British Businessman and His Passion for Vietnamese Cuisine
Giving up his career at a beverage company in London, Chris Thompson followed his father to Vietnam to build their own business. After 10 years of living in HCM city, Chris shared all the things that he is passionate about in this place which he considers his second home.
Vietnam is an ideal destination to live
 |
| Chris with his immense love for Vietnam. Photo: Chris Thompson |
From the first time he arrived in this country with his father for business, Vietnam has become Chris’s second home. When asked if he ever wants to come back to the United Kingdom, he said without hesitation, “Only when I miss my family back home. The big downside for any expat living in Vietnam is homesickness.”
According to Chris, Vietnam is one of the friendliest countries in the world. The vibrant and colorful life in HCM city draws a lot of people in to discover and experience every corner of it. Ho Chi Minh City‘s warm and pleasant climate makes it easy for foreigners to adapt and find their own peaceful place here.
“The warmth of the climate, the subtle aromas, and the hum of the noise combined together create a powerful cocktail, garnished with the expectation that tomorrow will be better than today,” Chris said.
Like any other developing city, HCMC is not immune to difficulties such as overcrowded airports, traffic congestion, and poor air quality. However, Chris said this is a part of Vietnamese culture, and this is still a great country to work and live in.
Fall in love with Vietnamese cuisine
 |
| He spends a lot of his time discovering Vietnam cuisine. Photo: Chris Thompson |
One of the reasons that make Chris fall in love with this city is the diverse and attractive cuisine with many styles of preparation from fresh ingredients. British famous chef, Gordon Ramsay, has visited Vietnam many times to produce culinary shows and once claimed the quality of ingredients, especially seafood, is world-class.
Chris shared that he enjoyed the eating culture of Vietnamese families. Whenever he has time, he loves eating traditional home-cooked meals at his friends’ houses. Opposite to Western countries, where each person will have their own serving, Vietnamese people will gather around and share a meal after a hard working day, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
“I am impressed with the way people here celebrate the Tet holiday, and everyone spends their time with their loved ones. It is emotional to sit together listening to the Tet songs while enjoying a delicious piece of Chung cake,” Chris said.
Some of his favorite dishes include Bun Cha, Khot Cake (Banh Khot), Crab Paste Vermicelli Soup (Bun Rieu), Grilled Beef In Lolot Leaf (Bo La Lot), and Quang Style Noodle Soup (Mi Quang). However, to him, Vietnamese street food has a limitation for foreigners as the tables and chairs are too small.
“With my height and weight, it is very uncomfortable for me to sit on the small chairs on the sidewalks under the heat. That’s why I often enjoy eating in restaurants that serve traditional foods, and have air conditioners. Nowadays, there are a lot of places like this in Vietnam,” Chris said.
Impressed by the creativity of Vietnamese chefs
 |
| Photo: Anan Saigon |
Chris’ main job is related to food, so he has the opportunity to visit the best bars and restaurants in Vietnam. According to him, Vietnamese dishes are increasingly being enhanced by the creativity of chefs in bringing high-class ingredients such as foie gras, caviar, and wagyu beef to the menu.
Most of the expensive restaurants in Vietnam bring an air of luxury and creativity into the designs, along with the most attentive services.
The post British Businessman and His Passion for Vietnamese Cuisine appeared first on Vietexplorer.com.
View more from VietExplorer:
Firefly in Cuc Phuong national park bewitch visitorsPho restaurants reopen after social distancing
Foreigners stranded in Vietnam receiving assistance
Ministry prepares plans on recovery of tourism market
Bac Giang: More lychee to be grown for export to Japan
Hundreds respond to “All-people blood donation day”
Changes in mountainous province of Tuyen Quang
Vietnamese singer in Top 21 of Billboard’s Adult Contemporary Indicator Chart
French newspaper introduces Hanoi’s must-eat street food
Vietnam tourism prepares for comeback
Vietjet introduces Power Pass for unlimited flights in Vietnam
Mong Cai City wins ASEAN Tourism Award 2020
Ke Go Lake, a charming green oasis in the land of Ha Tinh
CAAV urges airlines to provide refunds for flights cancelled due to COVID-19
The pristine coastal beauty of Phu Yen
Vietnamese tourism industry forecasted to take years for recovery
US magazine runs feature on composer Khac Hung and his global hit
Indian experts helping restore core area of My Son Sanctuary
Hanoians return to eateries amid COVID-19 threat
Hien Luong-Ben Hai historical relic site
Comments
Post a Comment