Việt Nam's grilled bananas among world’s most delicious desserts

Việt Nam's grilled bananas are among the world’s most delicious desserts. VNA/VNS Photo

US-based multinational news channel CNN has put Việt Nam’s grilled bananas on its list of best desserts in the world, calling it a “must-try”.

It described the sweet course as crispy, smoky and fragrant, and best enjoyed with lightly sweetened creamy coconut milk and roasted peanuts.

Grilled banana is a famous snack from the Mekong Delta that can be found in many parts of Việt Nam’s southern region. The peeled banana is marinated with a little sugar and salt for 30 minutes. It is then covered in glutenous rice cooked in coconut milk, wrapped in banana leaves and then grilled.

Grilled banana is a famous snack from the Mekong Delta that can be found in many parts of Việt Nam’s southern region. VNA/VNS Photo

Culinary Journeys, a food programme that airs monthly on CNN International, compiled the list. It aims to introduce viewers to the best dishes in the world.

People can also promote their own dishes by uploading images to Instagram at the hashtag #CNNfood, and CNN’s culinary experts then choose dishes to showcase on the programme.

Other notable desserts on the list included blonde brownies from Qatar, Kenyan cheesecake and Sandesh in India, among others.

The diverse and attractive cuisine of Việt Nam is increasingly becoming known to international friends, with not only phở and spring rolls but also many other dishes catching the attention of food connoisseurs around the world.

Most recently in January, the US travel magazine Travel and Leisure named Việt Nam as the top culinary destination in Asia in their Bucket List Places in Asia 2023, especially for street food.

The magazine also suggested the best places for tourists to explore Vietnamese cuisine, including Hà Nội, Đà Nẵng, and HCM City. Must-try dishes include phở, bánh mì (baguette), and bánh (steamed rice rolls).

It stated that if there is any culinary culture with an irresistible, rich and flavorful taste, it is definitely Vietnamese cuisine. In addition to the beautiful natural landscapes and historical and cultural sites, Việt Nam is also known for its unique, appealing and delicious cuisine.

The famous Canadian travel magazine, The Travel, also announced the top 10 countries globally with the most appealing culinary cultures, in which Việt Nam placed fifth in the reader's choice. Apart from phở, it also recommended other dishes such as nem rán (fried spring rolls), bánh mì, cơm rang (fried rice), and cơm tấm (broken rice) for tourists to try.