Sqwertz wrote:
> Becca > wrote:
>
>> My husband makes good stir fries, but Vietnamese cooking was new to him.
>> I told him about the nuoc mau before I showed him the jar, because I did
>> not want him to taste it first. If most people tasted a spoon full of
>> salt or sriracha sauce for the first time, they might not care for it,
>> just by itself. Used right, it tastes great.
>
> Nuoc Mau/Nuoc Hang taste nasty on their own - There's no arguing
> that. But Nuoc Cham and Nuoc Mam are even harder for people to
> accept because of their taste AND smell.
>
> And then we have shrimp paste, which de-feets all known
> sensibilities. They literally smell like da feet.
>
> But together in the right quantities and when cooked properly are
> simply heaven on the taste buds.
>
> Unfortunately my cow-orkers don't share my love of Asian foods.
> Especially when I heat them up in the microwave. I miss living in
> San Jose with non-Texans.
>
> -sw

Shrimp paste! Swoon. But it is an acquired taste. The first
time one encounters it, there is/can be a hurdle.

--
Jean B.