Has Vietnamese cuis...
 

Has Vietnamese cuisine been too influenced by Chinese and French cuisine?  


JustaChad
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Well, well, well, here's a question that's sure to stir up some heated debate! Some might say that Vietnamese cuisine has been greatly enriched by the cultural influences of neighboring China and colonial power France. But others might argue that these outside influences have diluted the authenticity of traditional Vietnamese dishes, leading to a bland, generic cuisine that lacks a distinct identity. What do YOU think?

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PhoTastic
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I think the influences helped shape it into what it is today. Cuisine changes overtime and gets reinvented so much that I don't think it is even worth debating over myself. Vietnam has some of the most amazing food in the world, French inspired or not. (I don't much care for French food).  

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readysetgo
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I think it depends on your views of food. If you think Chinese and French foods are great then you are very likely to enjoy Vietnamese food because it has a bit of both in it. 

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Freshcut
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I don't think so. I like their food. I also like some French and Chinese dishes as well. I feel like Vietnam has a good mix but has made their "own" meals that separate them enough from other Asian and European food dishes.  

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TrueBaby
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Yes and no. It really depends on which region in Vietnam we are talking. I think the city areas tend to have more mash-ups of different cuisines. 

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kikobeep
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I would say they more-so borrowed inspiration for their dishes. I wouldn't say it is outwardly influence by them. Most modern cuisine is inspired for several different nations, cultures, or traditions.  

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Larsay
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By the Chinese, definitely since the Chinese occupied the north of Vietnam for over 1000 years and were numerous in the South because it is rich; French less (only 100-year colonization), but visible ; the Viet like French bread (ban mi phap) and French cookies, the more educated love croissants and other French delicacies. More and more affluent Viet have dinner in a French restaurant, though they are expensive, etc. However, the Viet hate cheese, except The Laughing Cow, which is cheese like I am the Pope., 

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weenie
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There is influence for sure but I think it depends on where you eat and what you eat. Some places and foods are more influenced than others. I didn't notice much French influence when I was in Vietnam though. 

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thirdstrikeIII
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French influence is very minor. Cheese and breads aren't really a huge thing in Vietnam. They do have a lot of Chinese inspired dishes and products though as well as other Asian cuisines.  

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Larsay
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Cheese, no but, YES ! It is for sale everywhere and there are numerous ban my paté sandwich (sandwich au pâté et pain français) street sellers.

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