**** This location of Banh Cuon Tay Ho has closed
On one of trips to "the OC", we were in need of a snack, and was in the Garden Grove/Westminster area. The Missus and I thought some Banh Cuon would do the trick, especially since the Banh Cuon in San Diego really doesn't match up to what you can get in the Little Saigon area. Because we were close by we stopped at the Garden Grove location of Banh Cuon Tay Ho which looks very clean. And we arrived just at the transitional time when the breakfast folks were headed out and right before the lunch crowd.
This location looks newer and a bit cleaner than the Westminster location, but the tables and chairs are packed in close together. The snorting and slurping older man on the table behind the Missus kept bumping Her during the entire meal..... I offered to switch seats with Her, but She refused. So what the heck..... maybe it made Her feel like She was back in Vietnam?
Another thing we like about BCTH is that they don't fool around with the Nuoc Mam Cham......two pitchers of the stuff was delivered to our table. This pitcher of the spicier version was full when it arrived.......
I just went with the Banh Cuon Dac Biet - the house special ($6.35):
Though not as thin and sticky as the versions we had in Vietnam, I still enjoy the Banh Cuon, the rice sheet has a nice mild pull, and is still thin enough to enjoy. The standard pork and wood ear fungus has decent flavor. Along with the standard accompaniments of Cha Lua and blanched bean sprouts, a version of Banh Tom (deep fried shrimp and sweet potato fritters) and Banh Cong, a sort of mung bean and shrimp fritter is included.
As are all the garnishes:
We also had an extra order of Banh Cong($6), and were warned "it is vegetarian, you know"..... I wonder what kind of vegetable shrimp is? In all fairness, there's only one shrimp attached to the outside of each cake.
Think of this as a savory, dense, mung bean "andagi" if you will. It is quite substantial, and I'm certain that it multiplies in volume once it hits your stomach.
Since the Missus saw it on the menu, She had to order the Bun Rieu ($6.35):
We both thought that this was a subpar version of Bun Rieu; it lacked the flavor of tomato, and was so superbly red that I was wondering if they use food coloring. The noodles were the appropriate thin version, but were super mushy and overcooked. The broth was terrible, much like water with shrimp paste. Not very good eats......
Still, we had come here for the Banh Cuon, and tough I've been told that the shop in Westminster is better, I left satisfied.
Banh Cuon Tay Ho
13876 Brookhurst St
Garden Grove, CA 92843
Of course nothing quite matches the appeal of Banh Cuon made fresh in the morning.........
Pitchers of nuoc mam cham?! Holy cow, that is both bewildering and totally awesome. :P
Posted by: Marie | Wednesday, 09 December 2009 at 11:38 PM
wow! pitchers of nuoc mam cham?! nice!
Posted by: kat | Thursday, 10 December 2009 at 04:06 AM
I didn't know there was one on Brookhurst; their website doesn't list this location. Last time we were in the area, we got banh cuon to go from No. 4. We had intended to go to No. 2 as usual, but the iPhone search brought up No. 4 (which is just down the street on Bolsa). Anyway, No. 4 looked fairly new and clean AND the tables didn't seem to be packed too close together.
Posted by: Sandy | Thursday, 10 December 2009 at 08:02 AM
I like this place. They make that crepe with grill pork and vegetables and mint rolled up inside and its good and compact and perfect for lunch. I can't recall the number of the item. I'm surprise this place has finally open a 3rd shop since every single one of them is always pack or there is no parking and I don't like sitting next to people let alone get bump every time by rude people then again what's new.
Posted by: bill | Thursday, 10 December 2009 at 09:52 AM
Hi Marie - They must go through jugs of the stuff, since it seems like every table uses at least 2/3s of a pitcher.
Hi Kat - Yes, just enough for us! ;o)
Hi Sandy - They really pack eveybody in at this location. I don't blame them, though since the shop is pretty small.
Hi Billy - You mean the version of Banh Xeo they make? They call them "Vietnamese Soft Tacos" on the menu?
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 10 December 2009 at 02:23 PM
yummy!!! i'm missing so-cal....
Posted by: Vicky (SF Bay Area) | Thursday, 10 December 2009 at 03:21 PM
awww... disappointing that the bun rieu wasnt good! there's this place up in the san jose area called pho kim long that just re-opened after expanding and remodeling and they make the BEST bun rieu i've ever tasted my entire life. the bun bo hue never disappoints either! if youre ever in the area, let me know!!! it's SNOWING up in the hills here, perfect weather for some hot spicy goodness!
Posted by: Judy @ TinkerWithFOod | Thursday, 10 December 2009 at 05:24 PM
Seen it all the time when I go up there but never stepped food inside.
That's some hefty plate of vegetables!
Posted by: Tammy | Thursday, 10 December 2009 at 06:59 PM
Hi Vicky - I think they have locations in NoCal.
Hi Judy - I'll make sure to get some rec's if I'm ever in the area!
Hi Tammy - Man, were the herbs fresh and shiny!
Posted by: Kirk | Friday, 11 December 2009 at 08:04 AM
No not that one Kirk.
Its the same thing you had but with bbq pork wrapped inside.
its not banh xeo
Posted by: bill | Friday, 11 December 2009 at 09:05 AM