Com binh dan roughly translates as commoner’s rice and is a popular cheap belly-filler in Vietnam. Com binh dan joints are buffet-like affairs, and are usually identified by a glass case showcasing the day’s selection — as well as the large signs. In Hanoi, the food selection varies from place to place, from day  to … read the full post

If you are on the hunt for a few Hoi An food specialties and love a bit of noodle, then you can’t go wrong with cao lau, a delectable dark pork broth with fat yellow noodles, slabs of tender pork, bean sprouts, fresh greens and crispy croutons — the noodles must be made with the … read the full post

On the streets of Saigon you won’t have to look far to find someone selling food from a cart. From noodle dishes to sandwiches, you can find almost anything but you may find that soups dominate the landscape of HCMC’s street food. This might not be much of a surprise since pho is the most … read the full post

As an avid fan of Saigon’s street food scene, I try to encourage everyone who visits the city to try at least one dish on the streets; but I’m not kidding myself, street food can be a little scary. Before most people come to the country one of their friends or someone on a travel … read the full post

Although I love Saigon’s street food, some of the dishes that you’re served streetside can have portions on the small size; some of them are plenty for one person, but others may require a second serving. When I’m feeling extra hungry and I want to make sure that I’m going to be full, I go … read the full post

It’s been a favourite of mine since I first came to Hanoi, so goodness knows why it’s taken me so long to write about bo bittet. It’s true that I don’t eat it too often — it’s hardly the healthiest of options — but having had a recent relapse at the weekend I was reminded … read the full post

Lau — pronounced something like ‘low’ — is perhaps one of the most popular dishes in Hanoi, particularly in the cooler months. It’s a similar set up to that seen in other countries in the region (I recall a particularly good experience in the Perhentians): a pan of simmering stock is put on a gas … read the full post

I’m trying not to be too repetitive, but I’m pretty much in love with the street food in Saigon. I don’t think I’ve tried many dishes that I wouldn’t want to have on a regular basis; I just can’t get past the mental block for a daily hot vit lon yet. One thing that surprises … read the full post

Tracey Lister, co-owner of Hanoi Cooking Centre, first came to Hanoi in 2000. Hoping to find voluntary work she was rebuffed by NGOs who didn’t “need chefs” but she came anyway, accompanying her husband, Andreas Pohl, who was working on an AusAid project. When she arrived in Hanoi she met Jimmy Pham, founder of Koto … read the full post

I’ve mentioned before that I think the greatest thing about my city is the food and the best food is usually on the street. Obviously, I talk a lot about street food but honestly I get most of my “street food” from markets. The problem is that besides Ben Thanh Market, and maybe Binh Tay, … read the full post