Revisiting the Rotation: Mien Trung and Izakaya Sakura

A couple more revisits to our rotation.

Mien Trung:

Our recent cold weather meant an immediate return to Mien Trung, easily my favorite Bun Bo Hue in San Diego. I've had my share of Bun Bo Hue  and keep returning to this little Mom and Pop shop. It is literally a Mom and Pop shop; back in 2007 Mien Trung was closed for almost a month. When they reopened we asked why they were closed for the better part of a month. The answer was simple, "Mom was on vacation. No Mom, no soup!" It does beg the question of what happens when Mom decides to retire.... But let us consider more pleasant thoughts for now.

The Bun Bo Hue:

The soup was as usual spot on, full of lemongrass flavor with a nice lip and back of throat heat, and a mild savory fermented component to boot. One aspect I think is important with Bun Bo Hue, is the temperature of the broth. The main reason being the shredded veggies served on the side. The vegetables to me, are an integral part of the dish, and the soup needs to be very hot to soften the veggies a bit. I've become used to the thicker cut meat in Bun Bo Hue, those who want the tender rare steak, should stick with Pho Tai, as at all of the more traditional Central Vietnamese shops that serve Bun Bo Hue serve it that way. The noodles always seem to be served a perfect al dente at Mien Trung.

The perfect panacea for the cooler weather...... I have encountered a problem with eating Bun Bo Hue and Bun Rieu. It is the matter of attire, slurping around the annatto tinged broth, you are better off wearing something where little red dots aren't so conspicuous. I mention this because Ed from Yuma always seems to wear white or other light colors when we've eaten at Mien Trung......

Mien Trung Restaurant
7530 Mesa College Dr
San Diego, CA 92111
 

Izakaya Sakura, yet again:

Yes, another place that we've posted on many, many, times. Though if you think we pay a bit too much attention to Sakura, you should check out Dennis's posts on Sakura, which truly defines the word obsession dedication, the heights of which I've never seen in the world of blogging. I'm kinda glad cooler weather is upon us, since I haven't seen Kazu around much during lunch hour. No Kazu means no Chirashi, no natto-maguro don, etc, etc.....

So on this day, the Missus got Her usual, the Unadon - Unagi Rice:

 
The Missus really enjoys this... perhaps a bit too much, as She now visits Sakura solo. That in itself is not too bad, but She always makes sure to call me and let me know what a great lunch She's having!

I went with the Curry Udon:

The pleasantly hot, but somewhat thin broth was topped with a "slick" of Japanese Curry.

A little stirring with the chopsticks, and viola!

The curry added some heat, richness, and flavor to the rather thin and bland broth which I tasted before mixing. The noodles had a nice pull to it, which of course posed another problem....has anyone invented a "slurp proof" shirt yet??? Maybe Dennis might know!

Even though the curry had bits of ground beef in it, I had thought this would be a bit short on the protein, and it in fact was, which justified my ordering the Chicken Karaage.

I usually end up making my own Chicken Karaage at home since it's so easy, but I think Sakura's version is nice and light, if a bit short in the flavor department.  

So I guess with all these visits, Izakaya Sakura easily stays on our rotation.

To finish up, I just thought I'd throw in a coupla photos of the ever changing "special bento", just for the heck of it.

Anyone know where I can get a "slurp proof" shirt?

Izakaya Sakura
3904 Convoy St Ste 121
San Diego, CA 92111

Comments

[ghettofabgourmet.blogspot.com]

I don't know about a slurp-proof shirt, but I have a splatter-proof slurp method. That is to bring my face closer to the bowl, more specifically: chin hovering over rim of bowl. The close proximity of mouth-to-bowl minimizes splatter

[Dennis]

Hi Kirk! I tell people I'm just another one of Sakura's regulars (I see many of the same faces) that happens to have a food blogging hobby that's all.. ;) I had that stuffed squid bento a couple months ago too. Anyway thanks for the mention! Cheers

[santos.]

http://www.thedeviantsasylum.com/store/vinyl-leather/men-s-vinyl-shirt-with-zip-front.html

:P

[Hao]

[quote]
A little stirring with the chopsticks, and viola!
[/quote]
Violas, huh? I usually don't point out typos, but this one made me smile. :)

[nhbilly]

LOL I hate eating bun bo hue because I hate having the noodles attacking me. I usually cut up the noodle into smaller length but scoping it up was the other challenge, d@mn these soup.

[nhbilly]

http://izismile.com/img/img2/20091014/daily_picdump_263_92.jpg

LOL

[ed (from Yuma)]

Thanks for the shout out. I would gladly sacrifice a shirt for a bowl of bun bo hue today.

[Kirk]

Hi GFG - Slurping is half the fun....plus it is pretty much required for certain noodle dishes. At least the next time I go to Santouka, I'll be able to find you in a crowd! ;o)

Hi Dennis - Well then, I'd say you're without a doubt a regular....

Hi santos - LOL! ha-ha-ha....

Hi Hao - You have something against string instruments??? I'm glad you enjoyed that.... so I'm leaving it as is!

Hi Billy - Those noodles are pretty slippery...... but cutting them up makes it seem like baby food!

Hi Ed - You'll need to get back out here soon!

[Carol]

I am glad to read that I'm not the only one who is shirt challenged. And I also have a knack of wearing white or light colored shirts on slirp days.

[Lynnea]

yummy looking unadon! The Missus is just too cute.

[Chris]

You should just have a dark shirt in the car at all times just in case you get an urge to slurp ;) or a trusty bib :p great blog, btw!

[Eat. Travel. Eat!]

I've never ordered a Curry udon at a Japanese restaurant and your photo of curry udon certainly makes me intrigued. Is it just me or are the udon noodles are flat and rectangular instead of square?

[Tammy]

Ask for extra Crab Hut bibs when you are there. By the way, they have main lobsters now AND gift cards.

[Chris]

Mien Trung is the best. I LOVE it!

[Kirk]

Hi Carol - I really need to plan better!

Hi Lynnea - She does keep me amused....

Hi Chris - I had actually thought about a slurp shirt.......

Hi ETE - Those are just your usual udon noodles in shape.

Hi Tammy - Now you know I never wear a bib! ;o)

Hi Chris - The recent weather justs scream for Bun Bo Hue, doesn't it?

[kat]

wear black! :)

[Kirk]

LOL Kat - If you knew me, you'd quickly see that black is not a great color for me.... I guess I ain't no Johnny Cash!

[Pedma]

Sawadee krab P- Kirk....

Nice to see you at Moe's(was with my wife and split the loco)....

kinda of like the Bun Bo Hue at Pho Hoa Hiep- Linda Vista, ever try that?

did you try the tomato lady at Hillcrest FM for the Hawaiian chili. Gone now bra, but i made some chili water from my plant and some red thai chili, pretty good.

check out this movie from my friend....google it. "beyond the reef". he and ohana outriggred the Hawaiian chain south to north.

Mahalo....

[Pedma]

man I must be getting tired, posted to Kabob shop piece...

here is the follow on, sorry to all for the repeat:

Here is the link if anyone cares to see the trailer:

http://soulfabric.net/newsfeed/

Aloha nui loa to all that support the cause....

[Kirk]

Hi Pedma - I think I'll wait till next spring for the chilies. BTW, Mien Trung is the real deal, Pho Hiep and Grill is Pho shop Bun Bo Hue, and doesn't have the deep lemongrass flavor. Most Pho places tend to fix that short-coming by dumping in more fermented shrimp paste. You should try Mien Trung or Hoai Hue Deli....folks from Hue, making Bun Bo Hue. As for Pho shop BBH, I think Pho Ca Dao on ECB makes a good version.