re: Exploring the food culture in Vietnam beyond pho

Don’t be, I must’ve gained 7 lbs on this trip so far. Im afraid to step on the scale when it’s all said and done.

Egg pate Banh mi(#11), beef stew banh mi(#12). These were a lot better and cheaper than the steak and egg banh mi I had yesterday. 20k(80 cents)

Egg pate


Beef stew


Take a piece of bread, add whatever, dip it, take a bite, and chase it with some chili. Repeat.

Maybe 2-3 more weeks. Haven’t bought return tickets yet.


Lunch at local restaurant

Front


Roasted pork belly rolls


Fried shrimp vermicelli rice rolls, corn milk


Quang noodles with frog legs

Nha Trang next week, then Phu Quoc is island, then back to Da Nang, then Hoi An. Hopefully i run into your buddy. If I see a white guy at a tailor shop, I going to assume it’s JW’s boy.

Hue is 1 hr north of me. Even the locals around here even complain how hot it is there. I’ve never been to Hanoi so I might make a quick trip up there.

Where are you staying in Saigon? I was there in Feb. and will be back in August. I stay in the district 1 Sheraton, great location.

I was in Saigon for a couple of days. Great place for food but a too little hectic for me.

Went back to Con market food hall today.

Saw a vermicelli noodle stall operated by this grandma and I knew it was going to be good.



Normally home made fish sauce is added vermicelli bowls. But here in Da Nang, they add this thick sauce. It’s different but it’s good.



While I was eating, this other vendor was walking around selling sugarcane juice. I got one. Vendor went off to another area continuing to sell. When I finished eating, grandma gave me the price for the food and drink. She will then pay the sugarcane vendor later. Seems like all these vendors are interconnected that they know who sells what and what’s the price. They kind of help one another making the whole thing more efficient.


After my noodle bowl, I got some che dessert. Normally, there’s hot che and cold one. I’ve been craving hot version but for some reasons, hot che is nonexistent here. There’s plentiful in south like Saigon or Mien Tay region but not in central. I guess it’s like finding a deep dish pizza in NYC.

I got the one with tapioca , various jellies, mung bean and coconut milk.


Good but I would’ve prefer that avocado coconut ice cream. I guess sometimes you go back to Mindy’s instead of going to a new place.

Did you guys decided which city you are visiting?

Had some travel points and decided to splurge by staying at the Intercontinental Sun Peninsula. I was surprised to find out that the room includes complementary breakfast which costs around $40.

Upon entering the restaurant, there’s an art tribute to Anthony Bourdain.



Noodle station


Salad station


Fruit Station


Pastry station


Even had a banh mi station


You knew I had to get one for the challenge. It was a chicken banh mi(#15). Good B tier.


Also had my first coconut blade salad(new item#3). It’s similar to the heart of palm except that it’s the inner part of the top of the coconut tree. Sweet like corn, crispy, refreshing.


Overall an impressive buffet. Is it good value for $40? I would say no. I think I can get more delicious food on the street.

Went and got some escargots and snails.





Hard to describe the taste, can be chewy, kind of expensive.