Beef wrap n’ roll
It took me six years eating steaks and potatoes and one evening of eating beef sausages rolled with greens and rice paper to realize that perhaps the best way to eat meat is to eat it with vegetables. No hard feelings, dear steak, you are like pure chocolate, and bulgogi in lettuce wrap is like orange flavored chocolate. Then you add pickled carrots and daikon, minty herbs, rice paper, sweet and sour nước mắm, and the beef is bound to take off just like the Apollo 11.
Such revelation dawned on me when I took the first bite of a bò lá lốt roll at Ánh Hồng in Berkeley. Ánh Hồng was famous in the old Saigon for their creation of the seven courses of beef, a menu that other Vietnamese restaurants quickly imitated to serve big parties. Despite knowing the menu’s popularity, I rarely thought of its main items as desirable, simply because, for instance, I wasn’t a fan of the wild betel leaf (lá lốt in Vietnamese and cha phloo in Thai) that wraps outside the ground beef. It’s usually a little bitter, and it overshadows the meat flavor. But Ánh Hồng really proves that their popularity (4 locations in North California and another 2 in the southern part) is backed up by some solid tasty goods. Somehow, unlike any I’ve tried before, their bò lá lốt is not at all bitter.
Their bánh tráng (rice paper) is also perfect for making fresh spring rolls, thin enough so that you can taste every ingredient, yet elastic enough to stretch and wrap up the sharp corner of lettuce stems without rupturing. The traditionalcondiment to dip the rolls is mắm nêm (fermented fish paste), but to accommodate foreigners (and Vietnamese like me :-P) who aren’t familiar with the sauce’s pungency, Ánh Hồng serves things up with sweet and sour nước mắm (salty fish extract mixed with lime, chili pepper and sugar). It’s amazing how nước mắm works with everything. But, because the meat is already so well seasoned, you don’t have to dip the rolls into any sauce to make the flavors shine.
The pickled carrot and daikon can be a little too sour, but their texture blends better with the ground meat than fresh bean sprouts’ does.
As much as the bò lá lốt turns out far better than expected, I would still say that it’s not the best course in the set. Bò nướng sả (lemongrass grilled beef slices) rolled up with sauteed sweet onion in the core raises the bar by a slight amount, and the succulent sausages of bò mỡ chài (ground beef wrapped in a thin, lacey layer of pig’s omental fat) definitely takes first place. Of course, all taste best when wrapped in greens.
What’s even better is the joy of legitimate playing with your food: you pick , you wrap, you roll, you dip. It’s a feast whether you go alone or with company. It’s feasting South Vietnam style.
Address: Ánh Hồng Restaurant – 7 Courses of Beef
2067 University Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94704
(510) 981-1789
Sample plate – 3 courses of beef (bò lá lốt, bò nướng sả, bò mỡ chài): 9 rolls for $12
*Why would I walk half a mile to feast alone on a Friday evening? Because this post is to celebrate my “uncle” turning 23. He likes Vietnamese, meat, and Southerners’ dishes. Happy Birthday, Nguyên! 🙂
Wonderful goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you are just too wonderful. I actually like what you’ve acquired here, really like what you are saying and the way in which you say it. You make it entertaining and you still care for to keep it sensible. I cant wait to read much more from you. This is really a wonderful site.
1It’s actually a great and useful piece of information. I am glad that you shared this useful info with us. Please stay us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.
2Hi there! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this website? I’m getting fed up of WordPress because I’ve had issues with hackers and I’m looking at options for another platform. I would be awesome if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.
3Loving the information on this website , you have done outstanding job on the articles.
4What i do not understood is in fact how you are no longer actually much more well-appreciated than you might be now. You’re very intelligent. You realize thus significantly in the case of this topic, made me in my opinion consider it from a lot of numerous angles. Its like men and women are not involved unless it’s something to do with Woman gaga! Your individual stuffs great. At all times handle it up!
5Everything is very open and very clear explanation of issues. was truly information. Your website is very useful. Thanks for sharing.
6I got what you intend,saved to my bookmarks, very decent site.
7I believe other website proprietors should take this site as an model, very clean and wonderful user friendly design and style.
8I am no longer sure where you are getting your info, however great topic. I needs to spend a while finding out more or understanding more. Thank you for fantastic information I used to be on the lookout for this info for my mission.
9Magnificent goods from you, man. I’ve be mindful your stuff prior to and you are just extremely fantastic. I really like what you’ve obtained here, certainly like what you’re saying and the best way during which you say it. You make it entertaining and you still care for to stay it wise. I cant wait to read much more from you. That is really a tremendous site.
