Some noteworthy observations and revelations that I feel compelled to share...
1. I didn’t know what pho was until I ate pho in Vietnam.
First, fresh herbs in pho are a MUST. I’m talking mint, cilantro, Chinese cilantro, watercress, basil, lemon basil, Thai basil, Vietnamese basil, Indonesian basil, Japanese basil, and Canadian basil. #theherbier #thebetter #whatscanadianbasil In Vietnam, they give you a MOUNTAINOUS PILE of herbs to add to pho. The pile of herbs is almost twice the size of the bowl of pho! These Everest-like piles put the sad little plates of herbs we get in the US to shame. #canisupersizethese? Second, lime slices are hardly ever served alongside pho and good pho shouldn’t need any lime! Third, siracha is a poor, poor way to spice up pho. In Vietnam, little pots of homemade chili sauce are on every table. These little pots pack some serious heat! I added a scant quarter teaspoon to my pho at one place in Hue and I couldn’t taste anything for 15 minutes. It will be hard going back to eating pho in CA again. #samesamenot
2. Sets are totally chic.
Not sure if “set” is the proper word, but that's what I'm calling them. If a pair of pajamas and a pantsuit had a baby, it would be a set. These are extremely comfy-looking, light, usually floral-patterned tops and matching bottoms. Pajama-like in nature, but worn in public during daylight hours. Many women, especially older women, love to wear sets. Sets will be the new rompers. #Coachella2016 #prediction
3. Scooters are used to transport any number of items, including, but not limited to the following:
4. Honking by people on scooters and in cars and trucks is done to signal that you are:
1. I didn’t know what pho was until I ate pho in Vietnam.
First, fresh herbs in pho are a MUST. I’m talking mint, cilantro, Chinese cilantro, watercress, basil, lemon basil, Thai basil, Vietnamese basil, Indonesian basil, Japanese basil, and Canadian basil. #theherbier #thebetter #whatscanadianbasil In Vietnam, they give you a MOUNTAINOUS PILE of herbs to add to pho. The pile of herbs is almost twice the size of the bowl of pho! These Everest-like piles put the sad little plates of herbs we get in the US to shame. #canisupersizethese? Second, lime slices are hardly ever served alongside pho and good pho shouldn’t need any lime! Third, siracha is a poor, poor way to spice up pho. In Vietnam, little pots of homemade chili sauce are on every table. These little pots pack some serious heat! I added a scant quarter teaspoon to my pho at one place in Hue and I couldn’t taste anything for 15 minutes. It will be hard going back to eating pho in CA again. #samesamenot
2. Sets are totally chic.
Not sure if “set” is the proper word, but that's what I'm calling them. If a pair of pajamas and a pantsuit had a baby, it would be a set. These are extremely comfy-looking, light, usually floral-patterned tops and matching bottoms. Pajama-like in nature, but worn in public during daylight hours. Many women, especially older women, love to wear sets. Sets will be the new rompers. #Coachella2016 #prediction
3. Scooters are used to transport any number of items, including, but not limited to the following:
- A refrigerator
- Panes of glass
- A chihuahua (standing on the seat behind the driver)
- Hoola hoops
- Up to 3 family members
4. Honking by people on scooters and in cars and trucks is done to signal that you are:
- Changing lanes
- Passing someone
- Entering the intersection
- Turning left
- Turning right
- Not turning at all
- In view of other scooters
- In view of other cars
- In view of other trucks
- In view of pedestrians
- Breathing
5. Vietnamese coffee is delicious and it’s all
because of the condensed milk.
6. Bahn xeo, pictured below, is not made with eggs.
#whaaaaaaaat?!?!?! Does this item not look like it is made with eggs?? Does this not look like an OMELET?? I did not realize this until Day 14 of our trip during our Vietnamese cooking class, by which time I had eaten bahn xeo at least 4 times IN VIETNAM. I do recall thinking each time, “This doesn’t taste eggy, what’s up with that?” Ummmm…that’s because it’s made with RICE, Renee. Rice milk, to be exact, which is finely ground rice powder mixed with water. Mixed in a contraption like this:
The color is all due to turmeric powder,
which, to be fair, I was not able to taste either. #sothere
Next stop--Hue!
6. Bahn xeo, pictured below, is not made with eggs.
#whaaaaaaaat?!?!?! Does this item not look like it is made with eggs?? Does this not look like an OMELET?? I did not realize this until Day 14 of our trip during our Vietnamese cooking class, by which time I had eaten bahn xeo at least 4 times IN VIETNAM. I do recall thinking each time, “This doesn’t taste eggy, what’s up with that?” Ummmm…that’s because it’s made with RICE, Renee. Rice milk, to be exact, which is finely ground rice powder mixed with water. Mixed in a contraption like this:
Next stop--Hue!
Your trip looks delicious!
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