Vietnamese Coriander
Vietnamese Coriander (Persicaria odorata)
A fresh, citrus‑peppery herb essential in Vietnamese and Southeast Asian cooking, perfect for warm, sheltered spots 🌿
Vietnamese Coriander is a fragrant culinary herb prized for its bright, citrus‑peppery flavour, making it a popular alternative to traditional coriander in warm‑weather dishes. Native to Southeast Asia, it thrives in sunny, sheltered spots with consistently moist soil, and grows beautifully in pots on patios, balconies, or in a protected herb bed. The narrow, glossy leaves bring a lively, aromatic note to salads, soups, noodle dishes, and fresh rolls, staying flavourful even in hot weather when regular coriander tends to bolt. Through summer, the plant forms a lush, trailing mound of green foliage with attractive maroon markings. Easy to grow and wonderfully productive, Vietnamese coriander is a rewarding herb for UK gardeners seeking reliable, heat‑loving flavour straight from the garden
Leaves
The leaves offer a fresh, peppery, citrus‑mint flavour with a clean, slightly spicy finish.
• Essential in Vietnamese salads such as gỏi gà and gỏi vịt
• Perfect for fresh rolls, noodle dishes, and herb platters
• Adds brightness to curries, soups, and stir‑fries
• Delicious with seafood, chicken, and grilled meats
• Excellent in herb pastes, dipping sauces, and marinades
Leaf flavour: peppery, citrus‑minty, fresh, aromatic
Stems
The stems are tender when young and share the same aromatic flavour.
• Use in stocks, broths, and simmered dishes
• Add to herbal infusions for a spicy‑fresh note
• Remove before serving if using whole
Stem flavour: warm, peppery, aromatic
