Wednesday, January 19, 2011

I Love Food!

I know I just posted a few days ago, but this deserves a post!

DING DING DING!!! We have a winner... last night I had THE best meal I have had in Vietnam so far. Now understand that I really love all Vietnamese food. I look forward to meal times more than I look forward to anything else while living in this country. I rarely have a bad experience (other than some mild food sickness or.... loose stoolage).

Ok, so understanding that I really love the food here, now get this- the meal I had last night BLEW every other out of the water! It was delectable beyond words, so good that I'm writing an entry about it. And the best part about it- it was free!

I was on my way out of my apartment building. The entrance/ exit door leads out into a garage sort of space where the maid and the two security guys usually hang out. This time they were sitting around a hot pot eating dinner and drinking beer. When they saw me leaving, one got up and moved his chair so that I could pass by him. The other offered me a bowl, but it looked very soupy and I'm not very big on soup. In fact, I could probably count the number of times I've eaten soup here on one hand.

I went out and bought some street food for dinner from a food stand that I regularly order from. I was reentering my building when the security guy again asked me to take a seat and offered me a bowl. I really don't care for soup, but I sat down this time just because I saw some seafood in the pot and I love seafood. So I sat down, and the three of them got very excited just as most locals do in the presence of foreigners. He poured me a beer and filled my little bowl with noodles and some of this meat and seafood stew. Holy crap- it was AMAZING. I can't even describe the taste, it was something I had never experienced. A perfect blend of sweet, sour, veggies, seafood, beef, chicken, and lime, followed by an intense spiciness- but not a painful spicy. It was more of a tingly sensation in my mouth that I think is typical with fresh hot peppers. I'm sure they knew I loved it, cause every time I took a bite, it was followed by a loud "mmmmmmm!!!" Haha...

They kept serving me more stew and noodles before I could even get to the bottom of the bowl- it was impossible for me to finish! I just kept eating and eating. And the same went for my beer- I'd take two sips and they would fill it back up to the top! Loved it.

Needless to say, I went back up to my room about an hour later full from the best meal I've had in Vietnam so far.

Ughh... so good.

7 comments:

  1. That sounds great, Max! Now you have to get the recipe!

    Love Mom

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  2. Sounds like my kinda soup..yum yum!

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  3. hahaha that sounds soooo amazing!!! i agree with aunt joyce -- i'm going to need the recipe for that!

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  4. Max, Sounds like a great meal and experience! As far as Grad school and tuition - don't worry, just do it. The finances will work out. Uncle John

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  5. Max, the food looks delish, and it must be healthy cause I don't see a lot of obese Vietnamese. I don't know if you got my email that I sent to your email account, but I was suggesting that you contact Syracuse and ask them about how other grad students in your position get financial help. When I went, I was a Resident Assistant Counselor in a dorm and that paid for room and board. Until I got fired, when it didn't, and then I got a real job. But a lot of universities have money for grad students to be TA's- Teaching Assistants. Also do you know if you still have your scholarship? You can write back to me at my gmail account, which is basically the same email address as yours. Love aunt Karen

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  6. Aunt Karen-

    I replied to your email but I guess it didn't go through. I resent the message to you, let me know if you don't get it.

    Max

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  7. ok max. its march now. time for an update. you're going to be heading home soon!

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