Luke Nguyen's Vietnam S2 | Episode guide

Luke returns to the country of his heritage to take a culinary journey through the northern regions of Vietnam.

Source: Luke Nguyen's Vietnam - Season 2

Episode 1

Luke explores the food and culture of Hue, home to the ruling Emperors of the 17th century in central Vietnam.

Recipes

Hue lemongrass skewers (nem lui hue)

Steamed rice flour cakes with dried shrimp (banh beo)

Green fig-and-tofu salad (goi va tron dau hu)

Episode 2

Luke travels to rural Vinh to explore the vibrant market lifestyle and prepare regional dishes for the local people.

Recipes

Pickled bamboo and tamarind seafood soup (canh hai san mang chua)

Chargrilled eel in lemongrass and turmeric (luon nuong xa)

Pork ribs braised in young coconut juice (suon ram man)

Stir-fried pork neck with pineapple and vegetables (muc xao khom)

Episode 3

Luke's journey continues to the mysterious and serene Ninh Binh, and cooking snails, pork neck and goat in some of the most beautiful scenery Vietnam has to offer.

Recipes

Ninh Binh snails cooked in lemongrass and chilli (oc luoc xa)

Citrus-cured goat salad (tai de)

Episode 4

Luke reaches the bustling city of Hanoi to discover its old charm, strong French influence and a very vibrant street-food scene.

Recipes

Chargrilled pork patties with Vietnamese herbs (bun cha)

Fish pan-fried with turmeric and dill (cha ca Hanoi)

Episode 5

Luke ventures to greater Hanoi and learns how to make rice paper and pork terrine. He roasts a duck roadside and demonstrates a Vietnamese favourite, Pho Bo.

Recipes

Beef noodle soup with rice noodles (pho bo)

Hanoi crisp parcels with vermicelli salad (bun nem ran)

Roasted duck in fermented bean curd (vit nuong chao)

Episode 6

Luke leaves the hustle and bustle of Hanoi behind for the mystical mountains of Sapa to cook in the clouds.

Recipes

Kohlrabi-and-buffalo salad (trau xao xu hao)

Chargrilled Sapa black chicken in galangal (ga den nuong rieng)

Crisp tofu cooked in tomato-pepper sauce (dau hu sot ca)

Episode 7

Continuing in Sapa, Luke ventures beyond the main town and visits the local villages where he delves into some rich local traditions.

Recipes

Wild shiitake mushroom and choko leaf stir-fry (nam xao la su su)

Chargrilled Hmong black pig skewers with sesame salt (thit lon nuong muoi vung)

Red Dzao salmon steamboat (lao ca hoi dzao do)

Episode 8

Heading further north to Bac Ha, Luke visits the busy weekend tourist markets and explores the local surrounds, learning to make his own rice wine.

Recipes 

Chicken cooked in ginger (ga ban kho gung)

Purple noodle wok-tossed with bamboo and pork (hu tieu xao mang thit lon)

Bac Ha green-tea smoked duck (vit hom khoi)

Episode 9

Aboard a large Vietnamese junk boat, Luke floats through the serene beauties of one of the world's natural wonders, Halong Bay.

Recipes

Salt-and-pepper red crab (cua rang muoi)

Pippies wok-tossed with chilli and Asian basil (nhieu xao rau que)

Halong mussels cooked in lemongrass-scented coconut milk (con don nau xa cot dua)

Mantis prawns steamed in beer (bi bi hap beer)

Episode 10

In this last episode of Luke Nguyen's Vietnam, Luke immerses himself in Mai Chau, eating, drinking and dancing with the local white Thai people.

Recipes

Young jackfruit-and-tofu salad (goi mit dau hu)

Whole carp cooked in bamboo (ca nuong tre)

Mai Chau "Armpit Pig" roasted on a spit (heo cap nach nuong)

Online exclusive recipes

Hue pancake (banh khoai)

Banana-blossom salad with tofu skin (goi bap chuoi tau hu ky)

Sticky rice cooked in bamboo (com lam)

Warm beef-and-watercress salad (bo xao sa lat song)

Purple rice noodle and corn-wine soup (hu tieu thiem)

Pork terrine baguette (banh mi cha lua)

Handmade rice noodles filled with pork and wood-ear mushrooms (banh cuon nong)

School prawns wok-tossed in shrimp paste (tom kho danh)

Carp chargrilled in betel leaves (ca tram nuong la lop)

Prawns fried in young green rice flakes (tom chien com)