Chowing down

I really have neglected to showcase what I've been eating lately! There's been so many activities that food has taken somewhat of a back seat for now. But I have had a few interesting and delicious dishes in Vietnam.

Best pho so far was in Hanoi. It seems like pho in the north is eaten much more simply than in the south. There are only a few condiments (no huge pile of bean sprouts), and no one was pouring copious amounts of spice into the soup. As a result, this soup was amply flavored with a rich salty broth. The noodles were fresh and springy, and the herbs added a burst of freshness. Cost: 35,000 dong, or $1.68 USD.

For dinner one night, we went to a restaurant called "Fish in Banana Leaf Restaurant and Bar". So what do you order in a restaurant like this? Why, fish in banana leaf, of course! A filet of red snapper is cooked with lemon and shallots and pepper and green onions; the fish soaks up every bit of flavor and the result is delicious, especially when eaten with a nice pile of white rice. Cost: 85,000 dong, or $4.08 USD.

Many of the restaurants we have been visiting are slightly Westernized versions of local cuisine. I asked the tour leader if he could recommend a truly local place, and he brought several of us to a fried chicken joint. A couple tables were set up in a small alleyway in front of some vats of oil; there was no menu, as the chicken is the only item they serve. A incredibly flavorful chicken is poached first then fried to order, and a quarter is served on top of a bed of flavored rice and a side of fresh greens. Cost: 25,000 dong, or $1.20 USD.

And of course, what would the visit be without some Vietnamese coffee over ice and condensed milk? This one was served at a riverside restaurant in Hoi An. Cost: 15,000 dong, or 72 cents USD.

And finally, an evening splurge at an all-you-can-eat joint. After winding around several tiny streets, we ended up in another alleyway set up with foldable tables and chairs. As soon as we sat down, a feast started to arrive. Skewers of grilled pork and minced pork meatballs, spring rolls, Vietnamese pancake, and all assorted accoutrements (sauce, greens, pickled veggies, rice wrappers) appeared like magic. Pineapple was also served as dessert. The cost for this feeding frenzy? 100,000 dong, or $5.00 USD.

Funny enough though, I don't think I've gained any weight on this trip so far. There has been too many activities, and too much sweating. So I feel free to partake in everything I'm seeing! Fingers crossed... none of the food has disagreed with me so far!