Thanks for stopping by to read mmm-yoso!!!, a food blog. Kirk is adjusting to having to be somewhere at a certain time and ed (from Yuma) is adjusting to not having to be anywhere at a certain time. Cathy is writing this post.
At the Northwest corner of University Avenue and 54th Street is a small shopping center anchored by Vien Dong IV, the incorrectly numbered Vietnamese Grocery (Vien Dong III no longer exists). Kirk wrote a two part post about Van Hoa more than six years ago (FYI-the Banh Mi are the same (really good, but now $3.25, with the Special Dac Biet now $3.75 and there is a "buy five get one free" deal)), and it's a regular stop for The Mister and I when in this part of town, usually for a meal before our foray into shopping.
The simple decor and condiment trays, early opening (just like Vien Dong IV) and always fresh food (I believe it's a short walk to get their supply of fresh produce and meats) make the meals here simultaneously not pretentious, convenient and delicious.
You may have seen "Van Hoa" labels on grab and go items (spring rolls and desserts) sold at 99Ranch Market, Thuan Phat and World Foods. If you get here early enough, you'll see the trays being filled and loaded into trucks for early morning delivery to those markets.
As we are being seated and handed menus, I always order a Banh Xeo ($6.25) since it takes a bit of time to be prepared. The Van Hoa version of traditional crispy turmeric flavored Vietnamese crepe, filled with bean sprouts, pork and shrimp, served with lettuce, mint and fish sauce dip is my favorite. (Those small 'dots' of pale yellow you see inside are a type of soft lentil mung bean).
The Spring Rolls here are only one type: shrimp with BBQ pork. ($3.25). The Van Hoa version is heavy; solidly and tightly packed with lettuce, mint and sprouts and a sprig of cilantro sticking out one end. It's served with the thick and not too sweet peanut sauce. Again, my favorite (this brand is the only one I purchase at grab and go).
Then there are the Stir Fried noodle dishes, this one is shrimp with crispy noodle ($7.50). You can see the light, airy, crispy noodles topped with freshly stir fried carrot, broccoli, mushroom and some baby corn. The gravy is light and has great flavor without being all salty or MSG-ish. Again, this is my favorite version.
The prices are not low-low; they are fair. The quality here is superb.
Van Hoa 4016 54th San Diego, Ca 92105 Website (619)582-2642 Open Mon-Sat 6-8, Sun 6-7