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Spicy Tofu and Vegetables

Spicy Tofu and Vegetables from Dalat Restaurant on Park Avenue in Worcester, MA

Spicy Tofu and Vegetables from Dalat Restaurant on Park Avenue in Worcester, MA

Vietnamese food has become one of my favorite foods when eating out in Worcester, although I tend to go more in the winter months, so when I found out our next Foodies gathering would be at Dalat I was excited. I purchased a six pack of ice cold beer along with a nice bottle of crisp Pinot Grigio for my dining companion, knowing spicy food was about to consumed, and off we went.

Dalat is a very casual spot on Park Ave, so casual that if you didn’t know it was there you might actually pass by it. Inside things are clean and basic, and obviously, family owned and operated.

We started with an order of spring rolls that came out hot and fresh. For my main meal I opted for one the Chef’s Special – Spicy Tofu and Vegetables. Tofu…? my Foodie friends asked? Yes tofu. In perfect contrast to the al dente vegetables it was served with, the spicy, spongy and delicious tofu was the perfect protein to add to this dish as it took on the flavors of the bell and chile peppers, onions and sprouts it was mixed with. Add the perfect amount of heat and this dish was outstanding, especially with an ice cold BYOB beer! The only draw back is that it was a Chef’s Special and might not be on the menu when I go back. But no worries, I am sure that my next experience at Dalat will be just as outstanding.

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Sunny Side Egg atop Ground Pork

Sunny Side Egg atop Ground Pork from Dalat on Park Avenue in Worcester, MA

Sunny Side Egg atop Ground Pork from Dalat on Park Avenue in Worcester, MA

Unassuming, eclectic décor, Vietnamese cuisine, BYOB, all of the key ingredients to a perfect evening.

Having moved away from my most beloved Vietnamese restaurant, I have been on the quest all through Worcester to find something that (for me) is at the very least comparable. Dalat is it!Located on Park Avenue, this small, simple, BYOB is sure to please your palate and wallet. Dalat offers many authentic dishes to choose from as well as Boba. The staff is always pleasant and welcoming. One small charming detail is the eclectic assortment of wine glasses, each visit I get a different one.

I have often been asked how I would describe Vietnamese cuisine. I struggle coming up with the perfect description that would offer any justice to this amazing food.

Vietnamese cuisine is known however to include five fundamental taste senses – wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. All of these correspond to flavors/spices, senses, nutrients, organs, and colors. The perfect yin yang balance. Additionally, it is also considered one of the healthiest cuisines due to the use of fresh ingredients and minimal use of oil.

I typically order vermicelli, a mixed vegetable dish, or Pho Ga (what many know Vietnamese food for). Tonight, I was craving something new, maybe something “off” the menu.

My craving was met as we were ordering; our wonderful server mentioned that there were in fact a couple of “chef specials”, not listed on the menu (perfect). I was excited to order the – sunny side egg atop ground pork, mixed vegetables, and rice.

The flavors in this dish were amazing! Lean ground pork, fresh mixed vegetables, sautéed in a light but slightly spicy sauce, and the egg? All five of my senses cherished each bite.

As an aside – long ago, a friend asked me to try Vietnamese restaurant; I declined, as I had no knowledge of the cuisine and was frankly naïve about it. I decided one day to try it, and I am so happy I did. By far the most amazing cuisine. If you want something good and perhaps you are a newbie, I suggest the Pho soup or a vermicelli dish. I have never met a person that I have introduced to Vietnamese cuisine that did not fall in love with it. In addition, truth be told, I am addicted.