My Stay in 5⭐ Imperial Hotel in Hue, Vietnam

During my foodie trip to Hue, we stayed at Imperial Hotel Hue. I enjoyed my stay here, and would use Imperial Hotel again for future visits to Hue.

To Know Vietnam, Start Eating in Hue. Food and Sights in the Imperial & Culinary Capital

To know Vietnam, start in Hue. Hue was the imperial capital of the Nguyen dynasty, which 143 year rule ended in 1945. Hue is also the culinary capital of Vietnam. Of 3,000 Vietnamese dishes, over 1,700 came originally from Hue.

Banh Nam Hue. Steamed Flat Rice Dumpling of Vietnam's Imperial Capital

In Vietnam, you will taste many forms of banh which is usually translated as cake or bread. The most well known banh in the world is banh mi which is like a form of Vietnamese bread roll with fillings. In the ancient imperial city of Hue, they have their own types of banh. The most famous being banh khoai which I like. But, it was banh nam which I ended up eating the most because it is more widely available.

Salute Singapore & Johor F & B Heroes against COVID-19

This post puts together the restaurants and eateries in Singapore and Johor who volunteered their food, money, time and energy to support medical frontliners in their fight against COVID-19 and workers displaced by the pandemic. We salute you and will always remember your kindness long after we have overcome our common foe.

Daebak Ghost Pepper is Spiciest Instant Ramen in the World? Wu Yah Boh? Real or Not?

Buddy Mark gifted me this Ghost Pepper Spicy Chicken Dry Black Noodles in a cup. Thanks buddy! "Drink some milk before you eat this" he kindly cautioned 😊

What is Imperial Cuisine in Hue, Vietnam's Culinary Capital? ẩm thực cung đình

Vietnam has an estimated 3,000 dishes. Of these, some 1,700 originate from Hue, the culinary capital of Vietnam. It is no accident that Hue cuisine has such an immerse influence in the country - for 143 years Hue was the imperial capital of Vietnam, the seat of the Nguyen dynasty, the home of 13 emperors of Vietnam (till the last, Emperor Bao Dai abdicated the throne in 1945).

Sân Mây Huế Restaurant. Memorable Vegan & Vegetarian Dinner in Hue, Vietnam

Hue has many vegetarian restaurants as many locals are vegetarians by religious observance e.g. Buddhists. We visited two vegetarian restaurants during our visit - the more memorable one was Sân Mây Huế which is reputedly one of Hue's best vegan / vegetarian restaurants.

Cơm Hến Clam Mussel Rice from Hue. A Favourite of Royals & Peasants

Cơm Hến, clam or mussel rice is a Hue speciality that you must try when you visit Vietnam's culinary capital.

Things to See & Eat at Historic Cho Dong Ba Market in Hue

Wherever I go, the sights, sounds, feel, smells and tastes of the local market is a must in my itinerary. In Ho Chi Minh City, there's Ben Thanh Market, and in the ancient imperial city of Hue, it is the century old Dong Ba Market.

Hue Local Favourite Seafood Restaurant Quán Hải Sản Tuấn Phúc, Central Vietnam

The ancient imperial city of Hue is located where the Perfume River meets the East Vietnam Sea. Fresh seafood is plentiful and a must eat when you visit Hue.

Home Cooked Hue Cuisine. Eating Banh Beo, Va Tron Hue & Bun Bo Hue with the Tu Family

We can enjoy food in Hue, Vietnam's culinary capital in exclusive fine dining restaurants, busy family restaurants, humble side walk stalls, mobile street carts, and even in a Vietnamese family home as a guest. Every place offers their own unique foodie experience - you should try them all when you are in Hue.

Eugene's Grocery in Pelangi Johor Bahru

Eugene's Grocery is a fine Western foods grocer cum restaurant in JB's Taman Pelangi. Established about 5 years ago, it is well known in the foodie community.

JB Masai Claypot Chicken Rice 財記瓦煲雞飯 @ Masai 大排档

Recently Johor Bahru social media is abuzz about an old school charcoal claypot chicken rice stall in Masai shared by buddy Lee HY. We went to visit it as there are only a small handful of charcoal claypot rice in JB now - I know only 2 others.

Hue Imperial Pork Leg Stew Giò Lợn Ninh @ Tinh Gia Vien Restaurant

We were at Tinh Gia Vien restaurant to see master chef Tôn Nữ Thị Hà who is known as Vietnam's "Heiress of Hue Imperial Cuisine" prepare three imperial dishes including this imperial pork leg stew.

Chef Tôn Nữ Thị Hà Makes Hue Royal Dish "Steamed Squid in Pineapple Shape" @ Tinh Gia Vien Restaurant

It was my privilege to spend an entire day observing how Vietnam celebrity chef Tôn Nữ Thị Hà makes Hue royal cuisine at her famous Tinh Gia Vien restaurant in Hue.

Authentic Hue Imperial Dish - Shrimp Balls on Tangerine Tree @ Tinh Gia Vien Restaurant

Our visit to Tinh Gia Vien restaurant by celebrity chef Madame Ton Nu Thi Ha was one of the defining moments of our foodie trip to Hue, Vietnam. We spent half a day here and got a good appreciation of Hue's legendary imperial cuisine and how they are made. Incredibly tedious to make, I have to warn you.

