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)
Thanks for this post, I am a big big fan of this site would like to go along updated.
1Great post. I am facing a couple of these problems.
2Hello. impressive job. I did not expect this. This is a remarkable story. Thanks!
3Yeah bookmaking this wasn’t a risky decision outstanding post! .
4Excellent items from you, man. I have be mindful your stuff previous to and you are just extremely magnificent. I actually like what you have got right here, really like what you’re saying and the way in which you are saying it. You are making it entertaining and you continue to care for to keep it sensible. I cant wait to read far more from you. This is really a tremendous site.
5I as well as my guys appeared to be checking the good helpful tips from your site and quickly developed an awful feeling I never thanked you for those techniques. Most of the boys are actually passionate to see all of them and have now extremely been making the most of those things. Appreciate your truly being very kind and for utilizing this form of remarkable subjects most people are really desperate to be informed on. My sincere regret for not expressing gratitude to you sooner.
6It is truly a great and useful piece of info. I’m happy that you simply shared this useful info with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
7I 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 will improve the value of my web site :).
8he blog was how do i say it… relevant, finally something that helped me. Thanks
9Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed surfing around your blog posts. In any case I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!
10I simply couldn’t depart your web site prior to suggesting that I really enjoyed the usual information an individual provide on your guests? Is going to be back frequently to inspect new posts
11Hi my loved one! I want to say that this article is awesome, nice written and come with approximately all important infos. I would like to look extra posts like this .
12Very interesting topic, regards for putting up.
13hi!,I like your writing so much! share we communicate more about your article on AOL? I need a specialist on this area to solve my problem. Maybe that’s you! Looking forward to see you.
14Thank you for another informative website. Where else could I get that type of information written in such an ideal way? I’ve a project that I’m just now working on, and I have been on the look out for such information.
15I like the helpful information you provide in your articles. I will bookmark your weblog and check again here frequently. I am quite certain I will learn many new stuff right here! Good luck for the next!
16Hi, i think that i saw you visited my weblog thus i came to “return the favor”.I’m attempting to find things to enhance my website!I suppose its ok to use some of your ideas!!
17Hello there, just became alert to your blog through Google, and found that it’s really informative. I am going to watch out for brussels. I’ll be grateful if you continue this in future. Numerous people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!
18Only wanna say that this is very helpful, Thanks for taking your time to write this.
19Wonderful goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you are just too fantastic. I really like what you’ve acquired here, really like what you are stating and the way in which you say it. You make it entertaining and you still care for to keep it smart. I can not wait to read much more from you. This is actually a terrific website.
20I have been surfing online more than 3 hours as of late, but I never found any interesting article like yours. It’s pretty price sufficient for me. Personally, if all website owners and bloggers made excellent content as you probably did, the internet will likely be much more useful than ever before.
21Very clean web site, thanks for this post.
22I am now not sure the place you’re getting your information, however good topic. I needs to spend some time finding out much more or figuring out more. Thanks for magnificent information I used to be in search of this information for my mission.
23Hi! Quick question that’s entirely off topic. Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly? My site looks weird when browsing from my iphone 4. I’m trying to find a theme or plugin that might be able to correct this problem. If you have any recommendations, please share. Cheers!
24Online betting serves as a accessible type of fun that introduces additional suspense for enjoying events. Betting lets participants can engage more deeply in the games and to prove ones insight in a rewarding setting. more information on the website Responsible wagering within pre-set limits keeps the activity fun and safeguards players against uncontrolled spending.
25Very nice pattern and great content, very little else we require :D.
26There’s noticeably a bundle to learn about this. I assume you made sure nice points in options also.
27The following time I read a blog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as much as this one. I mean, I know it was my choice to read, however I actually thought youd have something fascinating to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about one thing that you possibly can fix when you werent too busy looking for attention.
28This 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.
29Way cool, some valid points! I appreciate you making this article available, the rest of the site is also high quality. Have a fun.
30An attention-grabbing discussion is worth comment. I believe that it’s best to write more on this topic, it may not be a taboo subject however usually individuals are not enough to talk on such topics. To the next. Cheers
31I am constantly looking online for posts that can help me. Thanks!
32I besides believe thence, perfectly pent post! .
33Terrific work! That is the kind of info that are supposed to be shared around the internet. Disgrace on Google for no longer positioning this post higher! Come on over and talk over with my web site . Thanks =)
34This actually answered my drawback, thanks!
35I’ll right away snatch your rss as I can’t to find your e-mail subscription link or e-newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Kindly allow me recognize so that I may just subscribe. Thanks.
36Merely a smiling visitor here to share the love (:, btw outstanding design and style.
37You have brought up a very excellent points, regards for the post.
38This 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!
39You are a very clever individual!
40I used to be suggested this web site through my cousin. I am not sure whether or not this publish is written by him as no one else know such targeted approximately my difficulty. You’re incredible! Thanks!
41Very interesting topic, thankyou for posting. “Experience a comb life gives you after you lose your hair.” by Judith Stern.
42感谢分享，这篇内容写得很清楚，学到了很多实用方法。. Thanks for sharing this useful information.
43A person necessarily assist to make seriously articles I would state. This is the very first time I frequented your website page and to this point? I amazed with the analysis you made to create this particular submit amazing. Magnificent activity!
44소액결제현금화(휴대폰깡·모바일깡)의 뜻과 수법, 정보통신망법 위반 처벌 수위, 실제 처벌 사례와 이용자 피해, 급전 필요 시 합법 대안까지 정리했습니다.
45소액결제현금화(휴대폰깡·모바일깡)의 뜻과 수법, 정보통신망법 위반 처벌 수위, 실제 처벌 사례와 이용자 피해, 급전 필요 시 합법 대안까지 정리했습니다.
46누누티비의 서비스 종료 이력과 같은 이름의 사이트를 확인할 때 알아둘 내용을 정리했습니다. 드라마·영화 다시보기 제공 여부, 회차·자막·화질 확인 방법과 자주 묻는 질문을 살펴보세요.
47누누티비의 서비스 종료 이력과 같은 이름의 사이트를 확인할 때 알아둘 내용을 정리했습니다. 드라마·영화 다시보기 제공 여부, 회차·자막·화질 확인 방법과 자주 묻는 질문을 살펴보세요.
48부산오피를 검색하며 부산 지역 일반 마사지·스파를 알아보는 분들을 위한 안내입니다. 프로그램 선택, 관리 시간과 비용, 시설·위생, 주차, 예약 전 확인사항과 자주 묻는 질문을 정리했습니다.
49부산오피를 검색하며 부산 지역 일반 마사지·스파를 알아보는 분들을 위한 안내입니다. 프로그램 선택, 관리 시간과 비용, 시설·위생, 주차, 예약 전 확인사항과 자주 묻는 질문을 정리했습니다.
50