And the one-two punch of soy and garlic, the foundation of Korean cuisine, is almost totally absent. What you will find are clean, light, straightforward flavors and an emphasis on greenery. Almost every dish comes with a pile of mint, cilantro and lettuce. And almost every dish comes with the national condiment, nuoc mam, a salty, fermented fish sauce that's worth getting used to. Maxim's ample menu gives you an opportunity to make your way through the cuisine.
Soups are a key component.
The more challenging versions can come with parts of the cow Americans don't usually encounter. Throw in a few bits of jalape o, squeeze on some refreshing lime and take in the flavors. Vietnamese appetizers make it difficult to move on to the main dishes. The main dishes are varied enough to appeal to both novices and veterans. But I'm partial to the more offbeat fare.