Hanoi Train Street @ the Capital City of Vietnam

As many of you are aware, Bangkok is top on my list whenever I need a breather outside of Singapore yet strangely; despite the hype of the Mae Klong Railway Market, I have never been keen to check it out. 

It's a somewhat different story at Hanoi. I still wasn't keen but since it was within walking distance from Bonsella Hotel; the pertinent question is, why not? 

We were immediately approached by one of the cafe owners and agreed to walk over to her cafe since we didn't have any specific cafe in mind. Wrong move in my opinion as the track was curved and more cafes can be found further down. p.s. having said that, owner was friendly and our coffee was decent. 

If you like cats, you can consider this cafe instead as there were four docile felines; one of which had very unique eye colors! Our friend, Lock, was obsessed with them! 

Train would be coming towards us from the picture above and most cafes would not be concentrated here. Anyway, I am wondering if the cafes can still operate as my visit was in April and I understand there were calls for the tracks to be closed to tourists due to numerous safety incidents. 

Looked like there was a natural tunnel for the train right ahead. I was too lazy to walk all the way and since this was a working train track; the risk was high that I would get myself killed. 

Walking back towards 'civilization'. 

And the prettier section with more cafes that flanked both sides of the train track. While trains do run daily, do note they run at night / early morning on weekdays. Do check the web for the latest schedule so that you wouldn't be disappointed. 

Someone took a sign and put it right in the middle of the train track! 

Does it mean the track would be closed?! 

Just a warning sign although it did beget the question; I am already on the other side and what should I do if I need to cross over to the other side? Remember, this is a long train track. 

Back of the sign. Hm.... although common sense, the last I heard was that someone was actually hit by a moving train recently and the driver had to do an emergency brake. While such train streets are interesting, for the sake of safety, I do agree that it's best to limit public access to the train tracks. 

Better picture of the train street. 

More cafes in the area, with wall murals, hanging lanterns that made it a prettier setting for photo-taking. Unlike Mae Klong Railway Market, this train street had a more chillax vibe. 

Those afraid of being hit by the trains can consider the upper levels that some cafes had. Just be mindful as there's no modesty panel.

Fridge magnets for the tourists.

Wall mural; what I would love to see would be antique photographs of the train street. The railway was built over a hundred years ago by the French and it would be nice to see contrast the differences from past and now.

Aside from Vietnamese coffee and drinks, you can also get food. Unfortunately for us, Bonsella Hotel provided breakfast and despite being drawn to the aroma, I needed to control my food intake!

Random photos for your viewing pleasure.

As we were waiting for the arrival of the train, there was suddenly a flurry of activity and we were asked to go into the shop instead! Similar to what we encountered at Hanoi beer street! Apparently, the setup was too near to the incoming train and I bet many cafes along the track were affected. 

Video of the incoming train! 

The aftermath of the train street. I would think it's nicer if I was in the train, instead of being outside the train. Frankly, I didn't think it was a big deal to check out the train street but if you have some time to spare; why not? 

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Address

3 P. Trần Phú, Hàng Bông, 

Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội 100000, Vietnam

Map

As above. 

Guidelines for Train Street

As above

Click here for my Week-Long Itinerary to Hanoi - City of Lakes @ Vietnam

Fish Feeding at Saphan Han Bridge along Khlong Ong Ang Walking Street in Bangkok Chinatown [Thailand]

Khlong Ong Ang Walking Street is supposed to be one of the newer attractions in Bangkok Chinatown although I think it still needs plenty of work to draw in the crowds as most people would likely only pass by the street if they explore Sampeng Market all the way to the end.  

For me, what attracted me was this tiny, moveable counter that offered fish food pellets and bread for 10 baht, which was less than Singapore 50 cents. I knew for a fact that someone will be very interested; Alex! 

Honestly, the canal water didn't look promising and I was prepared to assume that my money, no matter how small, would gone down the drain, literally. 

Just a swing of my wrist and the resulting movements were shocking! Not only were there plenty of fishes; they appeared to be huge, like catfishes! 

I did all these while waiting for Alex, as he was having a relaxing time going through the shopping at Sampeng Market whereas I am the impatient kind who doesn't like to waste too much time browsing things I have no interest in. 

Anyway, a video for your viewing pleasure! 

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Location Map

As above.

Pricing

10 Baht for a Full Bottle of Fish Feed

Peeled Roasted Chestnuts @ Chinatown Yaowarat in Bangkok [Thailand]

Chinatown in Bangkok, also known as Yaowarat, is well-known for its food street when night falls between Tuesdays and Sundays. Aside from seafood, the other item commonly sold was roasted chestnuts! 

I love roasted chestnuts and the prepacked versions just can't find those that were freshly roasted. However, there is a disadvantage - the outer shells are so hard to peel, and if you are down on luck; the 'nuts' within might turn out to be not fully cooked, or rotten. A great disappointment after all the hard work! 

Here's the moment I would like to introduce you to this makeshift stall that I had been patronizing for my past two visits to Bangkok. The quality of chestnuts was so good; I was tasked to haul one kilogram back to Singapore for my dearest mom! 

