TRỨNG VỊT LỘN (BALUT)

Also found in the Phillippines, where it is known as balut, the trứng vịt lộn is a macabre yet guiltily delicious twist on a duck egg. The egg is left to gestate until an embryo has been formed, then hard-boiled, creating a boiled egg with chunks of a half-developed duckling. It is as gory as you would expect, and more flavorful than any other egg you will ever have. A trứng vịt lộn goes great with some rau răm (Vietnamese coriander) and salt and pepper. Classic.

Besides trứng vịt lộn, there is also a dish which is quite similar with also a similar name “trứng cút lộn”. Actually, the two are not so different, except the trứng cút lộn is a mini version of the trứng vịt lộn. However, trứng cút lộn is way easier to eat because the egg is quite small with the size of a small pebble. Unlike trứng vịt lộn, trứng cút lộn can be cooked in many ways to create such tempting dishes besides boiled cút lộn such as “cút lộn xào me” (stir-fried cút lộn with tamarind) eaten with bread, which is adored by many foodlovers.

THỊT CHÓ (DOG MEAT)

Dog meat. Yes, dog meat. The controversial protein is found on drinking tables everywhere in Vietnam, particularly in the North, where it is deemed as a delicacy. Most commonly paired with mam tom (fermented shrimp paste) – another bizarre food we will cover later – dog meat is described as having the texture of pork, but the taste of chicken. Some call it unethical and cruel, while others swear on this meat.

ĐUÔNG DỪA (COCONUT WORM)

Insects are odd enough as food if you think about it, but the king of odd insects has to be the coconut worm. Found on coconut trees in relatively low numbers, the coconut worm is a specialty not for the faint-hearted. The correct way to serve them? Raw, swimming in a large bowl of fish sauce and chili peppers – as you let it soak in the flavor of the spicy fish sauce. For whoever eats this for the first time, đuông dừa is the worst nightmare. However, after the first bite, most people say it tastes like coconut! Maybe that is why the creature is called coconut worm.

TIẾT CANH (BLOOD PUDDING)

Another bloody favorite of the drinking crowd, blood pudding is made from blood – most commonly duck blood – as well as other ingredients such as innards, fish sauce and crushed peanuts. Described as having the texture of pizza, tiết canh is said to be reinvigorating and extremely taste. Beware though – poorly prepared blood pudding has led to cases of blood contimation, cholera and even death! Somehow, strangely, it is still the favorite dish of most middle-age to old people.

SẦU RIÊNG (DURIAN)

Perhaps the most divisive fruit in Asia, the durian is a fruit that packs a strong taste and an ever stronger scent. Banned from most public premises in Southeast Asia due to its pervasive smell, the durian’s custard-ish flavor is strangely addictive, if not slightly overpowering. Like most of the foods on this list, it is incredibly controversial: some people will defend the durian to death, while others would not touch it with a five foot pole.

NHỘNG (SILKWORM PUPAE)

Another member of the creepy crawly critters family, “con nhộng” is a creamy delicacy most popular in Central Vietnam, though it can be found pretty much anywhere. The pupae is again another insect that is beloved by the drinking crowd, whether it is sauteed with piper leaves or fried. On the first glance, the silkworm pupae looks nothing different from a skinny coconut worm. However, besides the different taste, the nhộng is “luckily” cooked. There are many dishes of nhộng that Vietnamese think of and it is especially various in the mountainous areas. However, the most typical nhộng dish is stir-fried silkworm pupae.

MẮM TÔM (FERMENTED SHRIMP PASTE)

More of a condiment than an actual food, the infamous mắm tôm still manages to find itself on the list due to its pure absurdity. Tiny shrimp is fermented for 6 months to a year in a special process until it decomposes and creates a strong-smelling paste. The scent is extremely pungent, and so is the taste. It’s a key component of many popular dishes, such as thịt chó mắm tom (dog meat with fermented shrimp paste) or bún đậu mắm tôm (bean curd noodles with shrimp paste). You will either hate it, or be addicted to it.

The post Top 10 Most Exotic Foods in Vietnam appeared first on Maze Vietnam.

There is a myriad of Vietnamese sauces. Trying to tell which sauce is which among the vast variety is not much different from navigating a labyrinth. A few basics include shrimp paste, anchovy paste, and of course, the infamous fish sauce.

The fish sauce itself has spawned a considerable number of sauce variations, acting as the base. Each region has sprinkled its own flair into the standard fish sauce to pair it with the local specialties. The North likes its sauce rich and redolent of lemongrass and calamondin. The Southerners stick with homely ingredients like gingers, minced garlic, and chopped chilies. The Central Vietnam way of finessing fish sauce includes boiling it with shrimp and finishing up with as much chilly as conceivable. Meanwhile, fish sauce in West Vietnam is renowned for its godsent sweet and sour mix. Sometimes, Vietnamese people also have fun with all sorts of vegetables to spice things up. People from the South usually go with pickled carrots and daikons, while those from the North enjoy a good handful of sliced green papayas.

Contrary to popular belief, fish sauce is not a modern invention, but in fact, has made its mark for quite some time. According to the Complete Annals of Đại Việt, Vietnamese people had already known how to produce and incorporate fish sauce into their nutritious diet by 997 at the latest. A historical record from the Nguyen Dynasty even noted fish sauce as a replacement for usual capitation tax to the imperial court. This goes to show what a highly-regarded delicacy it was and the role it played and still does until this day, in social functions.

