Tag: rice pancake

My Son is me sun

Today I am taking a day trip to the UNESCO World Heritage site My Son Sanctuary from my hotel in Hoi An (Vietnam).

The name ‘My Son’ looks like you are saying “my son” but it is actually pounced “me sun”.

These Hindu temples were built between the 4th and 14th century by the Champa Kingdom. My tour guide referred to it as little Angkor Wat. These temples are smaller and less impressive than the temples in Cambodia but are dated earlier and look similar, thus the nickname. My Son is impressive but I agree with the criticism that maybe it is not as impressive if you have seen Angkor Wat first. Luckily my first visit to Angkor Wat is later in my travels.

This UNESCO site had lots of destruction in the war (B52 bombing in 1969 and 1972) as the south Vietnamese were using the temples to hide out.

Researchers are still discovering how they were originally constructed in order to try to repair them. During my visit I saw temples in various states of repair.

Bomb site

There is a heritage dance show. It is standing room only in the very back for me. I only catch a short glimpse of it.

It starts to rain, people head for cover but I find it to be a great time to walk around with thinner crowds.

When our tour of My Son is complete we visit a lady who makes rice paper. We get a demonstration on how they are made.

We learn how the the rice flour is made, we see the fire below, and watch her spread the mixture.
I try my hand at it. I spread the substance and when it is cooked I transfer it to a cooling rack.
Using rice crackers we make a tasty snack with the rolled up rice pancake. Locals take these as snacks. It is pretty good.

We are taken to a local house where we are served a delicious meal family style. We are instructed on how to wet the dry rice sheets and make wraps filled with delicious toppings.

Our day is finished with a short boat ride.

Eating my way through Hue

It is my last day in Hue. Yesterday was busy so I take it easy today.

I return to Hahn restaurant since my last experience was so good.

Banh Beo chen

These are steamed rice cakes, about the size of a silver dollar, that come five to eight pieces to an order, topped with dried shrimp, pork cracklings, shallots and herbs and served with a dipping sauce, steamed and served in small ceramic saucers.

Banh Nam

Yet another delicious steamed rice savory cake, this time flat, with a mixture of fried ground shrimp, pork and scallions pressed into the surface before it’s wrapped in banana leaves then steamed. I guess this dish is kind of similar to the other dish I order.

  • Passionfruit juice

Later I eat at my hotel Serene Palace Hotel . The hotel restaurant Serene Palace Restaurant isn’t bad. I got to try a couple more regional dishes.

Fried Spring Rolls

I believe these were made with glass noodles, vegetables and pork. Served on a fun pineapple.

Fried Spring Rolls

Lemongrass Chicken

Seasoned and breaded chicken cooked on a skewer made of lemongrass.

Lemongrass chicken