Category: INTERNATIONAL FOOD

PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA 🇰🇭: FOOD & DRINK SEP-OCT 2026

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October 2026

SAIGON, VIETNAM 🇻🇳 FOOD: BáNH Mì HUỳNH HOA

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Homemade Salted Butter Banh Mi – So thick, it looks like cheese!

Bánh Mì Huỳnh Hoa. The most famous banh mi in Saigon. Possibly in all of Vietnam.

📍26 Le Thi Rieng, District 1.


🥖 I got one with the homemade salted butter. I’m not a fan of the paté, so I got a really basic one. But, it was still delicious. The one that everyone stands in line for is heavy and includes 13 ingredients.

Been open 35+ years. Founded by Mrs. Le Kim Hoa, whose father ran a street stall near the Phu Dong roundabout selling bread.

Every single day, there are lines of locals and tourists stretching out onto the road.

“Every banh mi has 13 ingredients: pate, sausage, Vietnamese sausages, butter, ham, pork floss, char siu, herbs, pickled carrot and radish, cucumber, chili, mayo, and bread that’s crusty outside and pillowy inside. It’s the heaviest banh mi you’ll ever hold.“

April 2026

SAIGON, VIETNAM: 12 DAYS OF FOOD IN MARCH

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Bánh mì. The French left behind Catholicism, colonial architecture, and the baguette. Vietnam kept all three and improved at least one of them. The Vietnamese baguette is lighter and crispier than the French original because they cut the wheat flour with rice flour, which makes the crust shatter when you bite into it. Inside for me: pickled daikon and carrot, cucumber, cilantro, eggs, pork or whatever protein you point at. I bought mine outside a Circle K because that’s where the cart was. It cost 20,000 VND. Less than a dollar. I ate it sitting on a red plastic stool on the sidewalk like everyone else. The Circle K behind me sells sandwiches too. Nobody goes inside.
Cơm tấm sườn. Broken rice with grilled pork. This is the one. If you forced me to eat one meal for the rest of my time in Vietnam, this is it and I wouldn’t complain. A plate of broken rice, a slab of pork chop grilled until the edges go dark and sweet, sliced cucumber on the side, and then the woman pours green onion oil over the whole thing from a small bowl like she’s anointing it. If she doesn’t do it, I will. The rice isn’t broken by accident. It’s the fractured grains left over from milling, originally poor people’s food, now the signature dish of Saigon. Every neighborhood has a cơm tấm stall. Every one of them thinks theirs is best. I haven’t found one that’s wrong. The pork is marinated in lemongrass and fish sauce and garlic and sugar, and when it hits the charcoal grill the smell travels half a block and pulls you in by the stomach before your brain can object. It costs about 35,000 to 50,000 VND. That’s less than two dollars. I eat it almost every day and I’m not tired of it.
Phở. I’m not going to pretend I have something original to say about phở. Everybody writes about phở. But nobody tells you what it feels like at 7am on a plastic stool in District 1 when the broth has been simmering since 3am and the woman hands you a bowl so hot the steam fogs your sunglasses. You add the herbs yourself from a plate on the table. Tear the basil. Squeeze the lime. Drop in the chili. The noodles are flat and soft and you pull them up with chopsticks and they never quite make it to your mouth without dripping broth down your chin and nobody cares because everyone around you is doing the same thing. Phở in Saigon is not the same as phở in Hanoi. Southerners add hoisin and sriracha. Northerners think this is a crime. I’m not getting involved. I just eat it.
Cơm tấm sườn

What I’ve been reminded of about eating in Saigon: the best food is never inside a building. NEVER. The best food has no menu, or a menu you can’t read, or a menu that’s just a woman pointing at what she’s already made. The best food costs less than two dollars. The best food finds you.

Canh bí đỏ nấu thịt bằm. Pumpkin soup with ground pork. This one showed up as a side dish at a com binh dan place, one of those everyday rice-and-whatever restaurants where you point at trays behind glass and they load your plate. The soup is clear broth with chunks of golden pumpkin, loose ground pork, and chopped green onions. Nothing in it is trying to impress you. It’s the kind of thing someone’s mother made because the pumpkin was ripe and there was pork in the fridge. It was ok and I’ll drink the broth if it is served on the side again. It isn’t something I would order as a standalone.