It is hardly a Vietnamese dining table without a small bowl of fish sauce in the center. There are multiple courses and individual portions but all use that exact same fish sauce. In a way, it is a measurement of one’s table mannerism. Worry not though, as long as you are courteous and do not spill the sauce all over the table, or worse, on another person, then the dining experience should be a fun and scrumptious one.

Admittedly, fish sauce has quite a pungent taste, not least to people who have not been familiar with it since birth. However, once acquainted with the sauce, few can resist its oddly comforting charm. Evidence: Each day, an average Vietnamese person consumes at least 10 drops of fish sauce. That is a lot.

The post Vietnamese Fish Sauce – It stinks but tastes awesome appeared first on Maze Vietnam.

Are you done with exploring all the nooks and crannies of Hanoia3n food? Or have you had enough of partying in Saigon and are looking for lesser-known, off-the-beaten-track gems of Vietnamese cuisine? If yes, then this guide might be the answer you are looking for! Hold on tight as we’re about to venture through Danang (Da Nang) – the place to be!

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Bún Mắm Vân

Walking into Hải Châu district’s K23 alleyway, one can hardly not catch sight of the bustling home business seven blocks away; that’s Vân’s – our to-go place for Bún Mắm when traveling in Danang! Priding itself on fantastic Bún Mắm Nêm (a Danang twist on the tradition Bún Mắm), Trứng Cút Lộn xào me stir-fried balut with tamarind, and affordable prices, Vân’s has earned its own special spot in the hearts of thousands of Danang youths throughout generations. For any diehard fan of Vietnamese cuisine – especially Bún Mắm – Vân’s is never to be missed!

Address: K23/14 Trần Kế Xương, Hải Châu district
Opening hours: 7:00AM – 22:00PM
Price range: 20.000 – 30.000VND

https://www.mazevietnam.com/2016/10/19/what-and-where-to-eat-in-da-nang/

Cây Khế

There is one dish that can hardly be found anywhere but in Danang; that is Gỏi Cá Nam Ô (Nam O fish salad). And there is hardly any eatery that offers a more scrumptious Nam O salad than our editor’s choice – Cây Khế (Starfruit). Unlike Vân’s which only serves two dishes, Cây Khế is much more diverse in its range of food, consisting of everything from crispy French fries to savory fried rice with seafood, and to the region-renowned fish salad. With the monopoly on Gỏi Cá Nam Ô, Cây Khế welcomes large numbers of tourists every day, so booking a table in advance is highly advised. But once you’re seated, be prepared to go on a rollercoaster of flavors as each item on the menu can pack a powerful punch!

Address: 44 Lê Thanh Nghị, Hải Châu district
Opening hours: 10:00AM – 21:00PM
Price range: 45.000 – 90.000VND

https://www.mazevietnam.com/2016/10/25/nightlife-in-da-nang/

Bánh Canh ‘Chờ’

Living up to the title of street food, Bánh Canh ‘Chờ’ (Banh Canh ‘Wait’) is truly a hidden gem of Danang culinary scene in that the place doesn’t have a tangible building but rather, operates completely in the open air. In fact, Bánh Canh ‘Chờ’ is not the eatery’s real name either; nobody knows what the place was originally called, but most customers go with the name nonetheless as it comically represents a familiar scene – lines and lines of customer queueing up for those mouth-watering bowls of Bánh Canh. With one single iconic dish and a very budget-friendly price of 8.000VND (as a matter of fact, when asked why the place opted for such a low price, the owner lady cheerfully told us, “Actually, we have raised the price many times in the past; every time we did, the price went up by VND 1K!”), Bánh Canh Chờ’s 15-minute queues are not only worth it, but definitely a bargain for any tourist short on money after a whole day of shopping!

Address: under Thuận Phước Bridge, Sơn Trà district
Opening hours: 15:00PM – 22:00PM (most crowded at 17:00PM)
Price: 8.000VND

Bráp

Have you ever returned to your room after a long day of fun and excitement in Danang, feeling something is falling short and the night’s still too young for an 8-hour sleep? Well then rest assured because the fun is far from over in nighttime Danang with Bráp! With a diverse menu ranging from Bánh Tráng Nướng (crispy rice paper/Vietnamese pizza) to Nem Chua Quãng Ngãi (Quang Ngai fermented meat roll), to even fromage-coated honey-flavored roasted chicken, Bráp offers an alternative for night-life party animals who refuse to settle down at just 4:30 PM!

Address: 33 Cô Giang, Hải Châu district
Opening hours: 16:30 PM – 22:00PM
Price range: 10.000 – 30.000VND

https://www.mazevietnam.com/2016/10/19/where-to-visit-in-da-nang/

Cồn Market Food Court

When talking about Danang, one cannot exempt Marketplace Food Courts – the melting pot of different varieties of food in the city. At Cồn Market, you are bound to find all sorts of food – all the ones above, and a lot more dishes such as Vietnamese pancakes, sea snails, rice paper salad, etc. Moreover, as a marketplace, Chợ Cồn also offers a wide range of souvenirs - from dried delicacies to clothing to jewelry – so that you can bring home a piece of this beloved Danang and share it with family, friends, and many other!

