For some reason, we're taking a bit longer getting back to our usual routine after our last trip to Japan. Call it what you may…we might be getting a bit older….work has been much busier for the both of us….or whatever. Still, we're starting to settle in, which means visiting those familiar places. I'm not sure you got this out of my last set of revisit posts, but one thing I do miss when visiting Japan is food with a nice amount of spice. So naturally, I do a bit of catching up when we get back. Here are two recent revisits.
Thai Papaya:
**** Thai Papaya has closed
It's been a while since we've been here. For some reason, winter just doesn't seem to be the right time for spicy Issan inspired Thai food. 
But this past weekend, with temps inching into the 80's…well, it was time.
Things have changed a bit since our last visit. The menu has been expanded and a lot of our Sab E Lee favorites are now on the current Thai Papaya menu.
We started with the Bamboo Shoot Salad; we're getting a bit wimpy in our old age and now went with a heat level 7, which was enough for us.
And some sticky rice. Nice earthy springtime tones from the bamboo shoots…almost meaty in texture. Good spice, a nice start to the meal.
We also got the Missus's favorite; the Papaya Salad with salted egg…..
In spite of being a bit short with the green beans; this was excellent. The salted egg adds a nice interesting pungent-savory layer of flavor to the salad. Loved the refreshing crunch of the shredded papaya, with hints of sweet-acidic tomatoes. On this day, that sauce was right on……I ended up dipping my sticky rice in it to get every drop. And for some reason, the pungent-sour flavors make the cabbage taste even sweeter.
As is the case with the Issan Sausage.
And while there might be better versions of Thai/Lao style sausage in San Diego these days….this is still a staple during our meals at Thai Papaya. It has that balance of sour-herbaciousness, that combines so well with the ginger and/or peanuts with a little ball of sticky rice; letting a bite of cucumber cleanse your palate between bites.
This was just the perfect meal on a nice spring day.
Thai Papaya by Sab E Lee
2405 Ulric St
San Diego, CA 92111
Mien Trung:
We chose Mien Trung of all places on Easter morning for breakfast. And so did a bunch of other folks as the place was packed. The Missus had the Bun Rieu and I went with my usual Bun Bo Hue. We ate sitting elbow to elbow with other folks in communal style.
Man, this was a lot spicier than I recalled. Still; with all the veggies and herbs, slippery noodles, and deeply flavored broth……I worked up a nice sweat and got that capsaicin high….my head feeling nice and clear.
For more on this place; just enter Mien Trung in the search box……I think we've got over a dozen posts on the place.
Mien Trung Restaurant
7530 Mesa College Dr
San Diego, CA 92111