Complicated problems with Vietnamese street foods

It is strongly advised that you should try street foods for many good reasons. According to J. Mirobiol (2011), "street vended foods are not only appreciated for their unique flavors, convenience and the role which they play in the cultural and social heritage of societies, they have also become important and essential for maintaining the nutritional status of the populations. Besides offering business opportunities for developing entrepreneurs, the sale of street foods can make a sizeable contribution to the economies of developing countries." However, in Vietnam, street foods pose such serious problems that the government is trying to tackle with.

1. The first and foremost issue is public health risks. The first reason is that in Vietnam, the origin of food is carefully not examined so it may contain many harmful substances. Secondly, the steps of making street are often in unhygienic conditions which encourage the development of harmful bacteria causing serious health problems such as cholera or food poisoning.

http://www.tinmoi.vn

2.  Besides food safety, sanitation is also a signification problem. The sellers tend to throw waste right on the streets which not only create an ideal environment for harmful bacteria but also cause water drain. The customers also play an important part in tossing paper tissues into the ground.

Source: google image

3. Traffic congestion is the last trouble I would like to mention. In Vietnam, most vendors locate in crowded places where they can sell more products. This can lead to massive traffic jam in rush hours which not only makes the customers feeling annoyed eating next to the jungle of vehicles but also makes the drivers irritated.

http://www.baogiaothong.vn

Reference:

1) Microbio, I. J. (2011). Street Vended Food in Developing World: Hazard Analyses.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3209856/

2) Street foods. (n.d.). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
http://www.fao.org/fcit/food-processing/street-foods/en/

A Good Meal with Nam Nguyen

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING!

PHO - Vietnam's National Spirit

As a food lover, I was really excited to write about street foods especially Vietnamese ones. Vietnamese street foods have a great reputation both for their taste and the way people enjoy it. Therefore, it would be my shortcomings if I did not mention “Pho”.

Enjoying Pho

“Pho” actually has its English name: Vietnam noodle soup. The average Pho has broth, rice noodle, herbs and meat (Wikimedia). These ingredients make the dish perfectly balanced between meat and vegetable or between ying and yang. Although Pho refers to the rice noddle, what makes it really outstanding is actually the broth which demands long time cooking and sophisticated techniques. It was even reviewed by the very hard-to-please American chef that “The best breakfast of my life was and will always be a bow of Pho”. There are a wide range of “Pho” that you can find in Vietnam.

Bun Cha: the vermicelli noodle served with grilled pork on the top

Source: Google Image

Bun Ca: Drill, fresh tomatoes and scallions swarm in the broth studded with humps of fish

Source: Google Image

Pho is a hot food, but you can enjoy it in all four seasons in Vietnam. The best place to have Pho is Hanoi; besides, we have Saigon, Hue and Nam Dinh also. 

I strongly believe that you will not disappoint having a bite of this dish. Hardly have my foreign friends eaten only one bowl, how do you know you may not be one of them someday when we meet?

Reference: 
1. Pho. (n.d). Retrieved October 29,2015 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pho

2. SGGP. (2013). Unique palatable taste of Vietnamese street food. Vietnam.Net.

http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/art-entertainment/66336/unique-palatable-taste-of-vietnamese-street-food.html

Ramadan month: A concern of street food safety

Standing a chance of going for a walk and enjoying appetizing street foods will really make you on cloud nine. Although there always exists a concern of hygiene, people from time to time can't help giving them a try. In Indonesia, this matter draws a lot of attention when it comes to Ramadan month. As you know, Indonesia is regarded as the largest Muslim nation in the world with 86 percent of population practise Islam. During that month, people have to fast during the daytime, and end a day with fine celebratory meals. Ramadan month, despite considerably contributing to economic development, poses a threat on people's health. It is in the Iftar right after this month that a great wealth of money is spent on food. And, the likely scenario is that Indonesian will be on the verge of being affected by poisonous dishes.

Muslims around the world are fasting in the month of Ramadan. EPA/Bagus Indahono

In a video named Street food safety worrries Indonesians, the streets are crowded with residents and hawkers. The foods are all colorful, which raises the suspicion of clothes dye. Some vendors utilize that kind of chemicals to draw the attention of consumers without taking the society health into consideration. It is alleged by the Indonesian Consumers Organisation that 12 percent of cases in Jakarta are found expired or gone off. That fine is imposed does not prevent the phenomenon.

Colorful street food in Ramanda month 

Therefore, we are recommended to protect ourselves by some small tips provided by Agness Walewinder in 5 Steps To Eat Safely From Street Vendors:

- Dont't drink the water from unknown source.

- Avoid raw vegetable.

- Observe the food in the process of being prepared and cooked. 

- Select busy street vendors.

- Pay a close attention to the tidiness of the warung, cooks or staff.

In conclusion, i still hold the opinion that street food play an important part in this day and age. Not only does it create a myriad of jobs for local inhabitants, but it also serves the function as a delight of people. In addition, it is also street food that show us a lot about a specific culture. 

