FrugalMonkey Discount Travel News

Tag: food and wine

  • Affordable Street Food in Vietnam

    Travelers to Vietnam can eat like kings on shoestring budgets thanks to the popularity of what’s called “street food.” Every day vendors at Vietnam’s markets and roadside stalls serve up tasty Asian dishes that cost less than you’d expect.

    You’ll find street food in all of Vietnam’s major centers, from Nha Trang’s fish markets to Saigon’s city streets. Many of the dishes are unfamiliar to Western tourists, but don’t be afraid to be adventurous. The meals cost as little as one American dollar, so you’ve lost very little if you don’t like what’s served. Simply move on to the next stall and sample something else!

    Some travelers are concerned about the hygiene of street stalls, but they’re actually very clean. In fact, the conditions are better than you’ll find in some Vietnam’s restaurants, where kitchens are hidden away from prying eyes! As street stalls are so popular, especially with locals and backpackers visiting Vietnam, their fresh food doesn’t sit around waiting for buyers for very long.

    Street Food in Vietnam
    Street Food in Vietnam

    Vietnam’s street stalls serve up a banquet of different local specialties, but there are a few meals you definitely shouldn’t miss. We’ve all had spring rolls before, but the Vietnamese ones are especially good. They’re made from boiled rice wrappers, rather than fried ones, so they’re much healthier than their Chinese counterparts. Vietnam is also famous for its pho, a clear soup flavored with noodles, meats, vegetables, and spices. And when you’re eating on the run grab a bahn mi, a bread roll packed with meat, mayonnaise, and local veggies including pickled carrots, cucumbers, and daikon.

    So learn to love street food while in Vietnam. Your bank balance and your taste buds will thank you!

    [Image Source: Chelsea Hicks/Flickr]

  • Relax in the Riverland Region – Regional South Australia at its Best

    In the rush-rush modern world, there’s something special about retreating to a place of natural beauty and old fashioned values.


    The Riverland region in South Australia is such a place. The region located 250 kays north-east of the state's capital city, Adelaide, is so named for the Murray River that runs through it. The river is Australia's longest, stretching from New South Wales to the South Australian coast where the state meets the Southern Ocean. There may be some 2530 kilometers of the Murray to explore, but the Riverland locals insist that their region is the best place to play in the waterway. Its calm waters are ideal for water-skiing and wakeboarding, or paddling a kayak. The river is teeming with callop, catfish, redfin, European carp, and the famous Murray cod, so make sure you drop a line while you're in town. If you want to explore you could hop aboard one of the historic paddle boats or opt for a more affordable dinghy tour. The coast is dotted with accommodation options, from five-star luxury retreats to inexpensive holiday parks for camping and caravanning. However if you just can't bear to get out of the water, you could also hire a houseboat. The Riverland boasts more houseboats than anywhere else in Australia, so why not try this floating style of accommodation while you're there? They're easy to operate, totally private, and you can stay in a different part of the region each night. [caption id="attachment_4544" align="alignright" width="150" caption="A speedboat on the Murray River"]A speedboat on the Murray River[/caption] Most hire companies offer their boats for a minimum of three days, which is just enough time to chill out. If you want one of those floating hotel rooms look to Riverfun Houseboats in Renmark or Quality Houseboats in Morgan. While the Murray has always been the Riverland region's most popular attraction, the area is fast earning a reputation as a gourmet destination. While it's not as famous as the Barossa Valley wine region, the Riverland actually produces more than half of South Australia's wine. Look for Italian varietals like petit verdot, petit manseng, vermentino, and tempranillo at Banrock Station, 919 Wines, and Burk Salter Wines. If you prefer a cleansing ale, stop by Wilkadene Brewery to sample its award winning beers in the converted shearing shed. The region's wines are perfectly paired with its fresh produce. The Riverland is famous for its citrus fruits, olives, almonds, and chocolate. Try them and other local goodies at the Riverland Farmer's Markets at the Berri Senior Citizen's Hall every Saturday morning. For something more substantial you can't beat some local pub grub. Overland Corner Hotel and Renmark Hotel offer some of the Riverland region's best.

    [Image Source: Allshots Imaging/Flickr]