Xoi ga

Photo 1: Sticky rice with chicken - Xôi gà 

I remember eating xôi (sticky/glutinous rice) almost everyday for breakfast throughout elementary and junior-high school time, and it still remains my favourite dish at present. That is to say, it would absolutely be a major shortcoming not to mention "xôi" in the Vietnamese cuisine, especially Xôi gà. (There are of course many other kinds of Xôi and I will try to write about them as well). People generally like to cook xôi in chicken broth to give it a better taste and scent. Boiled chicken is then shredded and well-flavoured with onions, persicaria odorata (rau răm), lemon, and other spicies. 

Xôi gà is typically served in traditional events such as the Lunar New Year, national holidays, marriages, and even death anniversaries. This is mainly because chicken is an indispensable offering in the Vietnamese culture, and xôi is a ultimate complement. On the other hand, Xôi gà is also sold at small street vendors as a popular morning or sometimes afternoon dish. 

Remaining its basic role in both traditional events and the daily life, Xôi gà is indeed a simple yet very distinctive Vietnamese dish.   

Chicken and xôi among other offerings (Photo from Google)

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Photo 4: Xôi gà as a popular everyday dish

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Where: 

- Photo 1-4: 41 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai street (morning to late afternoon). Amaaazing xoi ga at just 10,000VND, unbelievable! A definite must try. (as of March 2012)

- Photo 5 and 6: Bà Vui - 64 Le Hong Phong (6am to 7pm)

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Lẩu and the drinking culture

Vietnamese hot pot (with eel fish) - Lẩu cá chình

Hot pot is a(nother) distinctive feature of Vietnamese cuisine. There are, again, many kinds of hot pot, and the most popular main ingredients are fish, beef, and seafood. Aside from the main ingredient, there can be tomato, tamarind, and different kinds of vegetables, depending on what and where you eat. 

In Da Nang (and some other cities as well), the best hot pots are usually sold in "quán nhậu" which is a type of Vietnamese drinking establishment. These "quán nhậu" serve a wide range of side dishes that may be hard to come across elsewhere, and I must say these dishes are great. It can get very noisy at these places with men drinking and talking; it can be fun or annoying depending on your mood. People, mainly men, go to these places after working to drink with their friends for fun, or with guests for business. Japan, (and I think some other Asian countries), also shares a similar culture.   

Anyway, back to the main subject. My most favourite hot pot is the one with eel-fish at this place called "Liêm" on Le Hong Phong street. Their hot pot's broth is just great. I've tried hot pots at other places as well but nothing came close (just to my taste and preference; you may feel different). Their other dishes are also amazing. I especially LOVE the sweet and sour beef tendon, and the fried chicken wings (deep-fried with fish sauce). 

Hot pot is just a perfect choice for chilly rainy days, so make sure to try one before the next hot sunny season comes.

This is how to eat hot pot, in case you don't know 

Sweet and sour beef tendon - Gân bò bóp chua

Fried chicken wings in fish sauce - Cánh gà chiên mắm

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Where: Liêm - 71-73 Le Hong Phong

- 100,000 VND for 1 small size hot pot (2-3 people)

- 40,000 VND for 1 small size dish of chicken wings (photo)

- 40,000 VND for 1 small size dish of beef tendon (photo)

When: evening

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Indochina food court

Judging from the formal, luxurious and quiet appearance of this building from the outside,  it is hard to imagine that there is actually a busy food court inside, on the third floor. Of course the price here is a little higher than normal restaurants (ranging from 30,000 to 70,000VND for a dish), but it is a fun place to spend time with friends and family. This food court overlooks the beautiful Han river and Han bridge with fantastic view from the window.

So this is how it works: in front of the food court there is a counter (photo 1) where you can buy electronic cards. Depending on how much you're gonna eat, you can buy the 50,000 100,000 or 200,000VND cards. Then you can use that prepaid card to buy food from several counters inside. In the end, if you don't use up that card, you can go back to the counter and have the remaining money back.

How to order: Once you've ordered, give the card to the staffs at the food counters and they will slide it on a machine. They will then give you a plastic sign with a number (photo 2). Then you can take that sign with you and sit wherever you want, they will bring the food to your table once it's ready.

There are around 10 counters with a wide range of food. 2 of them have Korean and Italian food. The food here is very nice and clean.

So if you want a change from eating at small street vendors, or want a nice and polite place to go with colleagues, friends, families, lovers, this is it.  

Photo 1- the counter where you can buy prepaid cards

Photo 2

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Where: 3rd floor, Indochina Riverside Towers - 74 Bach Dang

When: all day

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