Bun Cha Combo Obama

Back in 2016, then-President Barack Obama visited Hanoi on his historic tour of Vietnam. While he was in the city, he was treated to lunch by food writer and TV host, Anthony Bourdain (who picked up the $6 tab for the meal). Mr. Bourdain took Mr. Obama out for lunch at what was, in his opinion, the best Bun Cha restaurant in the city. Pinky and I paid a visit ourselves, to see if this bun cha place lives up to its hype.

 

We arrived at Bun Cha Huong Lien around lunchtime, and it was already crowded. I guess word really gets around. Pinky and I were led to the second floor of the narrow "tube house" restaurant, and we were seated directly behind President Obama's table (which has been preserved behind a glass case, along with all of the plates and silverware he and Anthony Bourdain used).

We ordered the "Combo Obama", the meal that the two men shared. It comes with one order of Bun Cha, one seafood roll, and one Hanoi Beer. Truly a lunch fit for a president.