Want to meet the Missus's latest obsession? Here it is:
Yes, it's Banh Mi. Banh Mi Bi.....the version with shredded pork skin as the filling. I don't quite know how this one came about, but 2 weeks ago, it became "all about the Bi!" So after eating Banh Mi Bi just about everyday for the last 2 weeks(that's a lot of Bi!), the Missus came up with Her 3 favorites. So I decided to see, if the Missus knew Her Bi(that kinda rhymes, doesn't it?).
In a blind tasting of Her 3 favorites, She identified each sandwich and where it came from, based on taste, texture, bread, and of course Bi.
So here they are:
Bi - 1: Cafe Dore($2.75):
The Missus says: "it's all about the Bi, great ratio of meat to skin(meatiest Bi), nice condensed pork flavor, Bi is always moist, with hints of sweetness. The bread is okay, on any given day Cafe Dore or Saigon will have better bread. The cilantro is a lost cause, too stringy, and the pickles are just average. Best flavor and texture overall."
Cafe Dore
4135 University Ave
San Diego, CA 92105
Bi - 2: Saigon Sandwiches and Deli($2.75):
Amazingly, Saigon Sandwiches and Deli, right next door took second place. Even though they reside next to each other, Cafe Dore and Saigon have distinct personalities. Cafe Dore being a Viet Coffee shop, is overwhelmingly male; the Missus was the only female in the place during a recent meal(post is forthcoming). Saigon, is a combination convenience store/snack shop, and the clientele is about two-thirds women and children.
So what about the Banh Mi? The Missus says:"Too much skin to meat, meat is on the dry side, the amount of roasted rice powder makes this sandwich stand out. It adds nice texture. The pickles are usually very good, refreshing sour with some spiciness. Too much pickles relative to Bi. Bread is usually good. Larger sandwich that Cafe Dore"
Saigon Sandwiches & Deli
4133 University Ave
San Diego, CA 92105
Bi - 3: Kim Chan Sandwich Shop($2.50):
The Missus says:"Bread is sometimes soggy, too much mayo kills the flavor. This place has the spiciest peppers that overwhelms the mild flavor of the Bi. Too little Bi relative to veggies, pickles, and bread."
I noticed something interesting when waiting for the sandwich. The gentleman first made the sandwich, wrapped it up, than proceeded to heat the sandwich.....
Kim Chan Sandwich Shop
4712 El Cajon Blvd Suite N
San Diego, CA 92115
Others that didn't make the cut include Bale.....
So there you have it.......it's all about the Bi.
Another short lived obsession:
After enjoying the Nem Chua I brought home from the Tet Festival, the Missus started seeking out different versions of this tasty sour pork sausage. So here we have a rarity......parallel obsessions!
The winner? The version from Kim Chan, though the smallest, and most expensive($6) was the favorite. It had the best texture(even though it had the least amount of pork skin), and flavor(hints of garlic, chilies, peppercorns).
The version from Bale in Mira Mesa was okay, but had too many peppercorns, and was too sour. In third was bought from Saigon Sandwiches & Deli, very tough, and bland.
Did I mention why this was a short lived obsession? When it was explained to the Missus that this was not a "cooked" sausage, in fact it is a fermented sausage....for some reason this ended the Missus's obsession.
what a great bahn mi comparison!
Posted by: kat | Sunday, 24 February 2008 at 09:29 PM
Geesh you seem to know how to ruin a person's appetite. Regardless I love Nem Chua! ;-) I like my bi in com tam not a big fan of bi in sandwich or in a rice paper wrap. Maybe its just me?
Posted by: nhbilly | Sunday, 24 February 2008 at 10:23 PM
Haha. Maybe the Missus liked the nem chua b/c of all the bi in it? Just tell her that the vinegar "cooks" the meat so it's OK to eat.
Posted by: Wandering Chopsticks | Sunday, 24 February 2008 at 11:21 PM
Another great food battle roundup! I haven't tried the pork skin banh mi, but I will definitely put it on my to-eat list.
Posted by: howie | Monday, 25 February 2008 at 07:36 AM
Hey, Kirk! I'm enjoying the Missus' various obsessions. We're a lot alike that way. Great banh mi roundup and I have a love-hate relationship with nem chua. It's good, but after 1-2 pieces I have a lingering foul aftertaste on the back of my tongue. Ick. My boss brought some into work and the pungent flavor freaked some people out.
Posted by: geekyfoodie | Monday, 25 February 2008 at 08:37 AM
Yes nem chua is very very yummy. lol...poor Missus. It's okay to eat Beef Nem Chua, it's safer than pork =)
Posted by: yummieyummy | Monday, 25 February 2008 at 04:26 PM
Hi Kat - This was all the Missus's work.
Hi Billy - Lucky me....I got to eat all the leftover Nem Chua!
Hi WC - The skin plays a definite part! The Missus understands the science part of Nem Chua...it's the perception portion she is having problems with.
Hi Howie - Personally, I'd go for something else....but hey, if the Missus loves it....
Hi GF - Yep, there's a definite after taste.....
Hi YY - It's all good stuff!
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 26 February 2008 at 04:38 PM
Hi Kirk!
I agree with The Missus with regards to Saigon Sandwiches. It seemed like the pickle flavor overpowered the flavor of the Bi. However, Saigon Sandwiches also has the best egg rolls that I've had so far from a Vietnamese sandwich shop.
Next time, I shall try Cafe Dore!
Posted by: Fred | Wednesday, 27 February 2008 at 04:42 PM
Hi Fred - Try the Xiu Mai(meatball) Banh Mi at Saigon....I think it's the best version....most others put too much tomato sauce.
Posted by: Kirk | Wednesday, 27 February 2008 at 06:42 PM
Mmmmmmm Another thing to add to my list of things to eat when I get to California. I love Nem Chua, but I have only tasted ones made by a friends mom. So tasty!
Posted by: milgwimper | Sunday, 09 March 2008 at 10:11 AM
Hi Mills - So no Banh Mi in Germany?
Posted by: Kirk | Sunday, 09 March 2008 at 04:50 PM
Sorry I haven't commented in so long.
But I also went back to Cafe Dore after reading that post on Chowhound about Bahn Mi Bi. The sandwiches were even better than I had remembered. We have actually been going to Kim Chan more frequently, but I think Cafe Dore beats them, especially if you care about a place to sit down. And the bread is better too.
I've never tried Saigon Sandwiches; did you review it back in that big Bahn Mi retrospective? I don't recall. Now I will have to check it out, for those take-out days.
Posted by: Joseph E | Wednesday, 19 March 2008 at 12:53 PM
Hi Joseph - Welcome back! I hope fatherhood is suiting you well. I did the post on Saigon sandwiches after that round-up, here's the link:
http://mmm-yoso.typepad.com/mmmyoso/2007/09/saigon-sandwich.html
Enjoy!
Posted by: Kirk | Wednesday, 19 March 2008 at 01:15 PM
Hi to you all! I noticed that a lot of you love Nem Chua. I recently run a business named CO TU FOODS. We are probably the first (at least in Silicon Valley) to have license to make Nem Chua (beef and pork). I would like to send you samples. I assure you that our Nem Chua can beat any brands in the market right now. Call me if you are interested in our samples: 408-981-4503. Thank you
Posted by: Ngan Le | Friday, 06 February 2009 at 12:20 PM