Thai vs. Vietnamese food?

Question

Whats the difference between the two, food-wise? I am trying to pick a place to take a friend, but I have no idea whats the difference between these two food genres..

Answer 1

Thai food is yummier!!

Answer 2

I knew nothing about this type of food,wow,that first answer you got was interesting!

Answer 3

Vietnamese food has more French & Chinese influences.  It is also a bit sweeter & nost as spicy as Thai cuisine.  As in many of the neighboring countries, a Vietnamese meal is rarely divided into courses. All the food is served at once and shared from common dishes. Meals are anchored by a starch, usually rice and sometimes noodles (especially in the north where grain is more prevalent than rice).

The Vietnamese prefer long-grain rice to the glutinous short grain varieties preferred by northern Thai and Japanese palates. Most meals include a soup, a stir-fry, and another main dish. Often, a light salad with shrimp or beef and vegetables will accompany the meal.

Vietnamese cooking is generally not as rich or heavy as the coconut milk curries, of, say, Thailand or India. All that coastline means that fish and seafood are central to the diet. Other meats -- pork, beef, and chicken -- are also common, but in smaller quantities. Vegetables are often left raw, especially in the south, to act as a fresh contrast to the spicy cooked meat. The distinct flavors of Vietnamese food come primarily from: mint leaves, coriander, lemon grass, shrimp, fish sauces (nuoc nam and nuoc cham), star anise, ginger, black pepper, garlic, basil, rice vinegar, sugar, and green onions. Many flavorful marinades are made by some combination of these flavorings. Marinated meat or fish is quickly sautéed in the wok and served with an array of raw vegetables and herbs. All this may be eaten over rice or rolled in a rice-paper wrapper or lettuce leaf (or both), then dipped into a pungent sauce.

Thai cooking has a character of its own, much of it based on the country’s location and the land’s warm climate and abundant fresh herbs and spices. Brilliant taste, texture and color come from the fresh vegetables and fruits, the rich combinations of flavorings such as chilies, garlic and onions, curry mixtures, coriander, coconut cream, basil, lemon grass, mint, kaffir lime, tamarind and fish sauce. It accepts and incorporates the influences of its neighbors, China, Laos, Cambodia, Burma, and India for a varied and zestful cuisine. Thai food is all about combining five flavor sensations: sweet, sour, salty, hot and bitter. Thai food also has more Indian & Malay influences.

It is worth noting that the Thai eat with a spoon, fork and knife. In Southeast Asia, only the Vietnamese eat with chopsticks.

Answer 4

Both are excellent, but Thai also focuses a lot on curries, stir-fry's and coconut-based sauces/soups.  A lot of lemongrass, galangal (type of ginger), basil, mint, and yes if you're lucky, it's spicy!  Here's a typical dish:  wok fried tender juicy beef, with fried basil, red peppers, some spice, over white rice and the salty jus from the cooking process. YUM.

Vietnamese food has a lot of ginger, papaya, shellfish, chicken, dry bbq spices, and noodle dishes.  Really big on noodle dishes.  They are really similar cuisines but, to the trained tongues, definitely distinct.

Just go for the best rated restaurant in your area FIRST!