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Published: January 9th 2015
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I’ve written numerous blogs about the real reason I love Hoi An -
Lifestart Foundation, of course. However what is Hoi An without the delicious sweet and savory seductions? What fun it’s been to introduce Stoyan to all these wonderful treats. Now it’s time we give credit where credit is due!
This One's For You Foodies!
Top 5 Foods
1. Mì Quảng Breakfast Every morning we race our bikes to a secret little noodle stand. Here they serve only one thing – Mì Quảng. Originating from this area, the dish is served in a tasty golden broth that’s simmered with chicken bone, black pepper, shallot, garlic and lots of yummy herbs. A plate is placed next to your bowl, so you can add your own heaping amounts of fresh salad leaves, mint, and shredded banana flower. Squeeze in some fresh lime, then break over top a toasted rice cracker acting as Asian croutons. Drizzle a bit of white vinegar and a few drops of chili sauce for a morning zing. Karen calls it the “Vietnamese cereal”, I call it hands down my most favorite breakfast of all time. Cost: 80 cents, which makes us love it even more.
2. Bánh mì Café Phượng
Anthony Bourdain describes it as a
"symphony in a sandwich". It's rated the #1 Hoi An sandwich both by Lonely Planet and the locals, There is always a line, but it’s certainly worth the wait. For under $1 pick whichever Vietnamese “hoagie” you’d like. They all have the secret sauce and therefore they are all DELICIOUS! The classic
bánh mì is a fresh toasted French baguette, smothered first with a creamy cheese spread, then stuffed with shredded pork/liver paté, bean sprouts, mint, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, pickled carrots, and topped with salt, pepper and of course the "secret sauce". Can we get some of these in Philly please?
3. Bale Well BBQ Pork Skewers You could eat these like popcorn...and we do! Bale Well still serves cheap and tasty skewers with a very tasty dipping sauce. This was one of my first “street food” experiences in Hoi An years ago, and remains a favorite…and now for Stoyan!
4. Cargo Club Desserts A European style Patisserie and cafe. Get your sugar fix with the Chocolate Mouse Cake or Passion Fruit Pavlova – And for those not knowing what a Pavlova is, because I didn’t! ---
Pavlova is a meringue-based dessert named after the Russian ballet dancer Anna Pavlova. It is a meringue cake with a crisp crust and soft, light inside, usually topped with whipped cream and fruit. The dessert is believed to have been created in honour of the dancer either during or after one of her tours to Australia & New Zealand in the 1920s. – Thanks Google & Wiki. So handy.
5. Ganesh Indian Restaurant Cheese Garlic Naan and Chicken Tikka Masala I know it seems strange to add an Indian dish in, but this is probably some of the best Indian food we’ve had --- and we’ve just been to India!. There’s a fresh baked naan the size of a small child. It’s served flopped over a woven basket and dripping with butter, garlic, cheese and chopped herbs. This has literally brought tears to my eyes on exhausted occasions. I love you and miss you, cheese. Also acts as a more than handy spoon for sopping up the fabulous chicken tikka masala sauce.
Top 5 Drinks
1. Iced Coffee (Bach Dung Street) If I could rank this higher than #1, I would. It’s that good. And if you asked me the
Coffee To Go!
Bach Dung Iced Coffee....busy days means get your coffee in a bag and go! one thing I’d miss about Vietnam (besides the people), it’s the iced coffee. It just can’t be replicated, especially because it is best enjoyed alongside the river with friends, sitting on beat up mini red plastic chairs and watching the boats go by, life is good!
2. Mango Smoothies (Cafe 35) Fresh mangoes!!! ANNNNND from the mango tree that is actually in the same country as you! Yes please, one daily.
3. Coconuts (La Plage) That's it. Just a coconut! Hack off the top and stick a straw in it. What a great hydrating booster (especially after that coffee)! This is best on the beach -the proper setting, while watching Stoy take his morning dip in the ocean .
4. Beer Larue Many a Beer Larue were toasted after a hard days work with Karen, Tu, Sinh and lots of Vietnamese locals. Oh the stories! Which are much enhanced by communication barriers!
5. Sugar Cane Juice Because what’s better for your teeth then a glass of sugar water??
Other Top 5s…..
Because we weren’t there just for the food!
Favorite Moments 1. LIFESTART FOUNDATION!!! Working with Karen and Lifestart Foundation,
specifically designing the “new workshop”. So great to work with everyone again, and to include Stoyan in the fun aka non-stop work! (More to come on the new workshop!)
2. BBQ Dinner on the boat with Tu, Sinh and family What a treat! Tu and Sinh rent a boat for the evening and take us on a tour of the river, while they cook us a BBQ feast on the boat. Fantastic!
3. Eco Tour through the Palm Forest Being a tourist for the day in Hoi An, we do the “fisherman and the waterways” local tour. Highlights include a coconut basket water race. Stoyan wins first prize!
4. Saigon’s Vespa Tour Stoyan’s Post Birthday Celebration & new friends. Making up for silent time in India!
5. Stoyan’s 3D Workshop
Stoyan teaches both Karen’s sons, Sinh & Tu, how to design their own house and restaurant on the computer. A rewarding experience for both teacher and students!
Least Favorite Moments 1. The Mysterious Bite Which lasted much longer than a moment. The curious imprint still remains on Stoyan’s side….what a souvenir!
2. Rainy Season Getting caught on your
bike in a downpour. Without your poncho.
3. Constant Hasslers Yes, this was India too. Constant begging and nagging to buy something for “special price” because “it your lucky day”
4. Saigon’s “Backpacker Street” On Stoyan’s first night we stay in Saigon, we chose the wrong street to stroll and were offered everything from cocaine to prostitutes. Welcome to Vietnam Stoyan!
5. Bra Shopping Obviously this one was a Squirrel least favorite. Ummm, can we get a size above AA please? And without the 1-inch padding? Special thanks to Karen and her loads of patience while I tried on dozens of Vietnamese bras, which all felt like a boob jail. OUCH.
Most Worried About 1. Nasty Little Critter Bites Including millipedes, poisonous ants, fire ants and plenty of mosquitoes.
2. Viper Snake It’s bright green, long, slithery–everything you love or hate in a snake. It looks very poisonous, because it is very poisonous. To verify your fear, the locals are equally afraid of even the sight of one.
3. Motorbike Collisions No further explanation needed
4. Street Dogs Chasing your ankles while you’re riding your bike
A Day In Danang
Loved this day! Lifestart Foundation Educational Scholarship Recipients are treated to a day in the big city. Included a movie, lunch, the book store and the beach. Stoy took some awesome photos! 5. Moms Our moms reading and worrying about any of the above 4
Stoy’s Most Memorable Sinh Experiences
(these can be described in full detail by Stoyan, there’s a fantastic story for each of these!
• The after midnight Vietnamese “VIP” lounge
• Eye ball massage cleaning
• Custom flip flop and suit fitting
• Snake snacks, and other questionable edibles
• Dr. Sinh medical treatments
And the top #1 person we need to thank in Vietnam was Karen, thank you Karen!!!! Lots more of Stoyan's beautiful photos from our world adventures click here: https://www.facebook.com/aliveandclickn
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Nguyen Minh Tuan
non-member comment
http://holidaytoindochina.com/travel-guide/vietnam-travel-guide
Yummy! This post was was awesome. After visiting the post my tongue was tickling around to feel the taste of the food.