Address: Ông Ích Kiêm – Hùng Vương intersection, Hải Châu district
Opening hours: 16:00PM – 19:00PM
Price range: 20.000 – 50.000VND

Bắc Mỹ An Market Food Court

Marketplace Food Courts can be quite unforgiving to the low-budget tourist because, without proper planning, one can easily be drawn into all the stalls and wonders of the Market. However, even in extreme cases of shortage of money, there is a solution! Enter Bắc Mỹ An Market. With a similar range of foods as Cồn Market’s, Bắc Mỹ An Market’s Food Court draws in customers by offering a much lower price range – about half of Cồn Market’s prices. Being such a haven for low-budget travelers, Bắc Mỹ An Market has earned its place within many customers’ hearts, with some even considering it as the better counterpart of Cồn Market! Whether that is the case or not is up to you to find the answer!

Address: Bắc Mỹ An Market, Ngũ Hành Sơn district
Opening hours: 7:00AM – 19:00PM
Price range: 5.000 – 10.000VND

Tàu Hủ Xe Lam

Too much salt from food already? Try some of the best tofu of the region at Tàu Hủ Xe Lam! Here, everything is about that sweet bowl of tofu – the perfect dessert to cleanse your taste buds after a long culinary adventure. With over ten variations of tofu and some refreshing soya milk, the place is among Danang youths’ favorites when it comes to relaxing and eating something light after large meals. What’s more, Tàu Hủ Xe Lam’s interior decorations are so colorful and well-made that many customers linger on for hours even after they have finished, just to take photos and enjoy the views! So next time you’re coming, don’t forget to bring a camera!

Address: 176 Trần Phú, Hải Châu district
Opening hours: 9:00AM – 22:00PM
Price range: 10.000 – 30.000VND

Vevy Milktea

Last on our list is the very essence of the Vietnamese youth that no region can do without – milk tea! Considered by many Danang milk tea ‘experts’ to have a distinct flavor – some even regard it as better than that of many large milk tea chain stores – Vevy Milk tea is the place to crash in at the end of every culinary journey! With a menu no shorter than that of the big names like Gongcha or Koi, Vevy has the upper hand in terms of prices. But from our experience at Vevy Milktea, we assure you that the quality is under no par compared to that of big companies! Next time you go on a food adventure, don’t forget to end on a sweet note at Vevy!

Address: 71-73 Phan Châu Trinh, Hải Châu district
Opening hours: 9:00 AM – 22:30 PM
Prices: 13.000 – 23.000VND

Read our full Da Nang Travel Guide here

The post Da Nang Food Guide 2018: Top 8 New Local Food Destinations appeared first on Maze Vietnam.

The Vietnamese grilled ricepaper is originally a street food associated with Đà Lạt. Started out as a mere sheet of ricepaper grilled on charcoal stoves with fat scallion topping, the dish quickly gained popularity among tourists, as its heat perfectly complements the coldness of the city. Inevitably, vendors selling grilled ricepaper had to compete against each other by renovating the dish, churning out more and more variations and thereby blessing this once uncouth snack with a level of complexity and diversity. News about this wonderful street munching spread as fast as lightning, and soon it became ubiquitous throughout the country.

Video shot by Chi Le and edited by Son Nguyen

Saigon is another center for grilled rice paper vendors. Here it adopts the nickname ‘Vietnamese pizza’ from the analogy drawn between the two dishes. Indeed, this food with its round base and triangular servings may remind one of the Italian pizza, but on close inspection, it’s easy to see how far the grilled rice paper departs from its seeming ‘counterpart’. The key element that sets the dish apart is its rice paper base, which turns extra-crispy when grilled. On top of that base are stir-fried scallions and often dried shrimps coated in egg yolk, making for a bright yellow finish dotted with green. Sounds tasty already, but the real selling point of this street food is its openness to modifications: dried shrimps can be replaced by beef jerky, sausages, chicken or pâté and quail yolks can stand in for the chicken yolk, plus mayonnaise or cheese can be added to enhance the flavor. This allows individual vendors to effectively customize their grilled rice paper to create such unique and delicious results.

The flexibility of this dish means you can create one in your own kitchen. Follow these steps as demonstrated in the video above.

Ingredients: a sheet of rice paper, scallions, dried shrimps (or other ingredients of choice e.g. beef jerky or chicken), 1-2 egg yolks, mayonnaise, cheese and chili sauce (optional)

Execution:

• Spread the rice paper on top of the charcoal stove (other cooking methods applicable, but charcoal stove is recommended to create an authentic taste)
• Beat egg yolks and mix with scallions
• Pour the mixture on top of the rice paper sheet and spread evenly
• Once the yolk is nearly cooked start scattering pieces of dried shrimps on top
• Move the rice paper around on the stove to evenly grill its edge
• Wait until the rice paper achieves a nice brownish yellow and add mayonnaise and chili sauce
• For the finishing, fold the rice paper in half

Enjoy!

Words by Duy Nguyen
Video by Son Nguyen & Chi Le
Photos by Phuc Nguyen

The post Vietnamese Pizza Banh Trang Nuong appeared first on Maze Vietnam.

1. Hoi An Chicken Rice

It can be said that chicken rice is a Hoi An specialty that makes tourists extremely impressed and engaged when they are visiting there. As you know, chicken rice can be found anywhere but why is Hoi An chicken rice more famous and unique? It is all thanks to the skillful hands of the Hoi An women. Rice is well done then being cooled and roasted until dried out so as to make it full of  eye-catching colour of yellow. Besides, boiled chicken is made into strands then mixed with some spices, pepper, chilli to put on the plate with roasted rice along with fewer herbs. In addition, there is also a tasty bowl of broth served. I feel like I could see you are craving for the dish while reading this! So where can you taste this delicious?

