His love for Vietnam started in March 2018 when the 25-year-old Japanese man traveled overseas for the primary time.
On his first day in Ho Chi Minh Metropolis, Keiichi was “captivated” by the banh mi. Candy and bitter chili sauce, grilled meat sandwiches, and pate unfold served with pickles made it doable for him to eat three loaves a day with out becoming bored.
“Within the following days, I attempted extra forms of Hoi An bread, milk bread, and pillow bread. Each kind was scrumptious regardless of the completely different candy and salty flavors,” he stated.
As a result of there was not a lot time on that journey, Keiichi regretted that he didn’t have the prospect to strive sufficient different dishes. Nevertheless, when he boarded the aircraft to return residence, the younger man nonetheless tried to hold just a few extra loaves of bread.
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Inoue Keiichi takes a cyclo journey round Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi, December 2022. Photograph by Inoue Keiichi |
Returning residence, he appeared for locations that offered Vietnamese bread and he had tried greater than 20 shops however he didn’t discover the true Vietnamese taste. Three months later, he purchased a ticket again to Vietnam.
This time he determined to journey alone from the south to north for a month to meet his want of “consuming genuine Vietnamese meals,” specializing in typical dishes from every area resembling noodle soup, blended rice paper, crab soup or pho, snail vermicelli and draft beer.
“Some days I ate 6-7 meals. I loved banh cuon (steamed rice rolls) and drank greater than six cans of Hanoi beer. I nonetheless did not get bored consuming three or 4 cups of candy soup che without delay,” he stated.
Keiichi stated pungent dishes like bun dau mam tom (vermicelli with tofu and fermented shrimp paste) and durian made him virtually vomit the primary time he ate them, however now he was hooked on them.
“Now I at all times eat one durian each month. I am unable to stand it if I do not eat it,” he stated.
“I actually missed Vietnam each time I needed to go away this place. Typically once I return to Japan for just a few days, I solely wished to purchase a ticket to return to Vietnam. I like the way in which Vietnamese individuals are shut and help one another,” Keiichi stated.
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Inoue Keiichi takes a ship tour in Ninh Binh in northern Vietnam, June 2022. Photograph courtesy of Inoue Keiichi |
Keiichi stated he simply celebrated the New 12 months vacation in Vietnam as a substitute of returning to his hometown to reunite together with his household.
The sight of individuals gathering within the metropolis middle to look at music occasions and fireworks collectively made him really feel like the town was all one large, glad, heat household.
“I have been in Vietnam for 4 seasons: spring, summer season, fall, and winter however have by no means celebrated conventional Tet. This yr I’ll keep right here to have fun Tet,” he stated.
The younger man admitted that he was just a little anxious when he heard that throughout the Lunar New 12 months, folks relaxation and shut their outlets to return to their hometowns to be with their households.
Nevertheless, he plans to hitch Tet actions resembling wrapping banh chung (sq. sticky rice cake), consuming meat and pickled onions, and watching conventional festivals, issues that solely happen throughout Tet.
“Perhaps I’ll ask to have fun Tet on the home of some shut Vietnamese associates. I really feel glad to see the bustling streets on the day main as much as Tet, with folks queuing to purchasing peach blossoms and Tet decorations,” Keiichi stated.