Night Fruit

Amongst the tack, trinkets and cheap shoes, the fruit stand at Hanoi's weekend Cho Dem (night market) is one of few highlights for me. An artfully arranged exhibition of colour and shape, this ready-to-eat fruit is peeled and treated with salt and chili which adds a red-mottled sweaty sheen to its surface.

The stall holder sets up as I'm polishing off yet another spring hot pot with my mate's family from the south. She wields her knife skillfully, angling slices of mango (xoai) off the fruit's stone. She strips the inedible string from jackfruit (mit) pouches. Segments of tiny under ripe plums are cut and piled on a plate.

And the customers round the corner from the market's trash and treasure to make the inevitable purchase. I made mine jackfruit and mango.

Bag O' Fruit

Half a kilo of ready-to-eat mango and jackfruit - 50,000VND (USD$3.20, AUD$3.55)

Dong Xuan Night Market
along the north facing wall
Fri, Sat & Sun 7 - 11pm

Comments

[Henno]

That seems quite expensive for a bag - by how much has the price gone up in recent weeks?

[Preyanka]

Mmmm...your pictures are making me drool. I love fruit with salt and chili:) But I wouldn't eat Jack Fruit if you paid me!

[Sticky]

Oh yes Henno...things have gone up...inflations breaking records on the fruit front, too.

Preya - long time no hear...jack fruit is fab...I love it! What's your aversion?

[Preya]

Sticky--not sure. I am generally a fruitophile, but I guess my childhood finickiness for certain things have stuck. I am moving to Bangkok in July, by the way!

[cyn]

this is so very delicious and simple to prepare. amazing for whetting the appetite!

i'm so glad i came across your blog - you've got some fabulous photography :)

[Michelle]

Wow, that's expensive. Much cheaper here in Thailand. I noticed though, when I was in Hanoi, overall prices are more expensive there yet salaries, for what I do, (teaching, corporate trainer) are pretty much the same.