I pick: the food stall in the middle of the road... literally.

Starving and wandering around Hanoi backpacker area, I see a woman with her huge stock pot, 4 little plastic chairs, and 1 was empty.

I took my seat, and pointed to the soup.

It was fantastic!

Brown noodles, sliced I have no idea what that she rehydrates in the broth, bean sprouts, crispy fried shallots, greens and tlc

What it looks like she added: salt, honey, crispy shallots, some weird paste. 

Hanoi

Vietnam

I love fresh street fruit!

Best pineapple eveerrrr! 

only 50 cents for hand cut street styles. 

Dalat

Vietnam

The search for Che Thai

After searching the streets of Saigon for some Che thai, we finally found this place and hoped for the best considering it was jam packed.

Coconut milky, bean, funky jelly chunks, drink... I could see the potential.. but oh how I hate durian!

 My fantastic guides

So sadly I did not enjoy the durian part of the drink, or the part where the waiter accidentally dropped an entire bucket of ice all over me was even better...

Oh good times with Dan!

Breakfast = tofu + rice

As I wandered the streets of Hanoi in the wee hours of the morning in search for breakfast stalls, I found this lady carrying 2 pots, one with white rice porridge, and the other with red bean porridge.

I felt adventurous and pointed for the bean.

Then she added nice huge chunks of fried tofu.

Simple, not much taste... yet hearty and good for the morning.

1 bowl = 50 cents

Soft rice noodles with crispy fried onions, with tofu in a sweet sour fish sauce. 

1 set = 50 cents

Market place in Nimbin

Vietnam

Stuff your plate for 1$

All over Vietnam you can find food stalls like this with mountains of food options.

They put a massive bed of rice, then you point to whatever you want to add.

Usually you don't know what it is.. but I always found to be uber tasty!

sorry for the blurr! Rice, greens and pork

Sticky rice fried cake with potato something innards I believe...I wasn't a huge fan. 

Hoi An

Vietnam

Tis the land of fresh spring rolls

No matter where you go, how fancy, or how cheap,

spring rolls in Vietnam are refreshing and delish. Its all about a good sauce too, with a balance of spicy, sweet, sour, and salt. 

Vermicelli, bean sprouts, carrot, mint, and pork or shrimp.
4 rolls = 20 000 Dong = 1$

Hanoi

Vientam

So this is the French influence...

So if you sadly hate asian food, the french influence in southeast asia (particularly Cambodia and Laos) has made sure that every backpacker spot provides these clear little carts with massive baguettes, laughing cow cheese, egg, funky cold cuts, and vegetarian options. They grill it up for you nice crispy and warm!

And with spicy sauce of course. 

1$ for vegetarian

1.50$ for meat

Nha Trang

Vietnam

Market time

Get everything you need and more

Nha Trang

Vietnam

Sugar cane delight

After seeing countless stalls of people crushing these massive sugar canes, I had to sit myself down with the locals and just try it.

And how satisfying it is in hot weather... I can't even explain.

This beats gatorade any day.

Video time!

Market in Hue

Vietnam

Hoi An beach snacks

On every beach that I visited, you always see these ladies shlepping around huge bags of massive crackers, which turn out to be pretty popular amongst the locals. 

Notice the giant basket behind her, it's actually a boat!

Apparently when the French were ruling in Vietnam, they had crazy taxes on having boats. Many poor fishermen invented these baskets, which were not considered boats, to avoid tax fees!

Sauces that can go with

Greasy snacks we spotted on our way out!

Hoi An

Vietnam

When your starving.. you will point and eat anything

So,

I don't really know what this is... aside from rice, fuzzy beige stuff, caramelized beef, green onions, yellow stuff, and pickled veggies on the side. 

I was hungry and the people of the mini restaurant were very nice.

For one dollar? can't complain

Dalat

Vietnam

Dalat Coffee.. It's worth the dripping wait

Vietnamese coffee.. on my top 3 list for sure!

Pro's? The best coffee in the world, with the help of a massive dollop of sweetened condensed milk at the bottom.. whether you get it iced in a bag with a straw on the street, 

or like this in a sit down place. 

Con's? Waiting for the drippage takes away heat over time. So if your a must have piping hot coffee kinda person, this may not be your first pick.... but its just so good!

'

Not much coffee comes out... but oh its enough and so satisfying!

Vietnam Interruption! Read up the facts and sign the pledge

Go to:

http://standupfortibet.org/

I saw the gathering of the Tibetan community in Montreal this evening.
Chanting prayers, lighting candles, for the lives that have been lost so far.

Show your support!

The Classic Phở

Absolutely everywhere, bright and early in Vietnam, you will find the ladies with their gigantic stock pots, setting up their stalls for breakfast phở time. 

1 bowl is 20 000 Dong = 1$

Pho is simple, yet so good.. and I actually learned to crave it for breakfast!

It consists of broth, rice noodles, meat, green onion, pepper, and comes with a side of lettuce, bean sprouts, chili and mint or basil leaves, lime wedges, to add inside.

I love to add it all.

phở bò = beef

phở gà = chicken

Phở with quail eggs and beef

Ho Chi Minh

Vietnam