Eating Out like a Local in Hue, Vietnam at Bờ Ao Quán Restaurant

Our guide Nguyen Ngoc An of Connect Travel took us for dinner at Bờ Ao Quán restaurant, his family's favourite hang out. During the 30 minute drive southwest from Hue to Bờ Ao Quán, An kept raving about the goat dishes there. That got me really excited as I love goat meat and wondered how they are done in Hue, Vietnam's imperial city 😋

Hue Food Tour Highlight - Royal Cuisine at Boi Tran Garden

Madame Boi Tran with KF Seetoh, founder of Makansutra

Our lunch at Boi Tran Garden was one of the highlights of our foodie trip to Hue, Vietnam -  actually, one of my most memorable dining experiences ever.

Food Tour on Cyclo (Trishaw). The Best Way to Explore Hue Street Cuisine

Arriving in Hue in the late afternoon, we were revving to go on the first event on our itinerary - Hue street food tour on trishaw. 

Warning: BUN BO HUE may Change your Taste for Vietnamese Noodles PHO-ever

When I think about Vietnamese noodles, the first only thing that comes to my mind has always been pho. Thanks to my recent trip to Hue, now I also have bun bo Hue on my mind. Now, if I must choose between the two, I go with bun bo Hue.

What Must Eat Food in Hue Vietnam? Banh Khoai Seafood Pancake @ Chuồn Village Market

When I travel, one of my favourite things to do is to visit the local food market to look, see, smell, listen and, of course, eat there. More often than not, it turns out to be the highlight of the trip - the food markets of Hue are no different. My first taste of Hue banh khoai at Chuồn Village Market is a memorable foodie experience, I highly recommend it to you too.

Old School Delights. A Hidden Gem @ The Esplanade Mall Singapore

We met up for lunch at Old School Delights @ The Esplanade today. I was delighted with the food here.

Chinatown Mr FISH, 80 Huat Huat & Shi Xiang Satay. 3 in 1 Singapore Hawker Flavours

Lunch today at Singapore's Chinatown Complex hawker centre. For one meal together, we ordered our food from 3 different stalls - MR FISH, 80 Huat Huat and Shi Xiang Satay, getting the best dishes from each. That's the thing about eating at Singapore hawker centres - you can order food from different stalls to eat together and no one bats an eyelid. 

MR Mister Wu Menu & Review. A Good Lunch in a Nice Restaurant in Singapore CBD need not be Expensive

I've been to Mister Wu at both their CHIJMES and China Square Central outlets a few times with buddies as they like to hangout here.

What the Fish! Teo Heng Teochew Porridge @ Hong Lim Food Centre

This was the 3rd meal of our makan outing because the first 2, though nice didn't quite inspire enough. I suggested walking over to Hong Lim Food Centre for the famous Teo Heng Teochew porridge because it's a light meal that can fit into our precious last remaining stomach space. We were glad we did as we were all mind blown by the boiled rabbit fish 白肚鱼 🐟 Teo Heng is always a safe bet but this pak tor herr fish was beyond my expectation. 

A History of Singapore through the Story of Hock Lam Beef Noodles

The story of Singapore's legendary Hock Lam beef noodles start 109 years ago, 3,000km away in Swatow 汕头 in China's Guangdong province. In 1911, Tan Chee Kok started a Teochew beef noodle stall in his hometown, Swatow.

Swatow townsfolk loved Tan Chee Kok's hearty, comforting savoury beefy slightly herbal soup with rice noodles and chunks of beef, tripe and tendons.

Authentic Hock Lam Street Popular Beef Kway Teow Noodles Menu & Review @ North Canal Road Singapore

Finally made it to the legendary Authentic Hock Lam Street Popular Beef Kway Teow noodles at North Canal Road today. It's yummey 😋

Restoran 980 Teochew Restaurant in Masai Johor 980 潮州小食

Today's lunch at 980 Teochew Restaurant 980潮州小食 in a quiet corner of Masai, Johor Bahru. We enjoyed the comforting, traditional fare here and will be back for more.

Chicky Don Ayam Goreng Paprika Review & Menu. Fried Chicken Restaurant in Kulai, Johor

My makan buddy Puan Chong who lives in Kulai has been showing me her family's favourite eating places. Today, we met up at Chicky Don Ayam Goreng Paprika fried chicken restaurant.

Silesian Dumplings & Hakka Abacus Seeds Recipe. East - West Reunion Fusion

During my trip to Poland in Dec 2019, I tasted Silesian dumplings for the first time. I was struck by how Silesian dumplings and Hakka abacas seeds resembled each other. When I returned home to Singapore, I decided to make Silesian dumplings with a local twist.

Polish Goose Showcase by Chef Piotr Lenart @ Gozdawa Palace (Łochocin), Poland

The goose showcase by chef Piotr Lenart at Gozdawa Palace (at Łochocin) was one of the memorable highlights of my trip to Poland in Dec 2019. A deprived goose lover from Singapore where no goose is sold, I had been looking forward to this goose festa since I saw it in the trip itinerary.