March 2026

THIMPHU, BHUTAN CAFÉS: THE HOPE CAFÉ

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Hope Beyond the Spiral Staircase – The Hope Café in Thimphu

Kinley’s (the owner) wife, does all of the artwork for the cozy café.

Nestled atop Changlam Plaza, The Hope Café is a hidden gem that feels like a reward for those who follow the winding spiral staircase. Its journey to existence is as inspiring as the quotes that adorn its walls. Kinley Phurbo, the Bhutanese heart behind the café, brings a Starbucks-trained touch to Thimphu, having honed his craft in Kuwait before returning home with a dream.

Kinley Phurba, the friendly and passionate owner.

A Café with a Story

The Hope Café opened its doors in January 2020, a time that seemed anything but hopeful as the world shut down for COVID-19 just months later. Yet, Kinley’s passion for café culture and community resilience helped The Hope Café endure. It’s now a thriving space for locals and travelers alike, offering more than just coffee—it’s a symbol of perseverance.

Ambiance & Experience

Step inside, and you’re greeted by warm lighting, colorful local art, and walls filled with uplifting quotes. The atmosphere is both comforting and energizing, perfect for a casual coffee or a long conversation. Despite its challenging upper-floor location, the journey up feels symbolic—sometimes, you have to climb to find hope.

The Menu: Where East Meets West

Coffee lovers will appreciate the extensive drink menu, featuring familiar Starbucks-inspired favorites like caramel macchiatos and mocha frappuccinos. But The Hope Café doesn’t stop there. Its food menu is equally impressive, with hearty meals, light bites, and even alcoholic beverages for an evening wind-down. This blend of Western-style café offerings with Bhutanese hospitality makes it a standout in Thimphu.

Delicious Caramel Macchiato, 140 Ngultrum = $1.65 usd

Why It’s Worth the Climb

In a city where Western cafés are rare, The Hope Café is a refreshing retreat. Whether you’re here for a quick espresso, a leisurely meal, or simply a moment of peace among hopeful words, you’ll leave feeling uplifted.

Next time you’re in Thimphu, follow the signs, climb the spiral staircase, and let The Hope Café remind you that sometimes the best places are those you have to work a little harder to find.

I discovered this place on 29November2024, so all of the information is up-to-date.

Location:

213 Chang Lam, Norzin, Thrim Throm, Thimphu, Bhutan

Hours:

Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday: 11:00am – 10:00pm

Wednesdays- closed

Google Maps Location

IG: @the_hope_cafe

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO 🇲🇽 FOOD: BEAUTY & TASTE

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The first taco 🌮 upon arrival! Beef taco at the Taqueria across the street from my hotel on Juventino Rosas.
Probably my favorite meal of all – a chicken quesadilla with sauces that burn 🔥 your face off, at El Moreno, in the Tepito Market.
Torta de Tamal 🫔 – Mole!
Chicken taco 🌮
Carne Enchilada
Chicken Flautas
Donut 🍩! From one of the many bakeries around…
Huevos Rancheros at Mexico’s version of a greasy spoon diner called Peltre.

Jan2024

COCOA BEACH, FLORIDA: FOODIE TIME

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After a most recent two-year stint abroad, I returned to Cocoa Beach for a few months in the fall of 2023 and decided to treat it like a little foodie holiday. I love exploring towns for the best Eggs Benedict, so that’s where I started. 😊

Simply Delicious Café & Bakery 125 N Orlando Ave

After years of passing by this spot, usually with a long line, I finally got in, and it was well worth it. A true traditional Benny.

4th Street Fillin Station Gastrobar & Grill 382 N. Orlando Ave

Whenever I can, I‘ll upgrade to a Crab 🦀 Benny. Real crabmeat.

