Gdynia boasts a wide range of Vietnamese restaurants, and one of the highlights on the city's culinary map is undoubtedly Good Morning Vietnam. The restaurant, which has been operating at 83a Świętojańska Street since 2010, is a true pioneer of Vietnamese cuisine in the Tri-City. It's a place with history, which was one of the first to bring the authentic flavors of Vietnam to the region's residents.

The Good Morning Vietnam restaurant is distinguished not only by its long tradition, but above all by the authenticity of the dishes it serves. The chefs, who hail from Ha Noi, ensure that each dish reflects the true character of Vietnamese gastronomy. The menu includes classic items such as aromatic pho soup, crispy nem saigons and delicate summer goi cuon rolls. Of particular note is the bun bo nam bo - a salad with beef, rice noodles and fresh herbs, which is one of the restaurant's flagship dishes.

It is interesting to note that Good Morning Vietnam cultivates traditional methods of preparing broths, which are cooked for hours, giving them a deep, intense flavor. According to local legend, the recipe for pho soup broth was brought directly from the chef's home village and is a closely guarded secret.

The interior of the restaurant has been designed in a manner reminiscent of Vietnamese aesthetics - muted colors, bamboo decorative elements and traditional lanterns create a cozy atmosphere. It is an ideal place for both a business lunch and a romantic dinner. Prices at Good Morning Vietnam are kept at an average level, which, combined with the high quality and authenticity of the food, makes this place attractive to a wide range of customers.

Nearby, at 173 Morska Street, is another gem of Vietnamese gastronomy - Gdynia Bep Viet Cuisine. The name 'Bep Viet' literally means 'Vietnamese cuisine', which perfectly reflects the character of the place. The restaurant is run by a Vietnamese family who came to the Tri-City in the 1990s, bringing with them the culinary traditions of their country.

Bep Viet is famous for its unique pad thai - fried rice noodles with tofu or shrimp, which is prepared according to a traditional recipe. The restaurant is also distinguished by its wide range of vegetarian and vegan dishes, a rarity among Asian restaurants in the region. Particularly recommendable are dishes with tofu prepared according to a special homemade marinating method.

Another interesting aspect of Bep Viet is the organization of cooking workshops, where guests can learn how to prepare traditional Vietnamese dishes under the guidance of experienced chefs. This is a unique opportunity to learn the secrets of exotic cuisine and bring a bit of Vietnamese flavor to your own home.

Sopot, although smaller than Gdynia, also boasts interesting offerings for lovers of Vietnamese cuisine. At 755 Niepodległości Avenue there is an inconspicuous establishment with the simple name Vietnamese Cuisine, which hides real culinary treasures. This restaurant, despite its modest decor, attracts guests with authentic flavors and an atmosphere reminiscent of small eateries found on the streets of Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh.

Vietnamese Cuisine in Sopot is a place with a fascinating history. It was founded by a married couple who came to Poland as exchange students back in the 1980s. After graduating, they decided to stay in Poland and share the culinary riches of their country. At first they ran a small food truck, and after years of hard work, they opened a stationary restaurant, which quickly gained recognition among the residents of the Tri-City.

The restaurant's specialty is bun cha - grilled pork served with rice noodles, fresh herbs and a special nuoc cham sauce. This dish, popular in northern Vietnam, is rarely seen in Polish restaurants, which makes it truly unique. Also worth trying is ca ri ga, an aromatic curry with chicken, which is prepared according to the owners' family recipe.

An interesting fact is that the owners of the Vietnamese Cuisine themselves grow some herbs that are difficult to find in Poland, such as Vietnamese mint, Vietnamese coriander and kaffir lime leaves. This gives the dishes an authentic flavor and aroma, impossible to achieve with local substitutes. Prices at the establishment are affordable, which, combined with the large portions, makes this place attractive to those who appreciate value for money.

Nearby, at 4 Morska Street, is Pak Choi Restaurant, which, although it focuses mainly on Chinese cuisine, also offers selected Vietnamese dishes. The restaurant is distinguished by its elegant decor and attentive service, making it an ideal place for special occasions.

