July 13, 2009
Hanoi, July 6, 2009
Hang Be Market; clockwise-crabs tied up with rope, vegetables, unrefrigerated meat, grubs (still moving).
It only took me 3 days, but I finally found the food market. After yesterday’s disappointment, I asked at the hotel’s front desk where the food market was. It’s called “Hang Be” and it’s near the top end of Hoen Kiem Lake. We walk over there from the hotel in the morning, and finally, it’s not raining! The market is at the corner of Cau Go and Hang Be streets and forms an “L” about 2 blocks long on each side. It is outside, covered with tarps and awnings. All kinds of food are sold here; meats, vegetables, seafood, flowers, cooked and prepared food. I am impressed with how clean it is. I’ve seen a lot of “wet” markets and this one is surprisingly tidy. It does not smell (which is a testament to how …
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July 10, 2009
Hanoi Day 2- July 5, 2009
We awake to dumping rain and 90 degree weather. We decide to walk to the big, old market called Dong Xuan and check out the “36 Streets” of the old quarter. We set out walking with umbrellas, locals looking at us as if we are insane. The market is a massive disappointment from a food perspective. If you’re looking for fabric, a cheap watch, or anything plastic and imported from China, this is your place. A foodie destination it is not. In fact, the only “food” I can find are stalls selling dried shrimp and dried mushrooms.
Dejected, we leave and decide on an early lunch of Bun Cha. This place came highly recommended by a friend, andby the hotel. Last night I had asked the guy at the front desk for restaurant recommendations. First he suggested the usual “safe” choices; Quon an Ngon …
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