1. How to Say Cooking in Vietnamese
Cooking = Nấu ăn
The most common Vietnamese word for cooking is:
• Nấu ăn - Cooking / To cook
Examples:
• I like cooking - Tôi thích nấu ăn.
• My mother is cooking dinner - Mẹ tôi đang nấu bữa tối.
• He can cook Vietnamese food - Anh ấy biết nấu món Việt Nam.
Cook = Nấu
The verb nấu means "to cook" and is used for many types of food preparation.
Examples:
• Cook rice - Nấu cơm
• Cook soup - Nấu canh
• Cook noodles - Nấu mì
• Cook a meal - Nấu một bữa ăn
2. Common Cooking Verbs in Vietnamese
Boil = Luộc
Luộc means cooking food in boiling water.
Examples:
• Boil vegetables - Luộc rau
• Boil eggs - Luộc trứng
• Boil chicken - Luộc gà
Steam = Hấp
Hấp means cooking food with steam. This method keeps food soft and natural.
Examples:
• Steam fish - Hấp cá
• Steam buns - Hấp bánh bao
• Steam sticky rice - Hấp xôi
Fry = Chiên / Rán
Vietnamese has two common words for frying:
• Chiên - commonly used in Southern and general Vietnamese
• Rán - more common in Northern Vietnam
Examples:
• Fried egg - Trứng chiên / Trứng rán
• Fried chicken - Gà chiên
• Fried tofu - Đậu phụ chiên
Stir-fry = Xào
Xào means cooking quickly with oil over high heat.
Examples:
• Stir-fried vegetables - Rau xào
• Stir-fried beef - Bò xào
• Stir-fried noodles - Mì xào
Grill = Nướng
Nướng means cooking food directly over heat.
Examples:
• Grilled pork - Thịt nướng
• Grilled chicken - Gà nướng
• Grilled seafood - Hải sản nướng
Braise = Kho
Kho is a traditional Vietnamese cooking method where meat or fish is slowly cooked with seasoning.
Common ingredients include: Fish sauce (nước mắm), Sugar (đường), Pepper (tiêu), Garlic (tỏi)
Examples:
• Braised pork - Thịt kho
• Braised fish - Cá kho
• Vietnamese caramelized pork and eggs - Thịt kho trứng
Stew = Hầm / Ninh
Both words describe slow cooking.
• Hầm = stew
• Ninh = simmer for a long time until soft
Examples:
• Beef stew - Bò hầm
• Stewed pork ribs - Sườn hầm
• Simmer bones to make broth - Ninh xương lấy nước dùng
3. Basic Kitchen Actions in Vietnamese
Cutting Actions
• Cut - Cắt
• Slice - Thái
• Chop - Chặt
• Mince - Băm
• Peel - Gọt vỏ
• Remove skin - Lột da
• Crush - Đập / Giã
Examples:
• Cut vegetables - Cắt rau
• Slice meat thinly - Thái thịt mỏng
• Mince garlic - Băm tỏi
• Peel potatoes - Gọt vỏ khoai tây
Preparing Food Actions
• Wash - Rửa
• Mix - Trộn
• Stir - Khuấy
• Marinate - Ướp
• Season - Nêm gia vị
• Pour - Đổ
• Sprinkle - Rắc
• Add - Thêm
Examples:
• Wash vegetables - Rửa rau
• Marinate meat with spices - Ướp thịt với gia vị
• Add more salt - Thêm muối
• Mix well - Trộn đều
4. Actions with Chopsticks in Vietnamese
Chopsticks (đũa) are one of the most important eating and cooking tools in Vietnamese culture. Vietnamese people use chopsticks not only for eating but also for some cooking activities such as mixing, stirring, and picking up ingredients.
Chopsticks = Đũa
• Hold chopsticks - Cầm đũa
• Use chopsticks - Dùng đũa
• Pick up food with chopsticks - Gắp thức ăn bằng đũa
• Stir with chopsticks - Khuấy bằng đũa
• Mix with chopsticks - Trộn bằng đũa
Examples:
• Use chopsticks to pick up vegetables - Dùng đũa để gắp rau.
• She uses chopsticks to mix the ingredients - Cô ấy dùng đũa để trộn nguyên liệu.
