An Edible Voyage

Each steaming bowl of noodle soup, known as pho, in Vietnam is as unique as the the person who's made it, and it's likely you'll have absolutely no idea what's gone in to it (that's all part of the fun!).  But what they all have in common is the incredible flavours, the comfort they emanate as you perch on a tiny wooden stool on the street, with your hands wrapped around a big bowl as you slurp away.  Satisfying, filling and wholesome.     

It was quite some time since I was in India but I felt I wanted to share some particular highlights.  It's the ultimate food paradise - a continuous heady mix of food sizzling street-side, the juiciest mangoes and papayas, tiny super sweet bananas, and of course copious little glasses of creamy, spicy chai with a samosa straight from the fryer as our obligatory daily breakfast.  It never ceased to amaze me how the Chaiwala could pour from such a height in a perfect arc without splashing it all over the floor. I remember the evening I arrived in Mumbai, my first night in India, lured to Chowpatty beach by the promise of a feast of food stalls and home of the vada pav, a battered potato ball served in bun with chutney.  In the end though, we were taken by the the masala dosas - paper thin rice and lentil pancakes overflowing from the plate, served with spiced potatoes and chutneys.   A fantastic place for people watching, Chowpatty boasts the most beautiful sunset...

March 2018 Manty are large steamed dumplings, filled with ground lamb, often served with yogurt and tomato sauce.  Find them on street stalls or at restaurants all around Bishkek. 

March 2020 I was very excited by this concept and couldn't wait to try it.  Imagawayaki, or wheel cakes, are a Taiwanese hand-held wheel of pancake enclosing a flavoured custard - matcha, chocolate, adzuki bean...  This had the potential to have a crispy outside and fluffy middle, oozing with sweet custard offset by matcha.  Unfortunately it was a bit soggy, I think from being cooked in batches earlier in the day, and the matcha was incredibly bitter.  But if you manage to get your hands on a fresh one, I think they could be great! Find it at Wheelcake Island, Seven Dials Market, London.