Definition

1. Noun:
   • Rice paddy herb: A tropical, aquatic herb (Limnophila aromatica) commonly used as a culinary herb and vegetable in Southeast Asian cuisine. It has elongated, pointed leaves that grow in opposite pairs or in whorls of three along the stem.
   • Aromatic herb: It is characterized by a distinct, slightly citrusy and cumin-like aroma, which is released when the leaves are crushed.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Rau ngổ là một loại rau thơm phổ biến trong canh chua. (Rice paddy herb is a common aromatic herb in sour soup.)
  • Mẹ tôi thường cho rau ngổ vào món gỏi cuốn. (My mother often adds rice paddy herb to fresh spring rolls.)
  • Mùi thơm của rau ngổ rất đặc trưng. (The fragrance of rice paddy herb is very distinctive.)

Advanced Usage

• In traditional medicine, rau ngổ is sometimes used for its purported digestive and anti-inflammatory properties.
  • Một số người dùng nước sắc từ rau ngổ. (Some people use a decoction made from rice paddy herb.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ngò om: (n) Another common Vietnamese name for the same herb, .
  • Ở miền Nam, người ta gọi rau ngổ là ngò om. (In Southern Vietnam, people call 'rau ngổ' 'ngò om'.)

Synonyms

• Rice paddy herb: The most direct English translation.
• Limnophila: The scientific genus name.
• Aromatic herb: A descriptive term for its primary culinary use.

Related Culinary Terms

• Rau thơm: (n) A general term for aromatic herbs used in Vietnamese cuisine, under which rau ngổ is categorized.
  • Rau ngổ, rau răm, và húng quế đều là các loại rau thơm. (Rice paddy herb, Vietnamese coriander, and basil are all types of aromatic herbs.)