A LIST OF 5 ICONIC DISHES IN VIETNAM THAT IMPRESSED THE WORLD RENOWED CHEF – GORDON RAMSAY – DURING HIS TRIP THROUGH SOUTHEAST ASIA

5 DISHES THAT IMPRESSED THE WORLD RENOWED CHEF - GORDON RAMSAY

Vietnamese cuisine has become better known around the world over the last couple of years with international chefs and prestigious food magazines praising several national dishes. 

With Gordon Ramsay, arguably the most famous chef in the world, is known to U.S. television audiences for his acerbic comments on "Master Chef" and "Hell's Kitchen" and was named the top chef in the United Kingdom at the 2000 Catey Awards. Gordon Ramsay, a multi-Michelin starred chef, owner of many restaurants, a TV star, and a famous cooking show judge, expressed his love for Southeast Asian cuisines, including Vietnamese ones.

During his visit to Seoul, South Korea, Gordon Ramsay had an opportunity to engage in a conversation with Cho Seung-yeon, a South Korean YouTuber. Their discussion revolved around the poor reputation of British cuisine, the fascination with celebrity chefs, and Gordon Ramsay's personal perspective on what constitutes excellent food. During the interview he was asked: “Where would you say is the No.1 food destination?”, Ramsay picked three names, including two from Southeast Asia: Vietnam and Laos. He said that “Vietnam is an extraordinary melting pot of food. I fell in love, there’s just such a humble approach to eating food”.

After his visit, we have complied a list of the 5 dishes he’s been most impressed with on his trips through Vietnam.

1. Hu tieu:

Hu Tieu, a southern Vietnamese noodle soup, was featured on the American competitive cooking reality television series MasterChef in 2013. As the show's judge that year, Gordon Ramsay tasked his five contestants with preparing bowls of Vietnamese Hu Tieu.

During a previous trip to the Mekong Delta urban hub of Can Tho, he ate a bowl of Hu Tieu prepared by a woman on a small boat at the Cai Rang floating market.

"This bowl of Hu Tieu, a stunning, delicious slow-cooked Vietnamese pork noodle soup, is the greatest dish I've ever had," he said.

Hu Tieu is a popular noodle dish in Vietnamese cuisine. It is a versatile and flavorful dish. Hu Tieu is known for its clear and aromatic broth, topped with a variety of ingredients that create a harmonious combination of flavors.

There are about 20 different versions of the noodle soup, which is most popular in southern Vietnam, particularly in the Mekong Delta region but can also be found on the streets of Hanoi.

Hu Tieu is often served with different toppings and variations, making it a versatile dish. Some common toppings include slices of pork, shrimp, squid, and ground pork. It is also common to find Hu Tieu with a combination of various ingredients, such as wontons, offal, and vegetables. The dish is typically garnished with fresh herbs, bean sprouts, and a squeeze of lime to add brightness and freshness.

Hu Tieu is widely available in Vietnam, from street food stalls to local restaurants. It is a popular comfort food enjoyed throughout the day, whether as a hearty breakfast, a satisfying lunch, or a late-night snack.

2. Bun Rieu:

During a trip to the Mekong Delta in 2012 to shoot the second season of the travel documentary series Gordon's Great Escape, Gordon Ramsay had the opportunity to try “Bun Rieu” prepared by the now-famous Ms. Hai.

Bun Rieu (tomato and crab noodle soup) is a popular dish that originated in Northern Vietnam and is known for its rich and tangy broth. Bun Rieu is well - known by its flavorful tomato-based broth which is made by simmering pork bones, crab or shrimp shells. Unlike Pho or Bun Bo Hue, to which meat slices are added, the key protein component of this soup is a crab meat or shrimp patty mixture made of freshwater mini crabs, pork and egg.

Bun Rieu may also include other ingredients such as fried tofu, prawns, crab meat, pig blood pudding, bean sprouts and fresh Vietnamese herbs like perilla and cilantro.

Bun Rieu is commonly enjoyed as a main course for lunch or dinner. It can be found in local street food stalls, traditional Vietnamese restaurants, and even in home-cooked meals. The dish is particularly popular among seafood lovers and those who appreciate the tangy and complex flavors of Vietnamese cuisine.

3. Steamed rice rolls

Gordon Ramsay once embarked on a motorbike journey from Hanoi to the picturesque mountain commune of Mai Chau, renowned for its charming ethnic minority villages, Gordon Ramsay ventured there with the intention of acquiring the art of crafting traditional-style Banh Cuon, a Vietnamese steamed rice roll.