Addresses:
1. Chicken Rice Ba Buoi (Cơm gà Bà Buội) – 22 Phan Chau Trinh, Hoi An, Quang Nam.
2. Chicken Rice Huong (Cơm gà Hương) – Alley Sica, 48 Le Loi, Hoi An, Quang Nam.
3. Chicken Rice Xi (Cơm gà Xí) – 47/2 Tran Hung Dao, Hoi An, Quang Nam.
4. Chicken Rice Ba Lam (Cơm gà Bà Lắm) – Alley 51, Phan Chau Trinh, Hoi An, Quang Nam.

2. Cao Lau

When it comes to Hoi An, it is impossible not to mention Cao Lau because the dish is a unique food associated with the ancient town of Hoi An. Cao Lau is made from crispy noodles, not like normal squashy ones. You can mix noodles in the bowl comfortably without being afraid of crushing them. Specially, it is often eaten with herbs, pork fillet, a little broth, pork skin chips/pork rinds and a few other separate ingredients. Due to the difference in each person’s taste, some people will find this dish delicious but it might be not so good for others. So you want to know, try your own taste!

Addresses:
1. Cao Lau Ba Be (Cao Lầu Bà Bé) – In the market at Tran Phu, Hoi An, Quang Nam. (Only sell from 2:00PM daily)
2. Cao Lau Trung Bac (Cao Lầu Trung Bắc) – 87 Tran Phu, Hoi An, Quang Nam.
3. Thanh Cao Lau (Thanh Cao Lầu) – 26 Thai Phien, Hoi An, Quang Nam.

3. Banh Mi Hoi An (Bánh Mì Hội An)

Banh Mi is a famous street food around the world thanks to its cheap price and convenience that you might not be unfamiliar with. Banh Mi in other places is not likely to become a specialty, but in Hoi An it is an extremely additctive dish. Many foreign tourists after returning home have also shared about Banh Mi Hoi An with compliments. Just ‘google’  “Best Banh Mi in Vietnam” and you can get exactly what I said. What is so special about this Hoi An folk food that is so popular with numerous people?  The answer lies in the crunchy crust bread with a variety of meat, herbs and unique sauce inside which makes the bread is not too greasy but enough nutrients. You may only eat once but once is not enough!

Addresses:
1. Banh Mi Phuong – 2B Phan Chau Trinh, Hoi An, Quang Nam. (This is the best Banh Mi)
2. Banh Mi Madam Khanh – 115 Tran Cao Van, Hoi An, Quang Nam.

4. Bánh Ướt Cuốn Thịt Nướng (BBQ Pork rolled in steamed thin rice pancake)

The next flavored food you also have to try it once is ‘Banh Uot Cuon Thit Nuong’. The steamed thin rice pancake is like “Rolled Phở” in Northern Vietnam (can be found in Ha Noi) but thinner. When you eat, it will be accompanied by barbecue, herbs, cucumber and dotted with quite spicy sauce. The meat marinade is baked with charcoal so it really smells good, the sellers often grind the meat and then wrap the bamboo chopsticks to bake. The dish usually served with rich sauce brings unforgettable taste for visitors and you should be the next one to be served!

Addresses: You could go to the sidewalks along the Hoai River, the pavement at the crossroads between Hai Ba Trung and Tran Hung Dao or to Tran Phu street!

5. Banh Dap – Hen Xao (Bánh Đập – Hến Xào) Gridle-cake (rice paper) fold with steamed thin rice pancake inside and Fried baby basket clams

Banh Dap – Hen Xao is a palatable combination that local people have come up with to cater to the eating needs of tourists. The dish of “Banh Dap” has such a strange name because before serving it to the patrons, the innkeeper had to fold the baked gridle-cake and lay a thin layer of steamed rice pancake together allowing them to stick. To eat probably, you should break small pieces of Banh Dap and then mixed with Hen Xao to feel the “yummy”. If you want to take the right “Banh Dap – Hen Xao” in Hoi An, then come to the following addresses:

Addresses:
1. Quán Lân – Cao Lau & Banh Dap – Cam Nam, Hoi An, Quang Nam.
2. Quán Có Ngay – Nguyen Tri Phuong, Hoi An, Quang Nam.
3. Quán Bà Già – Cam Nam, Hoi An, Quang Nam.

6. Banh Bao – Banh Vac (Bánh Bao – Bánh Vạc/Steamed wheat flour cake – Vietnamese pork and shrimps Dumblings)

Banh Bao and Banh Vac are two types of cake with similar ingredients and usually served on the same plate. Banh Vac made from shrimps mixed with some pepper, garlic, onions, citronella and esoteric spice while Banh Bao made from pork, mushrooms, thinly sliced green onions and also with that esoteric spice. Perhaps this seasoning is also a reason why Banh Bao – Banh Vac could be only eaten way so good in Hoi An. Here is the place to eat delicious Banh Bao – Banh Vac in Hoi An.

Address: Quán Hoa Hồng Trắng – 533 Hai Ba Trung (Nhi Trung), Hoi An, Quang Nam.

7. Banh Beo (Bánh Bèo/Water fern cake)

Banh Beo is well-known as a special dish in Central Vietnam, so whether you travel to Da Nang, Hue or Hoi An, you can enjoy this cake. The cakes are usually placed in small cups and when guests want to eat, the owner will add a dimple of chopped, dried or fresh shrimp, scallions, mung bean paste, crispy fried shallots, fish sauce, rice vinegar, and oil above. If you are wondering why this dish in Hoi An is different from Da Nang or Hue, then come and taste!

