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Started By
Message
Exploring the food culture in Vietnam beyond pho
Posted on 5/17/24 at 7:02 am
Posted on 5/17/24 at 7:02 am
Let the adventure begin.
Landed a Saigon(Ho Chi Minh today) this morning. The good thing about traveling to Vietnam is that once you’ve stepped your foot in the country, you’re officially a millionaire. With the exchange rate of 1 usd to 25,400 vnd(Vietnam dong), all you need is 40 usd to become a millionaire. But with food inflation, being a millionaire isn’t what it used to be.
Here’s a pic of the exhange for my 5 million vnd.
Now, you would think that a bank is the place to exchange money but here through out the country, jewelry shops is the way to go. Banks will give you a lower rate than jewelry shops. With that said, let’s wreck some shite up.
Landed a Saigon(Ho Chi Minh today) this morning. The good thing about traveling to Vietnam is that once you’ve stepped your foot in the country, you’re officially a millionaire. With the exchange rate of 1 usd to 25,400 vnd(Vietnam dong), all you need is 40 usd to become a millionaire. But with food inflation, being a millionaire isn’t what it used to be.
Here’s a pic of the exhange for my 5 million vnd.
Now, you would think that a bank is the place to exchange money but here through out the country, jewelry shops is the way to go. Banks will give you a lower rate than jewelry shops. With that said, let’s wreck some shite up.
16
Posted on 5/17/24 at 7:04 am to PeteRose
I’m here for it! 
Posted on 5/17/24 at 7:20 am to PeteRose
In
Posted on 5/17/24 at 7:34 am to PeteRose
For lunch, I’m trying is Com Tam Ba Ghien. This place is on the Bib Gourmand Michelin food guide. Most people know of the Michelin star system. But the Bib Gourmand is a poor man’s version of that system, offering good food for an affordable price.
Com Tam(broken rice) was historically considered peasant food. Broken grains of rice leftover from milling were used by the lower class because whole long grains were too expensive. Over time, com tam became a socially accepted and a delicacy. Seems like this is a common theme across all cultures. From red beans and rice in the US’s deep south to shepard’s pie in the UK. Poor people making the best of what they have.
I did not visit the com tam shop and because I was still tired from my flight. I had it delivered to my hotel. But here is a Google image of the front of the shop.
Here’s the to go box. It was 95k or $3.80 which is a lot considering the normal cost of this plate at other places is around 35k or $1.40.
Overall very good. Rice, fried runny egg, and fish sauce was on point. My only complaint is that the pork chop could’ve been juicier. Maybe if I ate it the shop that would’ve been the case.
Com Tam(broken rice) was historically considered peasant food. Broken grains of rice leftover from milling were used by the lower class because whole long grains were too expensive. Over time, com tam became a socially accepted and a delicacy. Seems like this is a common theme across all cultures. From red beans and rice in the US’s deep south to shepard’s pie in the UK. Poor people making the best of what they have.
I did not visit the com tam shop and because I was still tired from my flight. I had it delivered to my hotel. But here is a Google image of the front of the shop.
Here’s the to go box. It was 95k or $3.80 which is a lot considering the normal cost of this plate at other places is around 35k or $1.40.
Overall very good. Rice, fried runny egg, and fish sauce was on point. My only complaint is that the pork chop could’ve been juicier. Maybe if I ate it the shop that would’ve been the case.
This post was edited on 5/17/24 at 7:35 am
Posted on 5/17/24 at 7:40 am to PeteRose
Posted on 5/17/24 at 8:17 am to PeteRose
I don't want to look in this thread because it will make me jealous as frick 
I've started cooking almost solely with broken rice with my asian meals now
I've started cooking almost solely with broken rice with my asian meals now
Posted on 5/17/24 at 8:48 am to PeteRose
This is gonna be a great thread
Posted on 5/17/24 at 8:58 am to PeteRose
You're my hero.
