When I'm away from Vietnam for a while I tend to forget how truly brilliant Vietnamese street food is, and how such brilliance is often the result of an inspired combination of really very basic ingredients.
In this case: delicious bean curd fried to a crisp-skin state with the interior left soft and almost custard-y. A mound of fresh, crunchy perilla leaves. Bun (rice vermicelli) pressed into a cake. Fish sauce. Chilies. A kalamansi.
This we ate yesterday in Hanoi, dead tired and ravenously hungry after ten hours of travel. The afternoon air was moist and heavy; a steaming bowl of soupy noodles did not appeal. But this -- a spot of tasty and easily digestible protein, revivingly fragrant fresh herbs, light carbs and the spit, fire and salt of chilies and fish sauce -- did.
The perfect 3pm meal, with enough substance to carry us through to dinner without spoiling it. A cooked-but-cool combo perfectly suited to Hanoi's wilting summer heat. Perfectly convenient -- easily spotted from the street, eaten leisurely with a serenade of honking horns and sizzling oil.
Accompanied with a glass of iced tea.
Fried tofu with accompaniments. Seen all around town in the afternoon, this one eaten in the old quarter, Hanoi.
It all looks so delicious. I love your photos of street scenes with people going about their day and eating food that seems so exotic to us.
Posted by: Snippets of Thyme | 2011.08.18 at 21:06
i love your entries about authentic asian food. it totally opens up my eyes to what else is out there! this looks so simple and delicious!
Posted by: Monica | 2011.08.18 at 22:45
Makes me want to get on a plane RIGHT NOW. Have an amazing time!
Posted by: Kristina @ wired2theworld | 2011.08.19 at 07:58
Nom nom nom.
You make me miss Vietnamese so bad!
Posted by: Nate @ House of Annie | 2011.08.19 at 09:07
Robyn, when you're next in HCMC, please look us up. We'd love to treat you guys to our street-food Saigon After Dark tour. We leave the guidebook sites behind and get into District 4 & 3 for the authentic experience of sitting in real residential neighborhoods, squatting on real tiny blue chairs, and sampling an array of fantastic street fare. Cheers!
Posted by: Account Deleted | 2011.08.19 at 10:14
Beautiful entry. Though one might argue on the hygiene level of squatted by the roadside with zooming vehicles distanced by several feet, there's no denying the charm of street food in Hanoi. Still rmbr those unbelievably thick and robust coffee sipped in the mornings.
Posted by: J2Kfm | 2011.08.19 at 14:50
Could you include sometime some recipes?
Otherwise great blog!
Posted by: yvan | 2011.08.19 at 16:24
yum! I miss Vietnam
Posted by: Tuyen | 2011.08.19 at 20:59
Oh to be on a stool (rather than behind a desk). I've never come across this dish before, but it looks and sounds fantastic.
Posted by: Shira Schnitzer | 2011.08.19 at 22:46
Damn I miss Vietnam. Can't wait to see where else you guys eat.
Posted by: Gastronomer | 2011.08.20 at 01:36
Best street food I had in Vietnam was Bun Cha ..... I miss it so much ..
Posted by: Mzungu | 2011.08.21 at 05:50
You make me miss Vietnam, and I envy you VERY MUCH for eating street food & (seem to) not get tummy aches. Your blog is where I go when I'm feeling nostalgic about my Vietnam trips. You guys are so great!!!
Posted by: Tramie | 2011.08.23 at 00:57
Great food tip Robyn, it's always difficult to find sth light and appropriate especially at warm temperatures, so thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Carina | 2011.08.24 at 17:25
We have plans to go to Vietnam early next month, I will make sure I won't miss the experience of eating authentic Asian food!
Looks delicious :)
-Cristine
Posted by: Cristine at Restaurant Food Delivery | 2011.08.24 at 17:37
Looks great. I can't wait to try this. Thank you.
Posted by: World Best Recipes | 2011.08.24 at 20:52
I love fried tofu.
Posted by: Albert | 2011.08.24 at 23:55
Oh I miss the tofu. And a fresh Bia Hanoi or two. Best in the heat!
Posted by: Urbane Fruits | 2011.08.25 at 15:15
Yummy! I'd love to try some right this moment. I'm heading for the kitchen :).
Posted by: Mirian | 2011.08.26 at 22:17
Sounds awesome and sounds like you had a great time.
Posted by: Neil Butterfield | 2011.08.29 at 20:29
You are really catching my taste buds right now and makes me want to jump and go to Vietnam! Haha! Anyway, I'm not much of a fan of fried tofu but the thing about your picture is like it seems sooooo delicious.
Posted by: Food Safety Course | 2011.09.09 at 17:47
This is my favourite food in the world... or at least, in the top 10, which is saying something.
Posted by: elizabethranger (bubbleteafordinner.com) | 2012.12.06 at 20:57