Vietnamese Food and Food Culture: A Life-Changing Journey Through the Street Foods, Regional Cooking Styles and Local Ingredients of Vietnam
Paul B. Kennedy
(Author)
21,000+ Reviews
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Description
Experience the vibrant street markets and bustling food stalls of Vietnam first-hand! In 2018 veteran restaurateur, author, foodie and all-around travel junkie Paul Kennedy embarked on a life-changing journey to Vietnam. His main goal was to explore the nation's rich cuisine and food culture, which had always fascinated him from afar, but which he could never quite understand fully. This book is the result of five years spent traveling the length and breadth of the country, experiencing Vietnamese food up-close as no other food writer has before. In 24 essays, 60 recipes and 100 photographs, Kennedy shares his experiences with you through: - Engaging stories about tantalizing local foods and drinks--such as the unparalleled Nam Dinh City bahn mi and fresh bia hoi beer-- and palate-challenging local delicacies--like bitter melon and the foul-smelling durian
- Intriguing myths, rituals and beliefs--such as the legendary sword-snatching golden turtle of Hoan Kiem Lake and the outlawed "Coconut Religion"
- Information on Vietnamese herbs, condiments and ingredients--from fish sauce to rice paper wrappers to fresh basil, green onions and sawtooth coriander
- Recipes for classic street food dishes like Rice Paper Pizza, Banh Mi Sandwiches and Steamed Coconut Rice Cakes with Toasted Shrimp Flakes
- Iconic restaurant and homestyle dishes like Spicy Lemongrass Chicken, Crispy Pan-Fried Trout and Baby Basket Clam Rice
- Unusual drinks and desserts like Egg Coffee, Mango Margaritas, Coconut Cream Martinis, Tofu Pudding and Vietnamese Layer Cake
- Plus many other unique flavors, recipes, food discoveries and dozens of cultural observations from the author while living in Vietnam
Product Details
Price
$24.99
$23.24
Publisher
Tuttle Publishing
Publish Date
March 04, 2025
Pages
176
Dimensions
0.0 X 0.0 X 0.0 inches | 0.0 pounds
Language
English
Type
Hardcover
EAN/UPC
9780804857413
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About the Author
Paul B. Kennedy has worked in the restaurant industry for 30 years--bringing delicious meals and welcoming environments together to create fond memories. Paul studied hotel management and received a degree in culinary arts from Johnson & Wales University. He then moved to New York where he established himself in the restaurant world while honing a passion for writing and photography. In 2018, with only a backpack and a sense of adventure, Paul headed off to Vietnam. He has traveled extensively around the country ever since, documenting Vietnamese food culture and capturing its flavors. In addition to writing, cooking and traveling, Paul is passionate about teaching and volunteers his time to help others learn and grow. This is his first cookbook.
Reviews
"Paul B. Kennedy's Vietnamese Food and Food Culture is a portal to an authentic culinary experience. Spiced with proverbs, cultural insights, fascinating facts, and gorgeous photography, the book is as much a coffee table showpiece as a working cookbook, offering a wide range of dishes from the north to the south of the country [...] Highly recommended." --Andrew X. Pham; Author of Catfish and Mandala and The Eaves of Heaven
"Paul Kennedy has created an experiential journey of Vietnamese culture that could only otherwise be replicated through travel and immersing oneself in Vietnam for years. [hellip;] This book is written for anyone with a serious interest in food, jam packed with flavor and history told through the lens of a well-travelled, passionate chef." --Chef Tony Messina; James Beard Winner -- Best Chef of the Northeast
"From rice pyramid dumplings and salted egg chicken to taro pudding, Paul Kennedy explores the street food, heritage cuisine, colonial influences and hybrid dishes that make up Vietnam's multi-layered culinary landscape. Illuminated by detailed photography and peppered with sage local proverbs and insights into cultural practices, this tribute is both a delicious cookbook and essential destination primer for curious foodies and thoughtful travelers." --Susan Kurosawa; Associate Travel Editor, The Weekend Australian
"Ever since I was a child, I've always believed that you are able to learn, understand and appreciate another country's culture through their food....Paul Kennedy's tireless research and love for the Vietnamese culture and it's cuisine is inspiring on many levels." --Chef Gaby Maeda; Food and Wine Magazine -- Best New Chef James Beard Winner -- Rising Star Chef of the Year
"Paul Kennedy has created an experiential journey of Vietnamese culture that could only otherwise be replicated through travel and immersing oneself in Vietnam for years. [hellip;] This book is written for anyone with a serious interest in food, jam packed with flavor and history told through the lens of a well-travelled, passionate chef." --Chef Tony Messina; James Beard Winner -- Best Chef of the Northeast
"From rice pyramid dumplings and salted egg chicken to taro pudding, Paul Kennedy explores the street food, heritage cuisine, colonial influences and hybrid dishes that make up Vietnam's multi-layered culinary landscape. Illuminated by detailed photography and peppered with sage local proverbs and insights into cultural practices, this tribute is both a delicious cookbook and essential destination primer for curious foodies and thoughtful travelers." --Susan Kurosawa; Associate Travel Editor, The Weekend Australian
"Ever since I was a child, I've always believed that you are able to learn, understand and appreciate another country's culture through their food....Paul Kennedy's tireless research and love for the Vietnamese culture and it's cuisine is inspiring on many levels." --Chef Gaby Maeda; Food and Wine Magazine -- Best New Chef James Beard Winner -- Rising Star Chef of the Year