REFERENCES 

1. Agness, W. (2014, April 23). 5 steps to eat safely from street vendors. eTramping. Retrieved November 3, 2015 from http://etramping.com/eat-safely-from-street-vendors/

2. Devianti, F. (2015, June 19). Food safety a concern as Indonesia observes fasting month. Channel NewsAsia. Retrieved November 3, 2015 from http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/food-safety-a-concern-as/1927554.html

3. Street food safety worries Indonesias. (2013, Augus 3). Retrieved November 3, 2015 from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wbcq-QojGwk

Bakso: The Indonesian Meatball

When deliberating which dish will be on the stage, i endeavoured to select the one featuring Indonesian cuisine. It must be representative! It must be ubiquitous! And, the most important point is that it must be delicious! Then, a myriad of articles about Obama's visit in Indonesia drew my attention. At that time, the story of the U.S. President's favourite food-bakso made the rounds on social media. Therefore, i want you to have an opportunity to enjoy this appetizing dish without having to take a flight to this "land of thousand islands". When obtaining an insight into bakso, i figure out that it bears a great resemblance to meatball in Vietnam with only some alternatives in ingredients and technique. 

Bakso or baso (Indonesian meat ball), which owes its origin to Chinese, is popularized in Indonesia by virtue of immigrant. Gradually, it becomes a household word in Indonesia, especially in Malang and Wonogiri. It is also this Indonesian street food that has captivated Obama’s taste since his childhood in this “land of thousand islands”. Coming under the spotlight during the President’s visit, Bakso is called by another name “Bakso Obama” for the purpose of advertisement.  

Bakso advertisement (ooyi.wordpress.com)

 Bakso with Obama ( www.youtube.com)

There exists a multitude of versions of Bakso in Indonesia; however, the method to make this dish is basically the same. In this post , I will introduce you beef meatball Bakso recipe.

Part 1: Make Bakso soup

Ingredients+Seasonings

-     400 g veal bone
-          4 liter fresh water
-          5 cloves garlic, fried and mashed
-          Red onion 4 cloves, fried and mashed
-          Fried onions 1/2 tablespoon, mashed
-          Sugar 2 tsp
-          salt 1 tbsp
-          Pepper 1/2 tsp
-          4 stalks scallion, white part, thinly sliced
-          Instant beef broth, 2 tsp

How to make:

-          First, boil the water.
-          Enter all of the ingredients and seasonings together including onions and garlic.
-          Wait until boiling and mature bone.
-          Then reduce the heat and let the sauce will still be above the stove.

Part 2: Make beef meatballs

Ingredients:

-          250gr ground beef
-          2 tablespoons fried shallots
-          1 tablespoon garlic fries
-          1/2 teaspoon pepper
-          1 tsp salt
-          50 g of starch
-          40 g ice cubes, crushed
-          2 ltr of water to boil baks

How to make:

-          First, insert the meat, pepper, onion, salt, and flour in a food processor or blender. Then, mill them until they are smooth and well-blended.
-          Add ice cubes if the batter is buckled and hard-formed.
-          Heat the water over low heat until almost boiling.
-          Grasp the dough and press to appear between your thumb and forefinger.
-          Cut with a spoon and put the meatballs in hot water.
-          Do it until all the dough is finished.
-          Raising the heat and cook until all the Bakso are cooked.

How to make meatball (ridhaskitchen.com)

        Health issue is raised when borax is said to be used in the process of making meatballs with a view to preserving and making bakso more chewy. For fear of a serious deterioration in health, Indonesian Food and Drug Administration listed it as an unhealthy food. Therefore, bakso is demanded to expel borax from its procedure. Another matter is that many producers might utilize imported offal from cattle to make meatball in order to reduce cost of producing. According to a Sydney Morning Herald article, "Beef hearts give the bakso its signature chewy consistency, while other offcuts like tongue, lips and spleen can also find their way into the bakso concoction, mixed in with a little minced meat, flour, fat, spices and preservatives"(Allard, 2011, para.6). 

        Without doubt, enjoying street foods is spectacular; however, the matter of hygiene should be taken into account. And, a possible solution is that you can make use of the recipe in this post to serve your family with a fresh delicious handmade dish!

      References 

 1. Allard, T. (2011, March 5). Indonesian bakso may soon lose vital Inndonesian ingredients.  Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved October 26, 2015,                 from http://www.smh.com.au/world/indonesian-bakso-may-soon-lose-vital-australian-ingredient-20110304-1bhzt.html

      2. Bakso. (n.d.). Retrieved October 26, 2015, from   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bakso

      3. Gultom, A. (n.d.). How to make bakso: the Indonesian favourite food. Indonesian Sky.       Retrieved October 26, 2015, from http://www.travelfoodfashion.com/how-to-make- bakso/#

Sketch of Indonesian street food

In Indonesia, cuisine, other than food, is considered to reflect history and culture. It provokes a long period under imperialism with “Dutch Indonesian” cuisine. It is also a prime manifestation of multiracial society. Now, let’s look at a distinctive perspective of this unique cuisine- Indonesian street food.

