MILANO fashion treat

MILANO FASHION TREAT
By : Aly Abaquin

While in HCMC my last fashion extravaganza was the Milano fashion show wherein I had attended and treated to a fashion show that is a feast to the senses.

Sight, smell, and taste are all an integral part of the shopping experience in the bustling marketplace in HCMC. If you’re for exotic shopping the smell of the cinnamon, anise, black pepper, cloves and coffee (Vietnam is the world’s second largest producer of the latter) waft through the markets. Mixed with less pleasant odors of nuoc mam ( fish sauce), heaps of mangos, purple dragon fruit, enormous jackfruit and the pungent durian spills out onto the streets are basic staples in any marketplace but wait the rich and famous converge on the different level of shopping paradise.

The rich goes to the streets of Dong Khoi, the fashion high street that is, last season, yours truly was invited and was rubbing elbows with the crème the la crème of Saigon. Seen and tasted the Paris in the orient has truly been an exotic shopping paradise for over a century.

Proofs of these are the Milano Fashion show: Colours-bustling of colours is what we seen in the Catwalks, like their exquisite lacquered boxes, silk ao dai (vietnam’s graceful national costume for females) buffalo horns ornaments, elaborate embroidery, stone carved Buddhas, and intricate wicker basketry are elements of the fashion scene in HCMC.

So here are the pictures as I introduce to you  FASHIONISTA SAIGON.

STREET FOOD

STREET FOOD
By Aly Abaquin

Remember the time when your parents would not allow you to eat street foods. Reminding you that this street food is not good, unhealthy and somewhat diarrhea laden or if not careful you’ll have food poisoning.
But you always noticed all people are eating and ever wonder why are they eating it if its not good?
My mom will always have all these answers that she will whip up just for me to shut up.

For instance she will tell us that the ugly food will produce little monsters in our stomach and cause stomach ache. For the word diarrhea for a 7 years old kid will not understand at all.

I remember every summer when the dirty ice cream man/ "SORBETERO"  will peddle this ice cream in wheels  in the afternoon and all kids in th neigborhood except us will not buy them because its dirty ice cream. (refers to how they make them locally in their homes or some dirty factory)

We will have fights over why the other kids eat them while us will wait for Magnolia (the brandname of locally produce ice cream in the philippines) that is more safer and cleaner.


Ttill then my mom will have galloons of Magnolia Vanilla & Chocolate  ice cream stash in our fridge when that dirty ice cream sound its bells and allure all the  neighborhood kids to have a taste of the refreshing candy colored ice cream. In doing this everyday  the "Mamang Sorbetero" Ice cream man won over the battle with us because  later on my mom  allowed us to eat the "good" dirty ice cream saving her trips to the supermarket. Freedom at last as we tasted in delightful glee every bit of flavor: cheese, ube, chocolate and vanilla : dirty ice cream never tasted so good.

So my fascination with street foods are honed and thru the years grew up loving to taste this little food wonders which are staple of each country, showcasing their food culture.

FAST FORWARD To HCMC.
The term "street foods" describes a wide range of ready-to-eat foods and beverages sold and sometimes prepared in public places, notably streets. Hence: no hygienic control or better yet the food safety preparation is null and void.

The demand for relatively inexpensive, ready-to-eat food has increased as people have less time to prepare meals. Urban Migration has stimulated the growth in street food vendors in many cities since the daily need among many working people eat outside the home is evident due to the daily commute to their work place.

One in particular very popular in vietnam is the FISH BALLS. Yummy in capital letters!

So in picking your street food stalls and if your adventurous eater outer like yours truly.

I advise you to pick streets foods stalls that are busy. Seeing many patrons lining up is an indication of sumptuous meals being prepared constantly fresh. Locals who hover like bees hungry for nectar is an indication that this food stall is very popular and clean enough. The food should be cooked in high fire killing any bacteria and clean flowing water is seen. These things are important if you are very particular about hygiene. No food monsters here mind you.

If not there is always the reliable Imodium pill that helps you ease the pain of diarrhea.

That jagged little pill will do the trick once you feel your stomach is growling.

Like fast foods, the final preparation of street foods occurs when the customer orders the meal which can be consumed where it is purchased or taken away. Street foods and fast foods are low in cost compared with restaurant meals and offer an attractive alternative to home-cooked food.

