I realize that I'm kinda late on these posts. I'm not sure who asked what we were eating during the wonderful heat waves of August; but here's a couple of meals from then.
Prime Grill:
Our instinct is to basically do take-out and hang at home or find a place with good A/C. Add a nice cold noodle dish and some decent panchan to the equation and you have Prime Grill. The Bibim Naengmyun here has replaced the version at Buga as my favorite.
The noodles are stretchy, but not like rubberbands. The sauce has some nice heat for isn't overwhelming; just a touch of vinegar and perhaps even a squirt or two of cho-jang and I'm a happy camper. The portion size is rather large, but I can finish it all when I'm hungry. And in case you need to chill out, you're provided with a bowl of iced broth as well.
The Missus has started to enjoy the Dolsot Bibim Bap here; but She has a secret.
When the stone bowl arrives; She waits....munches on some panchan, has some of my naengmyun. After 5-6 minutes, She gives it a first stir, then She takes the juices from the now empty plates of baechu kimchi and kkakdugi and mixes it in with some chojang....and waits. We get another serving of panchan and eventually She starts eating, after a nice crust has formed. It's about patience and using the kimchi juice.
Prime Grill
4620 Convoy St
San Diego, CA 92111
The Original Sab e Lee:
I'd kind of avoided TOSEL after my last meal here a few months back. Items such as Catfish Larb and Salted Fish Fried Rice has been removed from the menu. But on one of those super hot Thursdays; Thai Papaya is strangely closed on Thursdays. I decided to do some take-out fro, TOSEL.
Things were a bit better this time around; though the Pad See Ew with Beef was kind of weak in the flavor department.....strangely, it lacked that hint of sweetness that balances out the soy flavor. In addition, when did they start asking how "spicy" you wanted your Pad See Ew? The noodles were dry; there was no wok hey......
The Nam Tok was decent and much better this time around as it had a nice kick.
More on the sour than salty side this time around.
The Issan Sausage is a standby.
And it delivered as usual. A peanut, sliver of ginger, wrapped in cabbage, and you have a nice sour-porky-nutty-pungent bite.
The Original Sab E Lee
6925 Linda Vista Road
San Diego, CA 92111
Thai Papaya:
Though this didn't stop me from hitting up Thai Papaya the next time the mercury headed up that thermometer.
I find the dishes at Thai Papaya spicier and more soulful than TOSEL. Of course, it's "different strokes for different folks" and all that.
Thai Papaya by Sab E Lee
2405 Ulric St
San Diego, CA 92111
What are your favorite "beat the heat" dishes?
nice technique for eating bibimbap:)
Posted by: kat | Thursday, 19 October 2017 at 01:06 AM
My wife likes to wait until the rice gets crispy too! Alas, I'm too impatient.
Posted by: RedDevil | Thursday, 19 October 2017 at 10:36 AM
That's how she does it Kat!
I am too RD.....
Posted by: Kirk | Friday, 20 October 2017 at 07:46 AM
Good bi bi bop strategy.
Posted by: SomTommy | Friday, 20 October 2017 at 12:14 PM
Hi ST - She does have the technique down.
Posted by: Kirk | Friday, 20 October 2017 at 01:06 PM
now i'm craving those crunchy bits...
Posted by: sandy | Thursday, 05 April 2018 at 09:37 AM
You must obey the craving Sandy!
Posted by: Kirk | Friday, 06 April 2018 at 11:04 AM