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Six things about the $6 Bourdain-Obama meal Six things about the $6 Bourdain-Obama meal
(35 minutes later)
Deep in the heart of Hanoi President Obama sat down for a $6 meal with celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain. The chef, known for his love of adventurous street food, described the date in a series of tweets and an Instagram post. Deep in the heart of Hanoi, US President Barack Obama sat down for a $6 meal with celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain on Tuesday. The chef, known for his love of adventurous street food, described the date in a series of tweets and an Instagram post.
Here are six observations about the noodle summit at a hole-in-the-wall eatery.Here are six observations about the noodle summit at a hole-in-the-wall eatery.
1. Nobody else appears to know they are there 1. Nobody appears to know they are there
The other diners appear to be totally oblivious to the presence of the US president, a celebrity chef, and presumably a substantial security detail, photographers and film crew.The other diners appear to be totally oblivious to the presence of the US president, a celebrity chef, and presumably a substantial security detail, photographers and film crew.
"Love how the diners were so good at pretending they had no idea who is sitting at the table next to them," tweeted Brazilian journalist Sofia Perpetua."Love how the diners were so good at pretending they had no idea who is sitting at the table next to them," tweeted Brazilian journalist Sofia Perpetua.
The crowd outside the restaurant was slightly less restrained.The crowd outside the restaurant was slightly less restrained.
The discussion on reddit, which attracted 3,000 users, spilled over into where and who any secret service agents were. The discussion on Reddit, which attracted 3,000 users, spilled over into where any secret service agents might be hiding.
2. The symmetrical food2. The symmetrical food
On the menu was bun cha, a Vietnamese dish of grilled pork and rice noodles, some greens, all washed down with Hanoi beer. On social media, there were questions about the positioning of the food.On the menu was bun cha, a Vietnamese dish of grilled pork and rice noodles, some greens, all washed down with Hanoi beer. On social media, there were questions about the positioning of the food.
"The perfect alignment of the food disturbs me," said an Instagram user. "Look at how symmetrical the bowls, chopsticks and plates are.""The perfect alignment of the food disturbs me," said an Instagram user. "Look at how symmetrical the bowls, chopsticks and plates are."
A bit more joie de vivre from another user: "Eating in perfect symmetry, awesome and smart."A bit more joie de vivre from another user: "Eating in perfect symmetry, awesome and smart."
3. Presidential chopstick skills (and the wrapper on the floor) 3. Presidential chopstick skills - but a wrapper on the floor
Anthony Bourdain was quick to praise the president's chopsticks skills, describing them as "on point". And everyone seemed to agree.Anthony Bourdain was quick to praise the president's chopsticks skills, describing them as "on point". And everyone seemed to agree.
"Proud of the president, that he placed his chopsticks neatly on top of his bowl and not stabbed them into the noodles - that would have been so rude and a big sign of disrespect," said another user, praising Mr Obama's chopstick etiquette. "Proud of the president, that he placed his chopsticks neatly on top of his bowl and not stabbed them into the noodles - that would have been so rude and a big sign of disrespect," said another user.
A photo from a different angled irritated another Twitter user: "Is it just me or does anyone not realise how a red chopstick wrapper has been dropped on the floor? Taking points away from him." A photo from a different angled irritated another Twitter user. "Is it just me or does anyone not realise how a red chopstick wrapper has been dropped on the floor? Taking points away from him."
4. Plastic stools and Hanoi beer4. Plastic stools and Hanoi beer
The unpicking of the details in the picture became about the Vietnamese things in life. The unpicking of the details in the picture became about the Vietnamese things in life.
"Ah, our rickety blue plastic stools - that's Vietnam for you," said Instagram user Chi Mai."Ah, our rickety blue plastic stools - that's Vietnam for you," said Instagram user Chi Mai.
"No fancy interior, just simple furniture to let the food and conversation do the talking," said another."No fancy interior, just simple furniture to let the food and conversation do the talking," said another.
Others wanted to know the US leader's choice of brew.Others wanted to know the US leader's choice of brew.
Question: "What kind of beer did they drink," asked Mic Vo on Twitter.Question: "What kind of beer did they drink," asked Mic Vo on Twitter.
Answer: "Don't disappoint me, hope they had Bia Ha Noi," said another user.Answer: "Don't disappoint me, hope they had Bia Ha Noi," said another user.
5. The talk over noodles5. The talk over noodles
Another question that boggled the minds of social media users: What could the world's most famous TV chef and the one of the world's most powerful leaders be talking about? Another question that boggled the minds of social media users: What could the world's most famous TV chef and one of the world's most powerful leaders be talking about?
Speculation ranged from Trump to food to curing cancer, achieving world peace and finding unicorns. Speculation ranged from Donald Trump to food to curing cancer, achieving world peace and finding unicorns.
We don't know how long the meal even lasted. Some accomplished foodies could polish off a meal like that in less than 10 minutes.We don't know how long the meal even lasted. Some accomplished foodies could polish off a meal like that in less than 10 minutes.
Perhaps they spoke about the fact that the president had just lifted the US arms embargo on Vietnam. Perhaps they spoke about the fact that the president had just lifted the US arms embargo on Vietnam.
6. So what was the photo really for?6. So what was the photo really for?
Mr Obama found time to sit down for dinner just hours his announcement about the embargo. Others on social media, saw it as publicity for Bourdain's food show. Mr Obama found time to sit down for dinner just hours after his announcement about the embargo. Others on social media, saw it as publicity for Bourdain's food show.
How much did they plan it," asked Instagram user FlyMy90. "Were they filming for an episode of Bourdain's show?"How much did they plan it," asked Instagram user FlyMy90. "Were they filming for an episode of Bourdain's show?"
"Dinner will air on in September," the White House was quoted as saying by one journalist. "Dinner will air in September," the White House was quoted as saying by one journalist.
Despite the speculation about the staging, the picture still delighted many around the world.Despite the speculation about the staging, the picture still delighted many around the world.
"Think you're cool? You'll never be eating noodles, drinking beer and sitting on low plastic chairs while talking to Anthony Bourdain and Barack Obama in Vietnam-cool," tweeted New York resident Jon Hopper."Think you're cool? You'll never be eating noodles, drinking beer and sitting on low plastic chairs while talking to Anthony Bourdain and Barack Obama in Vietnam-cool," tweeted New York resident Jon Hopper.
Reporting by the BBC's Heather Chen.Reporting by the BBC's Heather Chen.