The Vietnamese word "cao lâu" refers to a type of restaurant that specializes in a particular dish known as "cao lầu." This dish is a signature noodle dish from the city of Hội An in Vietnam.
Meaning: "Cao lâu" is both the name of the dish and the type of restaurant where this dish is served. It is a unique noodle dish made with thick rice noodles, usually topped with pork, fresh herbs, and sometimes crispy fried wantons.
Usage: When you want to talk about a restaurant that serves cao lầu, you can say, "Tôi muốn đi ăn ở một quán cao lâu," which means "I want to go eat at a cao lâu restaurant."
In more advanced contexts, you might discuss the cultural significance of cao lâu, mentioning how it reflects the history and culinary traditions of Hội An. You could say, "Cao lâu không chỉ là món ăn, mà còn là biểu tượng văn hóa của Hội An." (Cao lầu is not just a dish, but also a cultural symbol of Hội An.)
While "cao lâu" primarily refers to the restaurant and the dish, it does not have significant alternative meanings in Vietnamese. However, it’s important to note that "cao" means "high" and "lâu" can mean "long" or "ancient," but in this context, they combine to refer specifically to the dish and the dining venue.
There are no direct synonyms for "cao lâu" in Vietnamese, as it is a specific name for both the dish and the type of restaurant. However, you could refer to similar types of noodle restaurants as "quán mì" (noodle shop) if you are discussing other types of noodle dishes.