페스트푸드 Icy, sweet treats beat Ha Noi’s summer heat

[청석]

Dining Out

Ice cream in the green: Thuy Ta is a great place to go for ice cream on Hoan Kiem Lake. — VNS Photo Doan Tung

If the going gets hot...

Ciao Cafe

Address: 2 Hang Bai St

Tel: (04) 934-1494

Comment: Ice cream specials

Fanny’s Ice Cream

Address: 48 Le Thai To St

Tel: (04) 828-5656

Comment: Homemade delights

Mondo Gelato

Address: 30A Ba Trieu St

Tel: (04) 936-4767

Comment: Style and substance

(01-07-2007)

Icy, sweet treats beat Ha Noi’s summer heat

Jessica Gray braved Ha Noi’s sticky summer weather to find a cure for the unending heat wave engulfing the capital – and satisfy a voracious sweet tooth.

Summer in Ha Noi is hot, muggy and nigh on unbearable in the direct sunlight. Thankfully, the capital can also boast a wide variety of cold treats to beat the heat that are sure to melt in your mouth… and probably all over your hand as well!

One of my favourite stops for a decadent snack is Ciao Cafe located where Hang Bai Street meets HoanKiem Lake. Though it has a pretty tasty selection of Western-style fast food, it’s the restaurant’s patented ice cream creations that draw crowds on hot summer nights.

I would recommend just about anything on the dessert menu, but if you’re looking for true decadence start with the Chocolate Sunk for VND35,000.

I know there’s something a little off in the translation, but its perfect blend of chocolate and vanilla ice cream topped of with chocolate syrup and nuts are worth it (despite the fact the sundae is smaller than the menu would have you think).

Another good choice is the Lover’s Cup designed specifically for couples, or the very hungry! For VND65,000 you get a rather ornate dish split in the middle to hold two servings, which makes it easy to gaze into your partner’s eyes without missing out on dessert. This delight comes complete with decorative, yet edible, coffee wafers.

Health enthusiasts will enjoy the fresh mango fruit platters at VND25,000 or the numerous fruit shakes sweetened with yogurt or a mixture of ice, fresh milk and condensed milk for between VND25,000 and VND35,000 depending on your choice.

Still craving ice cream? Then grab an orange, lemon or even milk float for VND35,000 because you can never go wrong when you choose your own flavour combination!

When I’m in more of a rush, and don’t have a lot of cash to spend, I head to Trang Tien Street where you’ll find Hotel Cafe Kem and Kem Dac Biet. It can be a bit of a madhouse during busy hours, especially on the weekend or evenings, but the vanilla cones and variety of creamsicles for VND3,000 a pop make the inevitable lines tolerable.

For those new to Ha Noi, try the young rice flavour for a real treat. It tastes very much like green bean candy, a Hanoian specialty.

Just don’t forget to watch your step or you’re likely to find some very sticky garbage on your shoes.

And don’t forget Old Quarter! Most restaurants have at least a small selection of ice creams, sundaes or banana splits available, just remember they’ll likely be more than VND20,000. One stop that comes highly recommended for its Western fare and desserts is Sago Bar and Restaurant on Cau Go Street.

For those who enjoy a nice walk around the lake as the temperature rises, you’ll notice a number people slurping away on creamsicles from a few small stalls along Hoan Kiem’s west side.

Sunken treasure: Try the Chocolate Sunk (top) at Ciao Cafe if you’re in the mood for the perfect vanilla/chocolate combination. Thuy Ta also offers a variety of prepackaged treats. — VNSPhotos Jessica Gray

One of the best is Thuy Ta with its many delectable favours starting at VND1,500. A nice sit-down option is its parent restaurant of the same name only minutes north.

The Cong Ty CP Boulangerie is just up the street for true ice cream connoisseurs.

With choices ranging from taro and coconut to orange and green rice, any palate will be satisfied with a scoop for the reasonable price of VND13,000. Though you might want to buy a few throughout the day because ice cream tends to melt faster than you can eat it when it’s a blistering 40oC.

Fanny’s Ice Cream is yet one more favourite to add to the list. Located on Le Thai To, this little ice cream parlour is known for homemade yumminess, most of which you can sample for under VND30,000.

And if the rumours are true, the health conscious or lactose intolerant among us might find a sorbet or Italian gelato.

But for a sure bet, check out Mondo Gelato on Ba Trieu, an eminently stylish place for the ultimate ice cream lover to hang out and be seen.

Whatever your mood when it comes to beating the heat, Ha Noi’s got you covered. And several ice cream joints even deliver! — VNS

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