Roasted garlic chili peanuts

Roasted garlic chili peanuts are a popular and savory snack that can be found in abundance throughout southern Vietnam, from local markets selling homemade variations to supermarkets. These delectable peanuts are made by toasting them and then coating them with a flavorful blend of garlic, chili, salt, sugar, and fish sauce.

In the Mekong Delta, where the local residents have a deep appreciation for peanuts in their traditional cuisine, you will discover a plethora of dishes that showcase the delightful presence of peanuts. The addition of peanuts brings an explosion of flavor and a satisfying crunch that elevates the overall culinary experience. As you embark on your culinary journey through the Mekong Delta, be prepared to indulge in a diverse array of enticing dishes where peanuts take center stage, allowing you to immerse yourself in the vibrant food culture of this region.

Roasted garlic chili peanuts have a balance of sweet, salty and spicy flavors. Photo by VnExpress

Roasted garlic chili peanuts are a popular snack among locals, satisfying their mid-afternoon cravings with the perfect blend of sweetness, saltiness, spiciness, and garlicky flavor. These peanuts can be enjoyed on their own, or used as a topping to add a delightful crunch and savory burst to salads, noodle dishes, or even a charcuterie board. The combination of sweet and salty flavors also makes them an excellent accompaniment to your favorite beverages, be it cocktails or mocktails. Warning: once you start eating them, it's hard to stop!

If you want to recreate this delectable treat at home, it's surprisingly simple. Start by roasting the peanuts in a skillet or oven over medium heat for about 15 minutes. In a separate pan, sauté the chili and garlic until fragrant, then set them aside. Next, combine sugar and water in a pot and bring to a boil, stirring until they form a thick caramel sauce with a light golden brown color. Finally, add the peanuts, chili, and garlic to the glaze and stir for approximately five minutes. Serve the roasted garlic chili peanuts with rice, your favorite side dishes, and a comforting soup for a quick and satisfying meal.

Enjoy the addictive flavors and unique texture of these homemade roasted garlic chili peanuts that can effortlessly elevate your snacking or dining experience.

Peanut sauce

Peanut sauce is a highly sought-after condiment in the vibrant culinary scene of Saigon. This delectable sauce is prepared by combining peanut butter, hoisin sauce, vinegar, and water, resulting in a harmonious blend of flavors. Known for its tangy taste and smooth, creamy texture, it brings a burst of umami goodness to a variety of Vietnamese dishes. Whether drizzled over fresh spring rolls or used as a dipping sauce, peanut sauce effortlessly enhances the flavors and textures of your favorite culinary creations. You'll find it a common accompaniment to fresh spring rolls, which are readily available throughout southern Vietnam, particularly in the Mekong Delta. Embrace the savory delight of peanut sauce and experience the delightful fusion of flavors it brings to your dining experience.

Peanut sauce is often served with spring rolls. Photo by VnExpress

This peanut sauce is incredibly versatile, and is often served with a variety of street food in the south, including goi cuon (fresh spring rolls), banh xeo (sizzling Vietnamese crepes) and bo la lot (grilled beef in betel leaves).You can even use it as a salad dressing at home. If you’re a veggie food lover and are looking for a vegan-friendly sauce that can still provide a thick and creamy texture, you should definitely give this peanut version a try.

Iced tamarind juice with roasted peanut

In Vietnamese cuisine, tamarind is widely recognized as the primary ingredient used to create the sour and tangy soup known as canh chua. However, this versatile fruit also plays a crucial role as a condiment in a refreshing beverage called da me dau phong. Particularly popular in southern Vietnam, especially in Saigon, this delightful drink offers a perfect antidote to the scorching heat of a summer day. Combining the sweetness and sourness of tamarind, da me dau phong is a delightful blend of flavors that quenches your thirst and provides a revitalizing experience. Soothe your senses and enjoy the invigorating taste of this sweet and sour beverage, a beloved choice for beating the summer heat in Vietnam.

Iced tamarind juice with roasted peanut is a simple Vietnamese beverage that can be made at home. Photo by VnExpress

The drink is made up of a sweet pineapple and sour tamarind combination, ice, and a generous amount of toasted peanuts. To get the most out of the drink, take a sip of the juice and then a spoonful of peanuts. The crunchy nut topping combined with the sweet and sour flavor will have you coming back for more.

You can make your own tamarind paste using tamarind pulp, water, and sugar to make this easy drink at home. Add all of these ingredients to a skillet and stir well over medium high heat for 10 minutes, until thickened. When you want a refreshing drink, fill a glass with ice and add a couple spoonfuls of tamarind paste, then mix thoroughly. There you have it, a sweet and tangy juice that may become your new favorite.

