Sandwich shop goodies 14 – Bánh da lợn (pig skin pie)
This is no stranger in the Vietnamese food biz: the layered pastry that gets its name from looking like pork belly, except green and yellow. Of course it doesn’t contain any pork skin, it’s sweet, sometimes may even be too sweet. Dad used to buy a whole pie home, as big as a platter and as warm as a father’s hand. From that same bakery somewhere in the market alley, he would buy bánh chuối nướng (bread pudding) too, which I always preferred to the bánh da lợn. But thinking back on those days when we lived near Bà Chiểu Market, it was certainly the best pig skin pie I ever ate.
Many years have passed, and many bánh da lợn have been eaten by me, both in its homeland and across the seas. The best way, I figured, to slaughter these chewy beasts is to peel off the layers one by one, when it’s warm. That wet, smooth skin of tapioca flour, when warm, is fragile. You don’t want to break it while peeling, and you want to drop it whole in your mouth to wrestle with its resilience, all the while inhaling the sweetness of pandan leaves and vanilla fused in its tone.
Simply put, a cold “pig skin” is a dead “pig skin”. A warm mung bean paste layer is also less sweet than a cold one, and thank goodness the bean layers are always one fewer than their tapioca neighbors. The pies Dad bought from that market bakery would have white chewy layers too, and the green ones didn’t look radioactive green like those we get from sandwich shops these days. Ah marketing strategies, just like somewhere in Vietnam someone thought of calling it “bánh chín tầng mây” (cloud nine pie) (because pork skin doesn’t ring any two-cent poetic sound), or when the tapioca layer turns dark purple, because of either magenta plant‘s leaf extract or food coloring, and the bean layer light purple because of taro.
Whatever the case, the original bánh da lợn is still the best. I looked through 51 pages of Google search for its origin, which seems likely lost through generations of home cooking and street food mingling. You see, it was never really a praiseworthy, historically recorded invention in the kitchen. There’s no village or province associated with the best bánh da lợn. It’s probably from the South, even if “lợn” is the Northern word for “pig”. It’s a product from a steamer, it’s cheap, it has texture, kids like it, Dad likes it. That’s all I know.
And by the way, Alpha Bakery & Deli sells some good, thinly sliced, warm numbers for a buck fifty.
Address: Alpha Bakery & Deli (inside Hong Kong City Mall)
11209 Bellaire Blvd # C-02
Houston, TX 77072-2548
(281) 988-5222
Previously on Sandwich Shop Goodies: bánh xu xê (couple cookie)
Next on Sandwich Shop Goodies: bánh quy (turtle mochi)
I’ve seen these in Vietnamese delis and always wondered about them, what with their screaming, neon colors. So, pig skin is what they’re supposed to resemble, huh? I would have never known. Thanks for the educational post on this. Now, I’m definitely going to try some on my next trip to a Vietnamese cafe.
1Great – I should certainly pronounce, impressed with your web site. I had no trouble navigating through all the tabs as well as related info ended up being truly simple to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it in the least. Quite unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or anything, website theme . a tones way for your client to communicate. Excellent task..
2Hi there, I found your site by means of Google even as looking for a similar subject, your site got here up, it seems good. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
3Very interesting information!Perfect just what I was searching for! “We are shaped and fashioned by what we love.” by Johann von Goethe.
4I cling on to listening to the news lecture about receiving free online grant applications so I have been looking around for the finest site to get one. Could you tell me please, where could i get some?
5Great – I should definitely pronounce, impressed with your web site. I had no trouble navigating through all the tabs as well as related info ended up being truly simple to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it in the least. Reasonably unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or anything, web site theme . a tones way for your customer to communicate. Excellent task..
6I have recently started a website, the info you provide on this website has helped me tremendously. Thanks for all of your time & work.
7Thanks , I’ve recently been looking for information about this subject for ages and yours is the greatest I’ve discovered so far. But, what about the conclusion? Are you sure about the source?
8Really enjoyed this article, is there any way I can receive an alert email every time you write a new post?
9I think that is among the most significant info for me. And i am glad reading your article. However wanna observation on some common issues, The web site taste is ideal, the articles is actually nice : D. Good activity, cheers
10Merely a smiling visitant here to share the love (:, btw great design and style. “Reading well is one of the great pleasures that solitude can afford you.” by Harold Bloom.
11you have a great blog here! would you like to make some invite posts on my blog?
12Very efficiently written story. It will be supportive to anyone who utilizes it, as well as yours truly :). Keep up the good work – for sure i will check out more posts.
13Great post. I am facing a couple of these problems.
14Very good site you have here but I was curious about if you knew of any message boards that cover the same topics discussed here? I’d really like to be a part of online community where I can get opinions from other experienced people that share the same interest. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Thanks!
