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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 attainable for him to eat three loaves a day with out losing interest.
“Within the following days, I attempted extra sorts of Hoi An bread, milk bread, and pillow bread. Each sort was scrumptious regardless of the totally different candy and salty flavors,” he mentioned.
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. Nonetheless, when he boarded the aircraft to return residence, the younger man nonetheless tried to hold a number of 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 bought 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 comparable to 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 directly,” he mentioned.
Keiichi mentioned pungent dishes like bun dau mam tom (vermicelli with tofu and fermented shrimp paste) and durian made him nearly 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 can not stand it if I do not eat it,” he mentioned.
“I actually missed Vietnam each time I needed to depart this place. Generally after I return to Japan for a number of days, I solely wished to purchase a ticket to return to Vietnam. I like the best way Vietnamese individuals are shut and assist one another,” Keiichi mentioned.
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Inoue Keiichi takes a ship tour in Ninh Binh in northern Vietnam, June 2022. Photograph courtesy of Inoue Keiichi |
Keiichi mentioned he simply celebrated the New Yr 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 huge, joyful, 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 12 months I’ll keep right here to have fun Tet,” he mentioned.
The younger man admitted that he was just a little fearful when he heard that through the Lunar New Yr, individuals relaxation and shut their outlets to return to their hometowns to be with their households.
Nonetheless, he plans to affix Tet actions comparable to 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 mates. I really feel joyful to see the bustling streets on the day main as much as Tet, with individuals queuing to purchasing peach blossoms and Tet decorations,” Keiichi mentioned.