Aly's Dish: Eater outer foodie junkie contributor.. STYLE MAG

Aly's Dish: Eater outer foodie junkie contributor.. STYLE MAG

Eater outer foodie junkie contributor.. STYLE MAG

Eater Outer foodie junkie write stuff for STYLE magazine....bring it on....

Its a great joy and pleasure to watch creative people in action and be in company of highly respected professionals in the fields of fashion, modelling, photography & publication.... Meet the newest addition to Hanoi's glossies... Style Magazine....
A Hip,modern & fun lifestyle magazine about Fashion, Fusion, Cuisine, Arts & Travel.....

And yours truly was chosen to write about the foodie scene from a foreigner's perception..... i work for food ...kindda thing..i have a day job and freelancing as a writer gives me that creativity that i'm looking for.. that said....it was easy to have this crazy eater outer foodiee junkie take anecdotes of the good food...cheap eats,luxe dining thats vietnam is now known for... the new taste sensation begins.... Hoping we can hook up readers to the magazine every month... Happy reading to one and all....with kind regards....aly abaquin

1 Dragon fruit, 2 apricots & a bunch of red grapes in my fair tree...

1 Dragon fruit, 2 apricots & a bunch of red grapes in my fair Tree....
By Aly Abaquin

Ok folks did you know that there this fruit in saigon they called a dragon fruit??? Its exotically different in configuration from all your friendly fruits in the fruit stall. Making a reddishly and bold statements to by-standers to pick me pick me!!!- to tourist like my self its intriguingly different... i say i must be tasty or is it sweet??? it is common here in Saigon as i see people munch it for
fun.

So why not be enchanted by this fruit and taste its nectar & seeds... since i am nursing a slight hang over from last nights partying... i can not bring myself to eat any piece of anything except fruits to de-mystify and get back my qi the balance of Ying & Yang... so what to do?? Get them dragon fruit & apricots with grapes to satify your hunger... good fruits keep me balance.. Yeah albert after gulppping all the vodkas from last night... this fruit in a bowl kindda do the ttrick to keep headaches at bay....

Whats the verdict.. okey slicing the dragon fruit was so easy the skin just peels off like banana and the A-apricots i got was chunkyly fresh.. and the grapes are just tender to the mouth and feels good as you eat one from the other.... i feel great, honestly i feel the poppy black seeds in a mushy white kinda watercrest fruit is soft and juicy and not to sweet but seems taste like watermelons.... long lost cousins i think..... what i did was just put them in a bowl and presto perfect dinner in bed and rready to play the DVD...yeah albert ....munching the fruits like popcorn...i thought to myself.... way to cool for popcorn & soda... indeed it was different ...as the song in my head popped up one dragon fruit, 2 apricots and a bunch of grapes in a fair tree... WOW christmas must be just round the corner... LOL...

$2 dollar Value meals....

Com (Rice) Vietnam : Value Meals for only $2 dollars or $ 30,000 vnd.
By Aly Abaquin


I always remember my stay in Brooklyn where they are sort of Chinese take outs or the ever present $5 ASIAN Chinese buffet in every nook and cranny in Brooklyn as also present in Manhattan. These restos are favorites of the employees, students & tourist as well as families… Here in HCMC they is also very much popular in fact this TOP joints is just around my neighborhood Hong Ha St Tan Binh Dist near the airport

This type of restaurants are a dime a dozen in HCMC. They are the favorite hangouts of employees, workers & students due to the meals are home cooked meals and way more
Cheaper than any other restaurant in the city that is commercially run.

This joint is operated by a closely knit family where in the matriarch always heads the kitchen and father & son holds the operations. The servers are either nephews & nieces. While the daughters always cooks and go to the market.

Hands down….For only 30,000 vnd or $ 2 dollars you get a bowl of rice, 2 viands, veggy soup and a side salad. But take note they have fried fish, fried chicken, pork, and
Grilled shrimps, and other meals with sauce. As well. Typically show in glass enclosure wherein all the customer needs to do is to point its finger to what he/she likes… In the Philippines this joint will be called “TURO TURO” or point point literally pertaining how customers point their fingers to the food.