Which brings me to again to my YUMMY favorite Street food : FISH BALLS, SQUID BALLS, SHRIMP BALLS and Hot dog. They are skewered pieces of balls made from flour mixed together with morsel of either fish, squid or meat and seasoned with salt pepper & spices then deep fried in a hot pan along the streets of Saigon. Then served with hot sauce or catsup.

Here are the delectable pieces in picture. Help yourself to one when you pass by any street corners in HCMC. Some are being peddled along thorough fares by HA LONG  Boy  and vendors are amazing marketers institutionalizing Street food in every nook and cranny.

Passionately Curious

Passionately Curious: The delectable path of food writer, Richard Sterling

The award wining food and travel writer opens up about his love of culinary adventure.

By Aly Abaquin

Perhaps there is no perfect word nor phrase to describe oneself when he is fulfilling his dream or simply following his bliss. But wait have you heard of the phrase Passionately curious?

These words put together make an extremely powerful meaning.

Remember Albert Einstein uttered this “I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." What does it mean? Einstein encouraged inquiry. "The important thing is not to stop questioning and curiosity has its own reason for existing”

Passionate Curiosity is one characteristic renowned food and travel writer, Richard Sterling possesses.

Sterling is a travel food, lifestyle journalist, the principal author of Lonely Planet's World Food Series.
His writing is provocative and testosterone-edged, but poignant and hilarious, and when asked where he gets his inspiration? Without a blink of an eye he said PASSIONATE CURIOSITY.

“Passionate curiosity about the world as I said I grew up in a rural place. A very good place to grow up,” But very narrow place not much range of experience and then I was sent to Asia and the world just opens up and so I always had a great curiosity on everything that I see, eat and drink.”

New York Times dubbed him the Indiana Jones of Gastronomy for his willingness to go anywhere and court any danger for the sake of a good meal. He has been honored by the James Beard Foundation for his food writing, and by the Lowell Thomas awards for his travel literature and has authored a dozen books and scores of magazine articles.

In this short interview, Richard Sterling takes us into the inner working of his heart, his soul and stomach.
He shares his most compelling stories from a lifetime of travel and adventure. Whether breaking bread with a murderer in Baja dessert or enjoying shipboard dalliance with a mysterious new acquaintance on the South China Sea.  Sterling shares his most memorable adventures.

When asked to recount just one Sterling replies: I was in the Philippines a restaurant in Zambales province called Three Roses. I was excited to try this new culinary adventure and three Filipino friends took me there as their guest. I was excited  until they've place the  dish before me.  It was a dog. All I could see was every dog I ever own seated in the table growling at me. It was quite a trauma. I finally ate it. It was delicious but the dogs are barking in my belly all night long.”

Sterling has a bevy of equally captivating tales. Some of which he chronicled in his book : The Fire Never Dies:One Man's Raucous Romp Down the Road of Food.
He joined the Navy by the age of 19 and had not dropped the anchor since. Sterling is still sailing the horizon that keeps the flames of his soul alive. Passionate about food when he landed in South East Asia, he claims  to have found in a "culinary Disneyland.” the writer immediately fell in love.

Aside from dog is there any food you won't eat  despite having an iron stomach? “I don’t care for tofu, to my mind it is tasteless, odorless, colorless. I would rather eat spam a perfectly good food substitute.”

Then I concur food should be tasted and chewed so that every morsel and bite is an adventure to itself.
Amongst  hearty laughter we chat  like old friends. Both foodies, who  love to travel & write, the conversation was smooth, light -at times endearing.

So I continued to pry. Having said that, i followed up the question quickly with If you where a dish what will you be and why?

“I think I would be something spicy and a lot of sauce. Something like a Vietnamese Curry.” Indeed the guy has Gusto, Spunk and Spice. He is quite tall and debonair in stature and has many things to offer. Remember he is fueled with enormous amount of creativity and passion that commands attention.

Spurned by the idea that food makes strong bonds with family, history and culture. I asked him what his comfort food is?

His smile and twinkle in the eyes are reminiscent of that scene from the movie Ratatouille.
As always a true blue American he said “When I go the United States something I always want to have within a day or two of my arrival. I go to a Bar and grill a very simple place and have a cheese burger and a draft beer. Hopefully thankful Hank William Sr. is playing at the jukebox.”

I was also curious if this award winning travel journalist is a cook. Julia Child said be a fearless cook are you one aside being a fearless diner?

