Steamed

Promised this an age and a day ago. A wonton noodle (mi hoanh thanh) stall in District 10 set to inappropriate, but conveniently spliced music.

Comments

[Diana]

Mi hoanh thanh is definately one of my favorite Vietnamese dishes from childhood. I'll definately check out that stall when I go there some day.

I also have a quick question, and I hope you don't get this question often. Apparently, my grandmother told me how a good amount of merchants will over-price tourists, even my own grandmother got ripped off. Hell, they even gave her a pity story on how they needed money. I was wondering if this ever happens to you. I just thought it was funny, because I never thought of this ever happening before.

[pieman]

It does happen, but I would say the practice is far more prevalent in the north. If you can speak a bit of Vietnamese and you know how much things are then a bit of a smile and a joke should set things right. Failing that, and depending on your mood at that moment on that day, walk away or pay, it's up to you... However, it's a bit daft to start arguing the toss over a few thousand dong if you don't know how much something should cost in the first place. Again, in the south and definitely not in the north, prices are generally clearly visible everywhere from coconut stalls to soup stalls and upwards. Even Ben Thanh market has the price of all veggies, fish and meat clearly visible - if you look :)

[Diana]

Thank you, Pieman, for taking your time to share your advice. I guess I will have to deal with situation, since I definately plan to stop by Ha Noi and Hue.

Suprisingly, it happened to me in a little food shop in Westminster, CA, which hold a major Vietnamese community. First time I bought Nuoc Mia for $3.00 a cup, with my boyfriend. The next time, I was by myself, and paid only $1.50. Another stragedy we came up with is to hide him, when we do go there. Him, being a white boy, will definately raise those prices :P And another one, is to contact my distant relatives and get to know the locals.

Once again, thank you for you advice. Me and my grandmother, though she can't read English that well, love your blog.