Traditional Family Recipes in Northern Vietnamese Cuisine in Queensland

Northern Vietnamese cuisine focuses on the harmony between ingredients, freshness and simplicity. The Northern Vietnamese dishes that are being prepared in Queensland are influenced significantly by the traditional family recipes of Hanoi and have always been prepared for sharing.

As opposed to complex sauces and seasoning mixes, Northern Vietnamese cuisine revolves around broth dishes, fresh herbs, grilled meat, and balanced dishes. The following are the most common traditional family recipes in Northern Vietnamese restaurants.

1. Phở - The Family Staple

Phở is considered one of the most popular Northern Vietnamese dishes and is an integral part of family life. Often prepared in big pots and served in families, the tradition continues in restaurants such as Ming Ming’s Kitchen.

The key characteristics of phở in Northern Vietnamese cuisine are:

• Clean beef or chicken broth

• Slow-cooked beef or chicken bones to provide more flavour

• Use of spring onion and coriander

• Soft rice noodles

The traditional recipes include the following protein options:

• Rare beef phở

• Beef brisket phở

• Chicken phở

• Slow-cooked beef stew-style phở

​Phở is the pride of Vietnamese cuisine. It is also Ming Ming’s signature dish. In Northern Vietnamese homes, phở is often a weekend or special occasion dish, where the broth is prepared early in the morning and shared throughout the day. Phở soup is a spectacular noodle soup bowl that comes with your choice of protein, flat rice noodles, and heaps of spring onions in rich, aromatic broth. Phở dry version is only available at Ming Ming’s kitchen.​ And you can enjoy Phở Tuesday, only $17 for Phở Noodle Soup or Dry!

2. Bún (Vermicelli Noodles) - Traditional Family Recipes

Dishes made using vermicelli noodles are popular in Northern Vietnamese family dining. Usually, these meals are served as complete bowls with vermicelli noodles, herbs, a protein source, and a dipping sauce.

An excellent example of such meals is bún chả:

• Grilled pork meat and meatballs

• Vermicelli rice noodles

• Fresh herbs and pickled vegetables

• Dipping broth made with fish sauce

At Ming Ming’s Kitchen, there are also contemporary versions of family vermicelli noodle meals:

• Lemongrass beef vermicelli

• Grilled chicken vermicelli

• Crispy tofu vermicelli

• Salmon vermicelli bowls

As we can see, these Vietnamese dishes represent a traditional way of family eating where separate food products are cooked and served as well-balanced meals.

3. Slow-Cooked Family Comfort Dishes

Some Northern Vietnamese family dishes are slow-cooked and prepared in bulk quantities to be served with rice.

One of such dishes is bò kho:

• Slow-cooked tender beef meat

• Vegetables such as carrots for flavouring

• Spices mixture with star anise and cinnamon

• Served with rice or noodles

This traditional Vietnamese dish is a favourite one in Queensland Vietnamese families to be cooked in advance and reheated multiple times.

5. Shared Menu - Traditional Family Recipes

Meals in Northern Vietnam nearly always have a few small shared dishes served on the table.

Such Shared dishes usually comprise:

• Spring rolls made from pork, prawn, or vegetables

• Rice paper rolls

• Prawn Toast (which is a fusion dish in Australia and Vietnam)

• Pork-filled wontons

• Tofu or seafood salt & pepper

• Crisp vegetable dishes

  
  

All the above-mentioned dishes show that Vietnamese food is a family affair; everyone shares their dishes.

6. Simple Desserts & Beverages

Desserts served in Northern Vietnam are very mild and not too sweet.

Popular Vietnamese dessert dishes in Queensland include:

• Banana fritters

• Vietnamese donuts

• Coconut-based desserts

• Iced coffee or refreshing drinks

These are simple finishes to a meal, rather than heavy desserts, staying true to traditional home-style eating.

Final Thoughts

Northern Vietnamese family meals do not consist only of specific dishes but rather constitute a unique style of meal preparation and sharing. Examples of such food culture found in restaurants in Queensland include:

• Broth-based phở at Ming Ming's Kitchen

• Sharing of mains or group banquet

• Healthy and simple food preparation

This is food that reflects traditional Vietnamese family life - shared at the table, cooked with care, and enjoyed together.