As I've mentioned before, I'm a pescetarian (like a vegetarian, but I eat fish) and this has been a struggle for me in Vietnam. I want any other vegetarians thinking of coming here to know how difficult it has been, but not to be put off! There are ways around the lack of veggie food in schools!
This is an example if a standard lunchtime or dinner time meal at my school:
It consists of rice, cucumber, and fried fish. Once they knew I liked fish, they began serving it every day. One can grow tired of it, to be honest. The lack of communication between me and the kitchen staff (they speak no English, I speak no Vietnamese) has made it hard to say to them, "Hey, I like fish, but could I have tofu tomorrow?". I have made a list of the foods I can - and like to - eat, and this has made things a little easier. The past few days, we've been given really delicious homemade soup. There's been tomato, carrot, sweet potato - I've been in heaven! A couple of evenings, I even came down to the canteen to find chips. Sweet, sweet, potato, how I miss you!
I guess what I'm trying to say here is that communication is key. If you are vegetarian, or pescetarian, or even just a fussy eater, write a list for the kitchen staff at your school. They'll really appreciate it. After all, they just want to please you, and make sure you're happy.
You may find yourself craving Western food. I didn't think I would, but I really have. Amazingly, we found a fantastic little Italian place in the heart of District 1, slap bang in the middle of the Backpacker's area (Bui Vien and De Tham). It was love at first sight when I saw the extensive vegetarian section.
Vegetable Lasagna:
But of course, the meat-eaters weren't left out either, with these delicious dishes:
Chilli Con Carne:
Minestrone Soup:
I don't know about you, but my mouth is watering just looking at them!
Now that I'm done salivating, let me introduce to you another love of mine: cà phê sữa đá (Vietnamese iced coffee, with condensed milk.
It may not look like much, but boy is this drink delicious. The idea of condensed milk in coffee set my teeth on edge at first, but from the first time I tried it, I was hooked. It's super-tasty, strong enough to give you a good boost in the morning, and nice and cold for a hot afternoon in a coffee-shop.
I think the best cà phê sữa đá I've had in Vietnam so far was at the house of the school Chairman, but for a very close second, there's Pressio, a coffee shop literally around the corner from TTV's office in Saigon.
Here are directions:
- Walk out of the campus and turn left at the Security booth
- Walk along the road, and turn left again at Lotteria
- Continue down this street until you see a bright green coffee shop on your left
- Stop, buy, enjoy.
Another great place to get a drink is a chain called Highlands Coffee. There's a big one right near Ben Thanh Market in District 1, and you can get gorgeous drinks like these:
They're not horrendously pricey (from about 40.000VND) and are a wonderful treat, especially if you've been traipsing around the market, looking for bargains.
So there we have it. Some food, some drink. All delicious. =)
PS. Look out for these things:
They're highly addictive, and I cannot be held responsible if you find yourself binging on a whole box now and again (I know that I did)!
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