Banh mi run
You know how school kids don’t get tired of peanut butter sandwich even if they eat it every day for lunch? Well, every time I catch the BART down to Fremont, it’s hard to pass up the chance to stop by Huong Lan Sandwich in Milpitas for a fresh crusty loaf, or many of those banh mi’s – a week’s supply for lunch.
When in California, be liberal. The store has diversity. Above is packages of bánh bèo (white) and most likely bánh bột lọc (leaf-wrapped). Many kinds of cookies, crackers, shrimp chips, and other snacks unknown to ubercmuc. Below is the real goodies: nice warm bánh bao (steamed pork bun), bánh cốm (the bright green flat thing), bánh giò (leaf-wrapped pyramid), and mini bánh chưng (the squares).
Here’s the square unwrapped and cut in four. The pork is fatty, which is not quite right, but nonetheless it’s well done. So the story goes as follows: in a competition among the princes in ancient Vietnam, the king asked all the princes to find an exceptionally good food. The youngest prince, having no money and little power, couldn’t afford fancy stuff like ginseng and who knows what in the woods, so with the advice of a god in his dream, he took sticky rice, meat, and mung bean to make a bánh, wrapped in lá dong (Phrynium placentarium), and boiled for hours. The bánh is a green square, symbolizing the square Earth, pork – the animal, and mung bean – the plants. So I suppose fatty or lean pork doesn’t really matter to the story. After all, we have some really chubby animal, not just skinny ones. Mung bean seems to be Vietnamese’s favorite legume, just like red bean is to the Japanese. Perhaps because it’s good as a paste (in both sweet and savory bánh), a powder (on xôi), whole beans (in sweet deserts like chè), and as an ice cream flavor.
Don’t let size tricks you. Half of this mini bánh chưng definitely made a filling breakfast, the whole thing would be too filling. And if you’re too full you wouldn’t be able to eat a nice crusty bánh mì for lunch… uhm hmm…
Look at all that pickled carrots and radish. It’s a balanced meal. I usually get bánh mì thịt nướng (grilled pork), but that is proven quality, so this time gà nướng (grilled chicken) is up for test. I should stress that no matter what the filling is, a banh mi can never go wrong. You can put just soy sauce and a banana in it, and it would still be yummy. Something about the crusty, flaky bread that makes everything better. Back to the chicken. Well, it’s not dark meat, and it’d take some serious brining to make white meat flavorful. So let’s put it gently, I’ll be loyal to grilled pork.
Hương Lan must be a chain, or it’s just a name sandwich-makers like. They’re everywhere in this area, but I believe every store has a different touch to it. Here they put peanuts and nước mắm in the grilled pork bánh mì. The more flavors the merrier. Address: 41 Serra Way #108, Milpitas.
Oh, the end of the story is, the youngest prince, proved to be the wisest, was chosen for the crown. 🙂
Nice read, I just passed this onto a colleague who was doing a little research on that. And he just bought me lunch since I found it for him smile Therefore let me rephrase that: Thanks for lunch!
1Hi, just required you to know I he added your site to my Google bookmarks due to your layout. But seriously, I believe your internet site has 1 in the freshest theme I??ve came across. It extremely helps make reading your blog significantly easier.
2Hey! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any problems with hackers? My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing several weeks of hard work due to no back up. Do you have any methods to prevent hackers?
3Really clear web site, regards for this post.
4F*ckin’ awesome things here. I am very glad to see your article. Thanks a lot and i am looking forward to contact you. Will you please drop me a mail?
5Very nice pattern and wonderful content material, nothing else we want :D.
6I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post…
7I have been exploring for a little for any high quality articles or weblog posts in this kind of space . Exploring in Yahoo I eventually stumbled upon this site. Reading this information So i’m happy to exhibit that I’ve a very good uncanny feeling I came upon exactly what I needed. I so much without a doubt will make certain to do not disregard this website and give it a glance on a continuing basis.
8Merely a smiling visitant here to share the love (:, btw outstanding style and design. “Competition is a painful thing, but it produces great results.” by Jerry Flint.
9Simply desire to say your article is as astonishing. The clarity in your post is just excellent and i could assume you’re an expert on this subject. Fine with your permission let me to grab your RSS feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please continue the enjoyable work.
10Glad to be one of many visitors on this awesome site : D.
11Hi my family member! I wish to say that this article is amazing, nice written and include almost all vital infos. I’d like to peer extra posts like this .
12I like assembling useful information , this post has got me even more info! .
13You made some decent factors there. I seemed on the internet for the problem and found most individuals will associate with along with your website.
14I really like your writing style, good info, thank you for posting :D. “He wrapped himself in quotations- as a beggar would enfold himself in the purple of Emperors.” by Rudyard Kipling.
