Vietnamese cuisine, unlike other Asian cuisines, is characterized by its lighter flavors, largely due to the region’s focus on vegetables. Furthermore, Vietnamese cuisine has been influenced by neighboring countries. Northern Vietnamese cuisine, bordering China, is heavily influenced by Chinese cuisine. Central Vietnamese cuisine is influenced by court cuisine traditions, serving food in small portions. Southern Vietnam is a fertile agricultural region with a majority of farmers. Food in Southern Vietnam is served in larger portions, is sweeter, and uses more garlic.

With its unique flavors and the rapid advancements of technology in the era of globalization, Vietnamese cuisine can be adapted into retail food products. Flavors inspired by Vietnamese cuisine can be found in various products such as instant noodles, potato chips, cassava chips, tempeh chips, instant seasoning, savory biscuits, and puffy snacks enjoyed by people of all ages. These retail food products offer consumers an authentic and exotic Vietnamese culinary experience at home.

Vietnamese Cuisine Recommendations for Flavor Adaptation

Here are some recommendations for Vietnamese cuisine that can be adapted into flavors:

Pho

Pho is a famous Vietnamese noodle soup and an iconic dish from the country. The main ingredients include broth made from beef bones, beef, spices such as cinnamon, star anise, cloves, and ginger, and rice noodles. The process begins by boiling beef bones with spices for several hours to produce a flavorful broth. After that, the cooked beef is added along with rice noodles to a bowl, poured over with hot broth, and garnished with green onions, coriander, and lime juice. The flavor of pho is very complex, a combination of savory broth and aromatic spices, accompanied by the chewy texture of rice noodles. The umami flavor of pho is suitable for application in instant noodle products, instant seasoning, and ready-to-eat foods.  

Goi Ga (Vietnamese Chicken Salad)

Goi Ga is a fresh and light chicken salad, usually served as an appetizer. It is a fresh salad with boiled chicken, vegetables, and a dressing of lime juice, fish sauce, sugar, and garlic. It’s easy to make by mixing all the ingredients together. The taste is a refreshing combination of sour, savory, and sweet. You can apply Goi ga to retail products such as sauces inspired by goi ga seasoning and ready-to-eat foods.

Bo Luc Lac (Beef Stir-Fried with Soy Sauce)

Bo Luc Lac is a beef dish stir-fried with a delicious soy sauce-based sauce. The main ingredients include diced beef, onion, bell pepper, and a sauce made from soy sauce, sugar, salt, and pepper. The preparation process begins by frying the beef until cooked, then adding the sliced onion and bell pepper, and stirring everything with the soy sauce until well combined. The taste of Bo Luc Lac is very appetizing with a combination of sweet and salty flavors from the soy sauce, and the tender texture of the beef. The sweet and savory character of its flavor makes bo luc lac suitable for application as a powder seasoning for potato chips, cassava chips, tempeh chips, puffy snacks, instant noodles, and cup noodles.  

Banh Xeo (Vietnamese Crepe)

Banh Xeo is a crispy and savory Vietnamese crepe, made from a batter of rice flour, coconut milk, and turmeric. The filling usually consists of shrimp, pork, bean sprouts, and green onions. The preparation process involves frying the thin batter until crispy, then adding the filling on top before folding it like an omelet. The taste of Banh Xeo is very rich with the crispy texture of the crepe, and the combination of savory and sweet flavors from the filling. Banh xeo can be an inspiration for puffy snack products and as a seasoning for snacks like potato chips and cassava chips.  

Com Tam (Broken Rice)

Com Tam is a Vietnamese broken rice dish. This rice is usually served with grilled pork, a fried egg, and pickled vegetables. The preparation process involves cooking the broken rice until tender, then adding the grilled and marinated pork. People also serve Com Tam with an egg and pickles. Com Tam offers a diverse taste experience. You can enjoy savory grilled pork, soft rice, and sweet and sour pickled vegetables in Com Tam. Com tam can be an inspiration for ready-to-eat products, instant seasoning, and powder seasoning for snacks.  

Collaboration with Falmont

Retail food companies can collaborate with Falmont to realize flavors inspired by Vietnamese cuisine through flavors. Falmont can help create accurate and intense flavors. These flavors can be applied to various food and beverage products to attract consumers and increase market competitiveness. Falmont is an Asian flavor company that can create flavors by utilizing modern technology, R&D teams, and skilled flavorists in the process. Falmont is a flavor company committed to providing high-quality flavors with intense and delicious tastes. In addition, Falmont can also help a retail product stand out in a competitive market. Through innovation and collaboration with F&B companies, Falmont is able to provide flavor solutions that meet the needs and preferences of the market.