Dinner with friends at Nha Hang Ngon @ 160 Pasteur.On the table: Mien Xao Cua (glass noodles with crab) and Goi Cuon Chay (vegetarian fresh spring rolls).Cha Gio Chay (fried vegetarian spring rolls) Vegetarian Curry with noodles and Bot Chein (fried rice cakes with egg and slices of green mango)A drop by Thi Cafe @ 224 De Tham to watch "Like a Boss" throw down some future sounds.The return of a friend...Late night snack of Bo Bia Ngot.A crepe filled with coconut shards, honey comb, and black sesame seeds. Yummmmm.Acupuncture, massage, cupping and blood letting for two weary and worn souls, each with a whole different set of...
Head (South) East
Newlywed twenty-somethings living, eating, and teaching in Saigon, Vietnam. Restaurant reviews, Vietnamese cuisine, recipes, music, and observations of life in South-East Asia.
Latest Food Blogs from Head (South) East
Dining Out in Ballard: The Walrus and the Carpenter
The Walrus and the Carpenter is a bustling oyster bar on Ballard Avenue. Due to its immense popularity, patrons have to queue up before its opening time of 4 pm. Although this sounds incredibly painstaking, the plates of delectably fresh seafood make the process worthwhile. The Entrikins prepare for a feast...... we attempt to get in the proper mindset as well.As billed, the oysters are plentiful, diverse, and freshly shucked. We...
Home is Where Your Heart Swells: Seattle, Washington
Some things never change in the Pacific Northwest:Nellie's childhood art project remains intact in Madrona Park. Killer mosaic!Ezell's still churns out the best fried chicken in the world. For nearly thirty years, they have been keeping Seattle sated. Microbrewed Pale Ale in any shape, size, or color remains the best afternoon refreshment.The Ballard Locks is still the best place to have a good ole' fashioned fish & chips...
Possibly the Best Layover Ever, Part 3: Eating Unagi in Narita Village
Narita Town is famous for its freshly grilled unagi, Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica), that is sliced and diced kabayaki-style just minutes before arriving on your plate. The prices may seem a bit steep, but these eels are guaranteed to be procured locally in Japan, whereas most unagi now comes from China and other parts of SE Asia.After watching these expert butchers prepare the eel from a streetside vantage point, we knew we had to...
Re: Dispatch from Istanbul, Part 3: Disruption is the New Normal
Life continues and people are still fed up with Tayyip. The third in a series of posts by our man on the scene, Ned Entrikin:http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/06/09/dispatch-from-istanbul-disruption-is-the-new-normalTurkish protest music by legendary rock outfit Duman:
Possibly the Best Layover Ever, Part 2: Narita-san Shinshoji Temple
Just a twenty minute walk from Keisei Narita Station is the Shinshoji Temple complex. One of the most popular temples in Japan, it was first built in 940 by adherents of the Chizan School of Shinjon Buddhism and is dedicated to Fudomyo-o, the great God of Fire.Pilgrims and visitors crowded near the main temple grounds, but there was a scarcity of foreign visitors despite the proximity to Narita Airport.The approach to the main temple has a...
Re: Dispatch from Istanbul, Part 2: The Square and the Park
More from the frontlines and our correspondent Ned Entrikin. Looks like Taksim Square has remarkably transformed into one of Hakim Bey's famous TAZs (temporary autonomous zone). Power to the people...http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/06/07/dispatch-from-istanbul-the-square-and-the-parkAll photos courtesy of Ned Entrikin----------------------------------------We are all Capulcu!
Re: Dispatch from Istanbul
Fascinating first-hand reportage and pictures from our beloved brother Ned Entrikin:http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/06/05/dispatch-from-istanbulAll pics courtesy of Ned Entrikin-----------------------And for those who need a bit of context this video gives a great account of the last week in Istanbul:-----------------------------------------More links to keep yourself informed and updated:Protest Group Gives Turkish Official a...
What Were Listening To (In The Summer of 2013)
Summer It Shakes Right Through: A Melange of New Music for Your Consideration------------------------------Mikal Cronin | "Weight" | MCII | Merge; 2013The National | "Don't Swallow The Cap"/ "Sea of Love" | Trouble Will Find Me | 4AD; 2013 Vampire Weekend | "Step" | Modern Vampires of the City | XL; 2013 Sam Amidon | "My Old Friend" | Bright Sunny South | Nonesuch; 2013 Junip | "Line of Fire" / "Your Life, Your Call" | Junip | Mute; 2013 The So...
Possibly the Best Layover Ever: Narita, Japan (Part 1)
We had a nine-hour layover at Narita International Airport outside of Tokyo. Instead of taking the train into the city, we opted for a short jaunt into the town of Narita. Our decision proved to be wise...A 10 minute ride on the Keisei Main Line drops you in the center of Narita City. Walk down the main drag, Omotesandou, for a quaint stroll through a land of souvenirs and tasty treats.Our first stop was at a bakery for some...
Vietnam Lit: Pham Thi Hoais Sunday Menu
Pham Thi Hoai's Sunday Menu is an eclectic group of short stories depicting life in Vietnam in the 1990's, a nebulous time of economic and social restructuring in which the delineation of traditional male/female relationship dynamics began to blur. Her characters are vague, existentially-inclined, and self-deprecating - overtly aware of their own personal inadequacies living under the shadow of rigid cultural expectations, but resigned to...
