Vietnamese Cuisine and Its Cultural Integration in America

Introduction

• Discussion on how Vietnamese dishes like pho and banh mi became popular in America.
• Visit to Good Girl Dinette, a Vietnamese restaurant, to explore this topic.

Pho: A Ubiquitous Vietnamese-American Dish

• Pho is one of the most popular Vietnamese dishes in America.
• Historical Context:
  • The speaker’s grandmother came to the US in 1975 after the Vietnam War.
  • Three main waves of Vietnamese immigration to the US:
    1. 1975: Over 100,000 Vietnamese evacuated.
    2. Late 1970s: Ethnic Chinese and rural refugees.
    3. 1980s and 1990s: More refugees, political prisoners, and Amerasians.
• Cultural Assimilation Challenges:
  • Initial resistance and fear regarding the assimilation of Asian refugees, reflecting on past policies like the Chinese Exclusion Act.
• Pho’s Cultural Significance:
  • It filled a need for familiar food and community for Vietnamese immigrants.
  • Pho is made with flat rice noodles, broth, and protein.
  • Its roots trace back to Hanoi, gaining popularity under French colonial rule.
• Popularity Growth:
  • Communities are porous, leading to intermingling of cultures, especially in places like California.

Authenticity and Cultural Appropriation

• Debate on Authenticity:
  • Cultural and culinary practices are not static; they evolve over time.
  • The idea of static immigrant food denies cultural growth.
• Cultural Appropriation Concerns:
  • Highlighting non-Vietnamese as authorities on Vietnamese cuisine undermines the efforts of Vietnamese Americans.
  • Economic opportunities and media focus often favor non-Vietnamese individuals.
  • Immigrants often face greater challenges due to undercapitalization.

Banh Mi: Cultural Fusion and Evolution

• Ingredients and Origin:
  • Banh mi includes protein, chilies, pickled vegetables inside a baguette.
  • Origin traces back to Saigon during the end of French rule.
• Modern Evolution:
  • Lee’s Sandwiches popularized banh mi in the US, expanding awareness and availability.
• Personal Anecdote:
  • The speaker’s grandfather’s reaction to a modern banh mi highlights individual tastes impacted by personal history.

Vietnamese Food as American Food

• Cultural Reflection:
  • The speaker aims to reflect full humanity through their restaurant, rather than just introduce Vietnamese cuisine.
  • Vietnamese food, like pho and banh mi, is now considered part of American cuisine.
• Conclusion:
  • Emphasis on the diversity of American culture and the integration of Vietnamese cuisine.

Personal Experience

• The speaker's improvement in using chopsticks and overall learning experience about Vietnamese food.