Food safety issues in Vietnam have been big concerns for foreigners, especially expats buying houses in Ho Chi Minh city, Hanoi or all the areas famous for their cuisine over the past few years. Nonetheless, if you have invested a lot of effort in finding an apartment in Vietnam, it would be a complete waste if you do not dare to try our food.
Because it is tricky to enjoy the food here without worrying about food problems, here are a few tips on how to avoid getting sick in Vietnam when it comes to the popular types of dishes.
Pho – Vietnamese Noodle
Pho has already been our national icon, so any visitor should try it out at least once. Fortunately, the dish has raised little concern about food hygiene in Vietnam. There is nothing to worry about to enjoy it.
The unique “Pho” vermicelli, the broth and meat can be felt best at small shops, vendors or in restaurants near wherever you rent an apartment in Vietnam. You will be able to get full and satisfied with a hot bowl of Pho at any time of the day, either breakfast, lunch or dinner. However, most people agree that it is best to have Pho with raw vegetables, which need to be carefully washed before consuming. Sadly, many food stores fail to do that properly. That is why expats in Vietnam should consider adding vegetables to your Pho, otherwise have it in restaurants that have high credibility near your apartment. Also, you can ask the chef to poach the bean sprouts for you instead of having them straight in your bowls.
Vietnamese salad
This salad is quite different from what you have ever imagined. There are many versions of it, but most of them are the combination of sweetness, sourness, a little saltiness and sometimes slight bitterness. The salad often includes many types of leaves (mint, corriander,…), carrots, spring onions, roasted peanuts and either chicken or beef. Because it is packed with vegies, the dish can be considered good for your health. The only problem is that all the ingredients are served raw, except for the meat and peanuts.
Therefore, if you care about food hygiene, make sure you have the salad in restaurants or popular food stores.
Mixed rice paper salad
Mixed rice paper salad is both a fascinating and popular type of street food, especially among Vietnamese teenagers, and a popular cause of food problems in Vietnam. A lot different from the traditional Vietnamese salad, it has savoury taste with a lot of ingredients and usually sold in nylon bags. Maybe on your hunt for finding an apartment for rent in Vietnam, on the streets, you can spot many aunties and uncles carrying buckets of ingredients or sitting on the pavements rolling or cutting rice papers into thin shreds with bare hands. The dish is worth the try, but if you want to avoid getting sick, make sure those aunties and uncles wear gloves while making your mixed rice paper salad. Moreover, if the ingredients with no clear origins concern you, have a go at street food restaurants and accept that the price can be a bit higher.
Charcoal barbecue
Charcoal barbecued meat and beer at night with friends is an ideal way to enjoy your time while living in Vietnam. Many types of meat will be uniquely marinated in Vietnamese special sauces and styles. You will have the joy of grilling everything on old-fashioned clay stoves and charcoal grill and learn about one of our traditional dining habits. However, be careful with the burnt meat that can cause many health problems, and make sure you dine at the restaurants that serve fresh meat. Here is a small tip: The more crowded the restaurant is, the fresher meat they usually have.
Fried skewers
There are many vendors that have fried chicken, fish ball, quail eggs, or tofu skewers. These are fun snacks to have and you can see a lot of them in the parks or schools, because they attract a lot of young kids. However, some people use the same oil to fry the food over and over again. This is why it is safer to cook these on your own, a reason many expats try to find apartments for rent in Vietnam with kitchen area available. You can find the prepared ingredients in supermarkets, and all you have to do is put them on the frying pan.
No matter if it is a iconic dish, salad, street food or barbecue, food problems are inevitable if you do not have extra precautions when living in Vietnam. Be observant and a little bit picky, or just flat out find a house in Vietnam near some famous, qualified food areas (for example: rent a house in district 1 Ho Chi Minh city to enjoy the newly renovated backpacker street plus food market in Bui Vien/Pham Ngu Lao area). On top of everything, don’t forget to enjoy the food!
Nhi Dinh – Mogi.vn
