Oil used to fry food

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JesD Guest

JesDGuest25 January 2014 23:17:43

214245

Hi all,

I finally made it to Saigon and am so excited to start my adventure! However, I have been cursed with having a pretty BAD peanut allergy that always seems to hold me back. I wanted to know if peanut oil is commonly used to fry foods like spring rolls and those yummy looking fried bananas. It's not exactly easy to ask, especially with street vendors. My fingers are crossed that it's vegetable oil.

Any help or knowledge would be greatly appreciated. I know there is no one set answer.

Thank you,

Jes

charmavietnam ViP

Member since 17 April 2013

charmavietnamViP26 January 2014 01:14:22

2841

You can be sure about that nobody, especially street stalls cook with peanut oil
They just cook with vegetable oil which cost below 25000.000 VND per 1 liter.

milkybunnyHCM Serial expat

Member since 26 October 2013

milkybunnyHCMSerial expat26 January 2014 16:47:32

329

In my Chinese family peanut oil is considered fancy and I know the prices of that were higher in US, so I'd guess not. But it'd be wise to learn your allergy in Vietnamese, I had to do so with medicine allergies.

Parmyd Serial expat

Member since 02 August 2012

ParmydSerial expat26 January 2014 22:57:14

334

They use mainly vegetable oil, but be aware of cross contamination.

MatthiasB Active member

Member since 16 August 2012

MatthiasBActive member28 January 2014 00:59:27

You'd be surprised how many dishes contain peanuts as a garnish, or textural ingredient. Peanut is "Đậu phộng" in Vietnamese, pronounced approximately "dow fom", both syllables in a low flat tone, but ask a Vietnamese to teach you how to pronounce it. Oil is dầu (yow or zow, descending tone), but as others have said, street vendors are unlikely to use such an expensive oil. You'll probably only see it in the more expensive restaurants, where it's likely you can ask in English. No guarantees, though!

If your allergy is life-threatening, keep in mind that cross-contamination can occur if they use peanuts as a garnish in a dish you haven't even ordered.

Peanut oil is a type of vegetable oil, and can be, although very rarely is, included in blended vegetable oils. Peanuts are legumes, not nuts.

Most blended vegetable oils in Vietnam are predominantly soy bean oil.

JesD Guest

JesDGuest02 February 2014 05:46:59

214245

So sorry for the delayed reply! Thank you very much for your responses! I really appreciate the guidance

RobHuynh New member

Member since 09 February 2014

RobHuynhNew member12 February 2014 02:25:16

I think there's no way to assure safe food without peanut oil. Even seller may don't know what oil they are using, especially street food. The safest way is to rub the food on sensitive skin area and wait for reaction before eating.
Regards!

I do believe Serial expat

Member since 15 January 2014

I do believeSerial expat03 March 2014 12:39:16

357

With a peanut allergy you are seriously at risk with many foods here let alone deep frying. The best oil to use is coconut oil but nobody uses it because it costs a little bit more. Food wise you are now in the Wild Wild West! I like it but not good if you have an allergy. Keep your antidote with you at all times.

DirtyPierre Serial expat

Member since 03 June 2012

DirtyPierreSerial expat04 March 2014 16:00:47

247

I truly fear for you as peanuts play such a big part in vietnamese cuisine

I do believe Serial expat

Member since 15 January 2014

I do believeSerial expat04 March 2014 17:23:17

#10

357

DirtyPierre wrote:
I truly fear for you as peanuts play such a big part in vietnamese cuisine

Bonjour Pierre, Glad to see you haven't left after all. Bon chance, bientot

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