Vegetable Platter - Dia Rau Song

In Vietnamese cooking, the dia rau song is not a side dish. It’s a ritual.

This communal platter of fresh herbs, crunchy vegetables, and ripe fruits sits at the center of the table alongside soups, grilled meats, spring rolls, and noodle dishes.

Everyone picks and chooses what goes into each bite: a leaf of soft Boston lettuce, a sprig of mint or basil, some crunchy bean sprouts, a slice of cool cucumber.

The tropical fruits like mango, papaya, banana, and star fruit add unexpected sweetness that balances the savory, salty, and spicy elements of whatever you’re eating alongside it.

Chef Tips

• Use the softest lettuce you can find (Boston or butter lettuce) since it doubles as a wrapper for rolling bites
• Keep each ingredient in its own section on the platter so diners can build their own combinations
• Prepare the platter just before serving and keep the herbs slightly damp so they stay perky
• This platter is meant to accompany other dishes; pair it with pho, bun cha, banh xeo, or grilled lemongrass meats