Steamed rice rolls, also known as Vietnamese steamed rice cakes or "Banh Cuon," are a popular and delicate dish in Vietnamese cuisine. They are a staple breakfast or snack item that can be found in street food stalls, markets, and restaurants throughout Vietnam.

The main component of steamed rice rolls is a thin sheet of steamed rice batter. The batter is made from a mixture of rice flour, water, and sometimes tapioca flour. It is poured onto a cloth-covered steamer and spread into a thin layer, then covered and steamed until cooked and translucent. The resulting rice sheet is thin, smooth, and slightly elastic in texture.

The steamed rice sheets are then filled with a variety of ingredients to create the rolls. The most common filling is a mixture of seasoned ground pork, minced wood ear mushrooms, and sometimes diced onions.

Steamed rice rolls are typically served with a side of dipping sauce, which adds flavor and enhances the overall taste. The dipping sauce is usually a combination of fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, garlic, and chili, creating a sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy condiment.

Banh Cuon can be found in different regional variations throughout Vietnam, each with its own slight variations in preparation and ingredients. However, the basic concept of steamed rice rolls remains the same—a delightful and satisfying dish that showcases the skillful art of rice-based cuisine in Vietnam.

4. Barbecued duck

Gordon Ramsay visited Khoa Ngan Restaurant at 77 Hai Ba Trung Street in Hanoi where he learned to prepare barbecued duck with sweet and sour sauce as part of the 2011 season of "Gordon's Great Escape."

The restaurant has a long 30-year history of specializing in marinated barbecued duck grilled over charcoal and open flames, with a secret sweet and sour sauce only known by the restaurant.

Barbecued duck is a flavorful and succulent dish that is enjoyed in various cuisines around the world. It is particularly popular in Chinese cuisine, this dish features a whole duck that is marinated, glazed, and roasted to perfection, resulting in tender meat with a crispy and flavorful skin.

The preparation of barbecued duck typically involves a two-step process: marination and roasting. The marination step is crucial for infusing the duck with flavor and tenderness. The duck is marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, hoisin sauce, honey or sugar, Chinese five-spice powder, garlic, and other seasonings.

After marinating, the duck is usually air-dried or left to hang for a period of time. This helps to dry out the skin, which is later responsible for the crispy texture during roasting. Once the duck is ready, it is roasted at a high temperature, often in a specialized oven or over an open fire.

Barbecued duck is beloved for its combination of tender meat, rich flavors, and crispy skin. It is a popular dish at Chinese restaurants and can be found in many Asian communities around the world. Whether enjoyed as a main course or part of a larger meal, barbecued duck is a delicious and satisfying culinary delight.

5. Summer rolls

Ramsay also learned to make goi cuon (Vietnamese fresh summer rolls) on another Great Escape trip to Vietnam.

Rice paper is wrapped around pork, shrimp, herbs, and rice vermicelli, and its best eaten dunked in sweet and sour fish sauce or a thick peanut dip.

Goi cuon has become a popular snack in the southern regions of Vietnam.

Having experienced Vietnam's fresh summer rolls first hand, Gordon Ramsay showed everyone his recipe for fragrant and delicate prawns summer rolls in a video posted on his YouTube channel.

Summer rolls, also known as fresh spring rolls or salad rolls, are a popular and healthy Vietnamese dish. They are a refreshing and light option, typically served as an appetizer or a light meal during hot summer months, although they can be enjoyed year-round.

The main component of summer rolls is the rice paper wrapper, which is made from a mixture of rice flour, water, and salt. The batter is spread thinly onto a flat surface and steamed to create a thin, circular sheet. The resulting rice paper wrapper is slightly chewy and becomes translucent when moistened.

The fillings of summer rolls are varied and customizable, allowing for a range of flavors and textures. The most common ingredients include fresh herbs such as mint, Thai basil, and cilantro, as well as crisp vegetables like lettuce, shredded carrots, cucumber, and bean sprouts. Some variations may also include cooked proteins such as shrimp, grilled pork, or tofu.

Summer rolls are often served with a dipping sauce, which adds flavor and complements the rolls. The most common dipping sauce is a mixture of fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, garlic, and chili, creating a sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy condiment.

One of the appealing aspects of summer rolls is their versatility. They can be customized based on personal preferences and dietary restrictions. Vegetarian or vegan versions can be made by omitting the meat and using tofu or additional vegetables as fillings.