Brad A. Johnson
  • Blog
  • About
  • Photography
    • Food Photography
    • Travel Photography
    • Restaurant Photography
    • Hotel & Resort Photography
  • Writing
  • Contact
Brad A. Johnson

Food & Travel

Brad A Johnson
  • Blog
  • About
  • Photography
    • Food Photography
    • Travel Photography
    • Restaurant Photography
    • Hotel & Resort Photography
  • Writing
  • Contact

Why I Travel: For the Food, But Also For the Unexpected

  • April 25, 2021
  • Brad A. Johnson

My rickshaw driver keeps pace with Hanoi’s speeding taxis as he peddles me through the Old Quarter. The cool wind against my face brings temporary relief from Vietnam’s stifling summer heat. As we round the corner, I smell smoke. It’s a sweet smoke that cuts through the constant smog of exhaust from unregulated motorbikes. I immediately recognize this piercing aroma as barbecue: the unmistakable scent of pork fat dripping onto hot charcoal. A burst of energy rushes through my veins.

“Slow down,” I say. “Where’s that coming from?”

Bun cha Hanoi, Vietnam (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Hanoi, Vietnam (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Hanoi, Vietnam (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Hanoi, Vietnam (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Hanoi, Vietnam (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)

My driver sniffs the air and points forward, to the opposite side of the street. He honks a small horn that reminds me of circus clowns, and our rickshaw swerves through oncoming traffic toward the smoke, parting a tide of motorbikes whose much-louder horns are now frantically beeping as they swirl around us.

We glide to the curb, stopping next to an old woman hunched over a makeshift grill on the sidewalk. She fans the coals with a pink flip-flop. A small crowd is gathered around her, squatting on small plastic stools. The old woman looks up at me. She sees a hunger in my eyes.

“Come, sit!” she demands. “Almost ready!”

I climb out of my cart and settle onto a stool, my knees level with my chest. She pushes a plastic plate into my hands. It’s covered with a piece of banana leaf and loaded with fresh mint and cold rice noodles. She thrusts her fingers into the fire and plucks a couple of sizzling pork patties from the grill, quickly plopping them into a small bowl of sour broth, piling it onto my plate. A hand-written sign propped next to the fire reads: “Bun Cha Hanoi, $1” She reaches behind her and grabs a beer from a bucket of melted ice. She pops the top and hands it to me. The can is cold, dripping. I smile. She smiles. My driver smiles.

This is why I travel: for food, but also for the unexpected. I travel to eat, but also to learn about other cultures through cuisine and new experiences. I travel not just to relax but to get outside of my comfort zone, to meet people like these total strangers, squatting on plastic stools, to remind myself the world we share is much, much larger than the one in which I live.

Hanoi, Vietnam (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)

For more travel inspiration and photos, I invite you to follow me and join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

 

Share
Tweet
Brad A. Johnson

Brad A. Johnson is a writer and photographer specializing in food and travel. His work has been honored by the Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Awards, James Beard Awards, World Food Media Awards, Food Photographer of the Year Awards, Society of Features Journalism Awards and others. Based in Southern California, Brad currently serves as Editorial Director of the new luxury consumer travel magazine of the Global Travel Collection (launching Spring 2023).

Previous Article

Best Travel Blog! Best Culinary Travel! Best Travel Photography! And this just in: Finalist, Food Photographer of the Year

  • April 1, 2021
  • Brad A. Johnson
View Post
Next Article

How to Make Sangrita, Mexico City Style

  • May 2, 2021
  • Brad A. Johnson
View Post
You May Also Like
View Post
  • Travel: Asia
  • Travel: Culinary

Where (and What) to Eat in Bangkok, High and Low: 11 Must-Visit Thai Restaurants

  • Brad A. Johnson
  • January 1, 2023
View Post
  • Travel: Adventure
  • Travel: Asia
  • Travel: Culinary
  • Travel: Europe

R.I.P. Crystal Cruises (Update: Returning in 2023!)

  • Brad A. Johnson
  • February 6, 2022
View Post
  • California Restaurants
  • Travel: Culinary

Review: Addison, San Diego

  • Brad A. Johnson
  • December 4, 2021
View Post
  • California Hotels
  • California Restaurants
  • Travel: Culinary

Quick Review: Valle, Oceanside CA

  • Brad A. Johnson
  • November 19, 2021
View Post
  • Travel: Culinary

Food Photographer of the Year Exhibition at the Royal Photographic Society in Bristol, England

  • Brad A. Johnson
  • October 29, 2021
View Post
  • Travel: Culinary
  • Travel: Mexico

Where to Eat in Los Cabos, Mexico: The Restaurants Redefining Baja Cuisine

  • Brad A. Johnson
  • June 13, 2021
View Post
  • Travel: Culinary
  • Travel: Mexico

How to Make the Red Snapper a la Talla from Tamarindos Los Cabos

  • Brad A. Johnson
  • June 5, 2021
View Post
  • Travel: Culinary
  • Travel: Mexico

Hotel Review: The Cape, Los Cabos, Mexico

  • Brad A. Johnson
  • May 31, 2021
Hey, OC. FYI in case you missed it, @ryegoods has opened a new location on Red Hill in Tustin, just down the street from Flight/Mess Hall. Same incredible breads and pastries as the original on the peninsula. No lines here, plus a huge seating area. #sourdough #pastries #coffee #orangecounty 322 9
One more post from our lovely stay at @fstokyo. Delicious lunch at @maisonmarunouchi, the casual sibling to @sezannetokyo. Excellent all around. And clearly popular with Tokyo's ladies who lunch: the clientele during our visit, almost entirely women. Quite the see-and-be-seen crowd. 57 1
I’m not sure which I liked better about the @fstokyo, the valet greeter and escort from the train station, the view of the trains from our room, or the super comfy pajamas. Excellent service all around. #Tokyo #Japan #hoteljunkie 79 3
I think @sezannetokyo ⁠has a #footfetish, and I’m ok with that. Truly fantastic lunch. Impeccable service. ⁠ 63 1
We had a really fun "Lost in Translation" moment at @meatman_roppongi. Google Translate failed hilariously. Delicious meat/fat overload anyway. Great staff, charming hospitality. Lots of sake. Thank you, @fstokyo for securing the reservation! #Tokyo #Roppongi #sake 76 1
Well, that was interesting.  A toast to 2022. And looking forward to ‘23. Cheers, and safe travels to all. 81 1
Brad A. Johnson
  • Blog
  • About
  • Photography
  • Writing
  • Contact
Writer. Photographer. Traveler. Restaurant Critic.

Input your search keywords and press Enter.