annebkk's Profile
Hanoi with a vegetarian
Would highly recommend Com Chay Kim Cuong 2 (its on Phan Boi Chau directly across from the semi-famous Quan An Ngon restaurant)- very fresh, reasonably priced veggie dishes and the most amazing eggplant. Well worth seeking out.
For upscale, La Vertical is amazing as is La Badiane (go for set lunches where you will get a gourmet feast for 12 USD vs dinner when you pay 25-30).
For cheap eats, I like Kangaroo Cafe on Hang Be- it is one of the many 'imitation' kangaroo cafes but here the staff are lovely. Again, to die for aubergine, great morning glory and the squid and cashews or squid in 5 flavors is incredible. Fresh spring rolls, etc, etc are all very good- just tell them veggie and they will customize.
Lots of the Com Dia places also serve up good veg options (these are the places wehre you get a plate of rice and then point to 2,3 or 4 items to pile on top). Some are overly greasy but I have had spectacular veggies at a few of these places- just look for the busy ones.
Hoi An with a Vegetarian
travlisleroy- if i can catch you in time, come by Viet Lac on Phan Boi Chau (Same street as Brothers) Our vegetarian options are divine and it seems you eat seafood as well so we have plenty of options (fresh salads, veggie sandwiches, veggie snacks- including homemade hummous- as well as main courses such as Seared Southwest Tofu and Vegetable Napoleon). we opened recently and would love any feedback from a fellow Chowhounder...
Bangkok - help please! 1. trendy place 2. best green curry 3. best bars for drinks with views
I also like V9 at Sofitel Silom for the views. Not quite as breathtaking as Sirocco or Vertigo but much more affordable. Set up like a wine shop so the prices are not high if you buy by the bottle... and dress code less strict- just no flip flops.
Ho Ch Minh City,Hanoi, Hoi An, Luang Prabang and Ventianne
Ok this is an old post but just thought I'd add on a new place in Hoi An that just opened: Viet Lac.... and shameless plug as I just started managing there. Anthonyrza is right in that Hoi An has a zillion touristy restaurants serving good Vietnamese food but we are offering international cuisine. I"ve lived and worked in the SE Asia region for 6 years and am a huge fan of Vietnamese food- don't get me wrong, I love it- but hoi an needed something different (and street food here is not great... Hanoi/Saigon have much better local scenes) Would love for any chowhound-er to come by and give us a shot. www.vietlachoian.com
suggestions for restaurants in Hanoi?
Hanoi fabulous for food- try the street eats and you won't be disspointed. Best if you can go with a few folks to eat 'family style' and get the full range of flavors in one go.
Check out this blog for ideas :http://stickyrice.typepad.com/ and below are some of my ideas.
Happy eating.
Lunch:
La Badiane on Cham Cam- newly opened by Didier Corlou (chef at La Verticale)- service still a bit patchy but food is good home cooking. Set-lunch very good value or go at night and try the buffalo grilled with lemongrass- yum.
Go local and try Bun Cha (fresh rice noodles, loads of herbs and grilled pork paddies)- a clean, good option is 1Hang Manh street- very popular with locals and the paddies are grilled to perfection. one serving is enough for 2 people and also the spring rolls (nem) are tasty
Another tasty local dish is Bun Bo Nam Bo- its a bowl with lettuce on the bottom, fresh rice noodles, loads of herbs, a light broth and beef. Good all over town but there is a popular one on Hang Dieu. ( a bit more pricey but worth it)
Many people rave about Green Tangerine in the old quarter- i find it hit and miss and not worth the price. I prefer Madame Tuyet's (Anh Tuyet)- her grandma cooked for the French in the 30s and her house is the restaurant - on Ma May street, tucked away. Not always open but pop in and its worth it.
Dinner-
Highway 4 is a great option- exotic foods if you're feeling adventurous. Don't miss the catfish springrolls. Served with Wasabi mayonaise...to die for.
La Verticale- ok for a splash out
Chim Sao- 65 Ngo Hue (south of Hoan Kiem- get taxi as hard to find) popular with the artsy Hanoians for authentic VN cuisine at a very reasonable price. Ask for the daily specials- try the pigs ear spring rolls if they have them, the grilled prawns are great, banana flower salad good, beef in la lot leaf also yummy. As with HWY 4, upstairs seating is on the ground so if you don't like sitting local style, request downstairs.
La Badiane- new restaurant getting great reviews. Atmosphere not great but food good. Not very Vietnamese though, more French/European.
Myanmar/Burma recommendations?
Street stall Mohinga... perhaps the best breakfast in all of Asia...about 50 cents US per bowl and sold all over the country. Likewise the local 'curry's' are good and you get about 10 plates of side dishes with them... found everywhere. For 'real' restaurants in Yangon, Monsoon has a nice mix of fresh asian dishes. In Bagan the stalls around the Nyaung Oo market are good and the restaurant called 'The Beach' is a nice atmosphere for a few sunset beers (better than the super-touristy places like Sunset Gdn) and a great menu (esp the pork with water chestnuts) Mandalay- the BBQ places are great. Chapati corner is great people watching and cheap cheap indian food (yes, its in the guide books). Kalaw- I don't rate 7 Sisters, but Sam's is excellent- nice folks and dirt cheap. Ngapali- don't eat at the hotels, try the small restaurants on the back road. 3 of us had fresh seafood feasts there every night...with a few large beers the bill was still under $15 US. Inle Lake- out on the lake try the stuffed fish at Shwe Inn Thar restaurants. Back in Ngwe Shwang, Viewpoint is excellent and great presentation/atmosphere (same owner as La Plantuer). Enjoy!
