Les Go Eat Street Food

If you don’t eat street food in Hanoi you basically ain’t eatin. It’s not a thing here. It’s not like, “Oooo, let’s go to the trendy night food truck market!” Nah, man. This is everyday life. I actually should rename this post Les Go Eat.

Shamefully, or shamelessly, I eat out everyday. Sometimes twice a day. But here’s the thing, it’s not like in other countries where eating out is a once a week type thing. To go grocery shopping here can actually be more expensive than street food.

My staple is Banh Mi. Banh Mi is the Vietnamese sandwich. They’re simple, veggie friendly, and extremely cheap. I literally have one almost everyday.

*Usually with no plastic bag but with this stand the communication got lost.

In Hanoi you are literally eating street food. They prepare the food basically on the ground. Some of the devices they use are so innovative. Most of the time I find one or two spots that I like and stick to them. I say my key words “An Chay” (I’m vegetarian). Which is usually met with blank stares. I swear I’m speaking Vietnamese, ya’ll! After 3 more tries, the woman will literally repeat the exact got damn thing I been saying and commence preparing my food.

This was my breakfast today. I have my busted ass toes an bogus ass sandals in the pic to give you a reference of how low to the ground it really is. I have bad knees, a b*tch is old. These are serious squats. I’m not joking. It’s a serious task to sit on one of these stools.

Remember how I said I love Durian? The smelly fruit that is banned on public transport in many Asian countries? I live for Durian. I had a Durian crepe last night for dinner. Yes, I had a dessert for dinner. I am a grown up, I swear.

There is one thing I can.not.eat. It’s Vietnamese fermented shrimp paste (Mam tom). I really don’t like criticizing other’s food but this is really hard to love. I can not get over the smell. You can smell it a mile away and the taste really is no better. Usually when I’m by myself the Vietnamese street vendors won’t give it to me (because I’m a Westerner) but this morning the woman had jokes.

One of my favorite places to eat is in a Temple courtyard. It is so pleasant to sit among peace and watch the old women gather in the morning and talk. This particular dish has bananas and tofu. I haven’t been able to get this exact dish since; Super lost in translation.

You’ve always gotta be alert while walkin the streets of Hanoi. Not because it’s unsafe. The contrary. I always feel safe here. It’s because you have to dodge bikes, people, and vendors deep frying tofu. Shit is real.