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.

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

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.

Vogue : Behind the Sun glasses of Anna Wintour

Vogue : Behind the Sun glasses of Anna Wintour

By Aly Abaquin

Vogue Magazine is the bible of the fashion industry and the September issue is the magazine’s Holy Grail. You cannot talk about VOGUE without mentioning the elusive and  enigmatic editor- in chief Anna Wintour

The most powerful woman in fashion the name strikes in terror, intimidating and for some commands a loyal band of friends & admirers for 21 years a divorced mother of two has been a editor of vogue.

She is portrayed as the Dark Vader in frock of the fashion industry or the worst Nuclear Winter BITCH Persona as paparazzi revered her photos more so than a Movie Superstar and Top notch Royalty. While Actors and Actresses like to befriend her as well.

This so-called bitch, ice flow, perfectionist, needy and cold are harsh adjectives/blurbs comments from Critics but she is the Fashion industry’s most feared, revered and powerful woman where Conde Nast the Publisher of Vogue holds her the personification of Vogue or simply put “Her majesty the Queen herself”.

She is the inspiration behind the Miranda Priestly Beastly character from the Devil wears Prada movie & novel. Now the legendary Anna Wintour hidden behind her trademark bob and sunglasses has allowed us to scrutinize the inner workings of her magazine.

With unprecedented access, filmmaker R.J. Cutlers new film THE SEPTEMBER ISSUE does for fashion what he did for politics in The War Room, taking the viewer inside a world they only think they know. Every August a record-breaking number of people can’t wait to get their hands on the September issue of Vogue.

Did you know that the 2007 issue was and remains the biggest ever, weighing over four pounds, selling thirteen million copies, and impacting the $300-billion global fashion industry more than any other single publication.

That said this documentary has also earned nods from film critics in the Sundance Film Festival 2009 and included in “Excellence in Cinematography Award Documentary” category.

The September issue is a rare behind the pages look on how Vogue is made. The film is documented to show the power and collaboration of the Vogue team that makes fashion magic and thrown you into fantasy haute couture in this recession laden times .

An intimate, funny and surprising look at Anna Wintour and her team of larger-than-life editors as they create this must-have Bible of fashion, Cutler explores the untouchable glamour of Wintour’s Vogue to reveal the extraordinarily passionate people at its heart. He takes us behind the scenes at Fashion Week, to Europe, on shoots and re-shoots, and into closed-door staff meetings, bearing witness to an arduous, entertaining, and sometimes emotionally demanding process. At the eye of this annual fashion hurricane is the two-decade relationship between Wintour and Grace Coddington, incomparable Creative Director and fashion genius. They are perfectly matched for the age-old conflict between creator and curator. Through them, we see close-up the delicate creative chemistry it takes to remain at the top of the ever-changing fashion field.

As we mortals try to wear Anna’s sun glasses and try to see her passion for the magazine and the inner minds behind sophistication and fantasy of Vogue. Vogue is the leader in the field and consider as the glamorous girlfriend of any 20’s 30’s & 40’s fashionistas in the world, whether in Milan, Paris or New York.

A Fashion Icon and acts as Cheerleader, Power broker, Consultant and the Queen BEE as she decides who is in or out and cuts out designers from the pages of Vogue if not master Perfection or not her cup of tea.
“LIFTED OUT” is the term as she express discontent.

She is also the Fairy God Mother to new designers - remember John Galliano: House of Dior and selling his couture masterpieces like hotcakes for a 6 figure tag price. As if you can afford them? Only if you are privileged and have a $200,000 dollar clothing allowance that is.

She is influential and help choose the new generation of designers. The film gives us the new inside track of the most hottest designer to look for.  As Ms.Wintour makes judgment to any designer’s collection on fashion week that makes or break them.
Indeed she is powerful and capable of all the power of any Queen and her millions of constituents has seen her in the 21 years of her throne.  Elizabethan Golden age sort of.

Vogue still lives & breathes like a VAMPIRE in this 21st century even stronger and healthier in its 840 pages September edition and the film entirety gives us a clear vision behind those dark glasses.

Indeed an eye opener of how the fashion industry prosper and thrives. Now move over PRADA with TWILIGHT anyone?

P.S.
Okey folks whats the connection with my food blogs??? Well  as i was watching this movie i was munching this Jack fruit snack. That is i just happen to like this movie and blog on a review and sold it in a  vietnamese publication for translation yippee!!!! ;) Kudos to Vogue!!!  VINAMIT jack fruit snack was awesome!!!

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/

Gartenstadt: Old world Pub house.

Gartenstadt: Old world Pub house.
By Aly Abaquin

Gartenstadt has this authentic and cozy feel of an old pub house.

Upon entry you are to pass by the long curved wooden bar with stools and mirrors of liquer, whisky, beers are at the bar while you choose to whether sit at the bar or go for the 2nd floor for some relaxing lunch. The Tables are covered with red & white checkered table cloth as if you just picnicking.

