The Modern Buccaneer

Hue isn’t just a city it’s a full sensory experience. Once Vietnam’s imperial capital, today it’s a treasure chest of flavour, where recipes that once graced royal banquets are now served on humble street corners. And as any self-respecting travelling foodie knows: the best way to honour history… is to eat it. Warning:  This list might raise eyebrows. Yes, there’s a Western dish on here. But before you grab your pitchforks and accuse me of culinary treason, hear me out, it’s that good. 1. Bánh Xèo Nem Lụi Bà Hằng | 77K/ £2.20 | Rating 10/10 I’ve eaten a lot of bánh xèo while travelling Vietnam, but this one? This one belongs in a museum. Hidden down a narrow alley, the “restaurant” is essentially someone’s home. No fancy décor. No mood lighting. Just low stools, open air, and the satisfying hiss of pancakes on the griddle. The bánh xèo here is extra crispy, paired with heaps of fresh herbs, rice paper, and… scissors. Yes, you cut your own pancake before wrapping it in rice paper an...

    If you’ve spent more than a day in Hoi An, then the chances are someone’s already mentioned  that  famous banh mi place. Probably with the kind of conviction usually reserved for people who’ve just discovered oat milk (sorry if you’re one of them). “You haven’t done Hoi An if you haven’t eaten here.” So, like every other food pilgrim with a fear of missing out, I gave in. And I ordered two: 1st: The famous mixed bread pork and pâté,   Anthony Bourdain’s so-called  “sympathy in a sandwich. 2nd: The ostrich. Because why not eat like a confused 19th-century explorer with a bit of flair? Now, a quick detour: This place had a  bit  of a scandal back in 2023. By “bit” I mean  over 140 people got food poisoning  linked to the restaurant, and it was forced to close and pay fines. But since it has reopened and with that fun fact in mind, I approached my baguettes with caution. But here I am, alive and it’s been well over a few weeks, and my d...