Saigon Or Hanoi..Which Do You Pre..Pho?

Get it?  See what I did there.  I guess you will only find that mildly amusing if you are aware the the correct pronunciation of the Vietnamese noodle dish of Pho is similar sounding to the word "Fur".  Even then, maybe not!

I had had more bowls of this yummy noodly broth whilst living here than I have had hot dinners (this really is going downhill on the humor side isn't it?)  My point is, for the first time the other morning I tried Hanoi Pho.  Wikipedia reliably tells me that pho originated in the North.  The southern version is very different from the one served up to our northern cousins.  I thought I would try it myself.

Pho Thin HaNoi is located in district 3 next to my local CoOp Mart supermarket.  I go past all the time but have never been in.

It's far from fancy but it is usually places like that that serve up the best food around.  Big steaming vats of pho stock bubble away while the waiters (no real english speakers, bring your Google translate App!) run between tables.  It's a huge open restaurant and I would have to say not really the most hygienic I've come across in town but there you go.  As long as the cockroach stayed on my foot and not in my soup I was happy.

Although I'm not a vegetarian I usually have my pho without meat.  I just don't like the often gristly meat they use.  I find there is plenty of meaty flavor in the stock as they use meat bones and simmer for hours and hours, flavoring the base.

Usually the plate of garnishes is overflowing with greenery but not so for Pho Hanoi.  They prefer a more pure taste of the flavors in the base.  I added some lime juice, hoisin and chilli to mine.  The noodles were noticeably fatter and flatter than Saigon Pho.  I would have to say the taste was totally different to what I was used to.  It seemed much heartier and richer and I could really taste different spices in there.  A large undertone of Star Anise.  It almost tasted medicinal.  I could argue here that ALL Pho is medicinal.  It really is the best cure after a big night!  Anyway, did I like it?  Yeah, it was ok.  It's definitely a personal preference thing.  I really like my light, almost clear broth and skinny noodles piled high with all things green. Totally worth a try though.  Which do you prefer?

Scarlett's 6th Birthday Party - Under The Sea

Ahhh, thats the sound of me sitting down to a nice glass of wine. What a week.  What a month!  We have the movers coming in on Monday and Tuesday to pack up our life to send back to Aus.  That being the case we celebrated Scarlett's 6th birthday this afternoon so her gifts could go in the container and not our suitcases.  She turns six next week so it is pretty much when we would have had her party anyway. After Christopher's Star Wars extravaganza I did not want to let her birthday pass without just a big of a fuss, not matter how busy we are.  She chose the theme Under the Sea...so thats where we went!

Cake made by the wonderful Simran.  You can find her online.

Gonna miss this lady!

Some of our little mermaids!

Tattoos all round.

Always a "hit" (see what I did there?)

Musical Statues...some "creative" dancing!

Scarlett was in charge of the music.

It's not really a party without it.

Mwahh...Happy Birthday Scarlett!

The loves of my life.

Thanks to everyone who came.  Scarlett had a wonderful day.  When I think about it she has actually spent more time in her 6 years living overseas but she is definitely still an Aussie Chick. Yet another wonderful day to add to our already abundant memories. X

Spot The Difference!

Kim Kardashian at the Met Ball

Ninja moto rider Nguyen Thi Minh Khai

I can't spot the difference either!

An Oasis in District 2.

If you are looking to drop out of the manic scene that is Saigon, there is no better place than the Spa Authentic/Village in District 2.  Head over the bridge and find this little gem and you could be on a holiday at a resort anywhere in the world.  For around $15 you can spend the day by the pool on the banks of the river.  Unfortunately, I was hoping to get a treatment at the spa and then use the pool and found it a little surprising that the cost of the pool is not included when you have a treatment.  You still have to pay the $$$.  Still a nice place to go to escape from it all.  They have a gym, do yoga and every sort of treatment/spa package you could think of.  Check out their webpage for further details.

195 Nguyen Van Huong St. Thao Dien Ward, Dist. 2, HCMC.

spa@thaodienvillage.com