In 1991 Billy and Akaisha Kaderli retired at the age of 38. Now, into their 4th decade of this financially independent lifestyle, they invite you to take advantage of their wisdom and experience.

A Delectable Treat from Street Vendors: Banana Sheets

Billy and Akaisha Kaderli

Currency Exchange

English newspaper in Saigon, Vietnam

We can sit around and read the paper in the comfort of our Compass Living Residence only for so long. Then we have to get out and explore more of Saigon.

Just outside the entrance to our place sits this lady selling made-to-order waffles (they smell great!) and freshly grilled banana sheets. They looked so exotic, we had to try them and once we did, we are now hooked.

Vendor drying banana sheet over hot coals

What are banana sheets? you might ask. A vendor slices bananas lengthwise into thin strips and places them on a grill to heat. Because of the sugar in the banana, the strips begin to adhere together and eventually form a flattened grilled "sheet" of crispy, sweet bananas. They are surprisingly delicious!

The waffle and banana sheet lady

This vendor has her charcoal grill (shown in the previous photo) and her tray of yummy delights; waffles, banana sheets and little pancake triangles like a fortune cookie. Her batter is in the blue container in front of her. Change is kept in a wallet she holds close to her body under her jacket.

Mind you, the temperature is in the 90s with 90% humidity, but vendors will often be covered from head to toe. We see this all the time and are mystified by it.

A portable waffle shop!

Here you can clearly see this vendor's portable waffle shop. Every morning but Sunday she arrives to set up, and this is her spot to sell her treats. From her batter in the blue pitcher she pours the thinnest coating across her waffle grill and heats it up. Waffles and triangles are fresh and the banana jerky sheets are only minutes old.

Since I don’t speak Vietnamese, sign language had to suffice between us. I found out that a package of these yummy banana sheets cost 24,000VND or just over a dollar. I bought two! And now I’m all set to enjoy a local delicacy at my leisure.

They taste great by themselves or as a contrast to salted peanuts. Or you can warm the sheet and drizzle sweetened condensed milk over them. Outstanding!  

Up close

Here is a sheet of sliced and grilled bananas for you to see up close. We have had these before in other countries and they are generally thick and a little bit greasy. But these just melt in your mouth! A photo can not possibly show you how delectable these goodies are. There is no MSG and no extra sugar.

For the moment, any gap in cultures is brought together just a little bit by enjoying a local dish like this.

We wish you could try some too!

For more stories and photos of Vietnam, click here

Retire Early Lifestyle appeals to a different kind of person – the person who prizes their independence, values their time, and who doesn’t want to mindlessly follow the crowd.