A wide variety of vegetarian dishes
Unlike vegetarian dishes found in temples or restaurants, street-side vegetarian food reflects the essence of everyday life, being familiar and accessible to all social classes. Interestingly, in this ancient capital city, on the 15th and 30th of the lunar month, or during Buddhist festivals like Buddha's Birthday and Vu Lan, you can easily find street vendors, small roadside stalls, and traditional markets bustling with activity offering a variety of tempting vegetarian dishes, from breakfast, lunch, and dinner to snacks. And it's fascinating that all the restaurants that normally sell beef noodle soup and clam rice dishes switch their menus to vegetarian options on the 15th, 30th, and 1st of the lunar month to cater to the vegetarian needs of the people of Hue .
Artisan Mai Thi Tra, who has spent many years researching Hue vegetarian cuisine .
PHOTO: LE HOAI NHAN
One of the most famous vegetarian street foods in Hue is "vegetarian clam noodle soup." Despite the name containing the word "clam," this dish is made entirely from plants, with a rich and delicious flavor that rivals traditional meat-based clam noodle soup.
According to artisan Mai Thi Tra (90 years old, residing in Hue City), salted clams are replaced with mushrooms, tofu, and various herbs and bean sprouts to create a naturally sweet flavor. The broth is simmered from vegetables, resulting in a refreshing and subtly sweet taste. When eating, diners mix the rice noodles with the fresh vegetables, roasted peanuts, roasted sesame seeds, chili sauce, and a little Hue-style vegetarian fish sauce, creating an unforgettable harmonious flavor. Vegetarian clam noodle soup is not only an ideal breakfast dish but also a great choice for a light and refreshing lunch.
According to artisan Mai Thi Tra, besides vegetarian clam noodle soup, fig salad is also one of the unique and rare vegetarian dishes in Hue. The dish is simply prepared from figs, a very common fruit in Hue. With its characteristic slightly astringent taste when green and a sweet, nutty flavor when ripe, figs have become a familiar ingredient in many dishes of the people of the ancient capital.
A simple yet refined vegetarian fig salad from Hue.
PHOTO: LE HOAI NHAN
In vegetarian cuisine, figs are transformed into a light yet appealing mixed salad. Figs are boiled or steamed until tender, then thinly sliced or shredded. Preparing the figs requires skill to remove some of the bitterness and retain their characteristic nutty flavor. Vegetarian fig salad is often combined with various aromatic herbs such as basil, mint, sawtooth coriander, along with crushed roasted peanuts and fragrant roasted sesame seeds. To enhance the richness, people in Hue also add fried tofu (sliced into strips) or lightly stir-fried shiitake or straw mushrooms. The dressing is the key to the success of the fig salad. Vegetarian dressing is usually made from soy sauce, sugar, lemon or vinegar, finely chopped fresh chili peppers, and a little Hue-style chili sauce. The balance of sour, spicy, salty, and sweet flavors makes the dish appealing, stimulating the taste buds while maintaining the lightness of a vegetarian dish.
"Vegetarian fig salad has a very unique and unmistakable flavor. The slightly astringent taste of the figs blends with the nutty flavor of peanuts, the richness of tofu, the aroma of herbs, and the savory dressing, creating a unique taste experience. This vegetarian fig salad showcases the creativity of the people of Hue in transforming simple, readily available ingredients from their gardens into delicious and nutritious dishes. It reflects a spirit of simplicity yet great joy," said Mrs. Tra.
Vegetarian bánh bèo, bánh nậm, bánh lọc… and other vegetarian sticky rice and sweet soup dishes have enriched the vegetarian menu of Hue. Each dish has its own unique flavor and characteristic features, but all reflect the creativity, sophistication, and skill of the people of Hue in transforming simple ingredients into attractive dishes.
Preparing vegetarian dishes requires five key elements.
What makes Hue's vegetarian cuisine so special is its secret family recipes and the dedication of the chefs. According to Ms. Tra, creating a delicious vegetarian dish requires not only meticulousness but also a thorough understanding of selecting ingredients that meet all five elements (the five elements of Chinese philosophy), ensuring a balanced combination of yin and yang, sufficient nutrients, and health benefits.
Hue's vegetarian banh beo, nam, and loc
PHOTO: LE HOAI NHAN
"A simple vegetarian diet is still good for your health because when cooking vegetarian dishes, you have to choose ingredients that provide all the necessary nutrients for the body: carbohydrates, protein, fats, vitamins, and minerals," she said.
To achieve these criteria, the use of vegetables and fruits to create rich, natural flavors is crucial. Shiitake mushrooms, straw mushrooms, wood ear mushrooms, tofu, taro, sweet potatoes, lotus root, etc., provide protein, fiber, and fat to the dishes. Spices such as onions, garlic, chili peppers, black pepper, lemongrass, and ginger are also used subtly to enhance flavor and aroma. In particular, vegetarian dipping sauces are an indispensable part, contributing to elevating the taste of the dishes. From vegetarian fish sauce made from fruit, to characteristic chili sauce, or rich peanut broth, all are meticulously prepared, creating a unique difference in Hue's vegetarian cuisine.
Skill in preparation is also crucial. According to Ms. Tra, vegetarian chefs in Hue often have their own secrets to transform vegetarian ingredients into dishes that look and taste similar to meat dishes, while still maintaining the delicate and light nature of vegetarian cuisine. For example, to make "vegetarian sausage," they use tofu, mushrooms, and various spices to create a chewy, crispy texture and flavor similar to traditional sausage. For "vegetarian fish cake," they use mung beans, tapioca starch, and various spices to create a binding agent and distinctive flavor. (to be continued)
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/doc-dao-chay-binh-dan-185250911221153099.htm
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