Olympian and I have been DM’ing each other since COVID. She found my blog on Pure Vietnamese, and ever since, we have traded tips on our favourite restaurants, Foreign Concept and Pure Vietnamese. When we discovered that Foreign Concept was closing and the owner, Duncan Ly, was opening Bar Chouette, we decided to meet. For this post, let’s listen to “Hey Baby” by Bruce Channel.

We met at First Street Market. We typically eat at Pure Vietnamese but agreed to check out a new venue if Chef Lam were away from his food stall. Olympian didn’t spot him, so we checked out Saffron Street.

She ordered the Butter Chicken Thali ($18) based on the chef’s recommendation. Despite the chef’s advice that I should also get the butter chicken, I resisted and ordered what I wanted, Chloe Batture ($15) and two Dahi Puri ($2). Olympian ate first, as my dish took longer to prepare. She offered to let me sample her food, but I thought it was too soon.

Olympian confided she’s been ordering from Inspired Go, a salad delivery service. As a result, her stomach’s been shrinking, and she couldn’t finish her lunch. I perked up at this revelation and promptly ordered a week’s supply. She was worried that she hyped up Inspired Go and hoped I would like it. I told her not to worry. I wasn’t expecting a miracle from a 500-calorie salad.

My food was ready in about five minutes, and let me tell you, it was worth the wait. My order contained two massive, puffed bread balls. I marvelled at the crisp, bubbly exterior and ecstatically tore a crackling piece off, releasing the hot air. I scooped up the chickpea curry with the paper-like tissue. Each bite was delicate and delicious, spicy and filling. I would get this again.

Halfway through my meal, I discovered some spicy, tart vegetables tucked away in the corner of the tray. I wasn’t sure how to eat it, so I mixed it up in the rest of the chickpea curry.

I mistakenly ate the dahi puri in two bites, and the wet filling spilled down on my hand. I found the ingredients sweet and tangy. I tasted mostly the tamarind, yogurt and the fruity pop from the pomegranate seeds. I gave a dahi puri to the Olympian to try and advised her to eat the whole thing in one bite to avoid my messy mistake. She enjoyed it even more than the butter chicken.

On our way out, we saw Chef Lam. I didn’t want to go up and say hello without buying anything, so I slunk away, happily stuffed but longing for some of the best Vietnamese food in town. I’ll have to bring L to First Street Market for our next date night so that I can get my Vietnamese fix.