1) Describe the food your classmate spoke about.

I am truly impressed by the dish Banh Xeo, which is called Pancakes by Pauline.Pancakes

in Vietnam have various origins. The central pancake originates from Binh Dinh, while the

western pancake is derived from the Khmer. Despite the diverse origins, the preparation

methods for banh xeo are uniform, although the flavors can vary across regions. This dish

holds a significant place in Vietnamese tradition. The key ingredients for making pancakes

include flour, shrimp, meat, bean sprouts, and chopped scallions. Pancakes are typically

served with a sweet and spicy sauce, accompanied by a basket of raw vegetables. It can be

stated that this dish is beloved by many due to its deliciousness and ease of consumption.

2) Why is it important to them?

Pauline is from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. And this city is known for its hot weather.

Banh Xeo is one of the dishes that helps her feel comfortable when eating in the midst of the

hot weather, as it is truly suitable for the climate of Ho Chi Minh City. Additionally, she

believes that spending more time eating Banh Xeo also allows her to have more

conversations with friends and family because it is a dish that requires time to sit and wrap,

so the meal tends to last longer than usual.

 3) Are there any similarities between the food you chose and the food you heard

about from your classmate?

There aren't many similarities between Kim Anh's Banh Xeo and my Pho. The only common

point is that they both come from Vietnam and are popular dishes among the Vietnamese

people. Vietnamese people take great pride in both of these dishes, and they are deeply rooted

in the long history of Vietnam. Therefore, their shared characteristic is that they are both

culinary treasures representing the spirit of the Vietnamese people.

4) Are there any major differences?

There are indeed significant differences between these two dishes. Banh Xeo is a crispy

pancake, while Pho is a Vietnamese noodle dish. Banh Xeo is commonly consumed in the

evening and during the summer, whereas Pho is often enjoyed as a breakfast option and also

serves as a warming dish during the winter in Vietnam. Furthermore, Banh Xeo is more

popular in the southern region of Vietnam, while Pho is considered a representative dish of

northern Vietnam. As a result, the popularity of these two dishes is associated with different

cities in Vietnam.
 Banh xeo Pho noodle

5) Why did you pick this presentation to respond to?

Pauline and I are close friends in school, and we both come from Vietnam. We share a love

for eating Banh Xeo, and previously, we searched extensively for good Banh Xeo restaurants

in Canada. However, it was challenging to find a delicious Banh Xeo place in Canada, so

we decided to make it ourselves at home. Although the results weren't quite as we had

hoped initially, we made several attempts and eventually succeeded. It became a beautiful

memory for us because when we were in Vietnam with our families, we didn't

have many opportunities to cook Vietnamese dishes ourselves since everything was

readily available. Therefore, being able to cook Vietnamese food by hand and share it was a

way for us to take pride in our Vietnamese culinary heritage. Here is a picture of us cooking

Banh Xeo at home.

 6) Is there more you would like to know about this food?

There are indeed many aspects of Banh Xeo that I want to explore further. One aspect I want

to mention is the dipping sauce, which varies in different regions. We believe that a delicious

Banh Xeo is often complemented by a flavorful dipping sauce. It would be truly special if I

could learn how to make it.