Banh Khoai

On Sunday for lunch, Chu Nghien and Thim Lac took us to have banh khoai, a kind of special pancake made from cassava flour with ground shrimp and pork and other herbs and spices that is fabulous, especially with the light ale beers served here. Pictured at left is the owner of the restaurant cooking up each banh in special pans designed just for this kind of cake. 222 Chi Lang Street if you are ever in Hue. There's a cooking show by Anthony Bourdain who travels around the world to try foods, and he's been to Vietnam several times but not much to Hue. This place would give the chef a run for his money. Incredible eats. Chu Nghien is our local expert on the hidden jewels of Hue food.

Pictured at left is Scuppy discovering for the first time a broom, since we have a power floor sweeper at home. These brooms are very simple but effective. Made in the old, old traditional way with rice straw or thin branches and a bamboo handle. Once she got the hang of it, she wouldn't let go. Quet gion, quet gion!