I bought a bottle of Sho Chiku Bai Nigori at a Korean supermarket last Sunday and I have been enjoying a shot a day at dinner with my mom’s special nem. Nigori has a pleasant sweet flavor with a nice and smooth texture. It tastes like my grandmother’s com ruou that I used to love when I was a kid.
Lil Chuot Con is getting cuter and cuter each day. Love those big brown eyes (“ngây tròn”).
Quan Quynh is a new pho/bun (vermicelli) place located in Eden Center where XXX cafe used to be. (I guess the name of the cafe place didn’t attract too many nice people like myself). Quan Quynh prides itself in Pho Bac. It claims that Pho is everywhere, but only Quan Quynh has the authenticity of Pho Bac. Neither Dana and I were in the mood for pho, so we didn’t give it a try. Dana ordered Bun Oc and I went for Bun Ca Thac Lac. We both ended up with the same same broth and the only differences were the snail and the fish. The broth was passible, not too spicy and not too heavy. The thing about vermicelli is that you’ll be hungry again two hours later. We had to buy some binh mi to go for that night.
“Chỉ có ở người mẹ, bạn mới tìm được lòng chung thủy tuyệt đối… Bởi vì nơi mẹ bạn luôn là mục đích đầu tiên và sau cùng.” (Only from mother, you can find absolute faith… To her you’re the first and last purpose.) -Trịnh Công Sơn
Thai Hoa’s heartfelt rendition of “Huyen Thoai Me” brings back my childhood memories.
Marcus Roberts demonstrates the styles of Jelly Roll Morton, Duke and Monk with his own touch.
I am loving Thu Hoai’s live performance of Phu Quang’s “Em Oi Ha Noi Pho” at Quan Van Nova. Although the tune has been covered countless time, Thu Hoai managed to bring something fresh to the tune without any reinterpretation. It has to be that raspy, sexy voice.
Thanks for dropping by our crib as well as the gifts. We might have a gig for you in August. I’ll get the exact date once the word is out. Hopefully, you guys will be available. I would love to hear this tune again live as well as other songs about Ha Noi.
[B]anh mi pho is stuffed with the ingredients for pho, the sacred soup of Vietnam: beef scented with star anise and cinnamon, fresh basil and crunchy bean sprouts.
I wonder if banh bi pho comes with raw beef on the side. Creative or sacrilegious?
An interesting topic for inexperienced parents like myself.
As promised, here are a few shots of my newly-painted house for your inspiration or amusement. You can also view the before & after photos.
A poignant rendition of Trinh Con Son’s “Mot Coi Di Ve” performed by Thuy Tien and Richard Fuller and accompanied by a one-handed guitarist.