10I have not checked in here for a while since I thought it was getting boring, but the last few posts are good quality so I guess I’ll add you back to my everyday bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂
11I have learn a few just right stuff here. Certainly worth bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how so much effort you put to create this kind of wonderful informative web site.
12I’ll right away grab your rss feed as I can’t find your email subscription link or newsletter service. Do you have any? Kindly let me know in order that I could subscribe. Thanks.
13I was just seeking this information for some time. After six hours of continuous Googleing, at last I got it in your web site. I wonder what’s the lack of Google strategy that don’t rank this type of informative sites in top of the list. Usually the top sites are full of garbage.
14You can definitely see your enthusiasm within the paintings you write. The sector hopes for more passionate writers such as you who are not afraid to say how they believe. Always follow your heart.
15Very interesting points you have remarked, appreciate it for putting up. “She had an unequalled gift… of squeezing big mistakes into small opportunities.” by Henry James.
16It’s actually a cool and helpful piece of info. I’m glad that you just shared this useful info with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.
17https://gnosisbridge.app/
18I like this internet site because so much utile material on here :D.
19Thanks a lot for sharing this with all of us you actually know what you’re talking about! Bookmarked. Please also visit my site =). We could have a link exchange contract between us!
20I’m impressed, I have to say. Actually not often do I encounter a blog that’s both educative and entertaining, and let me inform you, you’ve got hit the nail on the head. Your concept is excellent; the problem is something that not sufficient people are speaking intelligently about. I am very comfortable that I stumbled across this in my search for one thing relating to this.
21This web site is really a walk-through for all of the info you wanted about this and didn’t know who to ask. Glimpse here, and you’ll definitely discover it.
22I enjoy the efforts you have put in this, appreciate it for all the great articles.
23After all, what a great site and informative posts, I will upload inbound link – bookmark this web site? Regards, Reader.
24You have brought up a very good points, appreciate it for the post.
25Hi there, i read your blog from time to time and i own a similar one and i was just curious if you get a lot of spam responses? If so how do you stop it, any plugin or anything you can recommend? I get so much lately it’s driving me mad so any assistance is very much appreciated.
26Great post. I am facing a couple of these problems.
27Hello, Neat post. There’s an issue along with your website in web explorer, might check thisK IE nonetheless is the marketplace chief and a huge component of other people will miss your magnificent writing due to this problem.
28Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have truly enjoyed browsing your blog posts. After all I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!
29Valuable info. Lucky me I found your website by accident, and I am shocked why this accident did not happened earlier! I bookmarked it.
30I haven’t checked in here for some time as I thought it was getting boring, but the last few posts are good quality so I guess I will add you back to my daily bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂
31I’m not that much of a online reader to be honest but your blogs really nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your website to come back later. Cheers
32I discovered your blog site on google and check a few of your early posts. Continue to keep up the very good operate. I just additional up your RSS feed to my MSN News Reader. Seeking forward to reading more from you later on!…
33I am so happy to read this. This is the type of manual that needs to be given and not the accidental misinformation that is at the other blogs. Appreciate your sharing this best doc.
34Thankyou for this grand post, I am glad I observed this site on yahoo.
35Perfect piece of work you have done, this website is really cool with superb info .
36My brother recommended I might like this blog. He was entirely right. This post actually made my day. You can not imagine simply how much time I had spent for this information! Thanks!
37I’ve learn a few good stuff here. Definitely worth bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how so much attempt you put to create this type of magnificent informative site.
38Hey, you used to write excellent, but the last few posts have been kinda boringK I miss your super writings. Past several posts are just a bit out of track! come on!
39I am really loving the theme/design of your weblog. Do you ever run into any internet browser compatibility issues? A handful of my blog visitors have complained about my website not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Chrome. Do you have any advice to help fix this issue?
40I’d have to examine with you here. Which is not one thing I usually do! I take pleasure in reading a post that may make folks think. Additionally, thanks for permitting me to comment!
41F*ckin’ awesome issues here. I’m very happy to see your post. Thanks a lot and i’m having a look ahead to contact you. Will you please drop me a mail?
42Hello, Neat post. There is a problem along with your site in web explorer, would check this… IE still is the market chief and a big component to people will pass over your fantastic writing due to this problem.
43Its fantastic as your other posts : D, thanks for putting up. “The present is the necessary product of all the past, the necessary cause of all the future.” by Robert Green Ingersoll.
44I’ll immediately grab your rss as I can’t in finding your e-mail subscription link or e-newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Kindly permit me realize in order that I may subscribe. Thanks.
45