A revisit (yet again) to Ba Ren

*** Ba Ren has closed.

With this wonderful weather, I'm wondering, what the heck are you doing here???? I am glad to know you're reading though. The longer I do this blog, the harder it is to try new places. It is easy to settle into a routine of "wow, it's Thursday..... Ba Ren day." So here's yet another revisit to one of the places on our rotation.

Yes, it's Ba Ren again:

If you've got better things to do, I wouldn't blame you for moving on, and just doing other things.... contemplating your navel, perhaps? I'll try to have something new and fresh tomorrow! Meanwhile, here's some stuff on Ba Ren. We're slowly approaching 1400 posts, and I suppose some folks think that at least 700 hundred of them have been on what we've eaten at Ba Ren. Like I said; I wouldn't blame you.....

Shao Kao at Ba Ren:

If you've driven by, perhaps you've seen this sign:

 Or perhaps the sign to the right provides more info. Basically, Ba Ren is now doing Shao Kao, basically grilled (aka BBQ'd) items for a buck-fifty. The set-up is a bit odd, as the BBQ is ordered separately, and you pay the young man who does the grilling, as it is not part of your bill.

On one visit, I finally gave in and had the lamb..... ok, I love lamb, and couldn't wait to get my grubby mitts on that skewer....

Surprisingly, this skewer was more tender, and was better than what I had at Shao Kao 818 in San Gabriel. It was very moist and reasonably tender, with good salt. The skewer was short on the cumin, and frankly wasn't gamey enough for us.

The new seasonal menu:

Yep, there's a new seasonal menu at Ba Ren.  Of course it used to be that you'd be forced to have someone translate this, but now of course you can just turn it around, and you'll have the menu translated into English. The Missus joked that "no one will read your blog anymore since they've started to translate the menu." Of course I laughed.... ummm... you're still there, aren't you? Ummm.. hello....

 
Two of the items, the Lamb Ribs and the Dry Cooked Mushrooms are holdovers. I've been unsuccessful in getting the Missus to agree to order the Frog Legs.

There is one real winner on this menu. It's the Deep Fried Shrimp with Egg Yolk($12.99):

I'm not sure if you all remember the Sweet Corn with Pine Nuts, but if you do.... think of that dish made with shrimp. A nice egg yolk, lacquered, almost tempura batter coated shrimp. The dish is topped with panko coated with egg yolk, salt, and possibly that impossibly good three lettered flavoring ingredient.

 This was so filling I could only eat about three shrimp.... and a whole lot of the panko on rice, though I wanted more. Another thing; this is a good dish for those who can't handle the heat.

Speaking of not spicy:

I've been asked via email, about non-spicy dishes at Ba Ren. And I try to make recommendations, of course the rice crust and the "pot roast" (actually a pork shank and lion's head meatball in broth) immediately come to mind. But recently, the Missus decided to throw me a real Birthday party. I was really touched, I can remember only two other birthday parties I've had in my life, and this would be my third. Of course we knew that there would be folks who couldn't tolerate very spicy food. So we tried to balance the menu. And when working with Wendy on dishes, She recommended a dish we hadn't even thought of ordering. The Jing Jiang Rou Si...... why would we ever think of ordering Pork Strips in Peking Sauce at Ba Ren?

Man, this was good. Just the right ratio of salty and sweet, and a nice savory bean paste kick with perfectly wokked pork. So here's another dish for those who can't tolerate spicy.

I've also noticed that there's another group. Folks who can eat all the chilies in the world, but don't do too well with Sichuan Peppercorns. If you want perhaps the hottest dish at Ba Ren, order this:

The fish itself isn't really spicy, but when you get to the bean thread on the bottom......

I made sure to order this for the Beer Week Dinner, just so folks know that Ba Ren does indeed serve spicy food. 

And yes:

Ba Ren still serves all of those oldies but goodies.......

I think the folks who attended the B-Day thingy really enjoyed themselves.... of course it could have just been the beer.....

 

This post is for one of my favorite FOYs (Friend of Yoso), who once thought that you could only get this dish on your Birthday:

The Missus and I thought that was so cute......

Ba Ren
4957 Diane Ave
San Diego, CA 92117 

Comments

[foodhoe]

happy birthday, looks like I missed out on quite a bash! Is that karaoke going on in the picture?

