To be completely up front, customers new to Vietnamese food often think here is a hair in their food.
Though we are successful explaining that it is lemongrass (or we replace the dish when requested), we hope to enlighten many potential customers about how lemongrass threads that are used to marinate all of our meats turn into threads that soften, then char on the grill and look a lot like human hairs. We’d like to reiterate that Pho Ben Vietnamese Restaurants strictly adheres to all food handling, health, and safety regulations by maintaining rigorous sanitation practices, proper food storage and preparation procedures, and compliance with all applicable health standards.
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With that out of the way, let’s dive into lemongrass, its delicious power of flavor, and it’s thready stalk…
One of the best parts of exploring Vietnamese cuisine is discovering the fresh herbs, fragrant aromatics, and vibrant flavors that make every dish standout. If you’re new to Vietnamese food, you may notice ingredients that look a little unfamiliar. They’re the flavorings that create the authentic taste people love. And one ingredient you’ll find in our kitchen is lemongrass.
Lemongrass in Vietnamese Food
Lemongrass is a fragrant tropical herb used throughout Vietnam and Southeast Asia. It has a bright, citrusy aroma with subtle floral notes and adds incredible depth to marinades, broths, and grilled meats.
Rather than overpowering a dish, lemongrass brings a fresh, savory fragrance that perfectly complements pork, chicken, beef, shrimp, and tofu. It’s one of the signature flavors that makes Vietnamese grilled dishes so distinctive.
Why Threads Might be in Vietnamese Food?
When we prepare many of our grilled meats and seafood, we marinate them with freshly chopped lemongrass to allow its flavor to soak into every bite.
Fresh lemongrass naturally contains very fine, fibrous strands from the stalk. Even after careful preparation and cooking, some of these delicate fibers can remain attached to the meat or shrimp. They are completely natural and are simply part of cooking with fresh lemongrass.
These tiny threads are a sign that real lemongrass (not artificial flavoring or extracts) was used to create the dish’s signature aroma and taste.
Fresh Ingredients Make a Big Difference
Traditional Vietnamese cooking is built around fresh ingredients… cilantro, Thai basil, mint, and lemongrass are prepared daily because their fresh flavors simply can’t be replicated.
By taking the extra time to marinate foods with fresh aromatics is one reason why Pho Ben Vietnamese dishes are so flavorful. The process creates the fragrant, caramelized notes that pair beautifully with rice, noodles, fresh vegetables, or a side of fish sauce.
A Taste of Vietnamese Tradition
Whether you’re trying lemongrass chicken for the first time, enjoying grilled pork over vermicelli, savoring lemongrass beef, discovering marinated shrimp, or savoring our tofu/vegetarian dishes, you’re experiencing a cooking tradition that has been enjoyed across Vietnam for generations.