A friend of ours did in fact do the whole cobra thing. He said the heart was chewy and the cobra fine. Not to pile on to your choice forgo the cobra!
Your python meal reminded me of the "Chef's Specialty" we had in Hoi An, Vietnam. It was a local restaurant, not a tourist one. There was no English menu, but the Chef's Specialty (strangely written in English) was a dish steamed and served in banana leaves. We determined from the waiter the protein was chicken.
It was, in fact, chicken, but said chicken had been dispatched by a murderous chef because among the gelatinous chicken heads, feet, and beaks, the rest of the bones were jagged and splintered, eager to pierce our lower intestines.
I took one look and refused to eat any of it, but Brent, not wanted to offend the locals tried a few bites before he gave up.
It was a terrible meal, but six years later I remember it vividly!
Oh man, this piece brought back so many similar memories. The sensory details brought me right back to one of my favourite countries, but I can't deny feeling disappointed like Dong when you didn't try the cobra. I didn't have the opportunity to try it or seek it out. I ended up with a python mud soup like you.
i can't remember the exact quote, but I think Bourdain said something like "americans can only tolerate 5 chews" or something similar haha. Always love a good food story!
A friend of ours did in fact do the whole cobra thing. He said the heart was chewy and the cobra fine. Not to pile on to your choice forgo the cobra!
Your python meal reminded me of the "Chef's Specialty" we had in Hoi An, Vietnam. It was a local restaurant, not a tourist one. There was no English menu, but the Chef's Specialty (strangely written in English) was a dish steamed and served in banana leaves. We determined from the waiter the protein was chicken.
It was, in fact, chicken, but said chicken had been dispatched by a murderous chef because among the gelatinous chicken heads, feet, and beaks, the rest of the bones were jagged and splintered, eager to pierce our lower intestines.
I took one look and refused to eat any of it, but Brent, not wanted to offend the locals tried a few bites before he gave up.
It was a terrible meal, but six years later I remember it vividly!
I love how one travel memory can spark another. It is often the unfortunate and uncomfortable moments we remember the most.
Oh man, this piece brought back so many similar memories. The sensory details brought me right back to one of my favourite countries, but I can't deny feeling disappointed like Dong when you didn't try the cobra. I didn't have the opportunity to try it or seek it out. I ended up with a python mud soup like you.
Hey, blame my buddy. I was gung ho. Thanks for the comment, Nolan!
i can't remember the exact quote, but I think Bourdain said something like "americans can only tolerate 5 chews" or something similar haha. Always love a good food story!
Love the imagery in this piece and the brief add. about Bourdain’s inspiration for you. Great stuff.