Food Glorious Food (Part 2)

Hi everyone! Just before we give you a quick wrap up of the week gone, I thought I would do a post on some of the amazing and bizarre food that we have seen and consumed over the last couple of months. Those of you who are eating are advised to stick to the first and second categories :) (don't say I didn't warn you).

For Brendan, the following rate as his favourites:

1. BBQ sausages in Bangkok, Thailand
Have no fear, that photo is actually of sausages on a Thai BBQ. The sausages over here are great - often pork with chilli and lemon grass. Not great for the waistline, but very munchable with a handful of sticky rice.

2. Penang Curry in Koh Samui, Thailand
Need we say more? This is god's gift to curry lovers and if ever Brendan had to request a final meal, this would be it.

3. Papaya Salad and sticky rice, Laos and Thailand
We consumed this almost hourly in Laos. The salad usually consists of chilli, garlic, papaya, peanuts, tomato, green beans, fish sauce, soft shell crab. It is tossed into a mortar and pestle and hey presto you have a great, spicy snack.

4. Noodle Soup in Sapa, Vietnam
If Thailand is the king of curries, than Vietnam is the king of noodle soups and the crown definitely goes to the soup we had in Sapa (very northern Vietnam). A simple yet delicious combination of meaty broth, fresh rice noodles and a large handful of greens topped with shredded chicken breast and a mountain of cracked pepper. In Sapa they were consumed for breakfast, lunch, dinner and inbetweens.

5. Steamed Pork Buns from Saigon, Vietnam
These are not just any pork buns. These are the biggest damn fermented fish paste, lemon juice and sometimes pork buns you will ever see in your life (see picture above). Light and fluffy dough filled with pork, egg and a bunch of herbs and spices. All this for the price of A$0.60.

6. Laksa in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (specifically the one with the oysters..mmm..)
Awarded best Laksa EVER! So juicy and packed with noodles, OYSTERS, other meat (??) and thick gorgeous laksa soup. Wow...this is making me really hungry - plane ticket to Kuala Lumpur please.

My favourites are:

1. Laksa in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (see above)

2. BBQ sausages in Bangkok, Thailand (see above)

3. Wonton Noodle Soup in Koh Samui, Thailand
We found this great place on our third trip to Koh Samui and ended up eating their most nights it was just that good (and the girls running the place were lovely). Essentially a soup with rice noodles, green vegies and a handful of very yum wontons - however, this soup has a special ingredient which sets it out from the rest. A little bit of coconut milk is added, which combined with the chilli makes a rich and delicious soup broth. I think I might head out now and get one...

4. Duck/Chicken Rice in Singapore
Singapore is famous for this stuff, and rightly so. Crisp roasted duck or chicken, served on plain rice is accompanied by a small bowl of soup that you can spread over the rice, or dip the rice into. No need to add anything...is perfect all on its own!

5. Grilled chicken breast with curry sauce in Luang Prabang, Laos
Sounds very plain I know, but man did they know how to bbq chicken breast so that it was all crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. Combine this with steamed rice and a penang curry sauce and I was in heaven.

6. Sticky Rice and Mango in Bangkok, Thailand
This is about as close to a healthy desert as I like to come in contact with - what, there is no chocolate involved...can't really be a dessert then can it? It is very simple - a plate of sticky rice, covered with sliced ripe mango and then carnation milk drizzled over the top. Oh so good.

Weirdest food (not necessarily consumed)

• Fried Cockroach (consumed by Brendan) in Bangkok
• Dog and Horse meat for sale in market at Sapa, Vietnam (see photo).
  
• Dried Rats for sale on road side in Laos
• We both had turtle and frog soup in Singapore (both very tasty)
• Baby Birds on skewers bbq style, Laos and Vietnam
• Boiled Eggs with embryo in Saigon, Vietnam
  

Well, that's it for now folks. I hope this post has left you nice and hungry...writing it has certainly made me hungry. mmm what will we have for dinner :) Bye for now.

//Kate