Posted on 5/17/24 at 8:59 am to PeteRose
Posted on 5/17/24 at 9:20 am to PeteRose
Should have had breakfast before opening this thread. Very jealous, will be following,
Posted on 5/17/24 at 10:04 am to LNCHBOX
I love the Vietnamese french bread. Then they usually serve it with I guess some type
Of fish oil with spicy red peppers to dip the bread in.
Of fish oil with spicy red peppers to dip the bread in.
Posted on 5/17/24 at 11:06 am to LNCHBOX
Oh, they’ll be plenty chances for breakfast.
For dinner we went out to a restaurant called “Bep Me In”. This is also on the Bib Gormand list. I don’t want to give the impression that I’m just hitting Michelin places but this place is a 30 second walk from the hotel so we decided to hit it up because of convenience. And convenience is a big factor since I’ll be on the move I’m 2 days.
From the main street, there’s an alley that must be passed in order to access the restaurant. You can see locals hanging out, scooters passing by, vendors selling knock offs sunglasses or getting you to come in for a quick foot massage.
Front of the restaurant. Looks like it’s decorated with the theme of the city of Hoi An with the mustard walls.
Feels like a tourist trap with the western customers.
Ordered the pork vermicelli and clay pot braised pork belly with hard boiled eggs.
Pork vermicelli was mid tier but pork belly was real good. 340k($13.5) so a bit steep.
For dinner we went out to a restaurant called “Bep Me In”. This is also on the Bib Gormand list. I don’t want to give the impression that I’m just hitting Michelin places but this place is a 30 second walk from the hotel so we decided to hit it up because of convenience. And convenience is a big factor since I’ll be on the move I’m 2 days.
From the main street, there’s an alley that must be passed in order to access the restaurant. You can see locals hanging out, scooters passing by, vendors selling knock offs sunglasses or getting you to come in for a quick foot massage.
Front of the restaurant. Looks like it’s decorated with the theme of the city of Hoi An with the mustard walls.
Feels like a tourist trap with the western customers.
Ordered the pork vermicelli and clay pot braised pork belly with hard boiled eggs.
Pork vermicelli was mid tier but pork belly was real good. 340k($13.5) so a bit steep.
This post was edited on 5/17/24 at 11:11 am
Posted on 5/17/24 at 11:42 am to PeteRose
Ok, it's time to go eat something now. May have to get some pho
Posted on 5/17/24 at 12:37 pm to PeteRose
quote:
Exploring the food culture in Vietnam beyond pho
Posted on 5/17/24 at 6:39 pm to PeteRose
quote:one of my students' mother made something similar for me. Served it with steamed rice. Unfortunately, she didn't give me any nu?c ch?m to enjoy with it, but it was still very good.
clay pot braised pork belly with hard boiled eggs.
Posted on 5/17/24 at 6:52 pm to PeteRose
quote:
Vietnam dong
Heh
Posted on 5/17/24 at 7:33 pm to PeteRose
quote:
Vietnam
The only foreign country I really want to visit, maybe I’ve watched to many travel/food videos on YouTube but something about Vietnam just stands out to me.
Posted on 5/17/24 at 7:36 pm to PeteRose
quote:
But with food inflation, being a millionaire isn’t what it used to be.
L?n di Bran Don.
Posted on 5/17/24 at 8:51 pm to gizmothepug
quote:
The only foreign country I really want to visit, maybe I’ve watched to many travel/food videos on YouTube but something about Vietnam just stands out to me.
There’s a reason it’s Anthony Bourdain favorite country. Bourdain said everywhere you go, the smells lure you in and he’s right. I stepped out of the hotel at 430am for a short walk, and I smelled grilled meat. Food culture is like the whole country is football tailgating 365 days a year.
Posted on 5/17/24 at 8:55 pm to gizmothepug
quote:
The only foreign country I really want to visit, maybe I’ve watched to many travel/food videos on YouTube but something about Vietnam just stands out to me.
I went for a few days and had a lot of fun. The city has a great energy and food is great. It’s like organized chaos there.
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