**** Nhat Vy has closed
I first posted on Nhat Vy back in November when they had just opened, and while only one dish stood out, the Banh Cuon, the prices were right and the folks working here were very nice. Over the next couple of months we visited a couple more times. Here's what we found. After a few months they moved things around and even had a grease board put up. Unfortunately, it's hidden behind the palm.....
As you can see, there's a nice representation of items I really enjoy listed, bot chien, banh xeo, and of course, what they make to order, the Banh Cuon.
I brought the Missus right after my initial post and She was sold......granted, not the best Banh Cuon in the world, but good by San Diego standards. That would be thin, slightly stretchy......
The goi cuon, on the other hand is nothing to write home about......
Too much bun...with iceberg lettuce (!). Dirt cheap though at $2.25 for two.
We returned for the Banh Cuon, but were shut out on subsequent trips, which gave us a chance to try other items on the menu.
The Bun Tom, vermicelli with shrimp was quite good according to the Missus.
Shrimp plump and juicy and the bun prepared well.
On this trip I tried the Bun Mam ($7).
In the case of Bun Mam, I expect a rich, funky, complex, almost heavy broth broth, full bodied with the flavor of fermented shrimp paste almost bubbling to the surface creating what I call an "umami bomb". This was pretty weak. The broth seemed to be the kitchen's standard issue soup broth with some mam nem dumped in it. Not much else to say, other than this really isn't bun mam.
We returned the following week, hoping for Banh Cuon.....my pronunciation of certain Vietnamese words can be almost tragically funny. Like I've often said...."I barely speak English and you want me to try a six-tone language?" So I've started typing the words out on my iPhone showing the folks working here what I want. Well, no Banh Cuon on this visit either.......
So the Missus ordered the Banh Xeo.
We were both surprised when not one, but two crepes were brought out. Along with the veggies and herbs, this was quite a bit of food. These were ok, the scant pork really tough and the meager shrimp overcooked and rubbery. If I recall, this was like about five bucks....really cheap. But we'd have preferred a smaller portion with a better product.
I decided to try the simple bot chien, but it was a "no go". So I went with the Bánh canh giò heo ($7) a clear broth soup with pigs feet.
This was their standard issue clear broth with some well prepared and slippery rice/tapioca flour noodles. There were two smallish pieces of pig's feet which was pretty tender, but nothing special. The broth was light on flavor, but kind of heavy on the MSG as I started to puff up a bit after the soup.
After striking out twice on the Banh Cuon, the Missus and I concocted a strategy. I'd park in front, motor running, the Missus would walk in the door and ask if they had Banh Cuon today. If not, She'd thank them and we'd be on our way. That way, we'd minimize wasting time and calories on dishes we really didn't want.
After coming up empty handed three more times we just gave up. The folks here are nice, but there's just really one item on the menu we want, and they never seem to have it anymore. Too bad.......
Nhat Vy Vietnamese Restaurant
4595 El Cajon Boulevard
San Diego, CA 92115
Good grief take the sh!t of the menu.
Sorry guys...
Posted by: nhbilly | Wednesday, 03 July 2013 at 11:48 AM
LOL Billy.....
Posted by: Kirk | Wednesday, 03 July 2013 at 06:05 PM
What time do you come? They only have it the the am. Call before you come.
Posted by: TFD | Wednesday, 03 July 2013 at 11:37 PM
Wrong and wrong TFD.....we've had it for dinner, so they don't only have it in the am until now. Also, have you tried calling there and conversing in English? I've had Banh Cuon for dinner....
Posted by: Kirk | Wednesday, 03 July 2013 at 11:50 PM
What? They told me they only had it in the am because some lady made it only in the am. Next time, text me and I will call for you. Sheesh. LOL.
Posted by: TFD | Thursday, 04 July 2013 at 05:49 AM
LOL TFD....maybe they only have it for breakfast now??? I had in once for dinner and when the Missus and I had it was for dinner....two of our tries were for lunch! Thanks for the offer......
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 04 July 2013 at 05:59 AM
My luck has also been good with Banh Cuon in the AM although I was lucky and was able to order it ONCE for dinner. The lady that does speak English always tells me to come in the AM otherwise it's hit or miss later in the day. Love your blog and thanks for the write-up!
Posted by: LHL | Thursday, 04 July 2013 at 02:01 PM
too bad they never had the stuff you wanted to try :(
Posted by: kat | Thursday, 04 July 2013 at 06:57 PM
Hi LHL - I find it kind of sad that the one item they make better than just about any place else in San Diego is kind of hit and miss. What's tougher is that when we ask them when they'll have Banh Cuon they can never tell us.
Hi Kat - Yeah, it's a bit frustrating......
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 04 July 2013 at 09:11 PM