Hungry from a day of checking out the Arnold Fitness Expo, a friend and I headed over to the North Market. Problem is – is that there are too many choices. After circling in a holding pattern, we veered off towards the northwest corner of the market to Lac Viet Market – the market within the market. I’ve always been intrigued by the Lac Viet Market as it is usually packed. This was a bit later in the day so it wasn’t so crowded. As we gandered at the menu, a customer pulled his head out of his bowl long enough to tell us that the number 9 “was to die for.”

“Them’s strong words, Mister. You sho bout tat?”

“Oh yeah, absolutely to die for.”

Alright, we were sold. Now number 9 does have a real name but damned if I can remember it as it was in Vietnamese. I consider it the Vietnamese version of Bi Bim Bop. Feel free to sue me if you disagree. It is pictured above. Or write in if you know the real name.

Anyhow, the now unnamed concoction was mighty tasty, I must admit. “To die for” might be a bit strong. My buddy may have classified it as to die for. He seemed to really enjoy it. I’ll be back to sample more later from the Viet Lac Market.

By the way, did you know that the North Market has its own wikipedia entry. If things are slow at your next party, you can pull that one out, compliments of yours truly.

Speaking of to die for, we strolled down the aisle after our repast and headed over to Jeni’s Ice Creams. I tried two from their signature nine – Queen City Cayenne and Black Coffee. The Queen City Cayenne may have been the best thing I’ve ever eaten. Jeni’s deserves a finerepast.com five star seal of approval on that one. The Black Coffee was mighty fine too but ran a distant second to the Queen City Cayenne. Good thing I don’t live close by.