Vietnamese Food and Food Culture

Vietnamese food is the ultimate adventure--and so much more

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 and 100 photographs, Kennedy shares his experiences with you.

This book contains:

• Rich and engaging essays sharing stories about tantalizing foods and drinks--such as unparalleled Nam Dinh City bahn mi and fresh bia hoi beer; palate-challenging local delicacies--like rat meat and foul-smelling durian fruit; intriguing myths, traditions, celebrations and beliefs--such as the legendary sword-snatching golden turtle of Hoan Kiem Lake and the outlawed "Coconut Religion;" and dozens of curious cultural distinctions observed by the author while living in Vietnam
• Information on how the main Vietnamese herbs, condiments and spices are produced and used--from fish sauce to rice paper wrappers to fresh basil, green onions and 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 and food discoveries

Join us for the journey. In these pages, you'll be whisked off to experience the vibrant and exotic street markets, rice paddies and bustling food stalls of Vietnam.