Time sure flies. Back in mid-February, the Missus and I did a two-fer road trip to Little Saigon. Both destinations were recommendations. The first was made by "Kha" commenting on this post. It was in regards to Cha Ca Thang Long, which is basically fish which uses two items not often mentioned with regards to Vietnamese cuisine; dill and tumeric. The dish is a specialty of Hanoi and we ate it at Cha Ca Thang Long Restaurant in Hoan Kiem District. We've had it at what I thought were the two, Vien Dong and Ha Noi best Cha Ca restaurants in the Little Saigon area. So when Kha mentioned a place called Song Long, which someone else inquired about before, mt curiosity was piqued. Kha then added that he'd had Cha Ca Thang Long at the namesake restaurant in Hanoi as well and his parents thought the Cha Ca at Song Long was better, well.......
Song Long Restaurant:
The interior of the place look like a diner/coffee shop and there was a funny combination Tet/Valentine's day display that was hilarious.
The menu is French influenced Vietnamese, with Bun Cha on one page and Nicoise Salad on the next. Since this arrived just after we sat down, I guess everyone get some bread.
Of course we got the Cha Ca Thang Long ($16.95) and guess what?
This was really good. The fish, which we were told was catfish, something that I usually won't order in the US, wasn't muddy tasting in the least. Tender and moist....and with a lot less oil than the stuff in Vietnam which is literally swimming in two inches of oil, topped with a liberal amount of fried shallots and dill, and a base of onions was delish with the huge amount of the usual suspects of bun, fresh herbs, and vegetables. The mam nem, a heady and wonderful mixture of fermented shrimp paste, a touch of chili, a sweet component, and acid was addictive and the Missus couldn't get enough.
So Kha, as far as we're concerned, your parents are totally right about the Cha Ca Thang Long.
Curiosity got the better of me as along with the fish I ordered the Escargots de Bourgogne ($6.95). Vietnamese love their snails and whelks so I expected this to be pretty good, but it was not.
This was rather cold, the herb butter greasy, and the snails were beyond rigor mortis. This was not good eats.
Overall, the service was decent, not particularly attentive, but this was Bolsa Avenue, so I didn't expect much. I'll be back for the cha ca thang long.....and I saw a bowl of Banh Mi Bo Kho walked pass me that was calling out to me. No more snails though.
Song Long Restaurant
9361 Bolsa Ave Suite 108
Westminster, CA 92683
Hours:
Open Daily 9am - 10pm
Thanks for the recommendation Kha! Thank your parents as well, they know how to pick 'em.
As you can tell, we really didn't load up here as we had another stop after this one.
Stay Tuned!
I've never had snails . Too scared to. Without sounding too naive , do they taste like clams :(
Posted by: Faye | Thursday, 25 April 2013 at 09:54 PM
It depends on the type of snails. I remember the whelks like those in the above pictures, and they're very meaty and muscular, and a lot more chewy than clams.
Posted by: Katie T. | Friday, 26 April 2013 at 12:06 AM
eep bad snails :(
Posted by: kat | Friday, 26 April 2013 at 03:54 AM
No Faye - When good, they have a mild flavor, most of it is texture.
Hi Katie - I've actually had very tender large Oc and they are meaty like you say. These were like eating pieces of tire. These actually weren't those. They looked like the canned escargot you buy in the market.
LOL Kat!
Posted by: Kirk | Friday, 26 April 2013 at 06:19 AM
Its like dejavu I swear I've been to this place for breakfast. I guess eggs and baguette is nothing to shout about. If my memory serves me right Thanh Ha on the corner of Magnolia and Bolsa and a few doors down from Le Corissant makes some go cha ca and bun cha hanoi. Definitely I stop when I'm in OC is July.
Posted by: nhbilly | Friday, 26 April 2013 at 07:49 AM
Hi Billy - I've heard about the Banh Xeo at Thanh Ha but not the Cha Ca...will have to check it out.
Posted by: Kirk | Saturday, 27 April 2013 at 12:52 PM
This is the first time I've heard of sizzling plates containing fish. Looks great though.
Posted by: ChristineT | Saturday, 27 April 2013 at 08:35 PM
Hi Christine - Cha Ca Thang Long is a much beloved Northern Vietnamese dish. The versions in the states are usually served on sizzling plates without the two cups of oil. It's really good stuff!
Posted by: Kirk | Saturday, 27 April 2013 at 09:10 PM
If you walk in with me, you will have much better service.
Posted by: beachbumsb | Thursday, 22 January 2015 at 12:25 PM
Hey Beach - We've been back a couple of times and the service has been much better.
Posted by: Kirk | Friday, 23 January 2015 at 11:37 AM