Letter from Saigon
I got an email a couple of weeks back from a well-known Vietnamese food fan and Vietnamophile, Anthony Bourdain of Kitchen Confidential fame. I asked if I could share it with you and he agreed - the links are mine. Plenty of readers mentioned his writing to me over the years, but it was this podcast interview that really impressed me. I'm just happy folk that want good food in Saigon still find this blog interesting and useful :)
I'm currently back in Saigon after long absence, and shooting an episode of my show. Your amazing blog has quickly become the default resource for me and for my production crew.
"Bun oc? better check with noodlepie before we commit." (We wisely went with Than Hai Bun Oc) "Can we find the time to jam in a banh mi scene at xiu ma? It sounds fucking amazing!" (we'll probably just have crew meal there)
If any further evidence was needed that conventional print media food writing is doomed to irrelevance, then a quick comparison between your heroic good works and anything ever written for the New York Times or any major glossy will settle the matter in a heartbeat. If I had to support myself writing travel and food pieces for magazines, I'd be looking at the shower head in my hotel room and considering whether it would support my weight should choose to hang myself. Instead, I'm shamelessly taking full advantage of your pioneering footwork.
Should it matter to you, my admiration for your work and for your passion for Viet Nam and Vietnamese street food is boundless. I shall salute you over my very next Irn Bru and acknowledge your site--and my debt to it-- loudly, relentlessly and at every opportunity.
best and thank you,
Tony Bourdain
"Bun oc? better check with noodlepie before we commit." (We wisely went with Than Hai Bun Oc) "Can we find the time to jam in a banh mi scene at xiu ma? It sounds fucking amazing!" (we'll probably just have crew meal there)
If any further evidence was needed that conventional print media food writing is doomed to irrelevance, then a quick comparison between your heroic good works and anything ever written for the New York Times or any major glossy will settle the matter in a heartbeat. If I had to support myself writing travel and food pieces for magazines, I'd be looking at the shower head in my hotel room and considering whether it would support my weight should choose to hang myself. Instead, I'm shamelessly taking full advantage of your pioneering footwork.
Should it matter to you, my admiration for your work and for your passion for Viet Nam and Vietnamese street food is boundless. I shall salute you over my very next Irn Bru and acknowledge your site--and my debt to it-- loudly, relentlessly and at every opportunity.
best and thank you,
Tony Bourdain
No doubt, this site is still *the* go-to. Stopped here for banh trang recos before the last trip to Saigon and we were not disappointed....
Cheers and Happy Holidays!
Posted by: Robyn | December 23, 2008 at 02:19 AM
Very cool.
Posted by: The Guilty Carnivore | December 25, 2008 at 10:22 PM
Wow. Praise indeed.
I always wanted to get him cooking with the kids at KOTO.
Posted by: Steve Jackson | December 27, 2008 at 08:00 PM
Good to hear from you all. Seasons greetings and all that.
Funny thing about Banh Trang in Saigon. I can only recall 4 or 5 places that do it. There must be more, just surprised it's not easier to find.
Oh and Steve. I found something in Toulouse this week that I know you're gonna love.
Posted by: Graham | December 29, 2008 at 10:37 AM
Great stuff. Bourdain's love for Vietnam and its food is always an enjoyable read (or listen or watch).
BTW, I remember the Banh Mi Thit Nuong fondly from my days living nearby!
Posted by: Mike | January 01, 2009 at 04:36 PM
THIS IS INCREDIBLE.
I've always loved bourdain
Posted by: WOW | January 05, 2009 at 10:54 PM
Very impressive!!! Glad to see that you're getting the recognition/admiration you deserve for your work =)
Posted by: anh | January 06, 2009 at 12:23 AM
Cool--great email, classic Bourdain writing style.
He and your blog were a couple of the half dozen or so influences to my interest in and travels to Vietnam.
Posted by: JC | January 06, 2009 at 06:36 AM
Mike, if it wasn't for you none of us would have ever heard of the banh mi thit nuong on Nguyen Trai ;)
Posted by: Graham | January 06, 2009 at 10:07 AM
Damn! Is Bourdain trying shag you or compliment you? It's the best love letter I've ever read. Seriously, I'm only jealous.
Good for you!
Miss your work,
Eddie
Posted by: | January 19, 2009 at 07:08 PM
I think noodlegirl would have something to say about that Eddie ;)
And hey, I miss my work :( Still chatter about heading back there sometimes. Not sure if it's just idle chat, but if the right opportunity came up I reckon we'd go for it.
Love French food, open spaces, the ability to walk everywhere I want without stepping over motorbikes, dodging street vendors and tripping over pot holes. But, maaan I miss the food :(
PS. Just read an interview with AB - quite interesting. He really loves Vietnam that guy.
http://dcist.com/2009/01/chewing_the_fat_anthony_bourdain.php
Posted by: Graham Holliday | January 20, 2009 at 01:20 PM
never been a fan of his. glad he appreciates you though.
Posted by: santos. | March 23, 2009 at 11:16 PM