Common Chopstick Actions
Pick up = Gắp
Gắp means using chopsticks to pick up food.
Examples:
• Pick up meat - Gắp thịt.
• Pick up vegetables - Gắp rau.
• Put food into a bowl - Gắp thức ăn vào bát.
Stir = Khuấy
You can use chopsticks to stir eggs, sauces, or ingredients.
Examples:
• Stir the eggs with chopsticks - Khuấy trứng bằng đũa.
• Stir the sauce - Khuấy nước sốt.
Beat Eggs = Đánh Trứng
Vietnamese people often use chopsticks to beat eggs.
Examples:
• Beat eggs before cooking - Đánh trứng trước khi nấu.
5. Actions with Spoon in Vietnamese
Spoon = Muỗng / Thìa
Vietnamese has two common words:
• Muỗng - common in Southern Vietnam
• Thìa - common in Northern Vietnam
Both mean spoon.
• Spoon - Muỗng / Thìa
• Hold a spoon - Cầm muỗng
• Scoop - Múc
• Stir - Khuấy
• Taste - Nếm
Examples:
• Use a spoon to eat soup - Dùng thìa để ăn canh.
• Taste the soup - Nếm canh.
Common Spoon Actions
Scoop = Múc
Used for soup, rice, porridge, and sauces.
Examples:
• Scoop soup into a bowl - Múc canh vào bát.
• Scoop rice - Múc cơm.
• Scoop porridge - Múc cháo
Taste = Nếm
Used when checking flavor during cooking.
Examples:
• Taste the soup - Nếm canh.
• Taste and adjust the seasoning - Nếm và điều chỉnh gia vị.
6. Actions with Knife in Vietnamese
Knife = Dao
A knife is used for cutting, slicing, chopping, and preparing ingredients.
• Hold a knife - Cầm dao
• Cut - Cắt
• Slice - Thái
• Chop - Chặt
• Mince - Băm
• Peel - Gọt vỏ
Cutting Movements
Slice = Thái
Usually means cutting into thin pieces.
Examples:
• Slice meat thinly - Thái thịt mỏng.
• Slice vegetables - Thái rau củ
Chop = Chặt
Usually means cutting larger and harder ingredients.
Examples:
• Chop chicken - Chặt gà.
• Chop bones - Chặt xương.
Mince = Băm
Cut into very small pieces.
Examples:
• Mince garlic - Băm tỏi.
• Mince meat - Băm thịt.
7. Actions with Frying Pan in Vietnamese
Frying Pan = Chảo
• Heat the pan - Làm nóng chảo
• Add oil - Cho dầu vào
• Fry - Chiên
• Stir-fry - Xào
• Flip - Lật
• Turn over - Trở
• Toss - Đảo
Common Pan Actions
Add Oil = Cho Dầu Vào
Example:
• Add oil to the pan - Cho dầu vào chảo.
Flip = Lật / Trở
Used when cooking both sides.
Examples:
• Flip the fish - Lật cá.
• Turn the meat over - Trở thịt.
Stir-fry = Xào
Examples:
• Stir-fry vegetables - Xào rau.
• Stir-fry beef with onions - Xào thịt bò với hành tây.
8. Actions with Pot in Vietnamese
Pot = Nồi
• Put into the pot - Cho vào nồi
• Cover with a lid - Đậy nắp
• Remove the lid - Mở nắp
• Boil - Đun sôi
• Simmer - Ninh
• Stew - Hầm
Common Pot Actions
Bring to a Boil = Đun Sôi
Examples:
• Bring water to a boil - Đun nước sôi.
• Boil the soup - Đun canh sôi.
Cover with a Lid = Đậy Nắp
Examples:
• Cover the pot with a lid - Đậy nắp nồi.
Reduce Heat = Vặn Nhỏ Lửa
Example:
• Reduce the heat and cook slowly - Vặn nhỏ lửa và nấu từ từ.
