Tony then visits the Linh Phong Monastery Pagoda where over 30 women live and worship together. They practice both Buddhism and vegetarianism, and they don't eat meat because they don’t believe in killing anything, including animals. Bourdain is surprised to find that the vegetarian dishes prepared at the monastery are flavorful and spicy. Next, Tony visits Thu Khoi, a popular spot for motorbike taxi drivers in the Central Highlands. Tony and Linh arrive at 8:30 in the morning for the house specialties, which include wild boar and Java-Mouse deer. At first Tony refuses to eat the Java-Mouse deer because he has a thing with rodents, but Linh quickly figures out a way to trick him into it.
After spending time in the mountains, Tony heads to Hanoi where the streets are bustling with motorbikes and young adults. Their first stop in Hanoi is a no name restaurant that specializes in birds and insects. They try minced turtle dove, deep fried sparrow, and sticky rice with ant larvae. I don’t know about you, but I’m not feeling that meal at all! The episode ends just the way you’d expect, with lots of heavy drinking. Tony and friends visit a themed restaurant near the banks of the Red River, which patrons often visit to drink rice wine and watch the cock fighting out back. As Tony points out, the rice wine is really more of a liquor, especially since its alcohol content is 48%.
Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations airs Monday nights at 10/9c only on the Travel Channel.
