The abundance in fresh vegetables and fruit!

Whereasvegetarian cuisine in the West often means a bland plate of grilledvegetables or strange faux meat products, Vietnamese vegetarian faresticks to familiar flavors and ingredients. Like it is the case withmany other South-Asian countries, the Vietnamese vegetarian menu thatfeatures fish and meat as seasonings and condiments is something totalk about. Speaking about the Vietnamese cuisine, it's impossible notto mention about its abundance in fresh vegetables and fruit. However,these vegetables and even various tofu dishes are often made with pork,meat broth or fish. Sometimes, Vietnamese vegetarian regional menuincludes all the mentioned three ingredients. Some professionals insphere of vegetarianism consider Vietnamese menu to be among the mostoutstanding and significant cuisines on Earth (along with theAfrican-American vegetarian menu). Many tourists who visit Vietnamoften state that food and specific regional menu is one of theimportant reasons to visit the country.

 It's impossible to speak about Vietnam and not to tell you some words about the well-known dishes included in the Vietnamese vegetarian menu. Vietnam cuisine is full of such outstanding delicates as vegetarian version of pho,Vietnamese meat and noodle soup, noodle-rice shacks, vegetable soups,sweet-and-sour cauliflower, stir-fried noodles and vegetables... Forthose seeking meatless fare for dietary reasons, religious leanings, orjust personal preference, there are a handful of well-run and excitingVietnamese vegetarian restaurants in the city worth getting to know.You would imagine that, in a society where roughly 85% of the peopleare practicing Buddhists, vegetarian restaurants could be found onevery corner. Thus, it won't be an exaggeration to say that Vietnamoffers a warm welcome to both vegetarians and non-vegetarians nowadays.

A place to enjoy?

WhenDang Hong Diem - a fifty-one-year-old retired electrical engineer-decided to open a vegetarian restaurant, she wanted "to create arelaxed atmosphere without the loud music that so many others have now.I also wanted simple and elegant service." Anyone who has been to NangTam, the latest addition to Hanoi's gourmet scene, knows Diem hassucceeded. The restaurant shows off a wide range of Vietnamese disheswhile answering the demand for vegetarian food in Hanoi. She settled ona vegetarian restaurant because her foreign friends said there was nota good one in Hanoi. As the menu explains, she then named herestablishment Nang Tam after the Cinderella-like character in aVietnamese fairytale who wins her prince with her home cooking.

Diemoriginally spent months touring the country collecting recipes andideas. The menu includes the regional specialties she tasted as well asa blend of Vietnamese and Western favorites. There are thirtyvegetarian dishes to choose from and daily specials made with pork,fish or chicken for meat-eaters.

A warm corner in Nang Tam restaurant

Inaddition to the food, clients are impressed with the helpful serviceand hospitable attitude. Classical music and a working fireplace add tothe ambiance as ambassadors and students mix with Vietnamesebusinesspeople. "It's one of those hidden treasures," says Americantourist Nancy Howe. "The portions are just right and the prices arereasonable."

NangTam is not easy to find, though it is definitely worth the trouble.Just down the street from the Cambodian Embassy, a sidewalk signadvertises Com Cay Nang Tam or Vegetarian Restaurant. Located at 79Tran Hung Dao, Nang Tam is set off the street behind a yellow Frenchcolonial building that is now home to the Financial Times. Therestaurant's ten small tables are usually full so reservations arerequired, especially for dinner.

Evenyou are not a vegetarian; please do not hesitate to try this kind offood in our country because it will give you the unique taste with thefrequent ingredients! That is “same, same but difference!”