Experience Italian cuisine with fried rice balls and vermicelli with grilled pork patties.

Over the weekend (November 23-24) at the Italian Cultural Center in Hanoi, the Italian food fair stalls were packed with people, eager to experience a journey between two cultures. This year's fair was titled: "From fried rice balls to bun cha: A journey between Italy and Vietnam."

Italian fried rice balls

Italian Ambassador to Vietnam Francesco Arcuri said that this event aims to celebrate the friendship between the two countries.

He also shared: "Besides that, we also want to explore the commonalities between the cuisines of the two countries, which is the origin of the names. From fried rice balls to vermicelli with grilled pork: A journey between Italy and Vietnam, street food representing the culinary culture of both nations, where people on both sides enjoy chatting, spending time, walking, and savoring the food."

Many people checked in at the fair.

Not only locals, but also culinary expert Ngo Thanh Hoa (winner of the first season of Master Chef on VTV3) took the time to explore the two culinary traditions. Mr. Hoa revealed that it was difficult to choose the best dish at this fair, as each dish had its own unique characteristics. However, Mr. Hoa shared that he was impressed with the Italian-style sandwich with dill, which created a very unique flavor.

Looking forward to a fusion of Italian and Vietnamese cuisine.

Mr. Ngo Thanh Hoa has combined Italian and Vietnamese cuisine when creating his dishes. His restaurant features Italian rice paired with Central Vietnamese basil, Hoi An green chilies, shrimp, and scallops. "When I serve this dish, both Vietnamese and Italians enjoy it," Mr. Hoa said.

In fact, this dish is almost as green as young rice flakes, cooked with Italian rice, and enhanced with the distinctive flavor of local basil leaves and green chilies.

The Italian -style sandwich received praise.

Therefore, Chef Ngo Thanh Hoa was extremely delighted to taste the dishes at this Italian Food Fair, as Italian chefs had incorporated Vietnamese ingredients or made adjustments to make the dishes more suitable for diners.

What Mr. Ngo Thanh Hoa also found appealing was that this Italian food fair would open up opportunities for agricultural products from Italy and Vietnam. He said that high-quality agricultural products would help chefs excel in cooking and create more innovative dishes.

"I really want to become an agricultural ambassador," Mr. Hoa said. In fact, with his Italian -style seafood rice dish at his restaurant, Mr. Hoa has already become an "ambassador" for basil leaves as well as Hoi An chili peppers.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/giao-luu-am-thuc-y-voi-com-nam-chien-va-bun-cha-185241124175323293.htm