Beef and Jicama Noodle Bowl

I ARRIVE AT AUNTY NINE’S HOME IN DISTRICT THREE. ‘WHAT SPECIALITY DO YOU FEEL LIKE EATING TODAY LUKE?’ SHE ASKS. BUN BI BO,’ I REPLY. ‘THAT’S NOT A SPECIALITY,’ SHE SAYS, ‘THAT’S STREET FOOD – TOO SIMPLE, WHAT ELSE?’ BUT FOR ME, IT’S THE SIMPLE DISHES THAT I CRAVE THE MOST.

THIS RECIPE USES JICAMA, PRONOUNCED HEE-KAM-MAH, WHICH IS A ROOT VEGETABLE, QUITE STRANGE LOOKING, WITH CRISP WHITE FLESH AND A DUSTY BROWN SKIN. UNLIKE ITS RELATIVE THE POTATO, IT CAN BE EATEN RAW. JICAMA