No reservations required Mr. President: Anthony Bourdain picks up the $6 tab for meal with Obama in Vietnam and reveals his 'chopstick skills are on point' 

  • President Obama arrived in Vietnam on Sunday as part of his trip to Asia
  • He sat down for dinner with CNN's 'Parts Unknown' host Anthony Bourdain
  • Bourdain picked up the tab and said Obama's chopstick skills are 'on point'
  • The interview will air as part of the show's eighth season this September 

By Kalhan Rosenblatt For Dailymail.com and Associated Press

Published: 09:05 EST, 23 May 2016 | Updated: 12:36 EST, 23 May 2016

Anthony Bourdain picked up the tab for one of the most prestigious guests ever to be interviewed on the CNN host's show 'Parts Unknown': President Obama.

Bourdain met with the president in Hanoi, Vietnam, on Monday night for an interview and $6 meal at what appeared to be a crowded casual dining spot. 

The pair indulged in a 'Bun Cha' dinner, typically grilled pork and noodle, while the president sipped cold beer and discussed the purpose of his trip to Asia.

Scroll down for video 

President Obama (left) and CNN's 'Parts Unkown' host Anthony Bourdain (right) sat down for dinner in Vietnam

President Obama (left) and CNN's 'Parts Unkown' host Anthony Bourdain (right) sat down for dinner in Vietnam

Bourdain tweeted this picture on Monday, showing he and the president were sat on low blue stools but enjoyed the food and beer

Bourdain tweeted this picture on Monday, showing he and the president were sat on low blue stools but enjoyed the food and beer

The president is in Hanoi, Vietnam, as part of a trip to Asia and had 'Bun Cha' dinner with Bourdain on Monday 

The president is in Hanoi, Vietnam, as part of a trip to Asia and had 'Bun Cha' dinner with Bourdain on Monday 

Bourdain praised the president, saying his 'chopstick skills' were 'on point' as the two appeared to sip beer

Bourdain praised the president, saying his 'chopstick skills' were 'on point' as the two appeared to sip beer

The CNN host said he picked up the president's tab, which only cost him $6. The episode was filmed for the shows eighth season 

The CNN host said he picked up the president's tab, which only cost him $6. The episode was filmed for the shows eighth season 

The CNN host will discuss Obama's interest in the people, food and culture of Vietnam, for an episode to air in September 

The CNN host will discuss Obama's interest in the people, food and culture of Vietnam, for an episode to air in September 

Bourdain posted a picture to his Instagram of himself and the president candidly leaning over the silver-topped table while patrons in the background casually enjoy dinner. 

He captioned the photo saying Obama's 'chopstick skills' were 'on point' - a talent Obama might have picked up while living with his mother in Indonesia in the late 1960s and early 1970s. 

No one appears star-struck or aware of the president and Bourdain as they eat their Monday evening meal. 

Bourdain later tweeted: 'Total cost of bun Cha dinner with the President: $6.00. I picked up the check.'  

The CNN host asked about Obama's interest in the people, food and culture of Vietnam.

Bourdain's food travelogue is one of the network's most popular nonfiction series. Bourdain's show has been on CNN since 2013. 

Rock star president: Local residents hoped to snap a picture as Obama left his evening meal with Bourdain

Rock star president: Local residents hoped to snap a picture as Obama left his evening meal with Bourdain

Obama had his fun with Bourdain but also took serious strides with the U.S.'s former war enemy nation of Vietnam

Obama had his fun with Bourdain but also took serious strides with the U.S.'s former war enemy nation of Vietnam

On Monday Obama lifted a half-century-old ban on selling arms to Vietnam, which was at war with the U.S. beginning in 1955

On Monday Obama lifted a half-century-old ban on selling arms to Vietnam, which was at war with the U.S. beginning in 1955

For each episode the chef travels to a different part of the world to explore that area's culture, primarily by sharing in the area's distinct native cuisine.

The interview with Obama will be featured in the eighth season of 'Parts Unknown,' which begins in September. 

Obama had his fun with Bourdain but also took serious strides with the U.S.'s former war enemy nation of Vietnam. 

On Monday Obama lifted a half-century-old ban on selling arms to Vietnam, looking to bolster a government seen as a crucial, though flawed partner in a region that he has tried to place at the center of his foreign policy legacy.

Obama announced the full removal of the embargo at a news conference where he vowed to leave behind the troubled history between the U.S. and Vietnam

Obama announced the full removal of the embargo at a news conference where he vowed to leave behind the troubled history between the U.S. and Vietnam

Obama steered clear of harsh condemnation of what critics see as Vietnam's abysmal treatment of dissidents

Obama steered clear of harsh condemnation of what critics see as Vietnam's abysmal treatment of dissidents

Obama announced the full removal of the embargo at a news conference where he vowed to leave behind the troubled history between the U.S. and Vietnam and embrace a new era with a young, increasingly prosperous nation. 

Obama steered clear of harsh condemnation of what critics see as Vietnam's abysmal treatment of dissidents, describing instead modest progress on rights in the one-party state. 

Activists said his decision to lift the embargo destroyed the best U.S. leverage for pushing Vietnam on abuse.

 

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