My favorite is the Tofu & Pork in Tomato sauce and the Fish in clay pot.
Traditionally prepared and heavy in taste. The tofu is soft and fresh as well as the Fish is succinctly soft and amazingly tasty. While the spinach is blanch & the veggy soup with ocra & pepino is bland in taste. VALUE meals indeed but particularly prepared by the family for its guest. Inviting you to partake and be one of them.

Cheap eats at Top Jionts series...

Cheap eats at Top jionts challenge
By Aly Abaquin

The hip and modern Cosmo Saigon is now in the 20th century hence needs a food test challenge… CHEAP EATS at TOP JIONTS CHALLENGE a $10 or 180,000 vnd (dong) challenge at that…

First stop is the new hip and very Modern looking Villa FB its Mantra: FUSION FASHION & BUN (Vietnamese for noodles)

THE FEEL : Colors are your vintage classics: white & black. THINK: Tuxedo, Dominos & with an eclectic modern FASHION mix.

Equation of Fusion cuisine meets hip+ modern+ mod looking boutique dining enclaves equals = LUXE DINING!

The white homey Villa is immaculately white. While in the right corner of it is an architectural statement: a BOXY GLASS CUBICLE contraption that overflows with the water element.

Giving you a preview of things to come…..That spells the difference… Dining in here is very experiential….as you set foot in its tropical setting & you are greeted with friendly smiles and soft courteous respectful hellos are appealingly homey.

Will the food do justice to its architecture???
That’s the question we like to learn???? Later on we fill you with the juicy details…

To continue….The villa is refurbish and preserved to its former glory of the 1930’s. Colonial Mansion ….Kudos to the architect & owners. Surely the historical society will nod in agreement.

There is an extra effort to create that feel of spaciousness upon entry and while you
settle in the main house. The Modern, clean ,spacious calm & serene embraces you .
As the table setting is ready for that intimate & friendly lunch/ dinner that you as a gracious hostess will soon give to loved ones.

Lots of sexy curves, twirls are evident in the back seat matching with squared white glass frosted table top are blended tastefully as the black velvety curtains stand guard and grand in the corners.

The candelabra “gasera” is the main focal point although Spanish in style but completes the look of the modern tables with walnut colored mod 60’s chairs that sit in the middle of the house.. ATTENTION grabbing in a good way.
The feel is so welcoming that it invites you sit and enjoy lunch or dinner with family & friends.



The Service: Friendly, helpful & attentive but the staff needs to learn more English to properly explain the menu.

The Food : Of course the challenge was for $10 dollars lunch
So obviously I’ve pick the Mantra: Bun: “Bun xao Chay “noodle stirred fried with mushroom, fried tofu & vegetables on top of angel haired noodles.

The other Bun menu are topped off with the produce from the sea as well as the familiar pork & beef. So I went for the vegetarian fare Simple food Big in Taste… and for only 60,000 vnd. $ 3 dollars . Healthy food can only be so reasonably & satisfyingly priced.

I’ve chosen the pomelo drink as well suited to the veggies, again fairly priced at 60,000 vnd. $3 dollars

The menu is a fusion of colors, textures and temperatures… the noodles are also present in the soup while there are rice meals with prawns, crabmeat, and Western Continental fares are also availably evident in their Pan grilled beef, steaks etc.

Overall the experience is Good. It is worth coming back for.
But the small details of the bad internet connection in the lounge and more power sockets please can be fix.

Evidently the place is wonderfully & tastefully decorated . Kudos to the Interior designer as the Black & White motif are vintage classics and will never be out of style.

Fashionistas all over the globe including TWIGGY the Fashion icon & face of 66 will surely Live and lovingly dine here regulary….…

Another dining experience that does not break your wallet but made you feel a million bucks instead. In fashion either your in or out and in Villa FB you chose to be seen and be IN or else Heidi Klum will say “AUF WIEDERSEHEN”….Goodbye… ;)

Cheap Eats at TOP JIONTS

Cheap eats at Top Jionts
by Aly Abaquin

It twas a Saturday afternoon as the sky is in full bloom and not too hot not too cold atmospheric pressures divulging your eater outer foodie . I am in a mission to get the TOP JIONTS of HCMC a foodie challenge.

