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*****
I had my first Okonomiyaki at the Ground Floor of the Akihabara Station in Tokyo in 1991. Since then, it became one of my favorite Japanese food. And I can say Kamon's Okonomiyaki is one of the best.
I was the first to arrive at 6:00PM and my first pancake was done by a local. 20 minutes past, when 'Obachan' checked the pancake, it was not properly done, she looked me in the eye (thinking I was watching them doing their thing), she suddenly discarded the pancake (lol). She then mixed another one and did the cooking herself. 2-mugs of Tiger and 40 minutes later, I had my first Okonomiyaki in Hanoi, Vietnam.
The Okonomi Sauce and the Kewpie Mayonnaise made it even more delicious. Obachan's Okonomiyaki is the real thing.
5/5 Stars for me.
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Columbia and The North Face Jackets. Anyone?
I thought of buying a jacket before going to Hanoi and I was surprised to find this shop selling these two well-known brands in Saigon.
Directions: The east-side of the famous Ben Thanh Market is Pham Boi Chao Street. Luu Van Lang St. runs perpedicular and turns into a night market from 6:00PM onwards. Shop #37 (Jackets Shop) is about 20 meters from the corner and is on the right-hand side.
I asked the shop owner where he gets his supplies and got a quick 'export over-run' answer. True indeed, the label says Made in Vietnam, complete with product information and tags. He's got a lot in his inventory, from Columbia's Titanium Full-Zip Windshell to 3-layered winter jackets; from The NorthFace's Optimus Jacket to Tri-climate jackets, available in different colours. Price range from VND 300,000 (US$18.75) to VND 800,000 (US$50.00).
I ended up buying three jackets, a black Columbia Titanium Windshell (VND350,000), a red 3-layered Interchange jacket (VND650,000), and a blue The NorthFace Tri-climate jacket (VND750,000). I don't know how much they sell these jackets elsewhere, but 3-jackets for US$110 is not bad at all.
Check it out.
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*****
Have you heard of ‘Banh Xeo’? It is one of Saigon’s great delicacy.
The most popular restaurant, and I’d say the best, with a pleasant atmosphere can be found at 46A Dinh Cong Trang Street, District 1, a shop aptly named “Banh Xeo”. They make the traditional Vietnamese wok-fried golden brown pancake at a very good price (VND 25,000).
Directions: From the City Centre, take Bus No. 3 (Saigon-An Nhon-Thanh Loc) and get off at the bus stop in front of the Tan Dinh Catholic Church in Hai Ba Trung Street. Dinh Cong Trang St. is right opposite the church. Walk 50 meters and 46A is on the left hand side (not the one on the right which is an imitator).
What is it? It is another savory southern Vietnamese dish that stimulates visitors’ palates. Fried crepes filled with shrimp, sliced pork, bean sprouts and mung beans. You can stuff yourself on a massive banh xeo served with a heaping pile of fresh mint, basil and lettuce.
How to eat? I, somehow, learned how to eat it by watching the locals. And this is how you are supposed to eat Banh Xeo: Break the crispy, stuffed crepes into pieces, wrap a piece into a leaf of lettuce, add a little mint, and then dip into the ‘nuoc mam’ (fish sauce) lightly spiked with chopped red chilli. Together the flavours blend an incredible crispy, savoury, minty and spicy mix! A fresh coconut juice or an ice-cold beer makes a great complement. Try it and enjoy one of Ho Chi Minh City’s best local dining experiences. This one is highly recommended.
“Bah Xeo”! I mean, Cheers!
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***
What can I say? If you need a clean massage, go to this place. Facility is great.
Directions: From the main gate of Saigon Zoological Garden along Nguyen Binh Khiem Street, walk two blocks towards Nguyen Dinh Chieu passing Le Duan St. It is on the left side about 50 meters from the corner of Nguyen Binh Khiem and Nhuyen Thi Minh Khai Streets.
Reduce body pain/aches; relieve stress, headache, backache, hangover, etc . . . try the 60 minutes full body massage from head to toe. You'll be surprised about the wonderful feeling afterwards.
Services PRICE LIST:
1.Body Massage : 60’ VND 100,000
2.Body Massage : 90’ VND 140,000
3.Body Massage : 120’ VND 190,000
4.Body Massage by AROMA essential oil : 60’ VND 170,000
5.Body Massage by AROMA essential oil : 90’ VND 240,000
6.Hot Stone Massage : 90’ VND 200.000
7.Herbal Massage : 90’ VND 200,000
Steam bath or the dry sauna is included in the package. As part of the 60' massage service, you will be given a 'taste' of the hot stone massage on your back. Believe me, it's the best!
Reminder: At the changing room, use the small nylon bag from the locker assigned to you to keep your valuables. BRING the nylon bag with you to the sauna and the massage room. NEVER leave your valuables in the locker.
Tipping: Minimum VND 50,000; be generous if you are satisfied with their services.
Tip: There are two lady therapists with the #8. They are both very good because they are trainors. Request for them, if they are available.
Enjoy the therapy!
Cheers!
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*****
I gave Pizza Monaco a 4/5 stars because of the day-old frozen pre-packed dough.
Sarpino's "Fresh dough, fresh ingredients and low fat cheese" was the answer to my cravings. I just love pizza!
This one is easy to find. Walk along Nguyen Hue Blvd. towards Ton Duc Thang, you will find The Sunwah Tower on the right. Sarpino's is behind this building.
