We're making our descend into mainstream America, into the hearts and stomachs of the relatives of our Fore Fathers . Our dishes have a unique taste and perhaps some are acquired, never the less, the food scene doesn't go without contributions from our culture and thats a fact. I am talking about Vietnamese food in America, thats right, I am talking about Pho(Rice Noodle Soup), Com Tam(Broken Rice dishes), Bun Bo Hue(Imperial Noodles), Banh Xeo(Sizzling Crepes) Bo Luc Lac(Shaking Beef) as few of the very commercial, very common dishes that we order everyday.
Photo Courtesy of WanderingChopsticks
But what exactly is Vietnamese food?Is it the fact that the dishes are cooked by Vietnamese and therefore making it Vietnamese food? Is it the fact that we use fish sauce and freely sprinkle MSG in our dishes? To understand the existence of Vietnamese food, you have to understand the history of the Vietnamese people. and the many cultural influences. In a nutshell, the existence of VN started 2700 years ago, after about 10 different occupations(Exaggeration),20 different dynasties and 1000 years worth of war, we became "The Vietnamese People," and although the ideology isn't one thats shared by everyone, we are still our own people.
However, I am not here to talk about Govt.parties, one particular ideology, or the sabotage of another, I am here to talk about common ground. Sure, the lemon grass based broths of Bun Bo Hue, the Vietnamese mints, basil, bean sprouts and chewy meatballs in our Pho may set us apart. Yes we may stake our claim that, we The Vietnamese invented the concept of making Fish Sauce while stating that we improved humanity by providing another alternative to salt. But it's much deeper than that, lets look past the potential of all the Glitz and glamor, lets dig deep, past the fancy decor and the chandeliers to the heart of the lion. It's the intimacy of communal dining. It's the gestures of squeezing the lime into your dining partners Pho, its the scooping of an entree for your Grandma who's sitting across the table, it's the chatter, the laughter, the clinging from the glasses of beers and everyone at the table in Vietnamese saying "vo"(jump in).
So what is Vietnamese Food?
It's a matter of CULTURAL IDENTITY,NATIONAL PRIDE, IT'S A WAY OF LIFE.It's a celebration and a way of showing appreciation for hard work, for love sweat and tears, for we all are in some way shape or form, lost souls in a foreign land. Sometimes misunderstood, but always appreciative for our blessings. For our ancestors who grew up with humble beginnings, and all we had was good food to make a living. Just know, that when you dine Vietnamese, you are not only taking a bite out of Vietnamese food, you are taking a bite of our history, our culture, recipes handed down from generation to generation, from mothers kitchen to your heart. For every sip of soup from your soup spoon came hours of preparation literally, for every orgasmic feeling you acquire from dipping your egg roll in fish sauce(Nuoc Cham) wasn't without months of fermenting. Nothing is without purpose and I can especially say this about our food, we don't eat to just get full, we do not cook these dishes to only fulfill our selfish desires, but to be able to look past where we are, what we escaped to bring a smile to you and our families faces. To close our eyes with every bite, and reminisce of an ambiance that once was, of sitting in the streets, people watching, hearing the mopeds zoom by, listening to the serene sound of the sizzle from the kitchen. The aroma just tackles your senses building anticipation for that warm bowl of history. An inexpensive commodity for a taste of something so monumental to us, is absolutely priceless. Living in a foreign land that I was born into, I call this place home before all, and although I enjoy my fair share of burgers, at the end of the day, when its all said and done, bury me in my Vietnamese heritage along side a bowl of rice and fish sauce.....I just wouldn't have it any other way
Special Thanks to Miss WC for allowing me to use her photo of Bun Bo Hue...
and make sure you click on her photo or the link provided for her delicious recipe.
Stay tuned for part 2 as I discuss Vietnamese food in Houston
Thoughts????
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