiest is that more and more Vietnamese people living in Japan are becoming regular customers. Many people tell him that the food here gives them a feeling of familiarity and reminds them of the flavors of their homeland.

To achieve this, Mori didn't just rely on Vietnamese chefs. For many years, he repeatedly returned to Vietnam to learn. Instead of just visiting famous restaurants, he spent most of his time at local markets, small eateries, or family meals to better understand the local flavors.

"I don't consider this something I created myself. It's the result of working with my Vietnamese friends over many years," he said.

For Mori, Vietnam is not simply a favorite destination. It's a place that has changed his life, influencing his work, relationships, and perspective on life.

"If I hadn't met Vietnam, I certainly wouldn't have the life I have today," the Japanese man shared.

Source: https://znews.vn/chang-trai-nhat-den-viet-nam-6-lan-moi-nam-post1655506.html