[Masa Assassin]

We never get enough of Ba Ren post. The Deep Fried Shrimp with Egg Yolk sounds amazing, In fact, its calling me for lunch.

[Kirk]

Thanks FH..... and yes, that was Karaoke. Scary thing is.... I think there's video evidence... I hope it doesn't make it to YouTube!

Hi FH - That is a killer dish. I'm pretty sure that even if it;s not on the seasonal menu anymore they'll make it for you!

[caninecologne]

happy birthday kirk!!!! the corn fritters were good - the yolk was duck wasn't it.

[Dennis]

Happy Birthday Kirk! I find the long menu here particularly daunting and love reading these posts. Keep them coming!

[Tammy]

LOL....hey!

Ahh, I can never get tired of cold noodles and fillet fish with bean threads.

The bbq corn is really good too. I think Mr. C didn't pay the guy outside when he bought six ears of corn.

[Hao]

"700 hundred" is a lot! :)

Happy Birthday! It looked like it was a lot of deliciousness and fun.

[Jo`]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I keep looking out the kitchen window the last few days and see the guineas walking around their temporary enclosure. At first they look normal then my mind morphs them into their little heads hanging from a hook and their de-feathered bodies perfectly tea smoked brown with crispy skin. Surrounded by little dishes of condiments and sauces, steamed buns and pancakes for wrapping... I need to slap myself back into reality... ONE day... ;o)

[bill]

Happy Belated B-Day!

I love lamb heck I love good food period and the Missus is too kind.

[kat]

happy happy birthday to you!!

[Kirk]

Hi CC - It was half duck half chicken.... hmmm... sounds like some strange creature. This is all chicken egg yolks I believe.

Thanks Dennis - I'm glad you enjoy these posts.

Hey Tammy! ;o) Sounds like Mr. C might have the "corn collector" after him.

Hi Hao - It was a blast. 700 would be a lot.... I'm trying to think, Ba Ren has been openalmost seven years.... so that would be a a hundred visits a year..... 8 visits a month.... 2 a week. Nah, I'm exagerating. The 1400 posts are for real though.

Thanks Jo! I hope you never have to return to "reality".

Hi Bill - Thank you sir! And the Missus is a treasure.

Thanks Kat!

[bill]

I can't recall the first time I landed on your blog and I was hooked. I need a break ;-). That's a lot of post to read I even glance at it while on vacation!

[kirbie]

I love your Ba Ren posts, and any of your other repeats!

[cheesecheese]

happpppy bday!!! the bean thread dish looks goooood!!!!

[Leanne]

Happy Birthday, Kirk!

So, what is that killer spicy bean threads dish called on the menu? So I know how to avoid it? Because that dish made my mouth so sad I had to wash it down with the fish boiled in red sauce because THAT dish was mild in comparison!

We've slowly been making our way through the Ba Ren menu, using the dishes we recognize from the Beer Week dinner as a jumping point. The shrimp with egg yolk looks mighty tasty, though!

[ed (from Yuma)]

Love Ba Ren. Feel so bad about missing your bday. Especially since it was only your 3rd.

[Lynnea]

Happy birthday!

such beautiful photographs. makes the food look so very enticing.

[stephen]

Happy Birthday! I always enjoy your posts about Ba Ren. Seems like its time for a return trip. Only this time, I'll pay more attention when they ask if I want it spicy!

[Kirk]

Hi Bill - I really appreciate all your comments over the years. It keeps me motivated to keep going, so thanks!

Thanks Kirbie!

Hi Chi - It is pretty spicy.

LOL Leanne! I wanted to make sure that no one felt short changed on the spiciness of the food. ;O) Not to worry, though the dish is always available, it isn't on the menu.... so you won't have to worry about accidentally ordering it.

Hey Ed - I do pretty good for a three year old, huh?

Hi Lynnea - I'm sure you and Matthew would enjoy yourselves here.

Thanks so much Stephen. I hope you get just the right amount of heat next time.

[sawyer]

man it's been way too long since i've had ba ren...i need to get down to sd more often. but thanks for the pictures...i can live/taste vicariously through your post. nice report and a happy belated to you!