Address: Quán Bà Bảy – Hoang Van Thu, Hoi An, Quang Nam.

8. Banh Can (Bánh Căn)

Banh Can is originated from Phan Rang, Ninh Thuan province, but unknown when it was “imported” to Hoi An. Banh Can Hoi An was remixed to better match the taste of the locals. Its sauce is considered as the “soul” of the dish. Depending on personal taste, you can add chili sauce or just use available fish sauce mixed with lemon, garlic, and chilli. With layers of fried crisp but not hard, fresh vegetables eaten with green papaya salad, indeed this is the common delicacy preferred by visitors.

Address: The first corner of Tran Cao Van, Hoi An, Quang Nam.

The post The Essential Hoi An Food Bucket List appeared first on Maze Vietnam.

Making way to Yên Bái, besides observing all the breathtaking natural sceneries, you will also have a chance to experience such wonderful foods. And below is the list of the top nine must-try dishes highly recommended.  It offers an insight into Yen Bai culinary culture.

Lục Yên banana cake ( Bánh chuối Lục Yên)

Banana has long been a familiar fruit to Tày* people in Lục Yên – a rural District of Y, becoming an inspiration for them to make distinct sweet cake. Unlike the commonly known “Bánh chuối”, which is made of banana covered in wet wheat flour and deep fried in boiled oil until it turns golden brown each side, Lục Yên version requires more time and skills.

Ripe bananas are peeled and dried before being kept in pots. When it’s time, they are soaked in hot water, ground and mixed with rice powder to coat and finally stuffed with the concoction of sugar, pounded steamed mung bean and peanuts inside. The cake is wrapped by banana leaves and steamed for 25 – 30 minutes.

The cake is usually served on full moon day or during traditional events. And if you remember, “Xôi chè”, a sweeten pudding in Hanoi I talked about in my previous article, is also served on such occasions with the main ingredients: mung bean, glutinous rice and sugar as well. It is an interesting coincidence, isn’t it?

Grilled buffalo meat (Thịt trâu gác bếp)

It is definitely a shame if you come to the northern mountainous area without trying its grilled foods. The one I’d like to mention today is “Thịt trâu gác bếp”- a speciality of the black Thái (người Thái đen), which is made from buffalo thighs as the main ingredient. When being grilled over charcoal, the smoky smell of the buffalo may be quite unpleasant to some people so they often add seasoned with chilies, ginger and “mắc khén” – a special forest pepper of the ethnic minorities in the Northwest before cooking. Afterward, the beef is hung over a shelf in the kitchen to get dried. It will take about 8 months up to a year until the beef is ready to be served.

To eat, shred the beef into small pieces and enjoy it with a small cup of “rượu ngô”- corn wine, an ideal cuisine for the winter!

Mường Lò fried muồm muỗm (Muồm muỗm rang Mường Lò)

“Muồm muỗm”, similar to a grasshopper, is a kind of insects easily caught sight of in fields during harvest seasons. There are many dishes made from “muồm muỗm”. However, according to the locals, fried muồm muỗm is the best. When ready to be served, it turns golden brown and has a delicate aroma while its taste is infinitely crispy and greasy.

Lạp xưởng Yên Bái

“Lạp xưởng”, or Asian sausage, is made of chopped bacon, pepper, honey, sugar, etc. What makes “lạp xưởng” in Yên Bái special is the way it is seasoned. One thing to be kept in mind are the order and duration in which its ingredients are mixed up. And when it comes to drying the sausage, nothing but charcoal, bagasse, chaff and bay leaf must be used. As a result, you will feel the pleasant smoky scent of the cane when eating.

Coming to Yên Bái, you should not miss out Tú Lệ village, which is not only well-known for the breathtaking terrace rice fields but also for its food – glutinous rice. People even say that as being cooked, the aroma of the glutinous rice can be scented from hundreds of meters away. Accordingly, local citizens have created the following 3 must-try cuisines from the rice in Tu Le Village:

Food made from rice

Tú Lệ green rice ( Cốm Tú Lệ)

If Hanoi is frequently given reputation by Cốm Làng Vòng, Tú Lệ Village puts its name on the map with Cốm Tú Lệ. The land has been rewarded with its one-of-a-kind rice whose kernel is roasted over low heat then pounded in a mortar with a pestle until flattened. That one special point I want to insist is that the green of Cốm is definitely natural, not served with any chemical constituent.

Xôi ngũ sắc

Given that you do not seem to prefer steamed sticky rice owning one single colour only, then we are so glad to let you meet our “Xôi ngũ sắc”, a special version featured five different colours – blue, red, purple, yellow and white, all of which are dyed by natural pigments of forest leaves. This dish can be found in Tu Le Village.

Bánh chưng đen Mường Lò

“Bánh chưng” is a Vietnamese traditional dish, usually served in Lunar New Year or sometimes on full moon day. “Bánh chưng đen” – black square sticky rice cake, is made similarly to the original edition, but the Thái people make it in a little bit different way by mixing ground “núc nác” tree’s coat with glutinous rice to cover their cakes with black coats.

Rêu suối Mường Lò

Have you ever thought that fungus can be used to make a dish? It appears to be impossible but in Thái*’s culinary culture, it isn’t. Fungus is wrapped in banana leaves and then grilled until the fat and green liquid come out from the fresh fungus. As good fungus is hard to find while its season is pretty short, the locals here highly appreciate it. This dish is served in dinner when family gathers or special guests come over.

