Asia Cafe (new owners; same food)

Thank you for stopping to read mmm-yoso!!! We write about food. Today it is Cathy writing. This is uncharted territory; Ed has died, memories flow.  Thanks to everyone for your kind messages about our dear friend. 

I remember reading Kirk's two-part post, as well as a third visit, all in 2006, about Asia Cafe.  

The first time I went to Asia Cafe, it was in July 2008- I met Ed (from Yuma) when He stopped here *before* checking into his Point Loma motel. He didn't have a mobile phone then and we had to coordinate the meeting time.  Neither of us posted about the meal.  {We did however, write this post about lunch the following day}.
 Other than some new(er) tables and chairs, the exterior and interior haven't changed much.  The owners have.  The menu (at the bottom of this post) is similar, with the 'off menu' items now listed.  Ordering hot tea ($1) gets a nice size mug delivered.
 The Mister is back into his spicy cravings mode and ordered the papaya salad ($6) at a heat level of '3'(out of 5).  Good thing he did; this was a just right amount of heat for him, while I was still able to taste the freshly shredded green papaya. The tomatoes added a bit of calming flavor as did the savory salty fish sauce in the base.    I was here for the Nem Khao ($8) and it did not disappoint.  The crispy rice with fried garlic and sour sausage dish was just about as I remembered, although the sausage was a bit more chopped up/in finer pieces than I remembered.  The flavors (I could taste the lemongrass in the sour sausage) were all there.   As our third dish, (we try to order one for each of us plus 'one for the table'), The Mister wanted to try the Phad See Ew with chicken ($6.50).  Crisped pan fried wide noodles with egg, broccoli, carrots and mushrooms made this dish a flavorful combination of comfort. 

Some good friend and good food memories recalled today.

Asia Cafe 4710 Market St San Diego, CA 92102

Asia Cafe 4710 Market St San Diego, CA 92102

Comments

[caninecologne]

Yay, the Christmas plates are still being used. :)

It's been a few years since my last visit (with the new ownership). We like ordering the nem khao and the see nam toke.

[Nhbilly]

Good looking eats, sounds like the ideal mom and pop kind of joint. The serving dishes remind me of home.

[Cathy]

Yes! see nam toke as well as larb will be ordered on our next visit, cc. The flavors and spice levels here are not 'dumbed down' and I'd forgotten...it was just so very good.

It's a great little hole in the wall, Bill. When we came home, The Mister pulled out our Christmas plates, saying that we don't use those enough...festive meals at home!

[Nhbilly]

LOL