Phở

Phở Hà Nội là "rau thơm tươi, hồ tiêu bắc, giọt chanh cốm gắt, lại điểm thêm một chút cà cuống, thoảng nhẹ như một nghi ngờ." - Thạch Lam

         Having grown up in the old quarters of Hanoi, I have a sentimental tie with phở. I could eat phở in sickness and in health, morning noon or night. Phở had never been a big deal to me because it had always been there, available, waiting to be devoured. I used to take for granted the fact that a short stroll down the street would lead me to 49 Bát Đàn, a place known for nonexistent customer service and debatably the best phở in Hanoi. Being away from home awoke my yearning for the comforting slurps of umami-packed morning soup. The Cheerios I have for breakfast here, can't even compare.