Cá sỉnh

“Cá sỉnh” is considered by the Thái in Văn Chấn town in such a pride because this kind of fish only habitats here.

“Cá sỉnh” is quite small, about four human fingers in width while its meat is tender and bones are quite soft.

If you are now wondering where to go to try these dishes, just head forward until you come across a street food shop on the way or somehow you are invited to the locals’ houses for a meal, who knows? The locals in Yen Bai are very friendly.

But if you want a specific guide for where to eat, drop by some following listed restaurants in the city. They are suggested by the Vietnamese backpackers.

Thùy Vân floating restaurant

Address: Đồng Tâm ward, Yên Bái city
Opening hours: 08:00 – 22:30
Phone number: (02) 93 852 099

Sâm Hiệp restaurant

Address: 302 Thanh Niên, Hồng Hà ward, Yên Bái city
Opening hours: 09:00 AM – 09:30 PM

Tây Bắc restaurant

Address: Village 6, Hợp Minh ward, Yên Bái city
Opening hours: 08:00 – 22:30
Phone number: 0216 3712 719

Sơn Thủy restaurant

Address: 600 Điện Biên Street, Yên Bái city
Opening hours: 8.00 – 23.00
Phone number: 070 385 2695

Minh Đức restaurant

Address: 381 Lê Hồng Phong Street, Yên Bái city
Opening hours: 08:00 – 22:30

Thanh Hà restaurant

Address: 182 Đinh Tiên Hoàng street, Đồng Tâm ward, Yên Bái city
Opening time: 08:00 – 22:30

Thuyền Chài restaurant

Address:Group 6, Hợp Minh ward, Yên Bái city
Opening hours: 09:00 – 23:00

* Some information about the Vietnamese ethnic groups:

• The Tày: famous for the Yale blue of their traditional costume, is one of the most populated ethnic minorities in Vietnam. They inhabit mostly in Lạng Sơn, Cao Bằng, Hà Giang, Bắc Cạn, Yên Bái
• The Thái: having inhabited in the Northwest Vietnam for over 1200 years since their ancestors first migrated to Vietnam from Yunnan, China. They are most widely known as the Black Thai and the White Thai who live mainly in Điện Biên, Lai Châu, Sơn La, Lào Cai, Yên Bái, Hòa Bình.

The post Best cheap foods Yen Bai Province has to offer appeared first on Maze Vietnam.

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Video shooter and Script writer: Chi Le
Video editor: Son Nguyen

The post Tofu – Bean Curd appeared first on Maze Vietnam.

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1. Bánh Cống

A deep-fried pastry filled with meat and shrimp, Bánh Cống is a popular dish with the locals. Roll it up with some fresh greens and dip in a mixed dipping sauce made from fish sauce, sugar, garlic and fresh chilli peppers. It is a hearty and filling, yet fresh and vibrant flavor combination in your mouth - one you never knew you wanted. Bánh Cống Cô Út is regarded as the place to go for Bánh Cống in Cần Thơ.

Address: Bánh Cống Cô Út: 86/38 Lý Tự Trọng Str, Tân An Ward, Ninh Kiều District

 

2. Bánh Tét Lá Cẩm

An interesting twist on the regular Banh Tet, Bánh Tét Lá Cẩm is rolled with magenta leaves, resulting in a purple color on the cake. Bánh Tét Lá Cẩm’s filling is well-marinated pork, and salted duck eggs (yep, salted duck eggs). One bite, and you get the sweet taste of glutinous rice, the succulent pork and the strong and tasty salted egg. Bánh Tét Lá Cẩm made by the Huỳnh family is regarded as the best in Cần Thơ, and it is available at markets such as Xuân Khánh or An Thới Market.

Address: Xuân Khánh Market: 30/4 Street, Xuân Khánh Ward, Ninh Kiều District

3. Lẩu

Ah yes, hotpot. The delicious broth-based dish is considered one of Vietnam’s hidden culinary gems, and many provinces have their own creations on the broth base - so diverse in style, in fact, that it would be unfair to group them under one name. Cần Thơ is no exception. With an abundance of greens, and river-dwelling creatures, the hotpots that are a specialty of this region are all fresh and flavor-packed. The alley on 1 Lý Tự Trọng offers some hotpots that locals love such as Lẩu Cá Kèo (hotpot with mudskipper fish), Lẩu Thái (spicy Thai-styled hot pot), or Lẩu Vịt Nấu Chao (duck and bean curd hot pot) while Lẩu Mắm (Fermented fish paste hot pot) at Dạ Lý restaurant comes with nearly 40 types of fresh vegetables.

Address: Alleyway, 1 Lý Tự Trọng Str, Ninh Kiều District (next to Lưu Hữu Phước Park)

4. Nem Nướng Cần Thơ

Nem Nướng, or grilled pork rolls, are a staple of Vietnamese cuisine. And here in Cần Thơ, locals are proud to say that they have their own version of the dish. The pork rolls are rolled with some banh hoi (bundled rice vermicelli) and vegetables into a sheet of banh trang (rice paper), and then dipped in a soy-based sauce. Natives and expats gobble it up, and you will too. Nem Nướng Thanh Vân has long been regarded as the best place for nem Nướng in the city, and a favorite destination for tourists who are looking for delicious nem.
Address: Nem Nướng Thanh Vân: 17 Hòa Bình Boulevard, Ninh Kiều District

Bánh Tầm Phạm Ngũ Lão: Alleyway, 2 Phạm Ngũ Lão Street, Ninh Kiều District

6. Chuối Nếp Nướng

A homely, simple, yet ever so decadent snack from the country, Chuối Nếp Nướng in Cần Thơ has its own little twist. Fresh bananas are coated with a layer of glutinous rice, and then grilled over a hot coal stove, then served with coconut milk for a scrumptious bite. What is the twist here? The Chuối Nướng in Cần Thơ does not have coconut milk! No, it is mixed into the glutinous rice, creating a smoky and succulent flavor, and it is also less messy! Visit the corner of Trương Định and Xô Viết Nghệ Tĩnh Street for some Chuối Nếp Nướng, won’t you?