9. Other Important Kitchen Actions
• Turn on the stove - Bật bếp
• Turn off the stove - Tắt bếp• Increase heat - Tăng lửa
• Reduce heat - Giảm lửa
• Pour - Đổ
• Drain - Để ráo
• Filter / Strain - Lọc
• Squeeze - Vắt
• Knead dough - Nhào bột
• Roll dough - Cán bột
• Measure - Đong
• Weigh - Cân
• Freeze - Đông lạnh
• Defrost - Rã đông
• Reheat - Hâm nóng
• Let cool - Để nguội
10. Vietnamese Kitchen Tools Vocabulary
• Stove - Bếp
• Gas stove - Bếp gas
• Electric stove - Bếp điện
• Oven - Lò nướng
• Microwave - Lò vi sóng
• Refrigerator - Tủ lạnh
• Rice cooker - Nồi cơm điện
• Cutting board - Thớt
• Bowl - Bát
• Plate - Đĩa
• Cup - Cốc / Ly
• Chopsticks - Đũa
• Spoon - Muỗng / Thìa
• Fork - Nĩa
• Knife - Dao
• Basket / Colander - Rổ
• Strainer - Cái lọc
• Ladle - Vá / Muôi
11. Useful Cooking Sentences in Vietnamese
• What are you cooking? - Bạn đang nấu món gì?
• I am cooking dinner - Tôi đang nấu bữa tối.
• Add more fish sauce - Thêm nước mắm.
• The food needs more salt - Món ăn cần thêm muối.
• Cook it for five more minutes - Nấu thêm năm phút nữa.
• The food is ready - Món ăn đã chín rồi.
• This dish smells delicious - Món này có mùi rất thơm.
12. Vietnamese Cooking Ingredients Vocabulary
Meat and Protein in Vietnamese
• Meat - Thịt
• Pork - Thịt lợn / Thịt heo
• Beef - Thịt bò
• Chicken - Thịt gà
• Duck - Thịt vịt
• Fish - Cá
• Shrimp / Prawn - Tôm
• Squid - Mực
• Crab - Cua
• Egg - Trứng
• Tofu - Đậu phụ / Đậu hũ
Examples:
• Cook pork with eggs - Nấu thịt heo với trứng.
• Grilled beef is very popular in Vietnam - Bò nướng rất phổ biến ở Việt Nam.
• Vietnamese people eat many seafood dishes - Người Việt Nam ăn nhiều món hải sản.
Vegetables in Vietnamese
• Vegetable - Rau
• Leafy vegetables - Rau xanh
• Lettuce - Xà lách
• Water spinach - Rau muống
• Cabbage - Bắp cải
• Carrot - Cà rốt
• Potato - Khoai tây
• Sweet potato - Khoai lang
• Tomato - Cà chua
• Cucumber - Dưa leo
• Mushroom - Nấm
• Bean sprouts - Giá đỗ
Examples:
• Wash the vegetables carefully - Rửa rau thật kỹ.
• Add vegetables to the soup - Thêm rau vào canh.
13. Herbs and Vietnamese Fresh Ingredients
Fresh herbs are an important part of Vietnamese cuisine. They are often added to noodles, salads, spring rolls, and grilled dishes.
• Herb - Rau thơm
• Basil - Húng quế
• Mint - Bạc hà
• Coriander / Cilantro - Rau mùi / Ngò rí
• Green onion - Hành lá
• Lemongrass - Sả
• Ginger - Gừng
• Garlic - Tỏi
• Chili - Ớt
• Lime - Chanh
Examples:
• Add some fresh herbs - Thêm một ít rau thơm.
• Vietnamese dishes often use herbs and spices - Món Việt thường sử dụng rau thơm và gia vị.
14. Vietnamese Seasonings and Sauces
Seasoning is an important part of Vietnamese cooking. The balance between salty, sweet, sour, and spicy flavors creates the unique taste of Vietnamese food.
• Seasoning - Gia vị
• Salt - Muối
• Sugar - Đường
• Fish sauce - Nước mắm
• Soy sauce - Nước tương
• Cooking oil - Dầu ăn
• Pepper - Tiêu
• Vinegar - Giấm
• MSG - Bột ngọt
• Seasoning powder - Hạt nêm
• Coconut milk - Nước cốt dừa
Examples:
• Add fish sauce for more flavor - Thêm nước mắm để món ăn đậm đà hơn.
• Season the meat before grilling - Ướp thịt trước khi nướng.
