There are no words to describe the perfection you see before you. My friends have dubbed it “the best thing ever” after my last dinner party. I really hesitated in posting this one because you know a Gurlz gotta have some secrets but what the heck, I’m feeling generous (lucky for you). Here’s the hook up on my “cheats can be fabulous” version of Ahi Poke Deluxe on a Crisp….. made with a little help from my beloved Fish King.
Fish King sells an amazing already marinated and diced Ahi Tuna Poke. For those geographically challenged, the ingredients according to Fish Kings label are Ahi tuna (raw diced), soy, ginger, and green onion. However, I’m certain there is a bit of sesame oil added in as well and I suspect FK wants to keep a few secrets of their own. At home I add diced avocado and tomato and serve it on a crisp wonton skin. You can either fry the won ton skins lightly (the yummy way) or bake them as I did (the I’m trying to pretend I’m healthy way). I baked mine at 375 degrees on a baking pan lightly sprayed with canola oil. The tricky part here is to keep a close eye on them because they can burn very quickly as I found out. Timing is crucial; you have to pull them out just before you think their done because they continue to cook a bit when you pull them out. I also spray the tops with cooking spray before putting them in and add a touch of salt.
There you have it! Now you too can impress your friends and family. BTW, you’re welcome.
Two of my favorite things in one delectable vision… Oh how I swoon! A girl can only dream…
Next challenger up for Bahn Mi Battle is Banh Mi Che Cali. Sis and I arrive at around 1:30 pm, get in line at the sandwich counter and ponder the possibilities. I had to get the BBQ Pork as that is the standard I use to judge. We also decided to try the Beef Bahn Mi and a wacky new one; Shredded Pork Skin. Now here’s the unbelievable part; with their buy two get one free deal, all three sandwiches cost us $4.50!!
After we order and get a number we notice that they do have table service and that everyone seems to be ordering the Pho. Will have to try that on the next visit. Banh Mi Che Cali also has a crazy Boba selection with a toppings bar you can add to it. We just got the plain Green Tea with no milk, I know boring.
The sandwiches arrive and behold, this is different. The pickles and jalapenos are served on the side and there is NO CILANTRO. Hmmm, at this point I did not have high hopes. We assemble our sandwiches and take a bite. The bread was good, soft chewy on the sweet side. The pickles were perfectly marinated not too vinegary. The mayo was just enough not too much and the fillings were solid. I liked the BBQ Pork the best.
Who wins? I really can’t call it. I think I preferred the meat fillings of Banh Mi My Tho but I didn’t like the lack of mayo, over vinegary pickles and the added peanuts were just too much. On the otherhand, I preferred the bread, pickles and mayo at Banh Mi Che Cali but no cilantro was a total buzz kill. If we had to pick I think Sis and I both lean towards Banh Mi Che Cali , maybe bring some cilantro, but I think I need to continue this battle. Keep you posted!
Bahn Mi Che Cali Counter
Bag of Jalapenos and Pickled Veggies
BBQ Pork
BBQ Pork assembled and enjoyed!
Beef- sort of like a hamburger but spiced with typical Vietnamese spices
Shredded Pork Skin-actually leaner that we thought it would be. I couldn’t get past the massive amounts of raw green and white onion but Sis liked it.
Now that I’ve popped my Bahn Mi cherry, my compulsive nature has lead me to do extensive Yelp and Chowhound research in search of the perfect one. From what I can garner it seems that top ranking in the LA area comes down to two places Banh Mi Che Cali and Banh Mi My Tho. Both places are given high ratings and have loyal followers who defend theirs over the other so I figured I should try them both and see for myself which sandwich reigns supreme. First challenger is Bahn Mi My Tho.
I recruit my ever willing and curious Sis and we load up the kids to grab some sandwiches and have a nice picnic. Finding Banh Mi My Tho was simple enough for us, thanks to our dumpling tour we now know this area pretty well. Banh Mi My Tho is a tiny little place with just a counter and some refrigerator cases. We get there early about 12:00 on a Tuesday and the place is humming but not too busy. I’ve read it can get so busy that it’s confusing to determine who’s in line to order and who’s waiting. I ordered the #8 Grilled Pork, Daughter ordered the #9 Grilled Beef and Sis ordered the #8 Grilled pork with added paté. We also tried the eggrolls and one skewer of pork meatballs. Egg Rolls were good while we waited for sandwiches; crispy, a little oily and perfectly meaty. Meatballs equally delicious.
So how were the Banh Mi’s? I’m starting to understand the many debates on this subject. This sandwich is all about balance of texture and flavors and that is quite subjective. You may like your bread softer or less pickled veggies or more mayo etc etc. Overall I liked this one, it had an added bonus sprinkling of chopped peanuts although I think I prefer mine without it. I wish it had more mayo (they may have used butter instead I’m not sure) and the meat had good flavor but not as flavorful as the filling at Tapioca & Pho. The Pork with Paté was OK. It was kind of light on the paté and the paté itself didn’t have a whole lot of flavor. I think I still like Tapioca & Pho best so far.
