Fish Pot

Riding back from another street food lunch munch-a-thon during the week, I spotted a crowded alleyway and a pot on the pavement. Fish soup was being plied said the sign. Further investigation was warranted, on the morrow. I can eat but double-lunching was not viable on this day after a skinful of other noodles followed by a dose of creme caramel. I didn't want to have to undo the top button of the strides to fit more in. If the number of punters was any indication, this fish corridor would be best sampled on an empty stomach.

Next day, I lined up for my fill. Bun ca is fish noodle soup and this is a big bowl of it. This ochre-walled alleyway is lined with neon blue plastic tables, not that I ever let the colour scheme put me off. Decor means nothing with street food! The colour of the food matters more and I only have an aversion to one colour on that front - grey! Not an attractive look, a definite turn-off for the taste buds.

Here, it's vibrant colour all the way from soup pot to table. The pot stands simmering under the sign, shining tomatoes bobbing in the stock, spotted with dill and other green flecks - not a bad merchandising prank to lure in the masses. Flawless white noodles (bun) are blanched in the baby pot hanging in mother pot, slid into floral crockery and piled high with the tasty bits: frazzles of battered fish, slices of fish cake, a bit of a stingy half-fistful of herbery and a portion of a pale green veg known as doc mung.

Then, before me, I have this 'soupscape'...which is admired momentarily.

And then scoffed.

The Catch

Two bowls of bun ca, a beer and a soy milk - 35,000VND (USD$2.20, AUD$2.95)

Ha Ban Ca
22 Nguyen Truong To
(just north of the Old Quarter)

Comments

[Robyn]

Sticky, I'm very disappointed. I would've taken you for a double-luncher. ;-)

[Sticky]

I'm a grazer, Robyn, and on occasion, a double-luncher. Just not on this particular day - was worried about the potential effects of a layer on top of the creme caramel!