Address: intersection between Trương Định and Xô Viết Nghệ Tĩnh Street

 

7. Ốc Nướng Tiêu Xanh

Succulent water snails still in the shell are poached lighly, then grilled over a hot coal stove with a special blend of fish sauce and green peppercorn to create Ốc Nướng Tiêu Xanh, a delectable light dish from the Mekong Delta. The beauty of this dish lies in the fish sauce. Spicy, salty and sweet at the same time, it provides a punch of flavor to the juicy snails. Feel free to chow down some water snails and slurp up the sauce, as the locals do, in any roadside seafood stall in Cần Thơ.

 

Address: Corner of Trương Định and Xô Viết Nghệ Tĩnh Street, near Châu Văn Liêm School.

The post What and where to eat in Can Tho? appeared first on Maze Vietnam.

You may order vegan food using the word “chay” or “đồ ăn chay” (Literally: vegetarian food). But how do we pronounce that though? A way to say the word “chay” is to combine the first syllable of the word “chayote” and the vowel of the word “say”. And, “đồ ăn”, which means food, is “do” and the first syllable of “ankle”. Hope this could help you pronounce the full word correctly!

By the way, here are two tips when you speak Vietnamese, use just a little amount of air and do not compress the words when pronouncing.

Healthy Farm

You choose your favorite ingredients, Healthy Farm’s chefs make delicious noodle dishes out of them. Ingenious concept, isn’t it? That is what I thought when I first got here. There is a great variety of options for customers to pick including noodles, vegan meats, and vegetables. Moreover, the restaurant offers vegan burgers, ice creams, and many more good drinks. A breakfast or lunch here to me is an absolutely great idea.

Opening hours: 10:30 AM – 10:30 PM
Address: #42 Tran Hung Dao St., Pham Ngu Lao ward, district 1, Saigon.
Phone:+84 8 3838 6668
Website: facebook.com/healthyfarmvegan/

Loving Hut Hoa Đăng Restaurant

Loving Hut is a vegan restaurant chain with more than 100 outlets in Asia, Europe, South America, North America, and Australia. Among the places I recommend here, this one is where a proper man in a suit and tie may get his proper full course dinner.

Opening hours: 09:00 AM – 02:00 PM and 04:00 PM – 09:00 PM
Address: #38 Huynh Khuong Ninh St., district 1, Saigon.
Phone:+84 8 3820 9702
Website: lovinghuthoadang.com/

Phương Mai Vegan Restaurant

Don’t be fooled by the restaurant’s small size look! It offers a lovely atmosphere and an amazing menu. I once stumbled across this small shack and now I have to come back every (almost) week because of the delicious dishes. Moreover, this place has a small meditation room and a reading room with a few charity bookshelves. You can read, take any titles that you like or consider making donations to enrich it.

Opening hours: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Address: #7 Phan Chu Trinh St., District 1.
Phone: +84 8 38 223 166 – +84 8 88 339 257
Website: facebook.com/pmvegetarian/

Liên Hương Vegan Restaurant

Lien Huong is a decent vegetarian restaurant in a quiet and comfortable setting that you should not miss when you are here in Saigon although it is quite an adventure to get here as the restaurant is located in an alley. However, it is really not that hard if you simply follow our map.

Opening hours: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Address: #149/31A Le Thi Rieng St., Ben Thanh ward, District 1.
Phone: +84 8 3925 0547
Website: facebook.com/pmvegetarian/

Tib Vegan Restaurant

Established in 1993, Tib Restaurant was among the pioneers in Vietnam to revive rustic Hue dishes such as Jellyfish noodle (Vietnamese: Bún giấm nuốc), Steamed rice pancake with shrimp in banana leaves (Vietnamese: Bánh nậm tôm), Romaine lettuce roll (Vietnamese: Cuốn diếp) into luxurious settings. One interesting point that helps Tib stands out from its competitors is that the restaurant mainly focuses on food made from fresh vegetables and fruits instead of offering fake flavors or vegan meats.

Besides the main courses, Tib also serves breakfast with coffee and snacks. Don’t forget to check it out!

Opening hours: (Mon to Sat) 11:00 AM – 02:00 PM and 05:00 PM – 10:00 PM
(Sunday) 11:15 AM – 02:00 PM – 05:15 PM – 10:00 PM
Address: #89-91 Phan Ke Binh St., Ben Thanh ward, District 1.
Phone: +84 8 3911 5455
Website: tibrestaurant.com/

The post Vegetarian Restaurants in District 1, Saigon appeared first on Maze Vietnam.

