Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City was our last stop in Vietnam, we stayed in a Cheerful Home in Siagon that’s listed on AirBnB for 1 week and our hosts made us feel very much at home. Most days we spent walking around the city, eating good food, and gathering last bit’s of souvenirs of Vietnam before we leave. Busy streets of Ho Chi Minh City Ho Chi Minh City formally named Siagon is the largest city in Vietnam with a population of over 8 million residents. Continue Reading

Pizza 4P's

Recommended by our hosts, Pizza 4P’s (Ranked #57 of 4,118 Restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City on Tripadvisor) is undoubtedly the best independent place I have been for pizza that is cooked in a traditional clay oven. We ordered two pizza’s one pepperoni & salami, and half/half tuna & sweetcorn and Teriyaki Chicken. We sat at the circle bar next to the clay oven and where the pizza’s are prepared. Continue Reading

Bahdja Restaurant

I visited Bahdja Restaurant with some friends, treating all of us to a cuisine non of us have ever experienced, Algerian (North African) Food. It was a little difficult to find as there was no major signage that made it obvious to spot. It’s tucked away under a hotel. The place only has 6 tables to cover, and we where lucky to be seated. The decoration makes for pleasant relaxation while browsing the minimal but concise menu. Continue Reading

Ichiban Sushi

Ichiban Sushi (Ranked #110 of 4,118 Restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City on Tripadvisor) rightfully ranked #1 for its attention to detail. We stat at the bar and ordered form the wide array of delicious looking dishes, Shrimp, and Salmon Nigiri. As we waited for our dishes to arrive, we watched the skilled Sushi chef’s carefully prepare the the many dishes that are printed up on a large LCD screen above. Continue Reading

Lanterns Vietnamese Restaurant

Lanterns is a Vietnamese restaurant (Ranked #42 of 653 Restaurants in Nha Trang on Tripadvisor) , it serves a good choice of popular Vietnamese dishes, most impressive choice would be the BBQ. Choosing a choice of meats to be cooked on your very own BBQ at your table makes an interesting experience. The meat is nicely marinated before it is brought to the table. The food is of great quality and the service is friendly and talkative that complements a comfortable atmosphere. Continue Reading

Pita GR Restaurant

Pita is a Greek restaurant (Ranked #30 of 653 Restaurants in Nha Trang on Tripadvisor) with a simple menu the food is of great quality. I went here with my partner one evening as on occasion I do like the taste of Greek cuisine, Pita delivered! The gyros (meat, fries, tomato, onion, and teatziki sauc, is served and tastes just as it does in Greece. Such a pleasure to be treated to a nostalgic meal. Continue Reading

Quán Cơm Huế Ngon

We visited Quán Cơm Huế Ngon (Ranked #84 of 1,161 Restaurants in Da Nang on Tripadvisor) on a Friday night and luckily got a table. Very busy with locals no other westerners to be seen. The menu choice is extensive. We chose items familiar to us, chicken, prawns, beef, and pork. The portions are relatively small so many plates will need to be ordered to feel full enough (the chicken is just a wing chopped into 4 parts for 39,000 dong). Continue Reading

Namaste - Omar's Indian Restaurant

Namaste - Omar’s Indian Restaurant (Ranked #96 of 986 Restaurants in Hoi An on Tripadvisor) that serves a good selection of dishes from all over India. We walked in around 6pm and the place was empty, (but not for long) by time we ordered more customers were seated. The place was completely full within an hour and customers had to be turned away, there is a reason for this. Continue Reading

Hola Taco

Hola Taco is a Mexican restaurant (Ranked #107 of 986 Restaurants in Hoi An on Tripadvisor) We could not be more satisfied with the food, service and price. The music and atmosphere is really relaxing, staff are friendly and food is just damn awesome! We tried the Chicken Taco, Pork Taco Guacamole with baked nachos and BBQ wings. Every flavour carefully balanced and subtly spiced. It’s rare for restaurants to serve cider so to see Magners on the menu it was hard not to have a drink. Continue Reading

