Beer Match

We're rather fond of the odd drop of the amber fluid here at Stickyrice. We blame our parents. It's an inherited trait. Pot guts await us. And beer accompanied by the mother of all rice crackers is probably going to stretch the waistbands further. Not to worry.

Last Saturday, this motorbike pulled up opposite the CHO 19/12 Market in Ly Thuong Kiet Street as I shuffled out in a stupor after having just witnessed the dog-choppers in action. Occasionally Vietnam is trippy. Scene one is the dog butchers and scene two is 500 very fragile rice crackers as big as faces on the back of a 125cc Honda. Thankfully scene three is not me transporting these through Hanoi traffic, a pack of barking dogs in tow, the faces chanting "do not chip or crack!" Bad trip!

Back to reality.

These crackers came from up country, obviously a long time between pit-stops for the delivery bloke. He disappeared for a Jimmy Riddle and left a woman stripping leaves off rose stems to keep an eye on the cracker load. I got up close. They're light brown, bumpy and scattered with sesame seeds. Called banh da nuong (grilled rice cake), these wafers would be perfect broken up for dips or heated up with nachos ingredients on top but useless as frisbees. Too light.

Relief etched on his smiling face, delivery bloke returned and sold me five fine crackers for 10,000VND (USD62c, AUD83c). As the sun set later....lager....cracker....get the picture?

Comments

If you want to blame your parents for thirst for the amber fluid. BEWARE they may come to VISIT

[HanoiMark]

Funny you should pair these up with dog meat? Was it intentional? The only time I've eaten these rice crispies here in Hanoi was as a prelude to the main course in a doggie restaurant.

[Sticky]

They have been here and are coming soon. We might be in a bit of trouble!

HanoiMark - I've had them at the hound houses, too, and again at a bia hoi joint the other night. Truth be told, they're actually pretty bland, don't you reckon?

[Alaina]

Thank you very much.