Huyen Anh, Hue 01-2011

During the lunch intermission of a private Hue city tour, the driver took us to a restaurant. After sitting down I saw the table of mature-aged German tourists wowing over an ornate food sculpture being brought out. Hmm... it looked slightly familiar. The menu seemed very tourist orientated and we decided to leave. Upon walking outside, a horde of many tour buses stopped and the swarms began. I'm glad we left. I then recalled my booking at Tien Gia Vien for the next day which is the better reputed version of that restaurant we departed.

In any case the tour driver and guide seem perplexed by us leaving. What did we want to eat for lunch then? I asked them to take us to somewhere they eat for lunch. Off we went.

Huyen Anh was located in a hidden location behind a petrol station. There were inside and outside seating areas and I was the only non-Vietnamese person there. They specialise in thit nuong - the grilled meat that makes the dish bun thit nuong so phenomenal. The meat at this place was charred and flavoured to an exceptional level. After tasting it in a dish, I had to order more of the grilled meat on its own (served with salad and sauce anyway).

What luck to find such a place.

Nina's Cafe, Hue 01-2011

In a quiet street close to the hotel, Nina's was the choice for a slightly smaller dinner. The food is lovely home-style served that evening by one of the daughters of the house. The cooking and flavour is lovely and a great dining choice for any time of day.

- Nina's Special Soup;
- Khoai Pancake (shrimp, pork, bean sprouts served with a peanut sauce) - similar to banh xeo;
- Fried Fish cooked traditionally (similar to spring rolls) - fried rice paper rolls rather than the typical coating.

Bun Bo Hue, Hue 01-2011

Once getting off the bus from Hoi An to Hue, the afternoon leg stretch included a search for the more potent Vietnamese soup noodles. The hotel reception recommended a place which was a decent walk along some quiet roads and to a neighbourhood place.

I can't honestly remember the name of this place, so if anyone recognises it please let me know!

Dang Van Quyen, Nha Trang 01-2011

I'd read about the meats at Dang Van Quyen. It was reaffirmation that the lovely hostess at the hotel independently recommended it for dinner. It was a late afternoon start and progressed into a prolonged night dinner.

The nem is expertly handed on the grill and is surprisingly a much less intense colour than what I'm used to seeing around Melbourne. Nonetheless the pork is delicious and self-wrapped in fresh rice paper with herbs, vegetables and fried rice paper.

The star was probably the chewy flattened pork which had a much more intense colour and flavour. After initially eating it in a noodle dish, the second ordering had to be on its own and also served in kebab cubes with salad.

The long walk back to the hotel was well needed under the relaxing sky and even included a walk past a small night food market (although much too full to get anything).

Nam Tung, Hanoi 01-2011

There's an alluring (or overwhelming) aroma of barbecued meats wafting in the streets of Hanoi. They entice you and make it difficult to escape unfed.

The trouble is that there's so many places to choose from, then it becomes a matter of sticking to principles - which ones are full (with locals), the food looks good, the food smells great. After much deliberation and walking back and forth, Nam Tung was chosen for the large seating area filled with bums (both local and foreign) and the food envy in my eyes.

All the dishes advertised on the sign were tried - well-cooked beef steak with (soft squishy) fries, delicious roasted birds and flavoursome tender pork ribs. You can't go too wrong for flavour with fish sauce-marinated barbecued meats.

Nola Cafe Hanoi 01-2011

On my list to visit was Nola Cafe. Unfortunately after eating so much I couldn't order any food there (most of the menu is Western and you can get cheaper local food outside). However in the interest of visiting my marked places and because in the night time the glowing red sign and moonlit atmosphere was so lovely and peaceful from the balconies, I'm glad I went in and had tea and a fruit shake.