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Dalat Night Market

It is undeniable that Dalat Night Market is a paradise of food for tourists. If you are hungry, do not forget to find stalls selling Vietnamese noodles such as bánh canh, bún riêu, hủ tíu, etc. Furthermore, once delving into the cuisine here, you should never skip these four popular snacks: thịt nướng (grilled meat), bánh tráng nướng (Vietnamese pizza), bánh ống lá dứa (pineapple leaf tube cake), and sữa đậu nành (soy milk). The prices are just about 10 000 vnd – 20 000 vnd, but their deliciousness is extremely irresistible.

Opening hours: 5:00 pm – 5:00 am
Address: Nguyen Thi Minh Khai street, ward 1, Dalat, Lam Dong (Beside Dalat Market)

L'ANGFARM Coffee Buffet

L’ANGFARM is such a well-known brand when it comes to stores selling specialties, especially dried fruits and teas, of Dalat. To try all of its fresh and sanitary products, you just need to pay 44 000 vnd for a coffee buffet on the second floor of L’ANGFARM store (#6 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai street). There are about 30 types of dried candied fruit, 10 flavors of ice cream, 10 kinds of tea, juice, and coffee, as well as some grilled vegetables. Besides, what you may expect is a nice view of a dynamic center of Dalat at night.

Opening hours: 4:30 pm to 10:30 pm
Prices: 44 000 vnd
Address: #6, Nguyen Thi Minh Khai street, ward 1, Dalat, Lam Dong

Bánh ướt lòng gà Trang

Crowded all day and night, Trang restaurant steals travelers’ hearts with a dish called bánh ướt lòng gà (steamed thin rice pancake with pig’s offals or chicken). However, due to a giant number of customers, the service is quite slow, and you are suggested to take the food directly at the cooking area to save your time.

Opening hours: 1:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Prices: 32 000 vnd
Address: #15, Tang Bat Ho street, ward 1, Dalat, Lam Dong
Telephone: (+84)633825043

Nem nướng Bà Hùng

Vietnamese cuisine is famous for wrap and roll dishes, and rice paper wraps with nem nướng (grilled meatballs, usually made of pork) absolutely impress you at first bite. Moreover, the special peanut sauce may even make you wonder what it is made from. Nevertheless, slow service is a minus point of Bà Hùng restaurant.

Opening hours: 9:30 am to 9:00 pm
Prices: 40 000 vnd
Address: #328, Phan Dinh Phung street, ward 2, Dalat, Lam Dong
Telephone: (+84)633827519

Bánh căn Lệ

This type of Vietnamese pancake is made of rice flour and egg (or beef). Eaten with fish sauce, hot and crunchy bánh căn is a perfect choice when you endure the freeze of Dalat. However, the restaurant lies in an alley so you may find it difficult to reach there. At that moment, do not hesitate to ask the local for help. They are friendly, and so is the owner of Lệ restaurant.

Opening hours: 6:00 am to 10:00 pm
Prices: 10 000 vnd – 30 000 vnd
Address: #27/44, Yersin street, ward 10, Dalat, Lam Dong
Telephone: (+84)933189596; (+84)933901198

Chè Hé

The weird name Hé, which means “open a little”, comes from the fact that the restaurant’s door used not to be widely open due to the severe chill of the city at night. Nonetheless, the number of customers is rising gradually day by day, so there is no more a “hé” door. Talking about chè (Vietnamese sweet gruel), you could make a choice among approximately 10 types, as well as choose a hot bowl or an iced glass of it. In addition, free hot tea served here will warm your body up.

Opening hours: 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Prices: 6 000 vnd – 11 000 vnd
Address: #11A, Ba Thang Hai street (3/2 street), ward 1, Dalat, Lam Dong

Kem bơ Thanh Thảo

In the City of Eternal Spring, with regards to ice cream, Thanh Thảo is the number-one name recommended for visitors. Its specialty is kem bơ (avocado ice cream) with such an unforgettable taste. Notwithstanding, despite impressively fast service, the limited area of Thanh Thảo restaurant still causes inconvenience for customers. Another noticeable factor of this place is chè Thái (Thai sweet gruel) with an addictive flavor of durian.

Opening hours: 8:00 am to 9:00 pm
Prices: 15 000 vnd – 33 000 vnd
Address: #76, Nguyen Van Troi street, ward 2, Dalat, Lam Dong
Telephone: (+84)683822483

Café Tùng

Classic and cozy Café Tùng has been staying in the heart of Dalat’s citizens for more than half a century. Sitting on an old-fashioned couch to enjoy a simple glass of coffee, you will find yourself getting immersed in the gentle melody of Trịnh’s music. Furthermore, Café Tùng is assumed to be the first place where Trịnh Công Sơn and Khánh Ly met each other. Whereas one is a legendary composer of Vietnam, the other is a talented diva; their love story still appears as a mystery though. On the other hand, you may try famous cheese yogurt here.

Opening hours: 6:00 am to 10:00 pm
Prices: 15 000 vnd – 55 000 vnd
Address: #6, Khu Hoa Binh, ward 1, Dalat, Lam Dong
Telephone: (+84)633821390

V Café

After a journey of searching for Vietnamese foods, Western dishes such as pizza, pasta, beefsteak, salad, etc. always wait for you at V Café. There are two options of seats: indoors for a warm atmosphere or outdoors for an elegant view of Bui Thi Xuan street at night. Last but not least, nightly live music (7:30 pm to 9:00 pm) is a reason why the restaurant attracts a considerable number of customers.

Website: http://www.vcafedalatvietnam.com/
Opening hours: 7:00 am to 10:30 pm
Address: #1, Bui Thi Xuan street, ward 2, Dalat, Lam Dong
Telephone: (+84)633520215

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