Ngon Ngon To Go

Back during June of last year, I saw this signage on the side of Vinh Hung Market when I first noticed Paris Sandwiches was opening in Mira Mesa.

Ngon Ngon Food to Go? Well, that was interesting. Then of course, we did a bunch of travelling. And then, on one of my visits to see if Paris Sandwiches was open yet....they weren't, I decided to check things out.

Ngon Ngon has one of the shops down the hallway, before you get to Song Huong, right across what I think is a Filipino Bakery that never seems open?

Even though the name of the shop includes "Food-To-Go" there are several simple tables for those who want to dine in.

One thing I liked right away was the menu....this ain't your typical pho shop.

I went ahead and did a take-out order for something I hadn't had in a while, Bo Luc Lac. I then went and got some 85 Degrees stuff for the few folks in the office. When I returned my order was waiting. These folks are pretty darn fast.

Here's my Bo Luc Lac ($16).

   This was actually not bad. The large salad did have some brown leaves, but while the rice looked dry, it wasn't.

The beef was pretty good, with a pleasant toothsomeness. The sauce was a bit on the saltier side, but not overly so. I do like a hint of sweetness and deeper savory tones in my Bo Luc Lac, which was missing here. I usually expect a bit more green and red bell peppers, but really enjoyed the onions in this as it added a much-needed pungency to the dish.

This was actually better than what I expected.

So, I fully intended to return; though I guess with my schedule, trips, and such, I kind of left this place on the back burner. And when I did return to the plaza, I usually ended up going to Paris Sandwiches. Of course, it took one of our great "FOYs" to wake me from my slumber. In my post on Kumo Japanese Sandos, "Elle" inquired if I'd ever be doing a post on Ngon Ngon. Oh, yes! Thanks for the reminder Elle!

I really wanted to try a couple of dishes. So, on one of the days Calvin was actually in the office, we decided to head on over for lunch.

We started off with the Garlic Butter Chicken Wings ($9). These came out super-fast.

So, I believe the wings were being kept warm then fried quickly again before serving. The interior was on the dry side, but the batter was quite crunchy. Not much in terms of butter, but there was more than enough garlic to ward off any possible vampire attack. Good amount of salt as well.

Of course, we had to try the Bun Cha Hanoi ($15).

  A generous plate of fresh-looking bun, basil, mint, et al was provided. The nuoc mam cham was on the sweeter side of things. The sauce for the Bun Cha was on the sweeter end of things but wasn't too bad. Loved the pickled veggies, which helped to cut the sweet and saltiness. There were two good size pork patties, which were on the chewier end of things. The actual pork slices were much more flavorful in my opinion.

This was a pretty good version of the dish. I'd order this again.

The last item to arrive was the Cha Ca Thang Long ($17). This looked pretty bad.

While it arrived on the typical sizzling plate....well, it wasn't sizzling. The dill and onions were soggy and wilted, and the fish cold. This was quite strange. Totally a far cry from our favorite version in SoCal. The fish tasted slightly muddy as well.

It did come with the usual accoutrements and the Mam Tom wasn't bad at all. 

A pair of women came in a bit after us and ordered the Cha Ca and it arrived sizzling; so perhaps this was just a mistake? Perhaps our plate was sitting for too long? Still, even if it was an "oopsie", this is bad quality control.

I'll give them a pass this time.....

The woman brought us some rice pudding for dessert which was a nice touch.

As things stand; I'd have the Bun Cha and Bo Luc Lac again and I may try a couple of other dishes at this no-frills stand. The woman working is very nice and with Bolsa closing, this place fills a niche.

Ngon Ngon Food To-Go
10550 Camino Ruiz
San Diego, CA 92126
Current Hours:
Tues - Sun 9am - 8pm
Closed on Mondays

Comments

[Peter]

Oh lord that Cha Ca Thang Long looks REALLY sad compared to what we got at the place in Hanoi that specializes in it! Too bad!

[Kirk]

Yes, not even close to what we had in Hanoi....or even Song Long Peter!

[Dereck]

Mudddy fish = tilapia, which I pretty much hate, as I can eat dirt from my backyard if I crave it. I also really dislike 'no MSG' shops. MSG is the best thing to put in almost everything and leaving it out is not good.

[kat]

kinda hit or miss

[Som Tommy]

Bummer about the cha ca

[Elle]

Thanks for the post! I thought their bo luc lac there was decent too though I usually go to Nhu Y for that. Sad to see Bolsa is closing.

I'm not sure if it's just me, but there are some broken images in recent entries (but it's fine when clicking on it):

Example image: Ngon Ngon 16 on this post

IMG_9001 and IMG_8138: https://mmm-yoso.typepad.com/mmmyoso/2023/05/mmm-yoso-makes-18.html

O To San 05: https://mmm-yoso.typepad.com/mmmyoso/2023/05/o-to-san-kushiyaki-and-ramen.html

IMG_8901: https://mmm-yoso.typepad.com/mmmyoso/2023/05/saturday-stuffs-cafe-dore-is-now-da-nang-restaurant-coffee-and-farmers-table-bay-park-becoming-la-pa.html

Paris Sandwich 01 on the Paris Sandwiches post

[Elle]

Oh hm, maybe it changes broken images. Now image 7 and 17 are not showing on this post 🤔

[Kirk]

Hi Dereck - I've found that muddy taste in many fresh water fishes; catfish, swai, etc.... regardless, it's a feature of what the fish eats.

Yes, its trying to tease out what they do well Kat!

Yes, it wasn't very good ST!

Thanks Elle! I already have a ticket open with Typepad. Thanks for letting me know!

[Sandy]

Thanks for the info on Ngon Ngon; I passed by it recently, and wondered about it. My mother-in-law liked the Bun Cha Hanoi at Bolsa; we'll have to take her go Ngon Ngon. The Bo Luc Lac looks promising, and made me think of the French Beef dish at Noble Chef.

[Kirk]

Hopefully your MIL will like the Bun Cha at Ngon Ngon Sandy! The Bo Luc Lac was not bad either!

[Som Tommy]

Went today and really liked the bo luc lac

[Cathy]

Cha Ca Thang Long is my usual 'first order' at a new-to-me Vietnamese place and hadn't noticed the Song Long post. I think The Mister and I might have to go on a little drive North. (It's still closed on Mondays and the Cha Ca is $26).

[Kirk]

Glad you enjyed it ST!

It would be interesting to see how are post-Covid Cathy!