A couple of short revisits to two places that just opened up in the last year.
Sang Deuan:
**** Sang Deuan has closed
I hadn't been back since my first couple of visits in March. So I thought why not? I was kind of craving some Nem Khao….but like many of my first visits, it was "no bueno"…..
So I went with some Salted Fish Fried Rice.
A decent version, not too salty, rice a bit more mushy than I like. If you don't like chunks of preserved fish in your fried rice; this version might do it for you as the salted fish is finely minced.
I was looking for something to have with my meal and the Whole Fried Fish was recommended. I must have had vapor lock since I just went ahead and got it without asking what kind of fish…..tilapia….sigh….
Fried to death and beyond…….dry flesh, but at least it didn't taste too muddy. I've got stories about tilapia and growing up in Hawaii….sometimes called "the mahimahi of the Ala Wai Canal".
Sang Deuan Thai & Lao Kitchen
3904 Convoy St. Suite 112
San Diego, CA 92111
Tim Ky Noodle:
Well, it had been over 6 months since my last visit, and in spite of the heat, I thought I'd get some Bun Suong. Which unfortunately is no longer on the menu, which look a bit abbreviated from what I recalled. So I went with the Won Ton and Dumpling Egg Noodle soup which I recalled was pretty decent compared to other versions in San Diego.
While I don't expect excellence in won tons and dumplings in "Mi shop" versions, these weren't quite as good as I'd previously had. They were still more tender than say Luong Hai Ky or Minh Ky. The real difference between what I'd had before was how bland the broth was; there was a shortage of flavor and richness in this bowl. Just compare it to what I had on my previous visit:
Quite a difference, eh?
It's hard to complain about a bowl of noodle soup that is cheaper than a sandwich (not of the banh mi species), but this was nowhere as good as what I'd had before. Disappointing and kind of sad….I'm hoping this is the exception and not the rule.
Tim Ky Noodle
9330 Mira Mesa Blvd
San Diego, CA 92126
🙁
It looks like a bowl of hot water with some noodles in it.
I just posted about Tim Ky and mentioned how you enjoyed the wonton noodles some months ago. The version I had was quite weak so thought perhaps it was an off day for the restaurant.
Dunno what’s going on with these places Kat!
That might have tasted better Jason.
Hi Faye – So I hopped on over and checked out your post.
when i reviewed this place in march, tim told us they were planning to remove of the vietnamese dishes because they didn’t sell well… too bad the broth quality seemed to go with it for this visit!
what’s another good option for Bun Suong? (i had to look that up btw). i need more ‘experience’ in this noodle category!
I still can’t get over my tilapiaphobia too.
Hi Lynn – That’s too bad; since I thought the Bun Suong was the best item on the menu. I really haven’t seen it here in SD, but have seen it in Little Saigon….I almost consider it a version of Bun Rieu.
That’s funny Kyle…..we got Sharknado…so why not Tilapiphobia….kind of scares me ore than Sharknado!