1st Stop...Bun!

My gastronomic odyssey started on Malaysia airlines flight 003... just kidding, chose the asian option everytime, the food was average but satisfying somehow, i think it's got something to do with the compartmentalisation of everything, i like opening things too, like little gifts.

Let the games begin! Reached the old district of Hanoi with relative ease, dumped our bags at a guesthouse and we hit the streets. Our first hit was a bowl of 'Bun'. Bun pronounced 'boon?'is a thin vermicelli like rice noodle, the variations in broth and accompanying meat and veg go to make a staple noodle soup dish. 

The broth is generally based on ox tails, beef bones, pigs trotters, onions and Muli. Typically flavour comes from adding bruised stems of lemon grass and chilli oil. Seasoning with rock cane sugar, salt and fish sauce and shrimp paste.

This particular bowl i hadn't tried before, the main difference was a healthy portion of a pak choi like cabbage on top (steamed).

Served with fresh lime, bean sprouts, coriander, spring onions, birds eye chillis and siracha chilli sauce.

The most popular Bun variety 'Bun Bo Hue' Beef Bun from Hue city i've yet to come across- i'm sure i'll get to sample some when i get to Hue, i'll keep you posted. My mum does a mean bowl, i'll post the recipe when i'm home.

Chan, dehydrated from a 12 hr flight...replenishing his stores