He confirmed that like Julia he never apologizes on the food he cooks
“Sometimes a dish that I create does not come quite the way it would. They do not know that. I prepare dinners and sometimes things not what you hope to be. I personally disappointed but served it forth….Enjoy!”

He continues to share with all the travels his biggest challenge on the road was loneliness.
“There is this profound loneliness if you’re a stranger in a strange land. All by yourself even though you’re having a lot of fun…. It’s fascinating to see new people and eat new food and experience the new country. Just can’t shake it off for the day. You have to work thru it. Alright I would be lonely in a day or two but shake if off and continue.”

His advise to aspiring travel writers like myself is: “If you want to be a good writer you must read great writers. Great writer will rub-off on you.”

You’ve gone around the world and become successful. Is there anything else that you would like to fulfill?  “I want to do the same thing, continue  exploring the world through my eyes, my mouth, heart, stomach and sharing it to others through my writing.”

Sterling is currently writing a new book about working and living in Vietnam.  Inspired by Rudyard Kipling's "Mandalay" & Paul Theroux’s Great Railway Bazaar

His highest aspiration is that people will be inspired to eat adventurously and also feel inspired to travel through the pages of his books.

Like his adventures, Richard Sterling is heart-felt, sensitive, yet hard-edged and witty, creating a unique view of this man’s Passionate Curiosity: the very core of his being.

 The article in its condensed version appeared in East West: Gastronome : Feb 2010

 

With the famous Richard Sterling.

Other books worth reading  from Richard Sterling

Photos: courtesy of Mr. Richard Sterling

All books available at http://www.amazon.com/

Eat all you can madness

DIN KY: Eat all you can madness

By Aly Abaquin

Are you looking for that satisfaction of getting big value for your money? Well one resto in HCMC is up to give you a wide selection of vietnam’s gastronomy buffet style: eat all you can. Its full moon and as they say madness strikes everyone when there’s a full moon: EAT ALL YOU CAN MADNESS that is.

Din KY is located in 48-50 Le Thi Hong Gam dist 1 and for 145,000 vnd ($7)per person: eat all you can and yes folks it is open 24 hours at that.

I with a friend in tow tried and tested this very popular vietnamese restaurant that can house a huge number of people a good choice for Big Bigger Biggest get together, parties and the likes.

Do not be shy for the buffet of 100 dishes are plenty and ready to serve hungry mouths. A marathon of eating is now on the loose as we partake to see what is in store for us. Good thing we did pass out on lunch for this day we are ready to dive in to this smorgasbord disneyland of vietnamese cuisine.

The atmosphere is so festive as we see families celebrate their kids birthday, from mother, father , brother, sister, auntie, uncles, grandma and grandpa all in attendance shall we say all the clan is here to give the celebrant a bright b-day. We also see foreigners being treated by their vietnamese friends and so groups of people acquaintances, employee, employer outings and or just friends enjoying beer & food galore.

The menu is a dazzling array of large serving of Pho, hot pot, appetizers, fish ,seafoods from ban xeo to rice meals. From Veggies to carbs all present.

The place is chaotic, happy, dizzying, dashing frenzy of people looking for each dish that caught their fancy. You’ll surely tend to divide and conquer as I and a friend are on a food trip so to speak. We just partake what we like to eat and not be gluttons in the process we select to taste test everything in tiny bite size pieces then and go back to our favorites so to savour the buffet. The pictures will tell you what we go for.

Why not take yourself to a foodie adventure. I will bet my bottom dollar that its gonna be a wild and memorable one. As we did experience it one full moon ago.

ADDRESS: 48- 50 Le Thi Hong Gam, Dist. 1

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

PHONE: (84-8) 3829 4112

E-MAIL: buffetngondinky@yahoo.com

HOURS: 24 hours

TET & Banh Chung

TET & Banh Chung

By Aly Abaquin

The making and eating bánh chưng during Tet is a well-preserved tradition of Vietnamese people. Bánh chưng is a traditional Vietnamese cake which is made from Glutinous rice, mung bean & pork.

Traditionally, in making the bánh chưng, all members of the family gather with different tasks, from washing the lá dong, mixing the pork with spices, preparing the mung bean and most important wrapping all ingredients in square form (Ban Chung) or cylindrical form (ban Tay) and carefully boiling the cakes for ten – twelve hours in a boiling cauldron.