Pak Choi is a relatively new spot on the culinary map of Sopot, having opened in 2018, but has quickly gained recognition among locals and tourists alike. The restaurant gets its name from the pak choi cabbage, popular in Asian cuisine, which is a common ingredient in many dishes.

Pak Choi's menu features several Vietnamese specialties, including the excellent pho bo - beef soup with rice noodles and fresh side dishes. Especially noteworthy are the spring rolls prepared on site using fresh ingredients. It's interesting to note that Chef Pak Choi interned at renowned restaurants in Vietnam, which allowed him to explore the secrets of the local cuisine.

The restaurant also offers a tasting option, during which guests can try different dishes in smaller portions, which is perfect for those who want to explore a wider range of flavors. Prices at Pak Choi are slightly higher than at other Vietnamese restaurants in the Tri-Cities, but this is compensated for by the high quality of service and elegant interior.

When comparing the Vietnamese restaurants of the Tri-Cities, one can see that each has its own unique character and specialization. Good Morning Vietnam in Gdynia stands out for its long-standing tradition and wide menu of classic dishes from different regions of Vietnam. Bep Viet focuses on a homey atmosphere and specializes in vegetarian dishes. Vietnamese Cuisine in Sopot offers the authentic flavors of northern Vietnam, while Pak Choi combines elements of Vietnamese and Chinese cuisine in an elegant setting.

In terms of price, the cheapest option is Vietnamese Cuisine in Sopot, where you'll pay around PLN 30-40 for a full meal. Slightly more expensive is Bep Viet, where prices for main dishes hover around 35-45 PLN. Good Morning Vietnam is in the middle price range with dishes around 40-50 zlotys. The most expensive option is Pak Choi, where you will pay 45-60 zl for Vietnamese specialties.

It is worth noting that all the described restaurants place great emphasis on the authenticity of the dishes served. However, they differ in their approach to culinary tradition - Good Morning Vietnam and Vietnamese Cuisine stick strictly to traditional recipes, while Bep Viet and Pak Choi introduce some modifications, adapting dishes to Polish taste preferences.

An interesting aspect of Vietnamese cuisine in the Tri-City is its history, closely linked to waves of Vietnamese migration to Poland. The first significant group arrived as part of student exchanges in the 1970s and 1980s. Many of them decided to stay in Poland after graduation, later establishing their own businesses, including restaurants. The second wave of migration occurred in the 1990s, when Vietnamese came to Poland seeking better economic prospects. It is the representatives of these two migration waves who now own most of the Vietnamese restaurants in the Tri-City.

It's also worth mentioning the little-known fact that Vietnamese cuisine, although mainly associated with pho soup and sajgonki, is extremely regionally diverse. North Vietnam is famous for its simpler, less spicy dishes, the central region is characterized by more refined dishes with richer flavor, and southern Vietnam offers sweeter and spicier dishes with more fresh herbs and vegetables. In Tri-City restaurants we can find representation of all these regional styles.

Few visitors realize that traditional Vietnamese cuisine is considered one of the healthiest in the world. It is based on fresh ingredients, plenty of vegetables and herbs, and minimal heat treatment, which preserves nutritional values. Vietnamese rarely use dairy and limit the amount of fat in dishes. Instead of frying, they prefer steaming or short stir-frying in a wok. These healthy aspects of Vietnamese cuisine are increasingly emphasized by Tri-City restaurants, which promote their menus as healthy alternatives to heavy European dishes.

It is also interesting to note that spices and sauces play a huge role in Vietnamese culinary tradition. Every self-respecting Vietnamese restaurant prepares them in-house according to closely guarded recipes. Particularly important is fish sauce (nuoc mam), which is the basis of many dishes and sauces. At Good Morning Vietnam and Vietnamese Cuisine, sauces are prepared every morning according to traditional recipes, which significantly contributes to the authenticity of the flavors.

In conclusion, the Tri-City's Vietnamese restaurants offer not only delicious food, but also an opportunity to experience the rich culinary culture of Vietnam. Each restaurant has its own specialties and unique dishes that are worth trying. Whether you choose the historic Good Morning Vietnam, the family-run Bep Viet, the authentic Vietnamese Cuisine or the elegant Pak Choi, you can be sure that you are in for a fascinating journey through the flavors of the Far East.