Eel soup revisited
This stall is tucked down an alleyway on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai street opposite the French Consulate, next to a state-run publishing house and just along from a recently opened branch of Pho 24. The sign boasts several dishes including two top faves, mien luon and bun mam. I'm here for the eel packed translucent noodle soup called mien luon. The eel end of the kitchen isn't much to shout about - check it out. Just a pot filled with pork bone stock. I like. We've covered mien luon before at the mega-street-but-not-street-really-scoffhouse, Quan An Ngon, so no need to prattle.
This mien luon arrives with minimal hedgerow. The hefty, lemony, coriander-esque rau ram about covers it - rau ram is also the latest addition to The Handy Hedgerow Guide - and it comes accompanied by a few sliced onions and a small bowl of Vietnam's most abysmal contribution to the world of chilli sauce - That's right, I'm not its biggest fan. Condiments are stage right including fresh minced chilli, nuoc mam (fish sauce) etc. A squeeze of lemon is all I need and in we go.
As can be seen from the diagram above this mien luon satisfied. It is very, very good stuff. A mix of fried and fresh eel, maybe a tad too noodle-packed - I reckon there was about 800 metres of glass noodles in this bowl - but the simple mix of pork stock, chopped spring onion, deep fried shallots, very, very fresh eel and noodles is a total gobout. Costs 17,000VD with a glass of tra da. I'll definitely be back for more of this. I also intend to try their bun mam. More snaps and the menu.
So yummy!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Quyen | October 28, 2005 at 02:59 PM
Alright? Happy Halloween!
Have you ever tried bull's testicles before? No, no, we're not pulling your legs here, our friend! So, get your ass to the local butcher and get some balls. How to spot 'em? Well, they're kinda skinless, huge milky-white balls, much bigger than our Pieman's, right? Slice it 1/2 in thick. Soak in milk+some salt for 15 mins. Dip in beaten egg+pepper. Drain. Then cover in breadcrumbs, right? Fry in butter/oil until crisp. Enjoy it with a draught beer or two. Take care!
Posted by: carlos from castro | October 29, 2005 at 05:17 PM
Pieman, I can't believe I forgot this place when you asked for Eel recommendations. It's right down the street from where I work. In fact, it's the same place where I had my first bowl of Bun Mam a couple of weeks ago...
http://nostarwhere.blogspot.com/2005/09/bun-mamamia.html
While you're in the area, the Pho place across the street is interesting... the beef looks very different than what you get elsewhere. And if you turn the corner up Mac Dinh Chi, there are some great Com Tam stands. Occassionlly, I used to splurge for a lunch at Cafe Havana but it's gone now... have you been to California Pizza, the new restaurant in its place?
Posted by: Mr. NoStarWhere | October 31, 2005 at 02:10 AM
I know the Pho joint you mean (I think) Blogged it a very long time ago. Mac Dinh Chi I've covered a wee bit, although not Com Tam that I can remember. Not tried the new pizza place, although I have seen it. Any good? Still massive scope for a grade A pizza shed in Saigon, IMO.
Posted by: pieman | October 31, 2005 at 04:23 AM
I haven't tried the new pizza place yet but I want to. According to an article in the Saigon Times, the guy who owns Juice and CaliBurrito, is the brains behind the pizzas. He doesn't own it but he came up with all of the pizzas on the menu... or you can create your own. Having tried and very very much enjoyed Juice's vegetarian pizza, I can only imagine that they are quite good at California Pizza. As for good pizza in Saigon, agreed, it's tough to find much. I've always thought the Underground did a nice pizza. I'm not a huge fan of Al Fresco's. Vasco's has good pizza too. The best pizza I've had in Vietnam though... try Luna D'Autuno in Mui Ne or Hanoi. Excellent.
Have you ever ordered from that little pizza joint (forget the name) on CMT8? It's right on the corner.
Posted by: Mr. NoStarWhere | October 31, 2005 at 05:13 AM
Two people suggested I try the Al fresco delivered number on a Tuesday - two for the price of one - may well do that a demain. meanwhile have yet to do the burrito place. I should.
can certainly vouch fro Underground pizza. Enjoyed it. But Mui Ne Luna was a bit drab in my experience. But I was a fan in Hanoi. It almost tastes healthy which is quite a feat for a pizza...
Pizza Roma on CMT8 is V. popular with Vinacrustheads, but they said thye wouldn't deliver and I didn't fancy sitting in. Oh well.
Posted by: pieman | October 31, 2005 at 05:42 AM
I prefer Good Morning Vietnam in Mui Ne. The pizza is as good but the price is cheaper.
Posted by: Adam in Mui Ne | March 04, 2006 at 10:39 PM