Trip Nguyen Restaurant Cafe

Trip Nguyen Restaurant Cafe (Ranked #302 of 986 Restaurants in Hoi An on Tripadvisor) serves many Vietnamese dishes We walked into this place on a whim as we seen many other travellers eating and drinking there. Ordering a few plates for lunch we ordered White Rose, Cao Lầu, and Chicken Rice - all Hoi An’s specialities. This quick introduction into Hoi An’s flavours that are delivered very cheaply. The flavours and portions are very good instantly making me fall in love with Hoi An food. Continue Reading

Huế

The adventure outside of Vietnam’s capital begins with Hue, 14 hour day train took us from Hanoi to Huế and arrived in the evening after dark (20:20 PM). Maylin taxi (the green cars, heard to be the most reliable and honest) to deliver us to Than Thien Hotel. Exhausted from sitting on a train all day, we needed a filling meal before we can take Doxycycline (an anantimalarial antibiotic) - the antibiotic is rejected from the body if consumed on a empty stomach. Continue Reading

The Little Menu Resturant

After checking our Lonely Planet book and TripAdvisor we decided to eat at the Little Menu Restaurant (Ranked #104 of 986 Restaurants in Hoi An on Tripadvisor) for our first night in Hoi an. This place has a simple menu with an array of dishes ranging in price. There specials are written up on chalk boards, but they are only rotated seasonally instead of daily or weekly. We chose Rolls tasting platter, Chicken in banana leaf “special” and Banana Blossom salad with grilled chicken. Continue Reading

Zucca

Zucca is a Italian, Vietnamese Restaurant (Ranked #17 of 382 Restaurants in Hue on Tripadvisor) . We did not try any Italian food instead trying the grilled selection, and was pleasantly impressed. We had grilled chicken lemon grass skewers that are wonderfully seasoned and prepared with fresh ingredients, seasoned beans, and noodles. You have to eat here. Zucca Restaurant 3 Đội Cung, Phú Hội, Thành phố Huế Address: 3 Đội Cung, Phú Hội, Thành phố Huế, Thừa Thiên Huế, Vietnam Phone: 0772 427 375 Continue Reading

Bò Nướng Xuân Xuân 47 Mã Mây

We regularly go to Bò Nướng Xuân Xuân 47 Mã Mây  (Ranked #164 of 2,812 Restaurants in Hanoi on Tripadvisor) for a simple cheap evening dinner that we can cook to our own liking. You get given a BBQ griddle, a heap of meat and vegetables, a lime chilli & salt dipping sauce and can choose to add bread or rice. The BBQ grill’s use smokeless fuel that lasts about 10-15 minutes, we usually have to ask for more fire (at no extra charge). Continue Reading

The Moose and Roo Pub & Grill

The Moose and Roo Pub & Grill (Ranked #135 of 2,812 Restaurants in Hanoi on Tripadvisor) is a quality gastropub in the heart of the old quarter in Hanoi. We have visited twice and both times enjoyed the gluttonous food served. This restaurant serves, every good British and Australian dish you’ll miss from home. Beef and Bone Marrow Burgers, Fish and Chips, Pie and Mash, and much more. Both times I ordered the Beef Burger as they serve the best Beef Burger, on-par with burgers served in Manchester U. Continue Reading

New Day Restaurant

New Day Restaurant on the corner of Mã Mây a few properties away from our hotel, which is really convenient. This popular place to eat offers a great choice of delicious cheap food until late in the evening - we went most nights we could not bother searching for something new. Most main dishes are between 65,000₫ - 110,000₫ and are plentiful and come with steamed rice which is very filling. Continue Reading

Bánh Mì Doner Kebab Hàng Bạc

Bánh Mỳ (Bánh Mì) Doner Kebab on the intersection of Hàng Bạc and Hàng Bè. It serves seasoned pork cooked on a rotary for 30,000₫ a sandwich. Really popular as a “drive-thru”, many motorcycles will pull up and ask a take-away. Highly recommended for a quick-lunch or sandwich on the go. Bánh Mỳ Đức Long Kebab 6 Lương Ngọc Quyến, Hàng Buồm Address: 6 Lương Ngọc Quyến, Hàng Buồm, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam Phone: 024 3926 2726 Continue Reading