A FUN challenge as every week I do a gastronomical tour of HCMC.

The culinary scene in HCMC is very much alive & kicking…. very much evolving…from the bar culture & coffee culture which is a growing phenomenonly and those seeking a caffeine booze will relish a variety of high end cafes offering Italian concoctions as well as the Vietnamese kind.

Budding chefs from all over the globe are here to have a stake and put their toque up and grill, sautéed, pan fried, bake all they can.

There is an astonishing range of world cuisines as well ,International, Continental, Asian what have you….. here you can find everything from the traditional cultural dishes of Hue, the Spanish, Brazilian, Italian, to Korean kimchi plus some delightful sushi, and mostly French fusion mixing up some spicy curries from India. And don’t forget Halal food is now serving.

There are also the national dish the Pho Bo (beef noodle soup) to gourmet dining options…to spice up that gastronomy of Vietnam. The NEXT TASTE SENSATION.

From colorful presentation and variety of flavors. Different textures & temperatures
From noodle soups, dishes, fresh spring rolls and grilled seafoods awaits every foodie’s
Taste buds…

So what else to do but digest this hefty food sensations and be delightedly in food heaven….. the Vietnamese way.

Ban Xeo & Bhan Khat... Vietnamese pancakes

Ban Xeo & Banh Khat.. Vietnamese Pancakes.
By Aly Abaquin

Childhood memories of how my Mom do the Pancakes every Sunday morning in our household as an alternative, from the regular breakfast “sinanag” (fried rice), fried eggs & “tuyo” (anchovies)as Asians we are hearty breakfast eaters.

The Pancakes are welcome respite for us since we can experiment on this , I remember we chopped & mashed bananas or peanut butter to be included in the hotcake batter or as toppings with maple syrup or with the sugary water my Mom always prepare with butter. The makings of Comfort food indeed the pancakes brings us closer to our loved ones and makes one not afraid of the kitchen.

As kids we used to fight over who would do the mixing as if we are in baking mode. We always over beat the batter until no bubbles appear…..as we ready the pan.. as bubbles begins to pop in the pan the pancake is ready to be turned…. I could smell the egg yolks & buttery smell of the pancake…..

while the Vietnamese pancakes is a different kind of pancakes which is popularly known as Ban Xeo & Banh khat.
They also have a similar ingredients as your regular hotcake batter minus the eggs. But with a lot of asian flavor put into it. The pancake that I grew up is sweet and sugary but the Ban Xeo is salty & spicy with side greens in the side.
The Ban Xeo batter is composed of rice flour, coconut milk, tumeric, water , pinch of salt & sugar. Then cooked over oiled pan. Then filled with sliced onions, cooked shrimps, pork & mushrooms. With a dipping sauce of fish sauce with fresh lime and some pickled carrots thinly sliced and spiced with chili..

Now that’s how to BREAK YOUR FAST… we tried the Ban Xeo Resto… where they evoke provincial flare through the use the bamboo chairs, tables and no fuss three stoves heated by stone and bricks.
The salad of greens are a staple in Vietnamese cuisine with mint & basil to break the spice. While you bit and swallow the ban xeo piece by piece.
While the Ban khat are widely know in the South this are their version of the mini pancakes which is totally different to what we grew up of mini choco, peanut or plain mini pancakes …Then take coffee or tea as you read your dailies.
They might say “Same Same but Different” a slogan popularly used by the locals here.

Ban Khat are more tasty rather the “crepe” like pancake of Ban Xeo kind. This one I like better due to easy to eat and wrap it with greens presto dip over fish sauce w/ soaked chilis….while topped with freshly cooked shrimps.
Of course drown your self with Cha Da… the Green tea for that healthy breakfast….for cleansing anyone…

These treats are more of a snack to give you a headstart…… This is another memorable experience here in Saigon as I make my own Ban Xeo & Bhan khat thanks to the resto which shared its ingredients… pancakes or not they still are fun to eat…. Adding to your Memorable moments here in HCMC… indeed its is a comfort food in the making.