In need of junk

If it weren't for the ingenuity of KFC managers in Vietnam I would have felt something approaching pity for the nine branches of KFC in Vietnam earlier this year. Anyone selling poultry, eggs, ducks, pigeons, turkeys, ostriches or archaeopteryx saw their stock in trade slaughtered with the onset of the Asian bird flu crisis. However, Vietnam's KFC management hatched a rescue plan - ditch the 'KFC' moniker, overhaul the menu and launch 'KFF' or Kentucky Fried Fish. It worked, kind of. Bird flu might still be kicking around - just last week nearly 5,000 chickens pecked the dust - but Chicken phobia among the proles clucked its last sometime ago and this branch of KFC, on the corner of Hai Ba Trung Street and Cao Ba Quat Street was packed today.

I'm probably in the minority of western carnivores in that I have only recently sampled Colonel Sander's plastic poultry, special sauces, secret recipe, french fries et al. I've never had KFC anywhere else but in Saigon. Some protest at the spread of joints like KFC for multifarious reasons and I'll admit, as a supposed foodie, and as a subscriber to the squeaky clean Ecologist Magazine, I shouldn't really be seen in restaurants of ill repute like this. But, what the hell, this is a blog and it has, does and will cover the good the bad and bollocks of Saigon if it's edible or comes in liquid form. I ordered a 'Phili bogo' with cheese, fries and a Pepsi set for 32,000VD. The burger innards were mayo-heavy, the chicken was slightly dry, the fries were fresh, the whole experience was dangerously enjoyable if immediately forgettable. It filled a hole, but afterwards I stepped outside and stumbled straight into a Banh My stall. Should I have saved myself 27,000VD and gone there instead???... Nahhh. Sometimes junk calls and only junk will do. Back on the Vitenamese street treats tomorrow.

Comments

[Lei]

We like to have KFC every couple months or so. The sandwiches are usually dry, but the fried chicken pretty decent even if salty and greasy. KFC prices here are much less than they are in Japan (where we were before Saigon).

[husky99]

it remind me of the early 80's whereby coke was still serve in a glass...do they serve their chicken in a broken plate?

[pieman]

I didn't even think of that. You're right - every other fast food joint I've ever been to has those throw away polystyrene/plastic cups 7 plates. Total respect to Vietnam KFC - no waste here. Just a good ol' fashioned glasses and plates (non-chipped). I'll be back, guilt-free too:)

[camau]

i stumbled on this site a week or so ago am hooked! thanks for sharing i look forward to more of your vietnamese food adventures.

best to you.

[FatMan Seoul]

I hear you pieman. Sometimes only fast-food will do. Been there myself. :o)

KF Fish huh? The Colonel would\'ve flipped in his grave if he knew about it.

On a sidenote though, I\'ve noticed that KFC, despite being a global chain and all, is not universally standard everywhere. E.g. in East Asia, they tend to be softer-skinned and juicy (oily?) whereas in South East Asia they tend to be crispier & crunchier. Even the menus are localised. Tried their spicy fried chicken? Just my 2 cents.

[pieman]

Camau - welcome. Back on vina-street asap. Temporary blip.

Fats - No, never tried spicy chicken. I'm not kidding when I said I was a KFC newbie. This phili burger is the only thing I've ever had there.

About standardisation. I had a McDonalds in Seoul around 5yrs ago. I can't remember exactly what now, but there was something different about it, something they threw in to the Cheeseburger, Big Mac, whatever it was that was so, so wrong and so very Korean. Pickled raddish or something. Do you know what I'm talking about??

I did think Micky D's standardised the 'famous' dishes globally, but maybe not.

I'm almost ashamed to say it, but I was partial to Lotteria's 'Bulgogi boga' in Korea... Now that's crap.

[FatMan Seoul]

You\'re referring to the (sliced) pickled zuchinni? If so, it\'s not unique to only Korea. You\'ll find this in all the beef burgers at McD\'s throughout this part of the world. Korean McD has its own local varieties, like bulgogi burgers and shrimp burgers too.

pieman, I noted your comments on my blog as well as on NK Zone and have replied to your questions on those blogs. So I won\'t repeat them here.

In short, we in South Korea have been cut off from the blogosphere. I am actually getting to your blog via a proxy server to bypass the Government\'s ban.

[pieman]

Proxy server no less, there's comittment. The revolution will be blogavised.

[Terasa]

Dear sir/Madam

I am currently studying healthy eating related to fruit and vegetables for my ICT GCSE

I came across your website and found suitable images/text which i thought were very relevant to my GCSE

If i could please have permission to including the images/text from you website, within my WebPages, it would help me in achieving a good level in my GCSE.

My WebPages will only be seen by my teachers and the exam board and at no time would be made available on the internet - they are for course work purposes only.

Please could you email me back?
Yours sincerely Terasa Willis

[nacho]

I WANT A KFC IN ARGENTINA!!!

i want fuckin kfc now oh gosh i need food i vent had anything all day.................:@

[VANESSA V.]

KFC=KENTUCKY FRIED CRUELTY.
EATING THAT MAKES YOU FAT AND 60% MORE LIKELY TO HAVE A STROKE OR HEARTATTACK THAN SMOKING!
If you have even a wimpse of caring for animals, don't eat KFC.