Some people like to know what they're putting in their mouth. Not me. I relish trying unknown foods, and many things I've eaten remain a mystery.

Not this beautiful plate though, which I devoured in Da Nang the other day. Thanks to my wonderful local friend Kent (more on whom coming soon), I learnt that the dumplings on the right and back of the plate are called banh bot loc, a recipe for which you can find at this marvelous blog. With the pink and grey dumplings on the left (which I guess are both kinds of cha lua, Vietnamese ham), the blob of chilli jam in the middle, and the chilli powder and fresh coriander sprinkled on top, it made the most delectable snack to satisfy the mid-afternoon munchies.

Banh bot loc vendor
Bach Dang street, near the market
Da Nang

The view from my bathroom at Hoa's Place, Non Nuoc Beach.

I've realised something recently: that I am more than happy to suffer a little diarrhoea in order to eat well.

I never learn. Whenever I'm tired, hot and hungry, I always go for the easiest option - which, surprise surprise, often turns out to be the worst option.

So it was this afternoon when, after 15 minutes walking around under the midday sun in uncomfortable new shoes, I stupidly chose to eat at a place directly opposite my hotel and was duly disappointed. Still, the lackluster omelet and baguette did at least give me enough energy to go looking for something to fill me up properly, and on this mission I am happy to report I did succeed.

Not 5 minutes walk away I found a lady with a freezer, painted on the side of which was 'Kem', aka. ice cream. Thinking I'd perhaps be lucky enough to get a Magnum or Cornetto, you can imagine my surprise and delight to see it filled with cute little tubs and bags of what looked like homemade kem. Encouraged by the friendliness of the lady, I chose the 3 that you see in the opening photo, and this time, I was certainly not disappointed.

The yellow-ish square on the left turned out to be some kind of frozen banana and coconut cake - chewey, sweet and gorgeously cooling; the tub was yogurt, sweet and refreshing, but the absolute winner of the three was the green stuff in the bag - frozen sinh to bo, the avocado smoothie for which Vietnam is famous. This last kem was a perfect balance of sweet and savory, and oh so satisfying when sucked straight out of the bag.

I can see an addiction developing.

Kem vendor
Thai Phien Street, Hoi An.