I'm getting chubs...

...I need to start developing some self control and learn how to say no to the people who keep taking me out. I mean, I'm here for 6 months so no need to over indulge right? Well, still iphone-ing it but hopefully these pictures still speak louder than words. :P

I have SO MUCH fruit now that my landlord and her kid give it to me daily! This is what I got when I moved in and now on day 4 here I also have jackfruit, watermelon, grapefruit, and still one more na left in the fridge. LOOOL.
 

This is baba chien or fried turtle. Hehe, I actually didn't order this but it was a picture in the menu. The table next to us ordered turtle blood to take shots of before their meal though.

At a fancier (though there's plenty fancier in VN) seafood restaurant called "Nha Hang Pho Bien" or "Beach Town Restaurant" with mum and cousin.

Red pepper clams

Grilled squid 

Second lau (aka hot pot) of the day. This is seafood hot pot and for lunch my now old VN roomie and her friends made me crab lau with beef, chicken, noodles, and veggies. Did I mention we also had banh my pate for a lunch appetizer? Yeah, I was stuffed that day.

My mom's favorite restaurant: Quan An Ngon...this place is aite since it has a nice atmosphere and decent food but I think the street food is a bit better. :P

That's my cousin in the foreground and I'm riding on the back of his friend's motorcycle behind him. This is on the way home after he spent time teaching me to ride a motorbike for about an hour.

This is pho cuon ngan - pho noodles that are giant and used to wrap up different meats and veggies. We chose to wrap up duck/goose. In the background is yummy fried corn kernels.

Coolest thing about being acquainted with Hanoi is that I get to introduce my family (VN locals from Saigon and my parents) to northern cuisine. This is their first time trying all the stuff we ordered and they said it was delicious. My mom even took pictures and asked for cooking advice form the owner. Maybe now my mom will listen to me about eating outside Quan An Ngon!

Nem Xoi va Ngan - This is sticky rice wrapped in rice paper and fried that you eat with sweetened BBQ duck dipped in fish sauce with fresh mint. YUMS!

Of course, you gotta eat cha ca thang long in Hanoi! Fried tumeric fish with dill and lots of green onions grilled in oil and eaten with herbs, rice noodles, and shrimp paste.

My old co-worker Lan Anh to spend a night together of eating, shopping, and chatting over coffee/tea.

Last but not least another classic northern dish - Bun Cha, BBQ pork in a fish saucey broth eaten with rice noodles and a ton of veggies. Not featured is nem hai san - seafood and pork wrapped in rice paper and fried to eat on the side. HEHEHE, all this cost me about $2.50. woot woot!