Like mother, like son; my mom doesn't enjoy peeling roasted chestnuts, and this particular stall had the added advantage, of peeled, roasted chestnuts! Nowadays, more stalls offered the same service but me being a loyal customer means I am happy going back to this same stall.  

What I did in my recent visit was to order from the friendly aunties, who spoke Teochew, before breakfast at Tee Yok Coffee - Klongthom, and then return to collect on my way back to Hotel Royal Bangkok. p.s. Hotel Royal Bangkok is our preferred stay at Chinatown! 

Loving them and regretting not buying an extra kilogram so that I can slowly divulge once I am back in Singapore! Well, maybe I can steal a few when I am back to my parents' place for dinner tomorrow. 

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Location

At the corner of Pichaiyat Building, that had a Lotus supermarket. Intersection of Yaowarat Road and Mangkon Road in Bangkok, Thailand. Refer to blue arrow. 

Pricing

500 grams - 160 Baht

1 Kilogram - 320 Baht

Beh Leh Hainam Satay @ Melaka [Malaysia]

The dog cafe I visited at Melaka was six kilometers away from our hotel and me being me; I searched around the area for food so that I technically wouldn't waste the trip. 

There was none that caught my attention but I did notice a satay eatery that popped out on Google Map; Beh Leh Hainam Satay! With a review score of 4.3 from over 500 reviewers, I guess it's worth a visit by a person who loves satay, especially pork ones! 

Queue was expected but we were lucky! 

No line at about 5pm and I secured a table immediately. 

Open view kitchen right at the shopfront where you see workers working hard in grilling the many, many sticks of satay! Imagine walking past the shop and got tempted to have a serving of satay. 

Interior of the air-conditioned eatery that evoked nostalgic memory of those who had gone through the 1960s to 1980s. For the last photo, who can identify the five female celebrities!? Our family, with the exception of Jovyn who was too young, had a fun time picking our memory. 

Can't imagine that this ancient fan was still working! 

It's repurposed though since the buttons don't work. 

Remember this earthenware dragon pot?! Came in various sizes in my youth, it's the equivalent of a bath tub back in the village, where I will soak in for extended period of time.

Iced Kopi - it's been a hot day and having this glass of cold, thickened pulled coffee down my throat was just so soothing! In the Singapore's context, this was shiok!

Satay - with options of chicken, pork, intestine and gizzards, no prize for guessing that I would only for the "normal" chicken and pork, with higher priority for the chicken; 30 sticks of pork, 20 sticks of chicken. 

Perfectly grilled with just a bit of char that didn't scream 'cancer', and loving the pieces of fats in between the meat! To be frank, while the meat for both chicken and pork was tender, the marination lacked the sweetness I am more accustomed to for satay in Singapore.  However, it was compensated by something else, which I thought would be the key highlight for this satay eatery.

The gravy was the component that sealed the deal! With pieces of pineapple, this was one satay gravy that hit the right notes; savory, sweet, sour, fruity! Okay, maybe one note can be improved; I would prefer more peanuts for better texture.

Nevertheless, the gravy was good enough that my brother in law and sister, and me, literally cleaned up our respective bowl of satay gravy! 

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Address

315, Jalan Gajah Berang, 

75200 Melaka, Malaysia

Map

As above. 

Pricing

Chicken Satay - RM 1.20 each

Pork Satay - RM 1.20 each

Iced Kopi - RM 3.20

Chendol at Peranakan Place along Jonker Street in Melaka [Malaysia]

I am very focused here; although Peranakan Place serves authentic nyonya cuisine, we already had a heavy breakfast and the only thing beckoning to me would be chendol! 

This eatery came recommended from a friend of my elder sister and even without having taken a morsel of the food and drink; I was already impressed by the heritage interior design that wasn't too over and infused with modern elements, like the wall mural.

A section was even carved out to showcase a typical living hall of a Peranakan family. The only thing lacking was a costume rental company onsite for you to don nyonya / baba attire for that perfect shot. 

Photograph of my mom! We kept telling her to get a nyonya attire as I think it would look good on her. But her stingy soul cannot get away from the fact that it can cost more than a hundred dollars. And she has the impression that nyonya attire is for thin ladies. 

Iced Lemongrass - whatever the case, I need a glass of iced beverage to quench my thirst in the hot Melaka weather! The taste of this lemongrass was different; stronger, with a tinge of sourness from a citrus fruit like lime. p.s. not sweet.

Baba Chendol - at a price of RM 6.90 (almost S$2.00), it was a small bowl that had a thick base and a wide opening. Using red kidney beans, which are more satisfying, I noticed that the chendol (the green stuff) was also much thicker than the norm.

To be frank, it was more coconut milk than the gula melaka that made up the overall taste. I would have prefer more gula melaka given we were in its place of origin! Nevertheless, I do enjoy the green stuff which had an appetizing saltiness complementing its alkaline flavor, and the crunchy beans. 

Finished in no time! Sadly, I only managed to stomach only one bowl of chendol in my entire 3 days, 2 nights trip. My record in the past was five or six bowls, from different eateries, in one day! 

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Address

Jonker Street, 54, Jalan Hang Jebat, 

75200 Melaka, Malaysia

Map

As above

Pricing

Iced Lemongrass - RM 8.90

Baba Chendol - RM 6.90

(Subject to Service Charge and Tax)