American Woman Discovers and Masters the Art of Vietnamese Cuisine

American woman Diamond Logan has gained popularity for her authentic Vietnamese cooking on TikTok, amassing thousands of followers and millions of interactions. Initially introduced to Vietnamese cuisine through her boyfriend Giang, Logan has transformed her culinary skills, passionately exploring various traditional dishes. Her journey has not only garnered online attention but also led to personal growth and cultural appreciation as she continues her exploration of Vietnamese food.

In a delightful turn of culinary creativity, Diamond Logan, an American woman, is becoming a notable figure in the world of Vietnamese cuisine. Her TikTok channel showcases her expertise in making traditional dishes like bun moc, a northern Vietnamese pork meatball noodle soup. Whether she’s garnishing the dish with scallions and cilantro or using pickled chili garlic, her videos have gained massive popularity, attracting hundreds of thousands to millions of views. Over the last six months, she has amassed a following of 54,000 and engaged over a million viewers, with many hailing her authenticity.

Logan’s culinary journey took shape in an unconventional way; she met her Vietnamese boyfriend, Giang, while pursuing studies in data analytics in Seattle. Their early rendezvous often included visits to Vietnamese eateries, where she was introduced to banh mi for the first time. “I was completely won over,” she recalls, captivated by the contrast of crispy baguette and creamy pate. However, as they explored more restaurants, Giang pointed out many did not serve authentic fare.

Her interest in Asian food wasn’t exactly new; she had previously worked at a Thai restaurant and nurtured friendships with Vietnamese acquaintances during her school years. Fast forward to 2021, during the Covid lockdown, she influenced her own culinary adventures by venturing into cooking Vietnamese cuisine for the first time while living in Chicago with Giang. They started off with simple dishes, crafting steamed vegetables and banh cuon despite quite a few hiccups in execution, noting some rolls turned out too thick or stuck to the pan.

In June 2022, Logan embarked on her first trip to Vietnam, immersing herself in the vibrancy and variety of its street food scene. The flavors she experienced were worlds apart from those in the U.S. She developed a refined palate for variations, spotting distinct differences between northern and southern pho. Learning to prepare pate from Giang’s father and garlic mincing tips from his mother deepened her understanding; notably, she discovered that fish sauce is “the soul of Vietnamese cuisine.”

Returning to America, her home-cooked meals began to reflect nearly half of her weekly menu, with the standout being braised pork belly with eggs. She honed her skills, experimenting with homemade caramel sauce and pickling carrots and daikon. “Getting the flavors right is my way of honoring the cuisine,” she stated, highlighting her passion for sourcing specialized ingredients like banana fritter flour in Chicago.

Logan journeyed back to Vietnam in late 2023 for three months, eager to explore even more dishes. When she inquired about bun rieu cua, a crab and tomato noodle soup, she was taken aback to see live crabs in the kitchen, as she had only known pre-packaged meat in the U.S. Nevertheless, she quickly learned to handle fresh ingredients, which significantly upgraded her skills.

Post-Vietnam, Logan felt her cooking had significantly improved. She ditched seasoning packets to create flavors from scratch, although not every dish turned out perfect. Making bun rieu still posed challenges, with refreshing ingredients and experimenting with the broth taking up to three hours. Her boyfriend assisted her in reaching the right balance of flavors, becoming a supportive partner in her culinary endeavors.

As her content grew in popularity, many of her friends and coworkers started reaching out for recipe guidance. Even complex dishes, such as banh xeo, caught people’s attention. Much of her recipe inspiration comes from social media or conversations with Giang’s family. His mother, Nguyen Ngoc Han, expressed admiration for Logan’s skill and dedication towards embracing Vietnamese culture.

With Giang’s encouragement, Logan has now mastered over 30 Vietnamese dishes and aspires to continue expanding her repertoire. “I believe I can make anything as long as I have the right ingredients and a recipe,” she claimed passionately, asserting that Vietnamese cuisine deserves wider recognition on the global stage.

Diamond Logan’s culinary journey is a testament to the passion and dedication one can have for mastering a cuisine outside their culture. From TikTok fame to real family connections in Vietnam, she is successfully sharing her love for Vietnamese food with a broader audience. With each dish she learns, she not only grows as a cook but also bridges cultural gaps through food; a journey that showcases the universal language of cooking.

Original Source: e.vnexpress.net