Man, this weather merry-go-round has been crazy. Last weekend, we had the hottest February day ever recorded in San Diego….and the Santa Ana's really messed up my sinuses. Even after temps came down and we had some rain (!?!), I was still feeling congested. So, we figured the best way to clear things up would be…..well, some fairly spicy food.
Starting with our old standby, the Dry Pot to go from Sizzling Pot King…..instead of the medium spicy, we went with spicy.
**** Sizzling Pot King is now Zhang Liang Malatang
Well, like almost every place else prices at SPK have gone up. The Dry Pot Combo is now $38.99! Back in December of 2020 it was $32.99. Frozen Tofu is now $3.99, add to that one order of rice and we're getting close to fifty dollar country here…whoa.
Well, on the good side, the ma-la and spice helped clear me out…it doesn't look particularly spicy above….but I dug through and found 14 dried chilies.
It's getting kinda expensive and they've cut out using Chinese Cauliflower a while back….but this is basically two meals for us.
Sizzling Pot King
8058 Clairemont Mesa Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92111
Still, this didn't quite do it for me…..and with the rather wet and cooler weather, I decided to do some takeout from Mien Trung. With the Missus now preferring the Bun Rieu from Phuong Nga, I really don't get over to MT quite as often as I used to. The really nice gentleman was working and man, he was just so happy to see me. We had a nice chat while I waited for my takeout order. He asked me how long I'd been coming to MT….he laughed when I told him over 15 years now!
Places like Mien Trung and Phuong Nga do so much takeout…..I remember how I used to see those pots of Bun Bo Hue waiting for pick-up….that they really know how to pack things.
And both places slightly undercook their noodles for takeout; so that pouring hot water over them during the prep separates and heats up the noodles perfectly.
As for how this was…..well, it as just what the doctor ordered. Good spice, wonderful herbaceous – sour tones from lemongrass…nice pungency…..this cleared me up!
I'm not sure if it was a case of not having had Bun Bo Hue from Mien Trung in a while; but I thought today's bowl was very good….the thick cuts of beef weren't overly chewy and the pork hock was quite tender.
I gotta get back more often.
Mien Trung Restaurant
7530 Mesa College Dr
San Diego, CA 92111
Thanks for dropping by. I know this seems like one of those C(learing) O(ut the) M(emory) C(ard) posts….but in this case I guess it's more of a C(learing) O(ut) T(he) S(inuses) kind of posts.
hope your sinuses are better and the weather is more stable.
More rain today! BBH sounds perfect right around now.
Mr. K, you made me laugh at your COTS comment! It’s so good to see you posting! Santa Anas are brutal and the crazy seesaw weather just compounds it all. That said, I am not complaining because we desperately need the rain.
The BBH really helped Kat!
I’m kinda happy for the rain Junichi! Hmmmm…..I’m gonna need more BBH soon!
Glad you got a chuckle out of that Barbara! And I’m not complaining about the rain either. We need it! Hope all is well. It’s always great to hear from you.
oh, Bun Bo Hue is so good at Mien Trung.
i haven’t been back for a few months. glad they are still tasty.
looks like i’ll have to try Phuong Nga for bun rieu from your post, Kirk.
it’s good weather for soups right now.
I really enjoyed the Bun Bo Hue Didi! Do try Phuong Nga – they only do takeout right now; but it’s the Missus’s favorite Bun Rieu right now.