The Taste of the glutinuous rice with mung bean are very heavy to the stomach and we suggest to have a tea handy. One slice is enough to make you full.  The Cake is also an offfering to the buddhist altar for more bountiful new year and is a great way to greet the new Year!

Or simply called  the Tet, which means the first morning of the first day of the new year, is the Vietnamese New Year. The celebration lasts for 7 days. Like the Chinese, the Lunar New Year is one of the most celebrated holidays.


Preparation for Tet starts weeks before New Year's Day. Homes are cleaned to get rid of bad fortune associated with the old year. Families paint their homes to give it a new look. Everyone gets new clothes and new shoes. Pay your debts and resolve differences between family and friends.

A special ceremony called Le Tru Tich is held at the mid-night hour (Giao Thua) on New Year's Eve. The ritual involves firecrackers and gongs and other festive items that make loud noises to usher out the old and welcome the new.

In HCMC, Saigon tourist has held the successful flower market to welcome the new year and this is also the most awaited event for locals and well as for tourist. An explosion of flora & fauna. Disneyland for landscapers, an array of different flowers from orchids, daffodils, exotic flowers etc are all present.

Think of the Rose parade but in this case its not mobile but stationary along the Central district in Nguyen Hue.  

Like the Chinese, Vietnamese people are very careful about what they do on New Year's Day. The events on New Year's Day determine your luck for the rest of the year. Therefore, everything and everyone you are in touch with on New Year's Day should symbolize good fortune. Don't visit people who are in mourning because they are associated with death. Children should not fight or cry on New Year's Day.

Homes are decorated with Hoa Mai, a yellow blossom that represents spring for prosperity.
Family members exchange gifts or give li xi a red envelope with lucky money  and pay homage to the Kitchen God. They also visit local temples to pray for prosperity and good health.

So this year of the tiger i wish all you the best of health & wealth.
Be Brave and courageous this year!

FRUIT CANDY TREATS!

Fruit Candy treats

by Aly Abaquin

  In vietnam fruits are being candied ,diced, sliced and wrap individually  in cellophane and sold in markets.

  This natural goodness are either aired dried or candied in brown sugary goodness.

  Jack fruits, durian, sampaloc, ginger and lime fruits are the best prefered sweet treats.

  All naturally being sold in markets  or placed in a Glass menagerie of  row and rows of

  good fruit candied  treats. Sweet treats that are nutritiously organic.

Acoustically yours : Vietnam idol finalist Ngoc Anh

Acoustically yours : Vietnam idol finalist Ngoc Anh
By Aly Abaquin

You might be wondering why I’m writing music now instead of food blogs but there is a connection to this story line. As Acoustic Music and smoothy mix together perfectly combining when you talk to the owner of NHEN a new cafe for the arts that allures every one to relax and listen to pure acoustic sound by this Vietnamese idol.

I chance upon meeting Vietnam’s First runner-up on season 1 of VIETNAM IDOL. Yes, Virginia in Vietnam they also have the Vietnam idol reality show in-fact this franchise of the  American idol  is doing so well that it is on season 3 and is discovering raw talented singing personas.

Vietnam can sing too. Meet Mr. Ngoc Anh. Acoustically yours.

Ngoc Anh lights up when he speaks of his craft singing and when he foretold his journey over dinner with me and his companion.

Although he finished only as a runner up as Phuoung Vy won the title for Vietnam idol Season 1.

His journey begins as this bright eyed and diminutive inspiring barrio lad auditioned in Hanoi with just plain T-shirt and jeans and WOWWED the audience of his soulful voice that merits the judges approval.

He is an Engineer by profession and a Son of a hard working farmer from the northern part of Hanoi. Can you imagine the journey he took and the courage to follow his bliss.

The passion for singing was honed during when he and his siblings would sing while doing chores in the farm tending irrigation or simply helping out his father in their daily chores in the rice fields. Even his brother was chosen to the top 30 of Vietnam idol.

So there singing is in their genes and from a humble beginning of a farmer boy now a singing sensation in Vietnam Idol. His ballad in the first recording after Vietnam idol and the “Ngay Hom Qua La The”, Ngoc An idol CD are love songs accompanied by violin and an orchestra.  Are must have in this season of giving.

