Vietnamese? Yes Please!

Today, Kyle, Mia and I (Megan!) decided to expand our culinary horizons and try out some Vietnamese food together! We visited V Nam in North Vancouver. After much deliberation over the menu, the food arrived, piping hot and ready to eat.

Kyle, about to dig in!

Kyle, despite his love of chicken, opted to try something the waitress recommended to him. He ended up getting a beef dish, called Pho Tai Bo Vien. This dish looked so good, I am definitely going to have to try it when I get to Vietnam, if not sooner!

Mia is ready to chow down!

Mia is a vegetarian, and had the vegetable stir fry with vermicelli. Before we head over to Vietnam, we are going to try to get her to eat meat, because it is such a staple food in Vietnam. Mia and I won’t be heading over until August, so for now she gets a pass with the veggie dish.

Here's hoping I don't have food stuck in my teeth while I pose with my delicious food.

I had the Chicken Chow Mein, which was delicious. The sauce had just enough kick to it and the vegetables tasted so fresh. The noodles were rich and flavourful. I realized that I may need some more practice using chopsticks after Kyle and Mia finished eating much faster than I did.

Over lunch, we talked about places we are hoping to travel and what we want to do with ourselves once we've finished school. It was such a pleasure getting to know the people that I am going to be working on this amazing project with. I think our personalities complement each other really well and I can’t wait until our next meeting.

Near the end of our meal, Chris stopped by! We further discussed some of the exciting initiatives that we are going to be putting forth soon to get the project as much exposure as possible. I have a feeling that this won't be the only time we go out for Vietnamese food together. The only thing that will make our future lunch dates better is the lovely Marina joining us! 

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The beginning to a whole new world

It’s been over ten years since I’ve done any international travelling. Ten years! Well, it’s time for me to step out of my comfort zone, dust off my back pack, kiss my hubby goodbye and step into my next adventure; I’m going to Vietnam!  Okay, so maybe that’s a little dramatic for a 13 day trip but I’m excited!

Being selected as a volunteer on the CBT Vietnam Project is both one of the most exciting and terrifying opportunities I’ve ever had. The program is a partnership between PATA, Capilano University and Hanoi Open University focused on delivering sustainable community based tourism (CBT) to villages in the Sapa Region of Northern Vietnam. I’ve never travelled to Asia and getting familiar with Vietnamese culture is what everyone is telling me to do; research the history, familiarize myself with the geography, try the food, understand some of the language, learn all about this amazing CBT project. It’s a long list but I'm excited!

I have been having a hard time knowing where to start so I decided to start with what I love most: food! Some people eat to live but I live to eat! And, Vietnamese cuisine is one that I’m not familiar with in the slightest. 

A few nights ago I decided to take myself out for pho - a traditional Vietnamese soup. I went to this lovely restaurant a couple blocks from my house, Kim Penh Xe Lua Cambodian and Vietnamese Noodle House. My husband and I have gone there many times but we’ve always ordered the same thing, Vietnamese subs or banh mi! 

I told my waiter that I was traveling to Vietnam in a month and that I’ve never had pho before. I asked her what she thought I should try which isn’t something I normally do because as much as I’d like to be that person that just goes for it with their orders, it just doesn’t work for me because I'm picky. I can’t do spicy, can’t do dairy, don’t like mushrooms, sauce on the side...you get the idea. For those of you who have seen When Harry Met Sally, I’m a bit of a Sally when it comes to ordering! The waiter suggested the beef pho and, accepting this new courageous side of myself, I just went with the flow. 

Five minutes later she brings me a steaming bowl of soup with a side of greens and spring rolls. As soon as the bowl was placed in front of me the aromas hit and my senses were swirling. I had no idea what to do with the plate of sprouts, basil and lemon. Was there a special way to do it? I looked around in hopes I would see someone who, unlike me, actually knew what they were doing.  No one. I ended up just putting it all in the soup and it was AWESOME! The rice noodles, green onions, and the broth were delicious mixed with the sprouts, basil and lemon. How have I not had this before?

Tomorrow I will be returning to my new favorite restaurant, Kim Penh Xe Lua Cambodian and Vietnamese Noodle House, for some more culinary adventuring. Not sure what I’ll try next but I know it’ll be a first and I’ll be sure to let you all know how it goes!

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