15. Vietnamese Food Preparation Vocabulary
Before Cooking
• Prepare ingredients - Chuẩn bị nguyên liệu
• Wash ingredients - Rửa nguyên liệu
• Cut vegetables - Cắt rau củ
• Peel vegetables - Gọt rau củ
• Marinate meat - Ướp thịt
• Measure ingredients - Đong nguyên liệu
Examples:
• Prepare all ingredients before cooking - Chuẩn bị tất cả nguyên liệu trước khi nấu.
• Marinate the pork for 30 minutes - Ướp thịt heo trong 30 phút.
During Cooking
• Add ingredients - Thêm nguyên liệu
• Stir well - Khuấy đều
• Mix together - Trộn đều
• Cook slowly - Nấu từ từ
• Check the taste - Kiểm tra vị
• Adjust seasoning - Điều chỉnh gia vị
Examples:
• Stir well until everything is mixed - Khuấy đều cho đến khi mọi thứ hòa quyện.
• Adjust the seasoning before serving - Điều chỉnh gia vị trước khi ăn.
After Cooking
• Serve - Dọn / Phục vụ
• Put on a plate - Cho ra đĩa
• Garnish - Trang trí
• Clean the kitchen - Dọn bếp
• Wash dishes - Rửa bát
• Store food - Bảo quản thức ăn
Examples:
• Serve the food while it is hot - Dọn thức ăn khi còn nóng.
• Clean the kitchen after cooking - Dọn bếp sau khi nấu ăn.
16. Cooking Conversation in Vietnamese
At Home
• What are you cooking? - Bạn đang nấu món gì?
• I am cooking Vietnamese pho - Tôi đang nấu phở Việt Nam.
• What ingredients do you need? - Bạn cần những nguyên liệu gì?
• I need beef, noodles, herbs, and spices - Tôi cần thịt bò, bánh phở, rau thơm và gia vị.
In a Vietnamese Cooking Class
• Cut the vegetables into small pieces - Hãy cắt rau củ thành miếng nhỏ.
• How long should I cook it? - Tôi nên nấu trong bao lâu?
• Cook it for about 20 minutes - Nấu khoảng 20 phút.
17. Common Vietnamese Cooking Expressions
• It smells good - Có mùi thơm
• It tastes delicious - Ăn rất ngon
• Too salty - Quá mặn
• Too sweet - Quá ngọt
• Too spicy - Quá cay
• Not salty enough - Chưa đủ mặn
• Well cooked - Chín kỹ
• Raw - Sống
• Fresh ingredients - Nguyên liệu tươi
Examples:
• This dish tastes delicious - Món này ăn rất ngon.
• The soup is too salty - Canh này quá mặn.
18. Frequently Asked Questions About Cooking in Vietnamese
How do you say cooking in Vietnamese?
The word for cooking in Vietnamese is nấu ăn.
What are the most common cooking verbs in Vietnamese?
The most common Vietnamese cooking verbs are:
• Nấu - cook
• Luộc - boil
• Hấp - steam
• Chiên / Rán - fry
• Xào - stir-fry
• Nướng - grill
• Kho - braise
• Hầm - stew
How do you say kitchen in Vietnamese?
Kitchen is: Nhà bếp or Bếp
What is the Vietnamese word for ingredients?
Ingredients are: Nguyên liệu
What cooking method is famous in Vietnamese cuisine?
Vietnamese cuisine is famous for many cooking methods, especially:
• Kho (braising)
• Nướng (grilling)
• Xào (stir-frying)
• Hấp (steaming)
• Luộc (boiling)
These methods help preserve the natural flavors of fresh ingredients.
Final Thoughts
Learning cooking in Vietnamese helps you understand not only Vietnamese recipes but also the culture and daily life of Vietnam. Cooking plays an important role in Vietnamese family traditions, where people often gather together to prepare meals, share food, and spend time with each other. Starting with basic words such as nấu ăn (cooking), nguyên liệu (ingredients), gia vị (seasonings), dao (knife), đũa (chopsticks), and nêm gia vị (season the food) can help you build a strong foundation. With regular practice, you will gradually become more familiar with Vietnamese recipes, communicate more confidently in kitchens, and gain a deeper appreciation for Vietnamese cuisine.