We did a lot of eating on our trip and were lucky to have
found so much vegetarian food, with restaurants embracing enthusiastically vegetarian/vegan
adaptations of their traditional foods.
Oddly though, the higher end the restaurant the less enjoyable it was. Without doubt, our best meals were those at
the dodgiest looking places with kitchens that restaurants elsewhere would
never have allowed in public view.
Having walked back and forth a few times without any restaurant in sight, we almost pulled up some stools to eat from the local lady carrying her mobile restaurant around on her shoulders.
The restaurant had only 4 menu options –two vegetarian bahn mi – the local sandwich that used a French Roll (a silver lining of the French occupation) and a variety of fillings and sauces – a spring roll and some Vietnamese samosas. Unable to choose, we decided to try all of them. A seitan bahn mi and some vegetarian samosa “pillows”, were the stand out but each of the items were delicious nonetheless. Having done the “full tasting menu”, complete with two big beers, our tab came to all of $8 US.
Portable Restaurants |
Another highlight was our Vespa Food Tour.
This “lady-biker” Vespa tour specialized in vegetarian fare and whipped us around the city to eat at some spots where only the locals go.
We did manage to get lost a few times, which conveniently allowed us to see some prime tourist spots.
This “lady-biker” Vespa tour specialized in vegetarian fare and whipped us around the city to eat at some spots where only the locals go.
We did manage to get lost a few times, which conveniently allowed us to see some prime tourist spots.
Sitting at the tiny stools set up for patrons –
strategically smaller to cram as many people as possible in at one time - our two guides loudly jostled with the
restaurant owners to bring over some local specialties, ensuring they were made
vegetarian. Surprisingly, they earnestly
claimed that being vegetarian was more expensive than eating meat because the
cost of creating vegetarian alternatives such as “pork paste”.
Eggs for Egg Coffee |
Egg Coffee! |
Other notable food spots:
·
Minh Chay Vegan Restaurant – In the heart of the
Hanoi market, the glass noodles were a surprise hit, compensating easily for
the vegetarian pho that lacked taste.
·
Pateta Bahn Mi – So known for its craft beers,
they only had one still available by the time we arrived. Luckily, the delicious soya banh mi tasted
good with any type of beer.
The local after dinner ritual... |
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