muối
Anh ấy rắc một ít muối vào món canh.
He sprinkled a little salt into the soup.
A white crystalline substance used for seasoning or preserving food.
Món canh này thiếu muối.
This soup lacks salt.
Muối là gia vị không thể thiếu trong nấu ăn.
Salt is an indispensable seasoning in cooking.
In Vietnamese cuisine, 'muối' is commonly used in both solid and liquid forms (e.g., 'muối hạt' for coarse salt, 'muối biển' for sea salt).
To add salt to food.
Bà nội muối dưa cải.
Grandma salts the pickled greens.
Often used in the context of preserving vegetables or meats (e.g., 'muối thịt' to salt meat for preservation).
Pro Tip
Distinguishing 'muối' from 'bột nêm'
'Muối' is pure salt, while 'bột nêm' (seasoning powder) is a blend of salt, MSG, and other spices. 'Bột nêm' is often used in soups and stews for umami flavor.
Gold Rule
Salt in Vietnamese cooking
In Vietnamese dishes, salt is typically added gradually and tasted frequently to avoid over-seasoning. Traditional dishes like 'bánh xèo' or 'phở' rely on salt for balance.
Word Origin
From Proto-Vietic *mɔːj, ultimately from Proto-Mon-Khmer *mɔːj (cf. Muong *mọi*). Related to Thai เค็ม (khem, 'salty') and Khmer ម៉ោយ (maoy, 'salt').
Usage Notes
'Muối' is a staple condiment in Vietnamese cuisine, used in nearly every dish. It can also refer to the act of salting food for preservation, especially in traditional dishes like 'dưa muối' (pickled vegetables).