Flavor Boulevard

We Asians like to talk food.
Subscribe

Banh mi Huong

August 19, 2008 By: Mai Truong Category: California - The Bay Area, sandwiches, Vietnamese

Except for the little houses with little gardens, and with cars replacing motorcycles, San Jose resembles Binh Thanh District in Saigon. I don’t know the demography of the city, or even of the state of California, but I saw Vietnamese everywhere when I was there. Palo Alto doesn’t breathe exclusively Vietnamese, but it has Asian everywhere. Gas stations, restaurants, office employees at Stanford, ladies walking by your dorm in the morning, the mall… But Palo Alto doesn’t have banh mi. San Jose does. And it has good banh mi. Mudpie found Thanh Huong’s Sandwich from Google (the sign on the building says Huong). Two out of three times we went to San Jose when I was in Palo Alto, we went to Thanh Huong’s. The other time we went to another banh mi place which didn’t have it as nicely as Thanh Huong’s does.

Here’s my hypothesis of how banh mi came about: the French colonized Vietnam and brought with them some baguette for breakfast, the Vietnamese looked at the French baguette, thought “what’s the point for being so long?”, made it shorter and lighter, kept the pâté and to heaven the cheese, cut it vertically, stuffed in some homemade grilled pork and pickled vegetable, added some soy sauce. Voilà. A banh mi – a banh (made of) wheat. Actually I don’t know what people originally ate banh mi with, I just know that it’s an all-day food. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, after school snack, late night snack. The stuffing can be hot meat, cold meat, eggs, banana, sardines, tofu, pate. We always choose grilled pork when we get our banh mi.


It’s not the best quality pork, but the flavor is top notch. The right mixture of salt, sugar, garlic, onion, a little bit of time to sit and soak, and some hot grill. We always had too much food to eat banh mi right after we bought them, so we had it for lunch the day after. The fridge did a fine job preserving the taste. The oven helped bringing back the bread’s crunchiness, which meshed well with flavorful pork, pickled carrots and daikon, a thin spread of liver pâté (not the infamously bitter foie gras), a couple shooks of soy sauce, one or two sprigs of cilantro. I take out the cilantros, Mudpie likes them.
For $2.75, would you rather a couple of double cheese burgers from McDonald’s, a 6-inch sub from Subway (I think the price was raised not long ago and no longer less than $3?), or a banh mi thit nuong? I’d go with banh mi thit nuong every time.

Address: Hương Sandwiches (near San Jose State University)
404 S 2nd Street Ste A
San Jose, CA 95113
(408) 287-8688

0 Comments to “Banh mi Huong”


  1. Really wonderful visual appeal on this website , I’d value it 10 10.

    1
  2. Thank you for another informative website. Where else could I get that type of info written in such an ideal way? I have a project that I’m just now working on, and I’ve been on the look out for such info.

    2
  3. Its like you learn my mind! You appear to understand a lot about this, such as you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you simply could do with some to drive the message home a little bit, but instead of that, that is great blog. A fantastic read. I will certainly be back.

    3
  4. After all, what a great site and informative posts, I will upload inbound link – bookmark this web site? Regards, Reader.

    4
  5. I really appreciate this post. I’ve been looking everywhere for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You’ve made my day! Thx again

    5
  6. I’ve been exploring for a little for any high-quality articles or weblog posts in this kind of space . Exploring in Yahoo I ultimately stumbled upon this website. Studying this info So i am satisfied to express that I have a very just right uncanny feeling I found out just what I needed. I so much undoubtedly will make sure to don’t put out of your mind this site and give it a look on a constant basis.

    6
  7. Together with almost everything which seems to be building within this specific subject matter, many of your opinions tend to be fairly stimulating. On the other hand, I beg your pardon, but I can not give credence to your entire plan, all be it stimulating none the less. It appears to us that your remarks are generally not completely justified and in reality you are generally your self not wholly convinced of your assertion. In any event I did appreciate reading it.

    7
  8. wonderful post, very informative. I wonder why the other specialists of this sector don’t notice this. You must continue your writing. I am confident, you have a huge readers’ base already!

    8
  9. Utterly indited written content, Really enjoyed examining.

    9
  10. Can I just say what a relief to find someone who actually knows what theyre talking about on the internet. You definitely know how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More people need to read this and understand this side of the story. I cant believe youre not more popular because you definitely have the gift.

    10
  11. I love your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you create this website yourself? Plz reply back as I’m looking to create my own blog and would like to know wheere u got this from. thanks

    11
  12. I’m so happy to read this. This is the type of manual that needs to be given and not the accidental misinformation that’s at the other blogs. Appreciate your sharing this best doc.

    12
  13. This is the right blog for anyone who wants to find out about this topic. You realize so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I actually would want…HaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a topic thats been written about for years. Great stuff, just great!

    13
  14. What i do not understood is in reality how you’re now not really a lot more neatly-liked than you might be now. You are very intelligent. You know therefore considerably in terms of this subject, produced me personally imagine it from numerous varied angles. Its like men and women aren’t fascinated unless it’s one thing to do with Girl gaga! Your individual stuffs outstanding. At all times deal with it up!

    14
  15. You have brought up a very good points, thanks for the post.

    15
  16. What i do not understood is actually how you are not really much more well-liked than you might be now. You’re very intelligent. You realize therefore considerably relating to this subject, made me personally consider it from numerous varied angles. Its like men and women aren’t fascinated unless it’s one thing to accomplish with Lady gaga! Your own stuffs nice. Always maintain it up!

