mmm-yoso!!! is a blog about food that's been around for a very long time. Kirk is usually here writing, but he's on vacation right now. Ed(from Yuma) is sometimes here, but he is planning his vacation as this is being written. Cathy is here and now.
Van Hoa has been in this corner location of the strip mall at the North West corner of University at 54th since at least 2007, when Kirk wrote a two-part post about it. I followed up about seven years later with my own post about this regular stop before shopping at the Vien Dong Supermarket (to the right in the photo below).You have most likely seen the Van Hoa label on spring rolls and desserts sold at 99Ranch Market, Thuan Phat and World Foods. Ordering at the restaurant means the rolls are even fresher than the ones delivered to those stores daily. I must say the rice paper wrap is never 'rubbery', because the rolls are just made. There is only one choice of flavors- shrimp with pork. ($3.25). The fresh vegetable fillings(lettuce, mint, cucumber, carrot, daikon) are refreshing and what I crave. The peanut butter based dipping sauce lends a good umami to it all. The egg rolls here are also above average ($5.95). Mostly meat with mushroom filling, the frying is proper and never too greasy.Now that the warmer weather is coming (and going), sometimes bun (it's pronounced 'boon') is an order. Chilled vermicelli on one side of the bowl, salad (lettuce, mint, cucumber, sprouts) on the other half and, in this case, topping of Tau Hu Ky (shrimp wrapped with tofu skin) and the usual pickled radish/cucumber and peanuts ($6.50) makes an exceptional meal.Then again, my most favorite version of Banh Xeo ($6.50) is at Van Hoa, so as we are being seated I place that order (it takes a while to make the rice flour/turmeric pancake) The crunchy light pancake is delightful, the shrimp and pork are plentiful along with the onion/bean sprout/mung bean filling. Eating bits of this wrapped in lettuce and mint is also refreshing.
Thanks for reading. I hope your week is going well.
Van Hoa 4016 54th San Diego, Ca 92105 (619)582-2642 Open Mon-Sat 6-8, Sun 7-7
I really like Tau Hu Ky and usually add it as a side to a rice plate. It always seems expensive to add as a side though so the price here for your bun seems pretty good.
Posted by: Faye | Wednesday, 27 May 2015 at 08:15 AM
omg i want this banh xeo then! it's cathy approved! it's been a while since i've eaten in that area. i believe there's a yummy thai place around the corner too.
Posted by: Lynn @ Oh-SoYummy | Wednesday, 27 May 2015 at 11:52 AM
I am always on the lookout for good banh xeo and the one you had fits the bill. I love it when it's crisp and not soggy. I've not tried that shrimp wrapped in tofu skin either, now I'm curious. Here's to another good VN place to visit.
Posted by: caninecologne | Wednesday, 27 May 2015 at 06:37 PM
Tau Hy Ky seems a bit complex to prepare (chopping the cooked shrimp and mixing then putting into the tofu skin and frying it all), so just getting it as a topping on the Bun makes it economical, Faye. I've ordered it from the appetizer section at Pho Ca Do, but the combination of lettuce and noodles makes it a meal here.
Haha- 'Cathy approved', my new slogan, Lynn! There are only a few places where I think the Banh Xeo is great, but I do order it everywhere at least once.
The pancake 'batter' is nicer here, cc. This is a great little restaurant, and you an order anything beginning at 6 a.m.-this was where I first learned of egg/breakfast Banh Mi- from Kirk's post.
Posted by: Cathy | Thursday, 28 May 2015 at 06:57 AM
I haven't been thereabouts in ages.
Posted by: Ed (from Yuma) | Thursday, 28 May 2015 at 07:35 PM
We kind of like that neighborhood, Ed. Kitty corner is a Northgate Gonzalez market and a block West and up the side street (we just go through the alley behind Van Hoa) is a very cool City run neighborhood 'executive' golf course. http://www.colinaparkgolf.com
Posted by: Cathy | Friday, 29 May 2015 at 06:41 AM