Growing up in Hong Kong, I learned that a Chinese dish made with chicken often means there is a bone in every bite. Also not a fan but my husband from North Carolina is completely undeterred.
I was served whole boiled shrimp in a Chinese restaurant in L.A. years ago, meant to be eaten with shells. I tried one. I then became the only person at the table to carefully peel each shrimp. Awkward. Oh, and your chicken dish? This is why I prefer my Asian food to be thoroughly culturally appropriated and Westernized (which, my shrimp being a rare exception, it almost always is in the US, mercifully.)
Oh, my! Your details about the unshelled shrimp and hacked-apart chicken pieces with nothing removed were definitely eye-opening. Vietnam is on our bucket list, so I'll make a mental note of what you shared. ;)
I love these spring rolls, as well. What I don't love is an unexpected renewal of my subscription to your wonderful site without notice. Please have Substack or whomever it refund me my payment. Thanks.
My mind was blown when I read The China Study, an amazing book that shares the research/history on all of this food. I absolutely love fresh spring rolls packed with herbs, dark leafy greens, veggies, and a side of peanut sauce. I order two for a full meal, which is sometimes the nicest way to end the day. 🙏🏼
Love them too and enjoying the food court in Australian malls with the summer rolls -- like 20 different kinds already made up. My favorite fast food there:)
Those dumplings sound delightful! And I’m not a huge shrimp fan anyway (don’t hate but don’t love and generally don’t choose to eat them) but having the shell on would be daunting.
Great article, Brent, and I've experienced and agree with it. I also loved the White Rose dumplings on Hoi An. They're sold in many restaurants in the town, but it was cool seeing the ladies in the back of actual White Rose restaurant making them.
I love Vietnamese food, it's my favorite!! I'm "a little" disappointed it won't be what is expected as authentic when I go. I have Vietnamese friends here in the US who cook at home for me often. They cook things not found in restaurants, making it that much more special. This was a great read for me... and oh, haha sometimes I'm too lazy to take the shells off the shrimp and eat them whole, there's that.
Growing up in Hong Kong, I learned that a Chinese dish made with chicken often means there is a bone in every bite. Also not a fan but my husband from North Carolina is completely undeterred.
Hehehe. Good for him. 🙂
Honk Kong is on our list!
The spring rolls look great, though I'd need to do a vegetarian version for my son.. I'm hungry now!
(always a bad idea to write about food! Lol)
It's a public service, Brent!
Me too! 🤣
This makes me want to book a trip to Vietnam!
That's the idea of this newsletter! 🙂😍
I was served whole boiled shrimp in a Chinese restaurant in L.A. years ago, meant to be eaten with shells. I tried one. I then became the only person at the table to carefully peel each shrimp. Awkward. Oh, and your chicken dish? This is why I prefer my Asian food to be thoroughly culturally appropriated and Westernized (which, my shrimp being a rare exception, it almost always is in the US, mercifully.)
Yes, Westernization is not always a bad thing. 🤣
Oh, my! Your details about the unshelled shrimp and hacked-apart chicken pieces with nothing removed were definitely eye-opening. Vietnam is on our bucket list, so I'll make a mental note of what you shared. ;)
🙂🙂🙂
There is still lots of great food! 🤩
So they just eat the shells too? Sounds ... crunchy!
Yes exactly right on both counts lol
Even so, this post made me hungry for spring rolls!
I love these spring rolls, as well. What I don't love is an unexpected renewal of my subscription to your wonderful site without notice. Please have Substack or whomever it refund me my payment. Thanks.
Just sent you an email. Let me know if you didn't get it. 🙂
My mind was blown when I read The China Study, an amazing book that shares the research/history on all of this food. I absolutely love fresh spring rolls packed with herbs, dark leafy greens, veggies, and a side of peanut sauce. I order two for a full meal, which is sometimes the nicest way to end the day. 🙏🏼
I do that too! Make em a meal. Often heartier than pho.
Love them too and enjoying the food court in Australian malls with the summer rolls -- like 20 different kinds already made up. My favorite fast food there:)
Oh I love the variety counters too. There's one right near our apt here in Sydney
Those dumplings sound delightful! And I’m not a huge shrimp fan anyway (don’t hate but don’t love and generally don’t choose to eat them) but having the shell on would be daunting.
It...definitely was. 🤣
I read an article that.the taste of shrimp and prawns is dramatically different now that they're all farm raised. 🤔
That’s interesting! It’s more of a texture thing for me but I can see that.
Great article, Brent, and I've experienced and agree with it. I also loved the White Rose dumplings on Hoi An. They're sold in many restaurants in the town, but it was cool seeing the ladies in the back of actual White Rose restaurant making them.
I wonder if it's true they only use the water from one well..🤔 Supposedly gives them a slightly charcoal flavor...
I love Vietnamese food, it's my favorite!! I'm "a little" disappointed it won't be what is expected as authentic when I go. I have Vietnamese friends here in the US who cook at home for me often. They cook things not found in restaurants, making it that much more special. This was a great read for me... and oh, haha sometimes I'm too lazy to take the shells off the shrimp and eat them whole, there's that.
Oh that sounds lovely! I need dinner invitations from more.vietnamese.friends. 🤣🤣🤣