    16
  17. Hey there, I think your site might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your website in Opera, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, excellent blog!

    17
  18. Some really excellent content on this internet site, appreciate it for contribution.

    18
  19. I enjoy your writing style really enjoying this internet site.

    19
  20. I’m not that much of a internet reader to be honest but your blogs really nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your site to come back later on. Many thanks

    20
  21. Thank you for the sensible critique. Me & my neighbor were just preparing to do some research on this. We got a grab a book from our local library but I think I learned more clear from this post. I’m very glad to see such excellent information being shared freely out there.

    21
  22. Wow! Thank you! I constantly wanted to write on my website something like that. Can I take a fragment of your post to my site?

    22
  23. I think other website proprietors should take this website as an model, very clean and excellent user genial style and design, let alone the content. You’re an expert in this topic!

    23
  24. I’m impressed, I need to say. Actually hardly ever do I encounter a weblog that’s both educative and entertaining, and let me let you know, you’ve gotten hit the nail on the head. Your concept is excellent; the issue is something that not sufficient individuals are speaking intelligently about. I am very pleased that I stumbled across this in my search for one thing regarding this.

    24
  25. Hi there very nice site!! Guy .. Excellent .. Amazing .. I will bookmark your website and take the feeds also…I am satisfied to seek out a lot of helpful info here within the post, we want work out extra techniques in this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . .

    25
  26. I like what you guys are up also. Such smart work and reporting! Carry on the superb works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it’ll improve the value of my website :).

    26
  27. Have you ever thought about adding a little bit more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is important and all. Nevertheless just imagine if you added some great images or video clips to give your posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with images and video clips, this website could definitely be one of the very best in its field. Fantastic blog!

    27
  28. I like this weblog its a master peace ! Glad I found this on google .

    28
  29. hello there and thanks to your info – I have certainly picked up anything new from right here. I did then again expertise several technical issues the use of this web site, as I skilled to reload the website lots of occasions previous to I may get it to load correctly. I were pondering if your web hosting is OK? Now not that I am complaining, however slow loading cases occasions will sometimes impact your placement in google and can injury your high quality ranking if ads and ***********|advertising|advertising|advertising and *********** with Adwords. Anyway I am including this RSS to my e-mail and could glance out for much more of your respective exciting content. Ensure that you update this once more soon..

    29
  30. I love it when people come together and share opinions, great blog, keep it up.

    30
  31. Wonderful beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend your web site, how can i subscribe for a blog web site? The account helped me a acceptable deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright clear concept

    31
  32. You are my inspiration , I have few blogs and infrequently run out from to brand.

    32
  33. Yeah bookmaking this wasn’t a risky determination outstanding post! .

    33
  34. This website can be a stroll-through for all the info you wished about this and didn’t know who to ask. Glimpse right here, and you’ll undoubtedly discover it.

    34
  35. Great goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you’re just too wonderful. I actually like what you have acquired here, certainly like what you’re stating and the way in which you say it. You make it entertaining and you still care for to keep it sensible. I can’t wait to read much more from you. This is really a tremendous web site.

    35
  36. I was recommended this blog by way of my cousin. I’m not sure whether or not this post is written via him as no one else realize such precise approximately my difficulty. You are wonderful! Thanks!

    36
  37. I’m not that much of a online reader to be honest but your sites really nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your website to come back down the road. All the best

    37
  38. Hello! Would you mind if I share your blog with my myspace group? There’s a lot of people that I think would really enjoy your content. Please let me know. Many thanks

    38
  39. My husband and i felt joyful when Jordan managed to deal with his inquiry from your precious recommendations he made in your web site. It is now and again perplexing just to choose to be handing out solutions that many a number of people have been making money from. Therefore we consider we’ve got the website owner to give thanks to because of that. The explanations you’ve made, the straightforward blog menu, the friendships your site help to foster – it is mostly great, and it is letting our son in addition to the family know that the subject matter is thrilling, and that’s unbelievably fundamental. Thank you for the whole lot!

    39
  40. Thanks for a marvelous posting! I seriously enjoyed reading it, you’re a great author.I will be sure to bookmark your blog and definitely will come back in the foreseeable future. I want to encourage one to continue your great writing, have a nice afternoon!

    40
  41. Most of whatever you articulate happens to be supprisingly appropriate and that makes me ponder why I hadn’t looked at this in this light before. This piece really did switch the light on for me personally as far as this particular subject goes. However there is actually 1 position I am not really too comfortable with and whilst I try to reconcile that with the actual central idea of the position, let me see what all the rest of your subscribers have to say.Very well done.

    41
  42. F*ckin’ amazing things here. I’m very glad to see your post. Thanks a lot and i’m looking forward to contact you. Will you kindly drop me a mail?

    42
  43. Discover how SBLC and Bank Guarantee monetization works in trade finance, including liquidity access, structured funding, risk management, and global trade financing solutions.

    43
  44. Only a smiling visitor here to share the love (:, btw great design and style.

    44
  45. I am impressed with this internet site, real I am a big fan .

    45
  46. This really answered my problem, thank you!

    46
  47. I’m still learning from you, while I’m improving myself. I definitely enjoy reading everything that is written on your website.Keep the aarticles coming. I loved it!

    47
  48. Some really great blog posts on this site, thanks for contribution. “A conservative is a man who sits and thinks, mostly sits.” by Woodrow Wilson.

    48
  49. Regards for helping out, excellent info .

    49
  50. Some genuinely terrific work on behalf of the owner of this site, utterly outstanding content.

    50


Leave a Reply