Dishes that have made French cuisine famous.

Bread is present in our daily lives.

The French have always been proud of their culinary culture. It's about the sophistication of eating, from breakfast to dinner. It's about the emphasis on both quantity and quality, and the refinement from preparation to the way it's enjoyed.

The French typically start their day with a light breakfast, consisting of bread, croissants, butter, ham, along with milk, or coffee, or a cup of hot chocolate on cold winter days.

The main meal of the day for the French is usually at lunchtime, during the two-hour lunch break (12 pm - 2 pm). Lunch typically consists of several courses, starting with an appetizer or soup, followed by a stew with fried potatoes, or fried chicken with vegetables, and finally dessert such as fruit, pastries, or coffee. Dinner for most French people is usually simpler than lunch, consisting of dishes like soup, stew, and bread with cheese.

Baguettes are a common feature in French meals. There are also several other famous traditional French breads such as rye bread, sesame bread, and brioche.

Cheese in all flavors

In France, there are over 500 different types of cheese, mostly made from cow, sheep, or goat milk. Examples include the famous Roquefort blue cheese; the long-standing Saint-Nectaire cheese made from fresh cow's milk in Auvergne; and Camembert cheese, with its creamy milk flavor and fruity aroma, often topped with breadcrumbs…

Famous foie gras

Geese are raised on a special diet to maximize the nutritional value of their livers. These livers are then processed into various dishes.

The most common method is still to cut it into small squares, coat them in a thin layer of flour, and fry them for a few minutes. Foie gras is often served with sweet accompaniments such as jam or sweet sauces to enhance its rich and savory flavor.

When enjoying this dish, diners will find it even more wonderful when paired with a glass of Sauterne white wine. Foie gras is considered a high-end dish and is served in upscale restaurants in France.

Colorful cakes

The French often place great importance on weekend meals, and especially on meals held during holidays or special events throughout the year.

French pastry menus are also incredibly diverse, with the irresistible flavors of famous pastries such as macarons, clafoutis (cherry-filled pastries), profiteroles (cream cakes), frangipane (baked apples), crepes, apple pie, and more.

These cakes, with their crispy or soft crusts combined with rich, creamy fillings, are sure to delight any visitor who tries them.

The exquisite taste of wine

France is one of the countries with the longest history of winemaking from grapes. In particular, many world-renowned brands of wine, champagne, liqueurs, and spirits are produced in French regions such as Bordeaux, Alsace, Provence, Rhône, and Champagne-Ardenne.

Not only is the winemaking process meticulous, but enjoying wine in France is also considered an art form requiring careful attention and sophistication.

From opening the bottle to pouring the wine, everything must be perfect, so that the drinker can enjoy it with all their senses—smell, sight, and taste—fully appreciating the wine's flavor.

In particular, at parties, each dish can be paired with a specific type of wine. After the meal, they also enjoy cognac, brandy, or sweet wines, and coffee. Thanks to the unique characteristics of its cuisine, French dining was recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage in November 2010. Therefore, if you have the opportunity to visit France, you should definitely spend time learning about, enjoying, and experiencing the irresistible charm of French cuisine.

Phuong Ngoc