One of the most exciting aspects of travel is trying the often new and interesting foods one encounters along the way, wouldn’t you say? The cuisines of Asia and especially Southeast Asia are the most pleasing to my palate, specifically, in Vietnam where great food is everywhere, in cafes and restaurants. However the best is is often found on the streets, sold by vendors cooking their specialty over a small brazier. Have you ever sat on a child size plastic stool downing a bowl of pho ba for breakfast on a Hanoi sidewalk? Heavenly!
A year from now, I plan to live here. I will move to a small fishing village in a coastal area of Vietnam near Hoi An. I have no idea what I’m going to do there. –Anthony Bourdain
So just what is it about Vietnamese cuisine? To me it is the preponderance of fresh vegetables and herbs lightly cooked. Meat, and a surprisingly wide variety of animal parts are utilized, and are typically used sparingly. Vietnam has strong vegetarian roots influenced by their Buddhist traditions. The cuisine is based on the principles of Yin and Yang in regards to the selection of ingredients. By matching dishes with seasonal or climatic conditions, or with the environment with the current physical well being of the diners the dishes are created to achieve balance. One example is that spicy food is very hot and extremely yang and is harmonized by sour which is very Yin. It is also influenced by the Asian concept of five elements of Mahābhūta, “The five elements correspondence,” which are spicy, sour, bitter, sweet, and hot. The seasonings is what makes the food so special. Regular ingredients include fish sauce, shrimp paste, soy sauce, rice, fresh herbs, fruits and vegetables. Vietnamese recipes utilize lemongrass, mint, Vietnamese mint, long coriander and Thai basil leaves. Of course, rice and rice noodles are a staple and present in some form at every meal. Vietnamese food is often ranked as one of the healthiest cuisines in the world.
Wherever I travel I spend a lot of time wandering and photographing the markets. And Vietnam is “market nirvana.” these are a few of the hundreds of my market images from Vietnam showing many of the common and some of the less common foods of my favorite cuisine. Enjoy.
Click on thumbnail for a full size photo and slideshow.
For more great photography please visit my web site: Ron Mayhew Photography
Check in with my favorite travel writer, On the Go with Lynne.
Ailsa’s theme at Where’s my backpack this week is food.
Tricia A. Mitchell
17 Jul 2012A tremendous series on Vietnam’s culinary offerings! I am missing the fresh spring rolls right now… 🙂
fotograffer
17 Jul 2012Thanks Tricia,
We headed for our local “Pho Vinh” noodle shop yesterday for fresh spring rolls and pho ba for lunch. I was working on the post and just had to stop and get a “Pho fix.”
Thanks for following me.
Tricia A. Mitchell
17 Jul 2012My pleasure; Lynne’s and my blogging path have crossed, so it’s been fun swapping travel tales.
We made spring rolls a few weeks ago – your post is nudging me to do so again, and soon. 🙂
fotograffer
17 Jul 2012I look forward to your posts as well. Your photography is really very good.
ailsapm
18 Jul 2012Ron, what a wonderful post, and a fabulous series of shots. I would definitely be up for trying the durian ice cream, but admit right now I would run screaming from snake wine. That photo in your header is stunning too! I’m so glad you joined in the travel theme so I could find your blog. Nice to make your wordpress acquaintance!
fotograffer
18 Jul 2012Thank you for your kind words. It is always nice to be found:) especially in “wordPress World.” Vietnam is one of my favorite places and I love the food there. Looking forward to the next challenge.
ailsapm
23 Jul 2012It’s already up, fotograffer, check it out here: http://wheresmybackpack.com/2012/07/20/travel-theme-tradition/ I post the challenges each Friday. xxx
adinparadise
18 Jul 2012I’m thinking that Durian ice cream must be very rich and fattening. I remember we were offered snake liqueur on a cruise in China. 😉
fotograffer
18 Jul 2012The ice cream was rich but with a distinct aftertaste. Durian has a strong and ,for most, unpleasant odor. Most airlines in the region will not let you bring them aboard. Hotels either. As for the wine, it was strong and had a somewhat spicy taste – hopefully from some added herbs and not the snake. Thanks for your comment.
jasonhsia
27 Jul 2012Reblogged this on Jason Hsia.
fotograffer
29 Jul 2012Thank you.
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fgassette
29 Jul 2012A great selection of food items well photographed. Thanks for visiting my blog.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
fotograffer
29 Jul 2012Thanks. Enjoyed my visit to your blog and will return.
friendlytm
9 Aug 2012Thank you for visiting my blog and liking my posts on my Cambodia trip. I like your pix of your Vietnam trip. Love to try the durian ice cream! What a coincident: I just tried for the first time durian dessert in a Chinese restaurant today! I just love it!
fotograffer
15 Aug 2012The pleasure was mine. I would take a mango over durian every time:)
friendlytm
16 Aug 2012Thank you for your response. It happened that I do have a foodblog, and had posted something about durian and mango!
http://denisefoodblog.wordpress.com/
fotograffer
16 Aug 2012Lots of yummy stuff. Congratulations on three months.
friendlytm
16 Aug 2012Thank you for checking many of my posts and liking them. I do love your photography work. They are awesome!
Madoqua
15 Aug 2012Love the photo of the ice cream, it looks delicious – but I am easily convinced, I love any ice cream!
Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving all the likes!
fotograffer
15 Aug 2012It was my pleasure and thank you for visiting.
snowbirdpress
16 Aug 2012Wonderful post… thanks.
fotograffer
18 Aug 2012Thank you. I am enjoying you posts as well.
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