Like most of our interstate road trips, we look forward to trying out Vietnamese cuisine in different regions of the country. Why Vietnamese cuisine? Well, there are a number of reasons. Primarily because it is easy to make, easy to eat, and kids aren’t too picky with it! Secondarily, the ingredients are simple and hearty. Lastly, Vietnamese cuisine derived from home cooked-meals. The first two are self-explanatory. The last one is a reminiscent of our heritage. As a culture, we are always collectively working for the same goal: whether that is lending a helping hand or making good meals for everyone. In Vietnam, ancestor veneration and death anniversaries are celebration in honor of our departed relatives. The honoring families would spent the entire day preparing meals and foods to offer the attending guests as well as the departed relatives.
After unpacking and transitioning into the new house, we spent the remaining days searching for close-substitution to our home cooked-meals. We went to several Asian restaurants in town, but they lacked authenticity. The usual overpriced, many selections, and watered-down dishes that use the same ingredients and cooking methods. At the time, we hadn’t thought about opening a restaurant of our own that served home cooked-meals.