Banana-coconut popsicles with peanuts

Banana ice cream is filled with lots of peanuts and shredded coconut flakes. Photo by VnExpress

Kem chuoi dau phong is a popular street meal that has been enjoyed by generations of Saigonese. It's a dessert made primarily of creamy and aromatic coconut ice cream (made only with coconut milk, no dairy) over bananas and topped with peanuts. It's a simple and delicious snack made with just a few inexpensive ingredients: ripe bananas, coconut cream, shredded coconut flakes, and roasted peanuts. The ingredients are wrapped around a stick, frozen, and then eaten like a popsicle.

This banana and coconut ice cream is a healthier version of regular ice cream. It’s sweet, fruity, salty and nutty, an absolute party of flavors. The smoothness of the banana and coconut milk goes perfectly with the crunchiness of the peanuts and coconut flakes. This delicious street food is vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, and dairy free, making it perfect for anyone with particular dietary needs.

Peanut sticky rice

Peanut sticky rice is a traditional Vietnamese dish. This version of sticky rice is a common breakfast that can be found at most sticky rice vendors. A serving can be enjoyed with all kinds of toppings, and is often labeled "Vietnamese fast food" because it is prepared and served quickly and inexpensively. But it’s not nearly as unhealthy as actual fast food.

Pork sausage is one of the many toppings that can go with peanut sticky rice. Photo by VnExpress

Peanut sticky rice is a delightful dish that brings together the contrasting textures of soft, sweet sticky rice and crispy, slightly salty peanuts. While it may seem like a simple treat at first glance, what sets it apart is the wide array of additional toppings that can be added to enhance its flavors. From succulent braised pork belly to savory cha lua (pork roll) and flavorful pork floss, these toppings elevate the dish and add an extra layer of deliciousness. So, don't be fooled by its humble appearance—peanut sticky rice is a popular and satisfying meal that offers a multitude of flavors and textures to tantalize your taste buds.

Peanut rice paper candy

Keo cu do or peanut rice paper candy is a well-known snack that originated in Ha Tinh, a north-central province where these candied peanuts have been made for many generations. The candy is created with natural ingredients including peanuts, cane molasses, malt powder, sesame seeds, and ginger.

Cu do is believed to be the nickname of a peanut candy and green tea vendor who came up with the concept of using rice paper to separate pieces of peanut candy, instead of using wax paper to keep the sweets from sticking together. The crunchy rice cracker eventually enhanced the flavor of the treat.

Peanut rice paper candy pairs the best with green tea. Photo by VnExpress/Duc Hung

Keo cu do has a sweet, buttery peanut flavor with the slightly spicy taste of fresh ginger also enhancing each bite. The stickiness of molasses is balanced by the crispy toasted rice papers. The hardness of this candy bar is also one of its features. It also takes a long time to chew. Locals in central Vietnam often stockpile the warming candy before the harsh cold winters. Because it’s so chewy and tough, no one can consume too much at once.

Rice flour cake

Rice flour cake is a famous northern cuisine and is one of the most rustic and simple Hanoian meals found in the capital today. The main ingredients are quite simple: non-glutinous rice flour or corn flour, and peanuts.

The rice is soaked for hours before being ground with water to form a mixture. To produce a glutinous texture, lime juice is added to the flour mixture. After that, the mixture is cooked and peanuts are added. This "rice flan" has a jelly-like texture and a mild taste when finished.

Rice flour cake is pure and soft. Photo by VnExpress

Pieces of smooth, white rice cake with peanuts are frequently served with tuong ban, a fermented condiment made of soybeans. The sauce's sweet and aromatic flavor, along with the light flavor of the cake, makes it an excellent summer meal. Because of its inexpensive cost, this simple cake has been a favourite snack among Northern people for many years.

Vietnamese salad

Nom refers to all forms of traditional Vietnamese salad. In the north, the salad is known as nom, while in the south, it is known as goi. Fresh herbs and grated fruits and veggies – including green papaya, carrots, green mangos, cabbage, banana blossoms, and cucumber slices – are used to make Vietnamese salads. Salads are typically dressed with a sweet and sour sauce, with pork, prawns, or dried meat added for extra flavors.

Vietnamese salad is often topped with lots of peanuts. Photo by VnExpress

Vietnamese salads are flavorful and refreshing, and can be enjoyed all year round. Among all the toppings, roasted ground peanuts are a must-have addition for every Vietnamese salad. Not only does it make the salad more visually attractive, but it also offers a nutty taste that is impossible to replace. A dish of nom cannot be complete without the addition of peanuts.

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