DESCRIPTIVE WRITING (cont.

With the arrival of Michelin Guide to Vietnam, local eateries and restaurants are honored for
their culinary excellence. Descriptive writing is used in most food guides, food blogs and has
contributed to building a rich culinary culture. Here’s an example:

Spread over three storeys, this delightful venue with an open-air rooftop boasts a rustic décor
inspired by local villages and rice fields and serves Vietnamese dishes from the north to the
south. The stuffed snails with meat cooked with lemongrass and paired with ginger fish sauce,
are succulent, while La Vong fish cakes strike the perfect balance combining vermicelli,
marinated fish, fresh Vietnamese vegetables and herbs, shrimp paste sauce and rice paper
sheets.

You can also read more examples here:

https://www.saigoneer.com/vietnam-street-food-restaurants
List of words and expressions used to describe the food:

Expressions Food and link

Crisp dics of dough topped with shrimps bánh khọt

gaggle of Grab drivers bánh khọt

giant vat of broth emitting swirls of enticing fragrances bún chả cá

a charming colonial villa with bucketloads of character quan an ngon

delicious hallmark broth is a masterclass of balanced flavours Phở Hoà

Even better, the prices won't break the bank cheap cheap

Determined to shatter the stereotype of xôi as a frugal fast food xôi

Melt-in-the-mouth pork Grilled pork

jazzed up by artful plating Bếp Nhà xứ

quảng

relatively soft sticky rice into dishes Xôi Bát

Unpretentious eatery Đông Phố

a century-old, pale yellow painted townhouse reached through a small Chả Cáxt
courtyard

Water spinach = rau muống Xới Cơm

boasts an alfresco (in the open air) dining area steeped in… while the Hoa Tuc
Colonial-style interior pays homage to Vietnam’s history

boldly seasoned and generously portioned Phuc Yea

delicately seasoned Ngon Garden

Red bricks, roof tiles, sculpted doors, bamboo lamps and dark wooden Bếp Nhà Xứ
furniture deliver a modern take on Vietnamese rustic chic Quảng

this sunny little retreat packs a serious flavor punch Doi Moi

right and healthy flavors of Vietnam's markets Doi Moi

Both intimate and serene, this romantic retreat is restaurateur Restaurant BT

elevate Vietnamese traditional dishes

eclectic (carefully chosen from many sources) cuisine as well as her Restaurant BT
dedication to high quality
while La Vong fish cakes strike the perfect balance Rice Field

the energetic vibe and disarmingly sweet service Bonjour Vietnam

Bistro

subtle crustacean flavors are overwhelmed by the pork lard bánh khọt

The rich, nutty sauce adds great complexity bánh khọt

therapeutic enigma (mystery) of nature

This Vietnamese spot has been thriving as the cool kid on the block for a Di an di
while now

a disparate combination of fish meal in one bowl Bánh Canh Cá

Leave the madding crowd far behind and relax in the hip casual vibe of Bún
this trendy Vietnamese eatery
Task: Write a descriptive essay to introduce a local specialty in Vietnam. Your essay should
include all of the following:
- Ingredients
- Method of preparation
- Aroma of the dish
- Taste of the dish
- Feeling of the customer after eating the dish
(Kunny)

If you are a foreigner looking to emerse yourself into Vietnamese culture while escaping
the hustle and bustle of the North and South, Mỳ Quảng is the perfect dish for you.

Originating from Quảng Nam Province in central Vietnam, Mỳ Quảng is a delicious

Vietnamese noodle dish topped with meat and herbs, served with small but flavorful broth.
People usually use flat rice noodles, most commonly either yellow or white. Made with flat rice
noodles, yellow or white, this dish is traditionally enjoyed with only a few vegetables and a dash
of warm, strong-flavored broth. To make the broth, you’d have to simmer the meat in water, or
bone broth for an even more distinct flavor. The broth is then seasoned with fish sauce, black
pepper, shallot and garlic. Due to its intense flavor, most people would only use a small amount
of broth. You would most commonly see restaurants garnish Mỳ Quảng with peanut and bánh
tráng mè, a toasted sesame rice crackers, which sets its distinct characteristics.

Mỳ Quảng has the smell of Central Vietnam, with a special salty and spicy flavor that
sets it apart from the flavors of the North and South. However, if you cannot tolerate spice, you
can request them to tone down the spiciness or add lime to balance the taste. As you eat this
dish, you would find yourself obsessed with rich taste of the broth and the smoothness of the
texture of the noodle. As you swallow you will forget about the Phở of the North and the Bún Bò
of the South.

-
Task: Write a descriptive essay to introduce a local specialty in Vietnam. Your essay should
include all of the following:
- Ingredients
- Method of preparation
- Aroma of the dish
- Taste of the dish
- Feeling of the customer after eating the dish
(Kinny)
As you enter restaurant, the strong aroma of grilled pork patty enters you nose and into your
lung. Your appetite will start to rise as you sit down on a table and orders your food. To a
foreigner, bun cha might be an overcomplicated dish. However once you finish eating your dish,
you will understand the meaning behind every compartment. This cuisine, started with a dish of
rice vermicelli on the side, as well as a large dish of all kinds of fresh herbs such as Vietnamese
Basil, Vietnamese Mint, and Perilla Leaf. The highlight of this dish is the bowl of
lemongrass-seasoned pork patties soaked in house-made fish sauce with pickled green papaya
and carrot slices. You start by mixing everything into a bowl with the right amount of noodle and
fishsauce, this will give you the perfect balance of flavor. As you enjoy your meal, forget about
Pho and Bun Bo, and continue to savour the distinct dish of Nothern Cuisine.

- Mix everything in a bowl -> perfect balance/harmony of flavor

- Distinct dish of Northen cuisine