Cuisine is also very much structured, and has its very own characteristics: short marinades, no butter, no cream nor spirits, no oil for salads. Very little salt is used, sometimes non at all. The herbs used for each dish are indented at the last moment, they are not cooked and thus retain all their flavors. Pepper is added at the last minute, cooking times are short and fast, and vegetables are served crisp.
In the South, which enjoys a tropical climate, coconuts, lemongrass, chilli, pineapple and the beautiful fruit of the Mekong delta will be found. Southern cuisine is often sweet and sour, as for instance the famous tart fish soup.
SAIGON CULINARY ART CENTER
At “The Saigon Culinary Art Center”, in a spacious Vietnamese House of yester-year style, you are offered a “Hands-on Cooking Course” of traditional dishes. The program of teaching is emphasized on the culture of Vietnamese gastronomy as well.
The center seem a cultural destination where "Food Lovers" could meet experienced Grand Chefs from Saigon Tourism School and International Restaurants to share their know-how.
Its professionalism is greeted by the tourists and also acknowledged by Professional Chefs of different countries.
The theme for Vietnamese cooking courses:
VIETNAM COOKERY CENTER
Established since 1999, Vietnam Cookery Center seem one of the first professional Cooking Class in Vietnam, teaching Vietnam cooking school courses to all people over the World. The center provides from hands-on introduction to the Gastronomy of Vietnam, from beginner to professional one with many typical dishes from North to South of Vietnam
The Course starts by visit Ben Thanh Market with Chefs to learn how to recognize the different Vietnamese ingredients, the way of local people bargain, style of market..…. It is also a chance to discover Vietnamese product that made from fruit and vegetable, meats and seafood. The course then will be held in the center pretty colonial-style villa in very cozy atmosphere.
The typical menu for hand-on cooking class
SAIGON COOKING CLASS BY HOA TUC
The emphasis is on seasonal traditional food which both tastes and looks delicious but is simple to prepare and recreate at home. You will discover and use Vietnamese kitchenware to realize and enjoy a tasty 3 courses Vietnamese meal for per course.
Market visit in around 1 hour to learn colorful and vibrant Ben Thanh market to purchase the ingredients for cooking lesson. The highlight of the course coming from the class at beautiful Hoa Tuc restaurant, small group (from 1 to 8 people), detail care and interesting Vietnamese kitchenware for typical Vietnamese food. Children from 7 years old are welcome.
The typical menu for cooking class
SAIGON HOME COOKING – VIETNAM CONNECTION.
This is Vietnamese cooking class in a Saigon home at a real Vietnamese family home where you will be a guest for the morning. You will visit the local market to buy the ingredients and then cook the dishes host.
Seem to be a member of family; the cooking course will be started by visiting local market with host so you will not only learn about ingredient but also discover the daily life of local people to know how warm, friendly they are. Take part in the cooking (not really course) at the kitchen with host, you will have the feeling like at home your dear relation; cook then feast together.
Notes: The menu can be changed due to the host and season.