Joma Bakery Cafe

Joma Bakery Cafe (Ranked #9 of 157 Dessert in Hanoi on Tripadvisor) is a quality reliable café and bakery in Hanoi. We regally went to work, or chat with family on Skype as they have very reliable internet, great coffee and yummy pies and cakes. It’s calm atmosphere allows the creative to work, complementary glasses filtered water is continuously filled and Caffè Americano coffee includes a free refill. Continue Reading

Hanoi Street Food Tour

To get a crash course into Vietnamese food we could not turn down Hanoi Street Food Tour (Ranked #21 of 405 Food & Drink in Hanoi on Tripadvisor) . Reservation was made via email and we attended the tour the next day, starting at Kim building we visited many delights around Hanoi all accessible by foot. We were in a group of 8, who have traveled from England, and Australia. Continue Reading

Tamarind Cafe

We visited Tamarind Cafe which is next door to Tu Linh Palace Hotel 2. Tamarind Cafe is a vegetarian restaurant with a relaxed couch atmosphere. We order spring rolls, both fresh and fried, the food tastes bland. I don’t think this place is good value. We stayed for a while as the place has many plug sockets, good WiFi and relaxed atmosphere.  Restaurant Front Coffee Fresh Spring Rolls Continue Reading

Pho 24

Simple, cheap, delicious. A pleasant walk around Hoan Kiem Lake you will find Pho 24 at the southern point with colourful green signage. Greeted with big smiles and welcomes, and a simple menu, ordering food is easy. A choice of beef or chicken Pho. Price is really reasonable at ₫49,000 (about £1.37) per person and you get a decent serving. I would recommend you try this place while in Vietnam. Continue Reading

Food Tour in Delhi

We booked a street food tour with (Ranked #2 of 290 Shopping in New Delhi on Tripadvisor) I liked the foods we sampled but honestly noting really blew my taste buds away. Was expecting food being prepared by simple means, popular with the locals (like the street food Rick Stein’s sampled when he visited to India in search of the true India flavours). Most places we visited are established vendors, except a couple local ‘out there’ vendors. Continue Reading

Barbeque Nation

We went to Barbeque Nation Connaught Place (Ranked #135 of 12,646 Restaurants in New Delhi on Tripadvisor) for what we expected to be a simple meal. We did not expect an all you can eat buffet with a real BBQ in the middle of the table. We got given a table and hot coals were placed in the centre, then skewers of cooked chicken, fish, and prawns to be additionally cooked to the our liking. Continue Reading

Raasta

Raasta is a Caribbean Lounge in the Haus Khas Village, New Delhi (Ranked #693 of 12,646 Restaurants in New Delhi on Tripadvisor) . We had drinks, and food. The atmosphere was fun until karaoke started. The prices seemed a bit overpriced for India, especially after calculating Tax and Service Charge, that aside I likely would go again for quiet late afternoon drinks. K Boulevard HKV 30 A, 1st Floor, Hauz Khas Village, New Delhi Address: 30 A, 1st Floor, Hauz Khas Village, Deer Park, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, Delhi 110016, India Phone: 091558 48484 Continue Reading

Indian Cooking Session

We joined the hotel owner Shakti Singh Inda in his group cooking kitchen to learn the roots of Indian cooking. We made Chai Masala Tea, Pannier Curry, a Korma type dish, aloo biryani and Roti. We head great fun cooking and joking with Shakti and we got to eat a large lunch too. Continue Reading

Aranyawas

We stopped for lunch at Aranyawas. Ordered Chicken Sandwich and French Fries (a order which should be simple enough anywhere). It was awful, the French Fries tasted like they were re-fried from the last nights batch. The chicken sandwich had a small amount of chicken in bread only, and the chicken was awful tasting itself. Overall not a great place to eat, would recommend to “keep on driving”. Continue Reading