To begin, let me tell you why this country is my chosen destination. Apart from this project, i have another one with the analogous topic "Hanoi street food". On the spur of the moment, i intended to give my country a choice so that i was able to save a great wealth of time. However, after a few days of contemplation, i had a change of heart. The image of Bali, which has left a profound impression on me since the wedding of Hawick Lau (Luu Khai Uy) and Duong Mich was celebrated here, suddenly crossed my mind. Then, when conducting a quick research on the Internet, i was really captivated by Indonesian cuisine. Albert Einstein once said that  "Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere". At this moment in time, i can't afford a visit to this insular country; however, imagination in the process of completing this project will equip me with a golden chance of discovering an exhilarating perspective of Indonesia. Let's join with me in this fascinating journey!   

The “land of thousand islands” enchants visitors not only by spectacular scenery but also by its diverse street food, which varies from region to region. And, if Jakarta or Surabaya is your destination, you will stand a golden chance of enjoying one dish with scores of versions manifesting local and regional ingredients and customs. In particular, international influence is well-reflected in Indonesian street foods. 

In Indonesia, street food is carried by pedagang kaki lima, which means five feet. According to Wikipedia, five feet can be attributed to five-foot distance between urban buildings, or perhaps they are “three feet of the cart and two feet of the vendor.”Especially, each kind of street food is notified by a unique song. “For example, the bakso seller will hit the side of a soup bowl, whereas mie ayam is announced by hitting a wood block.”

www.kompasiana.com

1001fakta.blogspot.com

radiobuana.com

Another place that you can find street food is in warungs, small wood-made stalls with a bench for customers and a counter laying the food. Your breakfast will be wonderful wandering a myriad of warungs. In particular, a bowl of water with a slice of lime is provided for customers to wash hands before and after meals.

www.jotravelguide.com

Indonesian street food and renowned figure

U.S. President Barack Obama, who lived in Indonesia for four years as a child, was deeply moved when his favourite boyhood foods were served at a state dinner hosted by the Indonesian president in November 2010. He especially enjoyed several common street foods that were served at the dinner: bakso, or meatballs; nasi goreng, fried rice; emping, a puffy fried cracker made from the fruit of the Belinjo tree; and krupuk, a crunchy shrimp cracker. One of his teachers said that as a child, Obama’s nickname was “krupuk” because he loved the crackers so much. “Semuanya enak”, the president said at the end of the banquet. “Everything is delicious!”(Bruce & Colleen, 2013, p.185.)

Reference list

Bruce, K., Colleen, T.D. (2013), Street Food around the World: An Encyclopedia of Food and Culture, ABC-CLIO, California.

          “Indonesian Cuisine”, (Wikipedia),
         Available: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indonesian_cuisine 

Sugariness-Enjoy It Healthily

In Philippines, you can try various kinds of sweet street foods. However, those attractive snacks can have bad effects on your health. Let's see what will happen if you express an overblown love for the country's sweet dishes!


1,Tooth Decay

Here comes a shocking fact: Most of the Filipinos have dental health problems. About 85% Filipinos are diagnosed with tooth decay and only 30% of the citizens see the dentists regularly. 

 

www.shutterstock.com/video/search/?query=tooth%20decay&ref_context=related_term



2,Obesity

Over 23% Filipino adults are overweight and about 6% are obese. FAO (food and agriculture organization) said “In Philippines, the prevalence of overweight people is expected to increase significantly by 2015.” The reason is that Filipino add a large amount of salt and sugar into their diet. It can be said that, sweet foods beautifies the Filipino culture but defaces the Filipino people.

 

www.philstar.com/headlines/2014/10/20/1382165/phl-leads-countries-highest-obesity-levels

3, Hypertension

The fact is, enjoying Taho everyday like a Filipino might leads to serious cardiovascular diseases. DOH (Development of Health) diagnosed hypertension from about 80% of the Filipinos. As hypertension is hidden killer, people barely notice it until it get worse. Each year, more than 276 Filipino die every single day due to heart disease. An adequate amount of sugar is good for your health as long as you have the content under control.

https://philippinetrip2012.wordpress.com/category/group-two/page/2/

The Philippines is absolutely a wonderful country with a wonderful street cuisine, but your trip will be whole if you can enjoy it healthily. Just one thing for us to remember: Fun and Save!


References

1. Ong, W. T. (2012). Top 10 health agendas of the Philippines. Life Style.

www.philstar.com/headlines/2014/01/11/1277538/87.4-pinoys-suffering-tooth-decay
2. Crisostomo, S. (2014). 87.4% of Pinoys suffering from tooth decay. Philstar Global.

www.philstar.com/health-and-family/2015/10/27/1515383/more-1b-people-expected-have-hypertension-2025
3. Torres, T. (2014). Phl leads countries with highest obesity levels. Philstar Global.

www.philstar.com/headlines/2014/10/20/1382165/phl-leads-countries-highest-obesity-levels