Banh Mi #8 Grilled Pork – I give it a 4 out of 5
Banh Mi #9 Grilled Beef – just as good as #8 a 4
Do you hear that? It’s the theme to Disney’s Aladdin playing in my head…. A Whole New World!!! Truly the dawning of a new era. No longer will we need to suffer the sushi bar wait and high ticket price for a fresh fish buzz. All thanks to my neighborhood fishmonger Fish King. Fish King oh Fish King how do I love thee let me count the ways. I’m so lucky to live 2 minutes away from this food palace. I’ve been patronizing Fish King for years and had heard that you could order fresh sashimi grade fish cut to order but had never done so. Earlier on this fateful day I had been to Marukai Market and picked up some sweet looking Uni and Shiso Leaf and thought hmmm what about a whole sashimi dinner at home? Fish King to the rescue! I ordered 1/3 lb. Hamachi 1/3 lb. Salmon and 1/3 lb. Ahi (Maguro) sliced and served it with some ponzu sauce. We paired this with a lovely dry Spanish Rosé and it really worked well. Let me add here that I would consider us sushi snobs and I tell you the quality was right up there with the best of the best sushi joints we’ve been to. I have since refined this by adding some of their delicious Poke, succulent Albacore and radish sprouts. Heaven!
Hamachi, Salmon, Ahi and Uni Sashimi with Rosé
Good with Sashimi and very reasonably priced
On one of our trips to HK Market, Daughter and I got to sample an unusual but tasty beverage made of a Pomegranate flavored vinegar syrup called Hong Cho. Here’s the description from their website….
“Drinking Vinegar – Hong Cho” is a well-being vinegar brand that can be enjoyed without its sour taste produced through vinegar fermentation technology accumulated for 30 years.”
Daughter has also been on an “add rose water to it” kick as of late. So in honor of her I tinkered a bit and came up with this light refreshing non-alcoholic beverage. But what to call it? Any suggestions?
Add cap full of vinegar, dash each of orange blossom and rose water to glass of water
On the rocks with a sprig of mint et Voila!
The family and I of course have our favorite neighborhood restaurants and once we’ve each found our favorite dish we seldom stray from it. Here’s “the usual” we get when we visit Gingergrass restaurant in Silverlake usually on a weekend around noon….
My Usual- Wok Tossed Chicken Lunch Special with Iced Green Tea
Daughter and the Mr.’s Usual- Gingergrass Tofu Lunch Special with Vietnamese Iced Coffee (decaf for the young one)
Last week Daughter and I decided to take a trip to our Mecca the Marukai Market in Gardena to pick up a kimono for her and some groceries (mmm Uni) for moi. On the way out we decided to stop for a quick lunch so I pulled into the mini-mall across the street and that is when my Boba obsessed Daughter spotted the Tapioca and Pho Restaurant. This being July I wasn’t keen on having any soup but I figured I’d find something to eat. Lo and behold there on the menu a variety of Banh Mi choices. I had been meaning to try out some authentic Vietnamese Banh Mi for a while and figured here was my chance. For those who have never had one a Banh Mi is a Vietnamese style deli sandwich on fresh baguette. What makes this sandwich unique is, one; the choice of meat fillings and two; the garnishes of yummy crunchy pickled carrots and jicama, fresh cucumber, a cilantro sprig and mayonnaise. Sooo good!
This being my first Banh Mi I had nothing to compare it to but I LOVED this sandwich. I got the grilled pork and my daughter got the grilled beef. On both sandwiches the meat filling was wonderfully marinated and had a sweet glaze to it countered with the crunchy garnishes on a soft baguette and the perfect amount of mayo. It was truly an amazing balance of flavors. Mmmmm… move over dumplings I’ve got a new obsession.
Exterior
Anyone who knows me knows that 11 is my lucky number, most auspicious
Pork Bahn Mi sweet savory sour crunchy soft creamy goodness
The equally delectable Grilled Beef Bahn Mi
Daughters Milk Tea Boba (she enjoyed it)
How the heck did most of 2010 pass by without a peep from me you may ask. Well, I don’t really have a good answer for that one but rest assured my hungries that I have returned with a backlog of yummy updates to add to the blog and I promise not to keep you waiting for this long again. MORE TO COME SHORTLY.
Next up Dumpling 10053 in El Monte. After reading rave reviews about their pork, shrimp and sea cucumber dumplings, Sis and I were very intrigued. We’ve never eaten sea cucumber before and thought this could be a good low risk way to pop our cherry. Well, the aforementioned dumplings did live up to the hype. We ordered them boiled and they were indeed excellent. I’m still not sure exactly what sea cucumber tastes like now but it seemed to add a nice creamy like texture to the mix. I am now curious to try it alone.
Crispy Pork Dumpling- good not great we’ve had better
Boiled Sea Cucumber, Crab and Pork Dumplings- The star of the show, a must try.
Steamed Shrimp and Pumpkin Dumplings- disappointing, too much pumpkin. They used a puree instead of chunks and it overwhelmed the mix.