Vegetables and herbs are an irreplaceable part of Vietnamese main meals. Thanks to the tropical climate, Vietnam has many kinds of green, making the cuisine more colorful and nutritious. Morning Glory is on the must-try vegetables list and is often seen on restaurant menus when you come to Vietnam.
The Origin of Morning Glory
As you may know, morning glory is the name of a flower that mainly blooms in the early morning. The morning glory flower is believed initially from China and used in medicine. In Vietnam, people cultivate it to eat the stems and leaves of this plant, and the locals would regard to it as “Rau Muong”.
Vietnamese Meals with “Rau Muong”
The flavor and texture of morning glory are exactly why Vietnamese people enjoy it so much. Its stem skin is quite thick but hollow inside, creating a crunchy texture and juiciness at the same time. By the look and its use, you may mistake Rau Muong (morning glory) for Rau nhut (Water mimosa), but the leaves of water mimosa are quite different, and its texture, when cooked, is a bit chewier than that of morning glory.
The morning glory plant is a common ingredient sold widely in every local market and supermarket. The price of morning glory can change according to seasons, but it is usually from VND 10,000 to 20,000/kilogram.
If you think meals with vegetables are dull, you may check out these recipes to make delicious dishes from just morning glory.
Rau muong xao toi (Saute with garlic)
Rau muong xao toi is a Vietnamese classic with simple ingredients. This dish may be the most popular in the country because of its taste and easy-to-make recipe.
Canh chua rau muong (Sweet and sour soup)
Besides tomatoes or pineapples in Canh chua, people prefer morning glory for a slightly different flavor. Instead of using fish as protein, in Canh chua rau muong, you can use shrimp, pork, and even better with beef.
Rau muong luoc (Boiled/poached)
This dish is as simple as its name. It would be super convenient for anyone who is busy but still wants a plate of vegetables. The secret to making this dish is adding salt when boiling and putting it into cold water to preserve the crunchy and sweet taste as soon as the morning glory is well-cooked. Pairing it with a dish of chili soy sauce will make you crave more.
Dua rau muong (Pickle)
The ingredients of this pickle are really simple. You just need morning glory, vinegar, sugar, salt, and water. Like other Vietnamese pickles, morning glory pickles are ready after 1-2 days of soaking.
Lau (Hotpot)
Hotpot is a perfect dish to enjoy different kinds of meats and vegetables. Morning glory is an ingredient that is easy to find, and you can put it in a regular version or a spicy and sour version of hotpot.
Read more on Traditional Vietnamese Family Meals
Summary of the Vietnamese Vegetable – Rau Muong
Vietnam’s cuisine is definitely on the list of the best things that can make your trip unforgettable, especially the various vegetables. Because of its exceptional taste and nutritional value, Rau muong is a must-try food in Vietnam.