15Hi, Neat post. There is a problem together with your website in web explorer, may check this?K IE still is the marketplace chief and a good section of people will omit your great writing due to this problem.
16It is perfect time to make some plans for the longer term and it is time to be happy. I have read this put up and if I may just I wish to recommend you few fascinating things or tips. Perhaps you could write subsequent articles regarding this article. I desire to learn even more things about it!
17Hello There. I discovered your blog the use of msn. That is a really neatly written article. I’ll be sure to bookmark it and return to learn extra of your useful info. Thank you for the post. I will definitely comeback.
18you have a terrific weblog right here! would you wish to make some invite posts on my weblog?
19I like this post, enjoyed this one thankyou for putting up.
20There is noticeably a bundle to know about this. I assume you made certain nice points in features also.
21I have been exploring for a little bit for any high-quality articles or blog posts in this sort of space . Exploring in Yahoo I ultimately stumbled upon this site. Reading this info So i’m glad to exhibit that I’ve an incredibly just right uncanny feeling I found out exactly what I needed. I such a lot without a doubt will make sure to do not forget this website and provides it a look regularly.
22It’s really a nice and useful piece of info. I’m glad that you shared this helpful info with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.
23I keep listening to the news update speak about receiving boundless online grant applications so I have been looking around for the top site to get one. Could you tell me please, where could i acquire some?
24Everyone loves what you guys tend to be up too. This sort of clever work and coverage! Keep up the wonderful works guys I’ve you guys to blogroll.
25Wohh just what I was searching for, regards for putting up.
26Hi there, I found your site by way of Google at the same time as searching for a comparable subject, your web site got here up, it appears good. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
27he blog was how do i say it… relevant, finally something that helped me. Thanks
28Thanks on your marvelous posting! I quite enjoyed reading it, you might be a great author.I will make sure to bookmark your blog and may come back at some point. I want to encourage you to definitely continue your great writing, have a nice evening!
29This 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.
30Great line up. We will be linking to this great article on our site. Keep up the good writing.
31Can I simply say what a aid to find somebody who really knows what theyre talking about on the internet. You undoubtedly know tips on how to convey a difficulty to mild and make it important. More people have to learn this and understand this side of the story. I cant imagine youre not more popular because you definitely have the gift.
32I went over this web site and I conceive you have a lot of fantastic info , saved to my bookmarks (:.
33Lovely just what I was searching for.Thanks to the author for taking his clock time on this one.
34Some truly prize content on this website , saved to bookmarks.
35WONDERFUL Post.thanks for share..more wait .. …
36I’ve recently started a blog, the info you provide on this website has helped me greatly. Thanks for all of your time & work.
37I’ve been exploring for a little bit for any high-quality articles or blog posts in this sort of space . Exploring in Yahoo I finally stumbled upon this web site. Studying this info So i am satisfied to show that I have a very just right uncanny feeling I found out just what I needed. I so much definitely will make sure to do not forget this website and provides it a look on a constant basis.
38Keep up the excellent piece of work, I read few articles on this web site and I believe that your weblog is very interesting and has circles of great information.
39Excellent post. I was checking constantly this blog and I am impressed! Extremely helpful info specifically the last part 🙂 I care for such info a lot. I was seeking this certain information for a very long time. Thank you and good luck.
40Hi, Neat post. There is a problem with your web site in internet explorer, would test this… IE still is the market leader and a good portion of people will miss your wonderful writing because of this problem.
41I am not certain the place you’re getting your information, but great topic. I must spend some time studying much more or understanding more. Thank you for magnificent info I used to be looking for this information for my mission.
42Good site! I truly love how it is easy on my eyes and the data are well written. I’m wondering how I might be notified whenever a new post has been made. I’ve subscribed to your feed which must do the trick! Have a great day!
43This is really interesting, You are a very skilled blogger. I’ve joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your great post. Also, I’ve shared your web site in my social networks!
44Hi, Neat post. There’s an issue with your site in internet explorer, would test this… IE still is the marketplace chief and a huge component of other people will leave out your magnificent writing due to this problem.
45Great wordpress blog here.. It’s hard to find quality writing like yours these days. I really appreciate people like you! take care
46This is the right weblog for anyone who desires to search out out about this topic. You realize a lot its nearly laborious to argue with you (not that I actually would need…HaHa). You positively put a brand new spin on a subject thats been written about for years. Great stuff, just nice!
47I’m no longer positive the place you are getting your info, but good topic. I must spend a while learning much more or understanding more. Thank you for excellent info I was looking for this info for my mission.
48But a smiling visitor here to share the love (:, btw outstanding layout. “Justice is always violent to the party offending, for every man is innocent in his own eyes.” by Daniel Defoe.
49Hey there! I’m at work browsing your blog from my new iphone! Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward to all your posts! Carry on the excellent work!
50