Pairing Cao Lau correctly — a note on Vietnamese iced coffee

Most people overlook how much the right drink changes Cao Lau. I ordered it with Vietnamese iced coffee and the subtly sweet and spiced elements of the dish sharpened considerably against the pairing. fish sauce in particular became more prominent in a good way.

Vietnamese cuisine shows French colonial influence alongside traditional Southeast Asian techniques. The a street banh mi counter is where you learn these pairings — they evolved together. If you've been having Cao Lau with the wrong drink, try it correctly once. It's a genuinely different experience. The restaurant deserves credit for getting this right.