This pub house has remained and maintained a reputation for delicious German food for so many years now in HCMC as I was told. From German Sausages to imported German beers are among the favorites of foreigners.

German sausages of Bratwurst (fried sausage) Knachwurst (crunchy sausage), Frankfurter sausage, Debreziner (spicy sausage), Raucherwurst (smoked sausage) and their white sausages are a must try.

The old world tradition of friendly staff, dressed in dirndls and hoping the men are in lederhosen ( leather trousers for men) costume to complete the look. Just a wishful thinking to really make the look and charm of a german pub house complete.

But for the experience you have to sip and taste their Schneider Weisse a German beer for only 75,000 vnd. that will transport you to German territories upon intake.

Good ole beer I thoroughly remembering OKTOBERT FEST. Surely the PUB house is full during this auspicious occasion and drink all you can beer I bet. I could hear hollers and laughter abounding and the house is full.

The Gartenstadt is built on the old world tradition of quality and value.

Where in if you remember the old days when food preparation knew no short cuts. That’s why you will find only the best meat and German dishes on their extensive menu., where only the fresh, natural ingredients are used in consistently producing their dishes

To my surprise they have a 99,000 vnd ( $6) Business Set-Lunch that I lovingly love to share to you readers. True value indeed as you will have a Bread & butter, Soup or choice of salad, Meat or fish in large portion with soft drinks or water plus dessert.

So looking for that perfect biz lunch with a foreigner guest you know where to do it.

Wow I was fortunate enough to have tried the Minestrone soup, Roasted Turkey with sautéed/ pan grilled potatoes, red cabbage and banana truffles.

The Minestrone soup is the so tasty that the onions, celery garlic combined with bacon, tomato paste, oregano, thyme, spinach, zucchini and some spaghetti noodle was reddish in color and was served deliciously hot. Three slices of different breads are given with of course the yellowish butter. To complete the soup bread combo.

The roasted turkey was particular good my only wish is that is was served with apple, chestnuts trimmings instead of the greens. The pan grilled potatoes was delectable and fulfilling. The dessert was average. After finishing my lunch I thought to myself that… … Christmas is surely just around the corner. Turkey for me is a comfort food and part of our celebrations during thanksgiving & Christmas. Surely Christmas carols are in the air.

That said I am now a regular here due to its proximity to my office. Your Gartenstadt experience promises to be filled with good times, good food and good drink. Good eating in an atmosphere of warmth and friendship. That’s why for some ex-pat this is a home away from home.

Portrait of a Market

Portrait of a market.
By Aly Abaquin

A visit to Ho Chi Ming City’s Cholon Market is an attractive site for tourist and locals as well. This is Vietnam’s Chinatown market. .

Cholon is located at Tran Hung Dao street, district 5 HCMC, and also called with a different name: Binh Tay Market.

The lively atmosphere welcomes each patron as you enter this majestic Chinese structures dictates decades of history from seeing sea farers & traders from a by gone era and now a multitude of entrepreneurial people stays and trade their wares.

It remains home to more than 500,000 people, many of whom are of Chinese origin.

The area and its side-streets and markets provide an interesting glimpse of the Vietnamese Chinese and their cultural traditions and language.

Less touristy but meeting the locals in this side of town is more fun, colorful and vibrant.

Inside the center of the market is an altar commemorating the founder Thong Hiep surrounded by the four bronze lions, four bronze dragons spitting water into a fountain.

The smell of incense is evidently in the atmosphere as the afternoon breeze lifts it in the air.

The market is easy to understand as the stalls are categorize by the products being sold.

Fruit Section, bags, hats, textile, house wares, accessories, toys, candies, nuts, fish,meat, cigarette, beer, clothes sections.

It seems to go on and on crammed with every possible kind of product that you can possibly be needing.

Every type of silk, textile whatever print, plain in every color from twill, wool to cotton. is omnipresent in the stalls. As you would be dizzy enough to handle the bargaining as well as the yards and yards of it. Fabric shopping in Ho Chi Minh City is a serious treat.

Friendly bargaining skills is needed and don’t be bothered as the traders will give you 20%- 40% discounts. And a hand shake to close that precious silk that you wanted so badly.

The variety of goods are astounding and give us a glimpse into the modern Vietnamese life.

Bursting with unique, high quality selections of artisan and ethnic products and freshly-made prepared foods, you’re sure to enjoy shopping the independent merchants of the Cholon Public Market.

Whatever your taste or craving – this Public Market has something to satisfy your appetite!

The sweets are in a colorful array of glassed menagerie: candied spices, candied tamarind, candie ginger candied everything as mouthful of sweets to give you a sugar rush.

The Temples should be visited in additions to the traditional apothecaries, fortune tellers and some excellent Chinese food that is available in Cho Lon.

Hence giving you a full understanding of a living market. The portraiture is realistic and not surreal.