Nộm

Gỏi is a traditional Vietnamese salad that stands in stark contrast to Western-style salads such as sa lát and sa lát Nga. This invigorating dish typically features a medley of fresh vegetables—think grated turnip, kohlrabi, cabbage, or papaya—alongside cucumber and an assortment of meats like pork, beef, shrimp, or fish. To enhance its flavors, gỏi is seasoned with a symphony of spices (gia vị), fresh herbs (rau thơm), peanuts (đậu phộng), vinegar, sugar, garlic, pepper, and salt.

One of the most favored versions is Gỏi gà, a delectable chicken salad. However, there are numerous other variations to explore. For instance, Bánh đúc nộm incorporates bánh đúc, a type of rice cake. Gỏi bò khô features dried beef paired with kinh giới, an aromatic herb. There's also Gỏi đu đủ, a zesty papaya salad, and Gỏi tôm, a refreshing prawn salad. Some regional specialties include rice-paddy eel salad and Gỏi nhệch, each offering a distinctive blend of textures and flavors.

These salads provide a wonderful opportunity to experience the diverse and vibrant tastes of Vietnamese cuisine, combining fresh ingredients with aromatic spices and herbs to create truly delightful dishes.