rau mùi
Definition
- Noun:
- Coriander (Cilantro): An aromatic herb (Coriandrum sativum) whose fresh leaves and stems are widely used as a garnish and flavoring in Vietnamese cuisine. The leaves have a distinctive, pungent flavor.
- The plant itself: Refers to the entire herb plant, including its leaves, stems, and later in its lifecycle, its seeds (coriander seeds).
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Phở thường được rắc thêm rau mùi. (Pho is often topped with cilantro.)
- Mẹ tôi trồng rau mùi trong vườn. (My mother grows coriander in the garden.)
- Mùi vị của rau mùi rất đặc trưng. (The flavor of cilantro is very distinctive.)
Advanced Usage
- In culinary contexts, "rau mùi" specifically denotes the fresh herb. The dried seeds are referred to separately as "hạt mùi" or "hạt coriander."
- The term can sometimes be used generically for similar-looking fresh herbs used for garnish, but it correctly refers to .
Variants and Related Words
- Rau mùi tàu (Ngò gai): Sawtooth coriander or culantro (), a different herb with a similar but stronger flavor.
- Rau mùi tây: Parsley.
- Hạt mùi: Coriander seed.
Synonyms
- Cilantro: Common American English term for the fresh leaves and stems.
- Coriander: Common British English term for the fresh herb; also the term for the plant and its seeds.
- Chinese parsley: An alternate name.
Related Phrases
- Thái rau mùi: To chop cilantro.
- Rau mùi thơm: A phrase emphasizing the herb's fragrance, meaning "fragrant coriander herb."