Arrival in Dong Hoi and the weather is not great.
I took over Couchfish for a week, bringing readers to Central Vietnam along the former Demilitarized Zone. Continue reading Couchfish Day 93: Gearing up
A moveable feast: Missing the joys of dining out in Southeast Asia
Coronavirus has the world examining and reimagining food
After reading “Life-Changing Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs”, I knew I had a problem.
Continue reading A moveable feast: Missing the joys of dining out in Southeast Asia
An obsession with khao soi, Lao rice noodles
Updated November 4, 2024
Khao soi are flat rice noodles, commonly served in a namesake noodle soup heaped with a bolognese of pork and fermented soybean paste.
Continue reading An obsession with khao soi, Lao rice noodles
Essay: The journey so far and the most interesting place in the world
In October 2017, The New York Times announced they were hiring a “writer at large” for an ambitious stint: to visit every single destination on their list of 52 places to travel in 2018, producing stories about each location and life on the road. Continue reading Essay: The journey so far and the most interesting place in the world
Khao poon, the noodle of Laos
Updated November 4, 2024
A mouthwatering look at khao poon, the noodle of Laos.
Ethnic minority villages in Kon Tum
KON TUM, Vietnam— “Take a photo of this,” Huynh said as we sat in a simple wooden Mnam longhouse. “In 20 years, this way of life will be gone. Modern life is a tsunami.” Continue reading Ethnic minority villages in Kon Tum
The Living Land Organic Farm in Luang Prabang
I can’t quite believe I’m knee deep in s*** with Susan and having a blast. Susan seems indifferent – not that you’d expect much emotion from a water buffalo. She’s been teaching visitors to The Living Land Organic Farm in Luang Prabang how to plow rice fields for three years and today is just another day at the office. Continue reading The Living Land Organic Farm in Luang Prabang
Noodles of northern Laos
Updated November 4, 2024
In Laos, sticky rice is the main staple — but if sticky rice is the president of the Lao diet, then noodles are like its running mate. Fresh or dried, wide and flat or thin and round, morning, noon or night, noodlse of northern Laos can be eaten as a meal in itself or as a side dish. Continue reading Noodles of northern Laos
Kon Tum War Tour
When we inquired about touring the sites related to the Vietnam War, Mr Huynh paused, visibly perplexed.
“In my 15 years of doing this, no tourist has ever asked me to do a war tour. Only veterans or professors. Why do you want to do the tour?” Continue reading Kon Tum War Tour
Free the Bears Laos
When five-month old Kobe arrived at the Tat Kuang Si Bear Rescue Centre, he was traumatised. His mother had been shot and killed by hunters. Kobe had been caught, noosed, bound tightly by all four legs, tied to a length of bamboo and carried through the jungle. Continue reading Free the Bears Laos