15Superb website you have here but I was wanting to know if you knew of any community forums that cover the same topics discussed in this article? I’d really like to be a part of group where I can get advice from other knowledgeable individuals that share the same interest. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Appreciate it!
16Thankyou for this post, I am a big fan of this internet site would like to proceed updated.
17Have you ever considered creating an ebook or guest authoring on other websites? I have a blog based upon on the same information you discuss and would really like to have you share some stories/information. I know my visitors would value your work. If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to send me an e-mail.
18Thank you for sharing excellent informations. Your web site is very cool. I’m impressed by the details that you have on this site. It reveals how nicely you perceive this subject. Bookmarked this website page, will come back for extra articles. You, my friend, ROCK! I found simply the info I already searched all over the place and just couldn’t come across. What a perfect web site.
19I reckon something genuinely special in this site.
20Thank you a bunch for sharing this with all of us you really recognise what you are speaking about! Bookmarked. Please also seek advice from my site =). We can have a hyperlink exchange contract between us!
21I was examining some of your blog posts on this website and I believe this internet site is really instructive! Keep on putting up.
22Today, I went to the beach front with my children. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She placed the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is entirely off topic but I had to tell someone!
23Yeah bookmaking this wasn’t a speculative conclusion great post! .
24Hello.This article was really interesting, especially because I was searching for thoughts on this subject last Friday.
25Hi, I think your site might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your website in Safari, 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, fantastic blog!
26Woah! I’m really digging the template/theme of this site. It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s challenging to get that “perfect balance” between user friendliness and visual appeal. I must say you’ve done a amazing job with this. Additionally, the blog loads extremely quick for me on Safari. Excellent Blog!
27Thanks for the blog post, can I set it up so I get an email when there is a new post?
28My brother recommended I might like this website. He was totally right. This post truly made my day. You can not imagine just how much time I had spent for this info! Thanks!
29I’ve read several just right stuff here. Definitely price bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how much attempt you put to create the sort of fantastic informative website.
30This site is my aspiration, very great style and design and perfect articles.
31Some really wonderful content on this site, regards for contribution. “A man with a new idea is a crank — until the idea succeeds.” by Mark Twain.
32I’m really impressed with your writing skills as well as with the layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself? Either way keep up the excellent quality writing, it is rare to see a nice blog like this one today..
33Thanx for the effort, keep up the good work Great work, I am going to start a small Blog Engine course work using your site I hope you enjoy blogging with the popular BlogEngine.net.Thethoughts you express are really awesome. Hope you will right some more posts.
34Keep up the great work, I read few articles on this site and I conceive that your blog is rattling interesting and contains sets of fantastic information.
35Can I simply say what a aid to seek out somebody who actually is aware of what theyre talking about on the internet. You positively know methods to deliver a problem to mild and make it important. Extra individuals must read this and perceive this side of the story. I cant believe youre not more standard since you undoubtedly have the gift.
36Good day! I simply would like to give a huge thumbs up for the great info you have here on this post. I can be coming again to your blog for extra soon.
37Appreciating the persistence you put into your blog and detailed information you provide. It’s great to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same outdated rehashed information. Wonderful read! I’ve bookmarked your site and I’m adding your RSS feeds to my Google account.
38I truly prize your work, Great post.
39I have been examinating out many of your posts and i must say pretty good stuff. I will surely bookmark your blog.
40I have recently started a website, the information you provide on this website has helped me greatly. Thank you for all of your time & work.
41You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be actually something that I feel I’d by no means understand. It sort of feels too complicated and extremely extensive for me. I’m taking a look ahead on your subsequent post, I will try to get the cling of it!
42I reckon something truly special in this web site.
43I was suggested this blog by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is written by him as no one else know such detailed about my difficulty. You are wonderful! Thanks!
44Hey, you used to write wonderful, but the last few posts have been kinda boring?K I miss your tremendous writings. Past several posts are just a bit out of track! come on!
45I am now not certain the place you’re getting your information, however great topic. I must spend some time learning more or understanding more. Thanks for fantastic information I used to be on the lookout for this information for my mission.
46I enjoy your writing style truly loving this internet site.
47Have you ever thought about creating an ebook or guest authoring on other blogs? I have a blog centered on the same topics you discuss and would really like to have you share some stories/information. I know my viewers would appreciate your work. If you are even remotely interested, feel free to shoot me an e mail.
48Thank you for the sensible critique. Me and my neighbor were just preparing to do some research about this. We got a grab a book from our area library but I think I learned more clear from this post. I’m very glad to see such fantastic information being shared freely out there.
49