Talk about a major rebound in weather. Just a few weeks ago we were experiencing record heat and then we get a cooler spell with temps ten degrees cooler than the norm. I really shouldn't be complaining since I actually prefer cooler weather and it gave me a chance to hit up some of my cool weather favorites. And of course, the Missus has Her favorites as well. And with another warm up headed our way, I wanted to make sure that the Missus "got Her fix". So, I headed off to Phuong Nga to get some Bun Rieu for the Missus. The young man working there and his mom already know what I'm there for….sadly, they didn't have bun rieu on this day! I was told that currently "no bun rieu on Tuesday and Thursdays" and on this Sunday they also were out. Oh well…. I decided to try again this past Sunday and got there at 930.
I was greeted when I arrived; the only person there at the moment. I was told that I needed to return after 1130 for bun rieu. So, I placed my order. As I was talking to the gentleman no less than six people walked in!
Man, Phuong Nga is quite popular these days. Even if they're just doing takeout!
I returned at 1130 and still had to wait another 20 minutes. I didn't feel too bad, three other folks were already waiting for their Bun Rieu when I arrived. And then when "mom" came out, she saw me and apologized! I guess I'm marked as the "bun rieu guy". And since I had ordered ahead of time, I got mine first!
On the good side, I made sure not to park below this "poop party"!
And the Missus was so happy to get Her bun rieu before the our upcoming "warm up".
Man, all the herbs and veggies were sparkling fresh! I'm not sure if it was on purpose but there seemed to be much more meat this time around as well.
As per before, I put the soup in a pot to warm up. I then put water in a thick sided bowl and heat for three minutes. I put the noodles in a small colander- we can only finish one order of noodles at a time; the rest is used for some other soup. I place the colander over another thick sided bowl and pour the hot water over the noodles to warm and loosen. The noodles here have never been overcooked so it handles the procedure well. I drain and separate the noodles and empty the water from the second bowl.
Voila! You have two warmed up bowls for your bun rieu!
The broth on this day was a bit more savory and with a more hefty tongue feel than usual….the wait was worth it I guess. I use some mam tom and a squeeze of lime in mine. The Missus loves adding the chilies to Hers. The Missus loves the banana blossom, shredded morning glory, and the perilla leaves. She loves the tofu, tomato, and pork-seafood "cakes". I'll usually get the pork ribs. Like I mentioned earlier; there was a ton of meat on this day.
And all was well in the mmm-yoso household.
Phuong Nga 2
4016 54th St
San Diego, CA 92105
For my other posts on the Bun Rieu to go from Phuong Nga, you can go here, here, or here.
**** Note for 10/18/2022 – currently no Bun Rieu on Tuesdays and Thursdays.