To understand Vietnamese cuisine is to understand the search for balance. It is a conversation between flavours - herbs cooling the warmth of chilli, broth lifting the lightness of noodles. We look for “thanh”, the purity and harmony that leave the palate refreshed.
The harmonious colors from the spices in a Vietnamese kitchen create a balance and harmony in each dish.
Vietnamese kitchens have always been open to new influences. We took the French baguette and gave it the soul of Bánh Mì. We embraced the coffee bean to create a robust culture of Cà phê sữa đá that rivals any in the world. We welcome the best ingredients from across the oceans, not to replace our traditions, but to enrich them. We turn the foreign into something deeply, unmistakably ours.
Today, Norwegian salmon has become part of that story. Born in the cold fjords of Norway, it carries a clean flavour and firm texture that suits the modern Vietnamese preference for fresh, healthy food. Its traceability offers peace of mind to families who care about the origin of what they serve.
A Gift From The Cold, Embraced By The Warmth
Why has this fish, born of deep and glacial fjords, resonated so profoundly with the Vietnamese palate? Perhaps it is because it shares the very values we cherish most: purity and provenance.
A close-up view of the world's most technologically advanced fish cages in the cold clear waters of Norway.
Raised in the cold clear waters of Norway where nature is respected above all else, salmon brings a distinct texture and vitality. It is firm yet yielding, rich yet clean. For the modern Vietnamese family, who are increasingly conscious of health and the origins of their food, Norwegian salmon is more than a delicacy. It offers the peace of mind that comes from full traceability. It serves as a "clean" source of protein rich in Omega-3s that nurtures the body without weighing it down.
It is this inherent "cleanness" that makes it the perfect partner for the intricate flavours of our homeland.
The New Muse Of The Vietnamese Table
For years, we admired salmon in its rawest form. We loved the pristine slices of sashimi that celebrated its freshness. But the narrative has already evolved. Norwegian salmon has stepped out of the high-end restaurant and into the cozy familiarity of the family meal. It proves it can be as Vietnamese as it is Norwegian.
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The "Seafood from Norway" label - a guarantee of salmon quality - is featured on this braised salmon dish.
Consider the comforting richness of Cá hồi Na Uy kho tộ. The salmon is gently simmered in a caramelised sauce of Vietnamese fish sauce and crisp fried garlic, with its natural richness balanced by traditional herbs. Paired with fried rice, baby cabbage và carrots, the dish becomes a satisfying combination of soft, savoury salmon, fragrant rice and fresh, bright vegetables.
Norwegian salmon sour soup with very familiar ingredients.
Then imagine Canh chua cá hồi Na Uy. Various vegetables bring out brightness, while crisp fried garlic, delicate seaweed foam and fragrant cilantro add a contemporary twist. The gentle sweetness of salmon enriches the broth, creating a clean, nuanced balance that refreshes the palate.
And for the moments that matter most, such as weekend gatherings, nothing unites a family quite like a steaming Lẩu măng chua cá hồi (Sour Bamboo Shoot Salmon Hotpot). In this bubbling, aromatic broth, Norwegian salmon proves its remarkable versatility. Behaving much like our beloved cá hú or cá bớp, the salmon slices hold their firmness yet surrender to the soup. They absorb the tangy essence of bamboo shoots while imparting their own deep, savory sweetness to the broth. It is a flavor that feels entirely new, yet comforting like a childhood memory.
Norwegian salmon is a perfect accompaniment to a warm family meal during Tet (Lunar New Year) this year.
In these dishes, the salmon does not dominate. It harmonizes. It respects the integrity of Vietnamese spices while elevating the nutritional value of the everyday meal. It bridges the gap between the desire for premium, global ingredients and the unshakeable love for traditional flavours.
A Symbol Of Modern Living
Bringing Norwegian salmon into the home kitchen is a reflection of the modern Vietnamese lifestyle. It speaks of a generation that is worldly yet grounded, and one that values convenience without compromising on quality. It is for the mother who wants to nourish her children’s development with the best nature has to offer. It is for the young couple who sees cooking not as a chore, but as a creative expression of care.
The “Thanh" in Vietnamese dishes is not only appreciated by the taste buds but also by the mind, serving as a reminder that harmony is always at the core of beauty.
From the cold, majestic coastlines of Norway to the vibrant, herb-scented kitchens of Vietnam, the journey of this fish is complete. It is no longer a stranger. It has become a natural, nourishing, and beautiful part of our daily lives.
Photo Credit: NSC