Sometimes we feel like we are eating our way through Vietnam

Food is a big part part of the culture in Vietnam.  It is not unusual for people to shop the local open markets 2 or 3 times a day in order to prepare their meals as most locals have very limited refrigeration.  These open markets provide ready picked vegetables and same day caught river/seafood.  The colors and smells you experience in these markets is something that is indescribable here, it’s something that just needs to be experienced.

One activity that Terri was really excited to do in Hoi An was a cooking class.  After some research, we decided on Hoi An Eco Cooking Class.  We started off  with an early morning walk though the local market with our guides hand selecting all of the items we were going to need that day.  They described each item, it’s use and what to look for, this is especially important when selecting the river shrimp as you want only the most lively ones – all of the river and seafood is alive in tubs or baskets at the market.

We boarded a riverboat and headed to a small fishing village where the cooking was to take place.  After a short basket boat paddle through the coconut groves, we arrived at the fishing village with its inhabitants busy with their daily activities.  

We learned to prepare traditional Vietnamese sauces, fresh spring roles with shrimp and pork, rice pancakes, banana flower salad (awesome-not sure if banana flowers are available back home😟) and traditional rice noodle with barbecued pork.  We even did some ornamental food preparation.  In food style, Vietnam is generally divided into 3 areas: the north is less spicy-salty, central is very spicy-chilis while the south is sweet.

We absolutely love the freshness, healthiness and flavors of Vietnamese cuisine.  Alas, on occasion, we do indulge in a pizza or fries (Vietnamese style) just to break up the routine. 

   
  
  Tip: When picking crabs, how do you tell which ones are most lively when they are wrapped in grass?  Touch the eyes…..we passed.

    Barbecued pork on rice noodles, which one is Terri’s?  > 😋

  Terri making barbecued chicken, there was barbecue smoke coming from almost every table in this local eatery.  OSHA probably wouldn’t allow this…..