**** This location of Sab-E-Lee has closed
That has been the question that has been driving the Missus crazy recently when ordering from Sab-E-Lee. Do I get the Beef Salad? Or do I get the Nahm Tok - Beef? Which is resolved with a simple question, "which do you prefer?" Which inevitably drives the Missus into a bout of crazed indecision....it's almost like asking if she'd prefer Sammy to Frankie, or visa versa. And from my emails, She's not the only one that's a bit confused. Yes, there is a "Beef Salad" on the menu (Yum Nuea), it's located under salads, #22. And there is Nahm Tok Nuea (basically "water-fall beef"), under "Specialties". In two of the emails I received, said individual(s) ordered the Beef Salad, and expected the Nahm Tok(I knew right away when I read, "there was no rice powder in my salad"). Not that they didn't enjoy the Beef Salad, but they had expected the Nahm Tok. This point was driven home recently, when the Missus and I had dinner at Sab-E-Lee. We met 2 really nice young men; Justin and Mark, and in the confines of the tiny restaurant, we chatted. In the course of the discussion, we were asked what the difference between the 2 salads were.
So here we go; just a short post tonight. But I'll try to describe the differences between Sab-E-Lee's version of the two dishes.
The Beef Salad($6.95):
Don't let the rather innocuous dish fool you. This is plenty spicy. The Yum Nuea utilizes heat from a good amount of fresh Thai Chilies, which is a very upfront and to the point heat. The fish sauce flavor is not as strong, and the simplicity of the salad allows for the citrus tones to come through. What I really enjoy about the salad are the slices of garlic, which seem to be slightly pickled (I could be wrong), which taste almost sweet. In this case the carrots have been mixed into the salad, along with sliced red onion and scallions. The salad is topped with a generous amount of cilantro.
The Nahm Tok Nuea($6.95):
This dish has the benefit of mint leaves and roasted rice powder, which adds a mild nuttiness to the dish. In addition, chili paste is used instead of the chopped chilies, which, at least for me, creates a slower "burn", that can sneak up on you. I find this dish to be a bit more pungent than the Beef Salad, and prefer it over the Beef Salad(don't tell that to the Missus though). I think of it as a more hearty dish, and love to eat this with sticky rice. Shredded carrot and purple cabbage, as well as the standard wedge of cabbage is also provided.
So there you go.....2 dishes that seem to be one in the same, but are quite different. So which does the Missus prefer? Well, recently, it's been dish #3.......this:
It took me a while to get Her to try it....but when She did....well, I'm kinda sorry I did. Now the Missus and I fight it out. What is it? I'll cover that in a future post!
Sab-E-Lee Restaurant
2405 Ulric St
San Diego, CA 92111
My previous posts on Sab-E-Lee can be found here and here.
I hope everyone had a great long weekend!
Both looks delicious! Can't wait to read about the third dish.
Posted by: Carol | Monday, 01 September 2008 at 08:57 PM
We ate at the restaurant over the weekend and it was delicious!
Posted by: ken | Tuesday, 02 September 2008 at 08:26 AM
Hey Kirk!
First off... THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for sharing such a wonderful restaurant with us! I took my mom(who's Cambodian/Chinese) out for dinner Sunday night and we LOVED it. We ended up getting the Nahm Tok - Beef, Pahd See Ewe - chicken, and the Pa-Nang curry to finish things with both the jasmine and sticky rice. Everything was delicious but the Nahm Tok in particular was mouth water good especially with some sticky rice. (btw I saw a couple eating the #90 Duck Noodles which I asked about and hear it's a winner)
The owner (Kobi) was a delight to chat with and when he asked how I had found the place I mentioned you and he smiled immediately and mentioned that you had been there a few hours earlier.
I plan to go tomorrow for some Koi Soi and some of that good looking Northeastern Sausage. Will let you know how it is and THANK YOU again.
-Derek
Posted by: Derek | Tuesday, 02 September 2008 at 11:33 AM
both sound good, I think I've had both versions and didn't realize they are different dishes too. You guys always find the good stuff!
Posted by: foodhoe | Tuesday, 02 September 2008 at 12:12 PM
Hi Carol - Just a hint....you've already read about that third dish....
Hi Ken - I'm glad you enjoyed the food. Thanks for letting me know.
Hi Derek - Awwww...I was saving the "Boat Noodles" for later! ;o) I'm glad you enjoyed the food...and feel even better that your Mom loved the food. Comments like yours keep me going. Thanks so much!
Hi FH - In many places, both dishes are interchangeable....I enjoyed that they have both versions here so the differences are easier to pin down.
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 02 September 2008 at 07:31 PM
Hey Kirk, is the third dish the Koi Soi?
Posted by: Carol | Wednesday, 03 September 2008 at 09:17 AM
Hi Carol - yes it is.....
Posted by: Kirk | Wednesday, 03 September 2008 at 03:32 PM
Hey all, let's keep supporting P-Kobi. Sometimes they have Pak-boong fi daeng (water spinach with chili and garlic, off menu you have to ask) I would also suggest Kao Mo Daeng, Kao Kao Mo, rice with salty fish and Som-Tom but Essan style) I also had grilled pork tongue, very good. My wife is Thai Esan so she does all the ordering! Yenta Fo is also good (seafood noodle soup). Wife also says there is also good northern style curry, Gang Ba I think, really spicy stuff, has lots of bamboo & chilis, etc, no coconut milk. Hard to find on the local menus
Enjoy all!
And yes, Kirk, Oishi Thai Japanese was the place, I'll find more off menus stuffs for people to try and ask for at both places.
Posted by: PedMa | Sunday, 07 September 2008 at 12:27 PM
Hi PedMa - The salted fish rice is one of the Missus's favorites. Kobi told me he's got a bunch or return customers now.....a really great sign, since he's only been open a few days past a month.
Posted by: Kirk | Sunday, 07 September 2008 at 07:27 PM
Hi Kirk!
Just got back from dinner a little while ago--my friend and I were so excited!
Everything we had was delicious--spicy mint noodles, sausage fried rice, and the catfish larb.
The larb especially was amazing--we both said we had never had anything that tasted like that before. (I've had larb before but this had something special--maybe it was the rice powder, I don't know.)
The man who took our orders was just so nice. He was very sweet and asked how we heard about the place--I said "there's a guy with a website about San Diego food..."
Thanks again for the rec--we'll be back!
Posted by: Jenne | Sunday, 07 September 2008 at 09:48 PM
Hi Jenne - I thought you'd enjoy the food there, and am glad you had a great time. Thanks for letting me know how your meal turned out. And don't be a stranger, ok?
Posted by: Kirk | Monday, 08 September 2008 at 09:15 AM