Tag: WFXLII

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Traditional Pho – Chicken Noodle Soup Style

traditional pho - chicken noodle soup style from Dalat Restaurant on Park Avenue in Worcester, MA

traditional pho - chicken noodle soup style from Dalat Restaurant on Park Avenue in Worcester, MA

Over the past few years, Vietnamese has become one of my favorite ethnic foods! I love the complex flavors of each dish, the homemade sauces, and the brightness of the fresh herbs.

I was excited to return to Dalat for August’s Foodies! However, while I enjoy testing my palate, my sense of adventure has been slightly hampered upon finding out that my husband and I are expecting our first child in February. As a result…I played it safe with my order…#24…traditional pho – chicken noodle soup style! Salt, salt, salt, and more salt (oh…and ice cream too) has been an essential part of my pregnancy cravings so pho was the perfect choice to satiate my tummy!

When my soup arrived, it was piping hot with tender pieces of all white meat chicken, a copious amount of noodles and a delightfully salty broth I was in heaven! I added a healthy dose of the chef’s homemade fish sauce and plenty of Sriracha sauce for some heat. Delightful!!! Due to my limitations and pregnancy-induced aversions, I did not add sprouts or basil. My soup was delicious; just what I wanted and more!

Da Lat offers traditional Vietnamese food in a quaint setting at phenomenal prices…oh, and did I mention it’s BYOB…which under normal circumstances puts a gigantic smile on my face?!?!

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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.