Or maybe I should call it SARS-CoV-2
This past Saturday, I finished up my work by 10 and needed to hit up Carnival Market on the way home for some groceries. The Missus was busy at work and I'd be making dinner, so I wanted something for an early lunch. It suddenly dawned on me that Mien Trung is right down the street. When I've eaten at Mien Trung; I have never failed to notice the bags and pots of take-out stacked up for pick up. I guess it was my turn. I called in my order for Bun Bo Hue and drove the few blocks over after shopping; waltzed in, paid, got my order, and sauntered out the door in less than two minutes.
Things were packed nicely; man, they wrapped up the herbs and veggies in a tight bundle. It practically exploded as I started to unwrap it.
I liked the fact that they included some pretty spicy chili oil and mam tom; which added a nice funky-umami layer to my Bun Bo Hue.
The broth was quite bracing; in fact it started to pop and crackle from the chili-annatto oil as I heated it on the stove top. Lots of lemongrass tones and this was pretty spicy……not too heavy handed in terms of MSG, a nice squeeze of lime added some balance to the broth. The noodles were firm and slippery….I made sure to wear a dark t-short while eating this to avoid the dreaded "red dot syndrome".
Needless to say; it did "hit the spot"…..right between the eyes; especially since the weather, while decent on this day, had been pretty wet and cold (by San Diego standards) than usual over the week.
I'm shocked that I hadn't done take-out from Mien Trung sooner; after all, we've been coming here since 2006 and it felt good supporting a place that's been on our rotation for fourteen years.
Mien Trung Restaurant
7530 Mesa College Dr
San Diego, CA 92111