Vietnamese Cuisine
What is Vietnamese cuisine and what is its contribution to Australian society?
Australia is a very multicultural society. There are many different ethnic groups which live in Australia. The Vietnamese ethnic group is the fifth-largest in Australia, which consists of 63,786 people. 0.8% of Australian residents were born in Vietnam. Three-quarters of Vietnamese immigrants who live in Australia reside in Sydney.
The Vietnamese diet is considered to be one of the healthiest diets in the world. Vietnamese people prepare their food like a buffet. People will gather around the table and start eating. This is set out so people can eat as much or as little as they like. As many people live in poverty in Vietnam refrigeration is rare. All food that is prepared must be eaten as soon as possible. Some animals eaten in Vietnam include; monkey, snail, frog, toad, rat, dog, turtle and snake. Vietnamese people tend to eat almost any food. Wastage is at a minimum. Basically every part of the animal is eaten.
The food in Vietnam is quite similar to that of Chinas. Also the French influence has its effects on modern Vietnamese cuisine.
Some dishes include; spring rolls with local vegetables and prawns, dumplings with duck breast, spiced salad with chicken, goat meatballs and Pho Bo, which is a traditional, spiced beef soup with noodles. Dessert mainly consists of tropical fruit. The most popular drink is a traditional tea. In Vietnamese cooking, the basic dish arrives and the individual adds chili, garlic or fish sauce to the meal. Sort of like adding salt or pepper.
People eat food raw, steamed or cooked over a fire. Food will be collected daily and it may take over four hours to prepare a single meal. Many people grow their own vegetables or buy at local markets. Large commercial farming doesn’t exist in Vietnam. They will usually harvest their food prior to making the meal. Sometimes meat or vegetables will have to sun dry, these will be collected usually the day before eating.
What is the contribution Vietnamese food has on the Australian society?
1. Vietnamese restaurants are widely spread around Australia. This has its effects because Australians learn something about Vietnamese culture and cuisine.
2. Vietnamese food is the 4th of the most popular Asian takeaway in Australia.
3. You learn Vietnamese words. E.G. Gai meaning chicken and Bo meaning beef.
4. Teaches people to be more culturally tolerant.
5. Vietnamese restaurants create jobs and income for many people.
The effect Vietnamese cuisine has on the Australian society has influenced a new generation of socially expectable people. It has changed Australia for the better.
By Olivia. A 6SF