The Street Food of Hoi An - Banh Canh

Name:  Banh Canh

Time of Day:  Available all day

Location: Just east of the Chao Long stall on Thai Phien

Cost: 15,000 dong (c. 50p)

The Rest:  Banh Canh is a noodle soup with a difference, mainly two types of noodle - as well as thick rice noodles you get a handful of macaroni too.  The stock is the typical meaty affair, taking flavour from the pork chops simmering in it, one of which graces the dish along with a couple of fried fish balls.  More protein is added through a pair of hardboiled quails eggs.  As with pho and bun it is transformed into a hot and sour soup post serving though the addition of lime juice and chili to taste.

Whilst eating I noticed myself chewing on mouthfuls of grated cucumber and thick rice noodle bathed in spicy stock.  It was a real deja vu moment but for the life of me I couldn't remember where I'd had it before.  It was only later that day or the next that it dawned on me, this is exactly what you get eating laksa in Malaysia, especially the sour Penang laksa that is devoid of coconut milk.

A fine dish and a nice reminder of food in prior countries.

Comments

[Lizzie]

Cucumber, eh? Sounds like your tastes have changed...