Whisk & Grind 410 N Atlantic Ave

Another Crab Benny with potato salad on the side. This was a new place since I was last here, so I was excited to try it. I think this was an off day for the staff – took a really long time, lots of faux-like apologies, and then the eggs aren‘t actually poached. Lazy, sloppy. This was disappointing, but the menu is extensive and looks like it should be tasty, so I‘d try it again, and would still encourage others to give the other items on the menu a try.

The Green Room Café 222 N 1st St The Secret Spot – Delicious chicken burrito with black beans and brown rice. Big. With chips, salsa, hot sauce, and sour cream on the side.
The Green Room Café 222 N 1st St The Backdoor Burger – A Beyond Burger with Cheese and caramelized onions Delicious!

The Green Room Café is perfect – “Colorful health-conscious cafe doling out organic sandwiches, soups & smoothies plus vegan fare” – the ONLY meat item is the chicken in the Secret Spot above. Otherwise it’s all vegetarian and vegan.

Salty Bagel 25 S Atlantic Ave Hot Honey – egg, bacon or sausage, cheese, cream cheese, hot honey drizzle

Another new place since I was last here. A great addition to the town.

Squid Lips 2200 S. Orlando Ave Thai Chicken Burger with Fries

Delicious burgers, but pricier than other spots in CB.

Taco City 2955 S. Atlantic Ave El Macho – Chicken burrito smothered in Enchilada sauce – Limitless Chips and salsa
Taco City 2955 S. Atlantic Ave El Hombre – Shredded beef burrito smothered in cheese sauce – Limitless Chips and salsa

A cool little place with staff that remembers you and wants to make sure you never run out of sour cream, salsa, water, or beer. Reasonable prices. Looking forward to trying their famous ‘chings’ and guacamole next.

Cocoa Beach, Florida – Autumn 2023

TALLINN, ESTONIA 🇪🇪 CUISINE: Part 6

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Tallinn, Estonia 🇪🇪 Cuisine, Part 6
1,2,3: Potato 🥔 & Onion 🧅 Cheburek @samsa_family_bakers
4 & 5: Hamburger 🍔 & Chicken Risotto @viktuscatering
6: CBD Brownie #coffeeshoptallinn
7: Sweet and Sour Chicken and Rice #chinainn
8: Eggs Benedict @rukiskohvik
9 & 10: Best Cinnamon bun in town at Pulla Sourdough Bakery @pullabakery
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Tallinn, Estonia 🇪🇪
October and November 2022

TALLINN, ESTONIA 🇪🇪 CUISINE: PART 4

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1&2: Kim Yum 🍜 @kimijimitallinn
3&4: Kaurma Lagman @samsa_family_bakers
5: Butter Chicken & 🍚 @cinnamon_restoran
6,7,&8: Grill 🍔 & 🍠 🍟 @grillpruul 9&10: Butter Chicken and Pakora @maharajarestoran

Tallinn, Estonia 🇪🇪
September 2022

TALLINN, ESTONIA 🇪🇪 CUISINE: PART 3

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Tallinn Cuisine, Part 3.
1&2- Tuna Melt at @soshellfish.viru
3&4- Pizza 🍕 Pepperoni at @locaestonia
5&6- Potatoes and Onions Pelmeni & Shrimp and Salmon Pelmeni @pelment1
7&8- Brioche with Poached Egg and Bacon 🥓 & Brioche with Poached Egg and Salmon 9&10- Flat White ☕️ at @papermillcoffee in Viru Keskus

Tallinn, Estonia 🇪🇪
Sep2022

TALLINN, ESTONIA 🇪🇪 CUISINE: PART 2

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Tallinn Cuisine, Part 2
1&2: Diavola 🍕 @kolmtilli @kolmtillitallinn
3: Kim Yum 🍜 and Prawn 🍤 rice noodles @kimijimitallinn
4: Vanilla and Chocolate gelato 🍨 @kylmjaatis
5,6,&7: Pear 🍐 Tart and a Flat White at @gallery.cafe.tallinn
8&9: Pepperoni 🍕 at @basiilikrestoran in Rotterman Quarter
10: Kebab Box at #ViruKebab

Tallinn Estonia 🇪🇪
Sep2022