I know, off top of your head, when you hear Bun Cha "Obama", you would think of one of the former presidents of the US. Barack Obama! You are right.
Bun Cha (Rice noodles with barbecue pork) is a Vietnamese traditional cuisine that is a must-try if you have an opportunity to travel to Vietnam. (I personally preferred and recommended Bún Chả in Da Nang or Ha Noi).
Source: Obama and Anthony eating Bún Chả in Ha Noi, VietNam
The story behind Bun Cha "Obama" is told when these two powerful men of the world back then visited a small eatery only to enjoy Bún Chả together for dinner. They were Former President Obama and celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain. The dinner cost them around 4$. But the honor they brought on this little, plain eatery was huge.
[Source] (http://vietq.vn/quan-bun-cha-huong-lien-ma-tong-thong-obama-an-co-gi-dac-biet-d90571.html) The portion cost around 2 dollars (in 2016)
Obama visited Vietnam in 2016. At the time, during his 3-day stay, he decided to have dinner at a small local eatery. No luxury, no high-end service or top-notch waiters, only the food was all worth it. They sit down at a metal table and treated themselves to cheap streaming bowls of Bún Chả. Under them were the So-Vietnamese popular common blue plastic stools. They just ate their dinner as any local Vietnamese did.
Source the So-Vietnamese popular common blue plastic stools. 😄
Even though it was small, plain very few luxuries but the atmosphere exuded a lot of comforts. the owner has been known for her decade career with care for the freshest ingredients to cook Bún Chả in Ha Noi. Rumors had it that she had her own myths of cooking the cuisine so she could make unique and tasty Bún Chả. Those were also why they chose her place from the start for the former President.
Since then, the small eatery has become one of the most well-known restaurants in Ha Noi, not only Hanoians were eager to go there, that place, also, becomes an appealing place to many tourists and visitors.
Source The "Obama" table with encased glass
Two years from that day, the owner created an encased glass box, looking through the whole original "picture" of bowls and chopsticks which were used by the two men. The small eatery has now become a famous restaurant which is like a "foodie attraction" for many people to come, not only the appreciate the Bún Chả, but also to check in the unique position where Obama and Anthony sat.
I would love to go there one day. Would you go with me? Haha. To check the table out, we need to go upstairs! 😄
I want to write more but I have to go now.;) In the following posts, I'll show how to cook Bún Chả. Haha. Get ready to enjoy this beautiful traditional dish of Vietnamese at home.