Also known as Vietnamese cilantro or Vietnamese coriander, rau ram makes an unusual, and pretty, addition to your herb garden. (Its bright green leaves have maroon “inkblots.”) The plant is a perennial in warm, frost-free regions; buy organic seedlings from Mountain Valley Growers (mountainvalleygrowers.com).
Grow Vietnamese coriander seedlings in full or filtered sun (and afternoon shade where possible) in a large pot or in the ground. Rau ram grows fast—one plant may be all you need.
Rau ram is thirsty, so keep the soil moist. If the plant stops producing new leaves in midseason, cut it back almost to the base to promote new growth. If it’s growing in a container, you might need to repot it into a bigger one—or divide it and replant in the same pot—a couple of times a season.
Similar in flavor to cilantro that has bolted, rau ram has a slightly peppery, aromatic, almost soapy taste. It’s best when served with other strongly flavored foods, especially Southeast Asian ones.
Pull young leaves from stems, rinse, and dry in a salad spinner. Store clean leaves, layered between slightly damp paper towels, in an unsealed plastic bag. Soak any wilted leaves in ice water briefly to refresh them.
Try the delicious Red Curry Fish Stew with Rau Ram (pictured above). The savory stew only takes 30 minutes to prepare and can be customized to the level of spice you prefer.
3 More Easy Ideas for Cooking with Rau Ram