Mo Hanh (Vietnamese Scallion Oil)

Served on a variety of Vietnamese dishes, Mo Hanh or Vietnamese scallion oil is a core ingredient in Vietnamese cuisine. This garnish is served on rice, meats, and vegetables, imparting herby and earthy flavors to the dish. And the best part is it comes together in less than 5 minutes.

Mo Hanh is something that I don’t really appreciate until I don’t have it. It is served on a variety of Vietnamese dishes, especially Com Tam where it’s used as a garnish for the broken rice. The flavor it adds is a little herby and a little earthy that takes a dish from good to great. And the best part about this recipe is it’s 2 ingredients and takes less than 5 minutes to make!

What is Mo Hanh?

Mo Hanh translates to scallion oil. “Mo” is the Vietnamese word for oil and “hanh” is the Vietnamese word for scallion. It is often used as a garnish for a variety of Vietnamese dishes from rice dishes to simple appetizers. It is added to dishes for 2 reasons: for flavor and also to add a glistening finish to the dish.

What is the difference between scallions and green onions?

There is no difference between scallions and green onions. They are just different names for the same herb. I personally call them green onions.

How do you cut green onions for mo hanh?

For this dish, you should aim to slice your green onions into thin ~1/4 inch long pieces (see above for reference). You don’t want to slice them too thin because they will burn easily in the oil. On the flip side, you don’t want to slice them too thick since that affects the look of the garnish.

How to make mo hanh

This garnish is SO SIMPLE to make. First, heat oil for 30 seconds and add the green onions. Cook for 30 seconds and pour into a dish for serving or a jar for storing.

What kind of oil do you use for mo hanh?

I like to use some kind of neutral oil like vegetable oil for this dish. I have also used olive oil in the past, but I don’t like it as much as vegetable oil because olive oil has its own unique flavor that I don’t think works well for this purpose.

How do you store mo hanh?

This dish can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a month. However, I will add that fresh mo hanh is way better than one that you’ve made in advance. Since it’s so easy to make, I just make it whenever I need it, so it’s always fresh.

What can you serve with Mo Hanh?

Mo hanh is served as a garnish on a variety of Vietnamese dishes. Some dishes include Banh Beo, Bap Nuong, and Com Tam (like Com Suon and Com Ga). It is most associated with com tam or Vietnamese rice dishes.

Did you make this dish?

If you made this dish, I would love to see!

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