Their Specialty Pizzas come in three sizes, Regular (9")(VND85,000), Large (12")(VND135,000) and XLarge (14")(VND185,000). Extra topping costs VND10,000 for R, VND20,000 for L and VND30,000 for XL. Extra chesse costs VND20,000 for R, VND30,000 for L and VND40,000 for XL. Thin and thick crusts. Available in Classico Italiano, Tropical Hawaiian Special, New York Deli, Spicy Chicken Delight, Greek Pizza, Primo Capicollo, Tandoori Chicken, Pesto Vegie, Mexicana, and Vegetarian. The New York Deli is comparable to Manhattan Pizza of Yellow Cab.
Gourmet Pizza costs VND10,000 more and come as Seafood Pizza, Pesto Lovers, Ranch Style Chicken, BBQ Chicken Bonanza, Spinach Special, and Calabria (home-made pizza sauce, ham, fresh mushroom, tomatoes, black olives, anchovies, topped with mozzarella and feta cheese).
You can also create your own pizza with the 28 great toppings to choose from.
Here's the best part: the VND69,000 Oven-baked Pasta. Baked Veggie Fettuccine, baked Seafood Portofino (prawns, crab meat, and baby shrimps blended in tomato and sweet basil sauce, served on fettuccine noodles), baked Lasagna, baked Spaghetti, baked Chicken Rice, and baked Seafood Rice. Only side orders available though: BBQ Wings and Chicken Nuggets (10pcs.), costing VND49,000 each.
This is one pizzeria i would recommend. Enjoy!
Cheers!
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Questions (0)
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Answers (4)
Posted Friday March 14th, 2008.
Hi,
There is another Church called Cua Bac Catholic Church (Northern Gate Church)located at the corner of Phan Dinh Phung and Nguyen Bieu in Ba Dinh District, south of the Truc Back Lake. You will not miss it because it has a very big compound.
Holy Rosary starts at 9:30AM, followed by the English mass at 10:00AM every Sunday.
St. Joseph's Catholic Cathedral has French & Vietnamese services only.
See you there.
In response to the question: I'm very much a new Hanoian having just arrive last night. Already I have a question. With Palm Sunday this weekend, and Easter right around the c...
Posted Saturday May 10th, 2008.
Air-conditioning 101: Energy-saving tip
Have you ever wondered what the "Dry-mode" of your air-conditioner is for? The one with the Water-drop icon on your remote control? You are in luck if you have it because you have one of those'fuzzy-logic', micro-computer controlled air-conditioners. Dry-mode, simply said, is removing excess moisture in the room.
Comfort-cooling is perfect at 24~25 degrees centigrade. This should be your setpoint temperature and optimal in energy efficiency/saving.
The setting works in a very simple way. The compressor runs for a certain period of time until the setpoint temperature is reached. Then, the fan is automatically switched off 1 minute later, and the accumulated water on the evaporator fins (indoor unit) drains to the outside. By coupling compressor and fan operation, intermittent operation can be precisely controlled according to room temperature so that air is efficiently dehumidified (roughly 40% humidity).
In the Cool-mode, when the compressor switches off (the outdoor unit), the indoor fan continue to operate and the remaining water on the evaporator is blown by the fan into the room again, making you feel humid.
When you enter your room, run the air-conditioner in Cool-mode at the setpoint temperature for about 30 minutes to bring down the temperature of the room rapidly. Then switch to Dry-mode afterwards. To save further, try to set the temperature to 26, or even 27, before going to bed, and believe me, you will still feel comfortable, and save money, while you are asleep.
By rule-of-thumb, a 1 deg.C temperature difference (from 27 to 26) increases energy consumption by 10%, and 2 deg.C (from 27 to 25) will cause an increase of 25%. Setting your air-conditioner to 20 deg.C will double your energy consumption. The Dry-mode is more energy-efficient as it uses half the current than the Cool-mode. Less compressor operation, more savings. Less indoor fan operation, more savings.
In response to the question: Just a quick one- Does anyone know if turning off the hot water switch at night is actually worth doing in order to save on electricity? I'm on the "b...
Posted Tuesday May 13th, 2008.
My colleague at work bought his iPhone at DigiWorld - 16 Hang Bai St. Hoan Kiem District, Tel # 04-9364333. They have unlocking service. The phone is made in the US with original SIM from provider. They unlocked the phone afterwards.
Word of advise: Unlocking service is thru software application ONLY , and NO hardware changes. So, when you have your phone serviced, say you just want your phone unlocked thru software. NEVER allow them to open your iPhone.
Remember: You are doing this at your risk.
In response to the question: Hi, I have just restored my iphone and I think its locked now as it can only make emergency calls... Does anyone knows anyone who can help me to un...
Posted Monday May 19th, 2008.
I got my rechargeable electronic mosquito bat (that looks like a tennis racket/badminton bat) for a marked down price of VND 39,900 at Big C last Sunday. It even has a small flashlight at the handle. You'll hear the 'zapping' sound when the mosquito is 'electrecuted' (lol).
In response to the question: Lately I've found myself being attacked rather vigourously by mosquitos whilst I'm sleeping, which I'm not enjoying. I can't seem to locate the insect...
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Jojo Santos
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Email New Hanoian Member SinceMonday February 18th, 2008
