Well I must admit one of the biggest challenges here in Hanoi is the food. It is very rare to find a restaurant with translations in English or even pictures. Daily, I've been using my own system: point- pray- prepare (for what's to come). Plus, in the 1-2 square miles of restaurants where I live, 99% are pho or hot pot.
Pictures Left to Right: Beef Pho, Chicken Pho, and.... yes, a surprise meat hot dog (of course it could be said hotdogs are always a 'surprise meat'), loosely fried egg, bits of shaved beef and tomato slices all swiming in brown gravy.
Week 1 of my arrival, I walked and wandered around and around and around, the various apartment buildings and blocks looking for something to eat that wasn't hot pot or pho. Please do not get me wrong, I like pho and hot pot, but just not every day and in a 1-2 sq mi area of where I live, approximately 99% of the food shops are pho or hot pot shops. However, my walking (and profuse sweating) paid off. I stumbled upon the Om Indian Restaurant. I love Indian food and figured even if there were no English subtitles, I would recognize the pictures or the dish names and would be fine. I was MORE THAN FINE! This restaurant has been wonderful. Very often, I am the only patron. There is air con and a low melodic, humming sort of music that is very relaxing. The dishes are savory and beautifully presented. The owner and waitstaff have come to know me as I have faithfully eaten there 2 times a week for the past 4 weeks. Lee and I hosted a dinner there for some nurses from VinMec hospital that I've met and really respect. Yesterday was our last night eating there as we have plans for the rest of our last week here in Hanoi. The owner and staff all gave me a hug and requested a picture together. The young server is making a sad face over our leaving. These people have been so sweet to me and this restaurant has been my "food home" this month. I shall always remember them fondly.
Postcards from Hanoi Summer '23,
Karen
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