Pukhraj Durry Udhyog

We visited Pukhraj Durry Udhyog for a few hours in the morning, having breakfast and shown how rugs are made by hand. We loved the hospitality, the simple cooking, the brilliant flavour of the rice and pancakes. We seen a couple of rugs that taken our eye and could not resist to buy them.  As an attrition, this village also has a clay pot makers which we also had the privilege to experience. Continue Reading

Blue Lassi Shop

Located in the alleyways of central Varanasi, this little shop specialise in only Lassi (a popular, traditional, yogurt-based drink). The milk is churned by hand to a thick yoghurt consistency and served with flavouring and a layer of clotted cream. I had coffee flavour Lassi, it was nice but I did not like the texture of the clotted cream. While we where enjoying our Lassi, about 5 bodies were carried though the streets to the Ganges. Continue Reading

Pizzeria Vaatika Cafe

Pizzeria Vaatika Cafe (Ranked #23 of 348 Restaurants in Varanasi on Tripadvisor) overlooking the River Ganges we expected this place to be really good. It hosts a clay wood oven to cook the pizza’s with. However the pizza was the most horrible pizza I have tasted. It tasted like the cheese was churned with Ganges water. I would never eat here again. Pizzeria Vaatika Cafe - Pizza Restaurants in Varanasi B-1/178, Assi Ghat Road, Varanasi Address: B-1/178, Assi Ghat Rd, Shivala, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221005, India Phone: 094513 97331 Continue Reading

Thakali Kitchen

We visited Thakali Kitchen (Ranked #57 of 1,076 Restaurants in Kathmandu on Tripadvisor) as a group, recommended by our tour leader Bikash Nepal from Himalayan Encounters. I ordered the recommended dish Mutton Thakali Set along with some other group members while Kim ordered Vegetable Thakali Set. I decided to eat how locals do, with the right hand mixing the gravy with the rice and scooping it into the mouth (I did duly wash my hands before). Continue Reading

BK’s Place

Kim suggested a highly rated BK’s Place (Ranked #2 of 7 Quick Bites in Kathmandu on Tripadvisor) for its Chips (finger fries they call them). We ordered a simple takeaway of Small and Medium Fries to devour back in our hotel room. These fries delivered!, crispy with brilliant seasoning by standard at a tasty ₨160 for small (about 98p). We have since been a few more times and tried the Samosa’s, this place gets fried food right! Continue Reading

Black Olives Cafe and Bar

After the peaceful visit to the Gardens of Dreams, food was on the mind. Checking TripAdvisor we found a Black Olives Cafe and Bar (Ranked #53 of 1,076 Restaurants in Kathmandu on Tripadvisor) . Using this information we went in pursuit for an assumed good food experience. Initially sent down a quiet back-alley according to TripAdvisor’s map, but could not find it. We decided to go for a back-up option on Chaksibari Marg and surprise surprise, we found Black Olives Cafe. Continue Reading

Third Eye Resturant

We visited the Third Eye Restaurant (Ranked #42 of 1,076 Restaurants in Kathmandu on Tripadvisor) for evening dinner with high expectation for a decent tandoori curry. Seated upstairs we were given a plate of peanuts and menu to study. I chose Chicken Tikka Masala while Kim chose Chicken Tandoori as we wanted something simple and that would not upset our stomachs (as were already feeling fragile). Chicken Tikka Masala Continue Reading

Places

Places Restaurant & Bar (Ranked #16 of 1,076 Restaurants in Kathmandu on Tripadvisor) is a Vegetarian restaurant that is laid-back and chilled, most people here utilising the fast internet and creative atmosphere to get things done or just relax. We order Pesto Dough MoMo, Biber Dolmasi, and Taste Platter all the dishes were prepared with care and delivered in taste experience. Vegetarian Pesto Dough MoMo's ) Biber Dolmasi (Stuffed Peppers) Continue Reading