I’ve listen to them and even if it is in Vietnamese I could feel the heart and soul of the singer.  Music is indeed a universal language. You are moved to his vocal prowess and his heart is represented in every song. While the second album entitled “GIAT MINH” is a rock glam musical assortment of things. His versatility is shown as he can do ballads and rock. Well looks like the adam lambert of Vietnam kindda.

Now presently he just opened a Coffee shop called NHEN translated it is literally spider.

Its ambience is a little bit gothic, hallooweeny with spiders web and mask all over. The younger set love the floor mats sitting on the second floor as they sing out their songs and sip their smoothies.

The smooties are very good this part of town. Located in the vibrant Phu Nhuan District between the centre Dist 1 and Tan Son Nhat International airport, along the the hipsterazzi Street and hidden in the short alley of 288/5 Huynh van banh. P.11 Phu nhuan-TP.HCM.

Every Friday is acoustic nights as alum from Vietnam idol sing their signatures and I was awed on the culture artsy folksy night of sounds. It thrives to break the mold of the music scene in HCMC as this is more local. The dark enclaves interspersed with passionate people adds whiff , calm and adds color to this pulsating urban atmosphere of Vietnams music scene. Not underground but pure acoustic nights and love for the performing arts.
Saturday’s is a bit different and it offers a light drama/ comedy ensemble as you sip your smoothy with laughter and colorful people strut their dramatics.

So let Nhen spin a web across you as you will experience good music and let the vietman idols allure you to their craft as I did and can’t help it either that I bought their cds and let them sign it as a remembrance.


Nhen Coffee & Tea
288/5 Huynh Van banh
P.11 Phu Nhuan- TP HCM
Tel no. 08 221 06115
Cell : 0906 68 68 56
nhencoffee@gmail.com

BASILICO

Basilico
By Aly Abaquin

The Basil or the il basilico, the green herb is an important aromatic ingredient in Italian Cuisine. It goes well in pasta dishes and is present in all cucina italiana (Italian Kitchen). Especially the Sughi al pomodoro (tomato sauces) insalate freshe (fresh salads) and of course as main ingredient of Pesto alla genovese. It is so difficult to imagine Italian cuisine without the Basil.

There is now a green and growing newly opened Italian Trattoria that serves cuisine of Italy and brought to life in scent, sight, sound and energy as you step into Basilico.

The Contemporary modern ,casual Trattoria-style enclave made of stone, brown walls and dark wooden floors, supple mode chairs, big silver rounded enclosed chandeliers , full length glass panels greets you as one enter at the ground floor of the new towering Intercontinental ASIANA Saigon residences.

The 31storey Residence offers the finest and most contemporary residential space in Ho Chi Minh City at a premier location in the heart of the business and cultural district.and is part of the Kumho Asiana Plaza, the city’s finest integrated complex featuring commercial, hotel, residential and luxury shopping.

With confident service and posh modern setting will transport you from your daily grind to the comforts of the freshest from the best part of Italy’s cuisinary history and the wine that will make your troubles melt away.

With dried spices, cured hams, nickel colored pot and pans hanging making one feels welcome and with the menu written in the black board using multicolored chalks adds charm to this casual dining restaurant. Freshly baked breads, choices of cheese, olive oils and other condiments can be purchased if you want to cook Italian in your condo above.

Located in the bustling center of HCMC a few minutes walk from Notre Dame church and near the tourist hub. Basilico’s clientele is as diverse as the residents and visitors of this Paris of the orient.

The Restaurant features a wood burning pizza oven so when we dine here. We tried the Pizza. The Pizzaria Funghi  is full of flavor and the mushrooms, ham and cheese on thin crust pizza size of 18” is so satisfyingly and unbelievably priced at 135,000 vnd. ( $7) . Good  for 3 persons.  As the slices are bigger and the portioning is  very good the Pizza is the perfect companion for 3 friends just having fun in a late afternoon chat on what to do on a lazy sunday afternoon.

The verdict we shall return for more pasta and pizza next time as we voted to live La Dolce vita!!
Enjoy life its SUNDAY anyways.

Intercontinental Asiana Saigon Residences
Nguyen Du corner Le Van Huu
Dist. 1 Hcmc, Vietnam
Dining Reservations: +84 (08) 3520 9099
Dining reservations: dine@icasianasaigon.com
www.intercontinental.com/saigon

Intercontinental Asiana Saigon
Cnr Hai Ba Trung & Le Duan St.
Dist1, HCMC, Vietnam
http://www.intercontinental.com/