Pho Lang Thang

This is the first time that I'd spent any real time at Findlay Market. We went to Pho Lang Thang before going to see Cirque du Soleil. Heavenly. You're greeted with a wonderful smell. If you've had pho before, you may know the smell. The smell of the delicious broth.

We shared an order of the salad rolls which had pork and shrimp, basil, cilantro and noodles with a smoky peanut dipping sauce. Very tasty. I love the clear wrapper for these salad rolls. Something about them just says "summer".



I happen to have been back another time in the progressing week because I had a dream about Banh Mi sandwich (below). I ordered the fried spring rolls because they were out of the salad rolls. They were quite delicious with pork and mushroom with a wonderful fish dipping sauce.



Here's the plate of garnishments for the pho. Lime, jalapeno, bean sprout, thai basil and cilantro.



Here's the pho bo vien that I ordered with meatballs. Very tasty. I so love the broth that comes with pho and the little nest of noodles at the bottom.  I add all the garnishes to the bowl and chow down.



Here's the pho bo tai with sliced steak. Very delicious. On my subsequent visit I ordered this pho as well. Very delicious with the freshest tasting beef that you could ask for. How fresh could you ask for when the temperature of your soup cooks your fresh rare steak?

Let's get honest here. This is more than just soup. This is one of the healthiest soups that you can eat. Never mind the fact that the broth is lovingly prepared with several ingredients that you might not expect (radish, cinnamon, anise, clove, ginger, cardamom). Never mind the fact that it's amazingly clear in spite of the lovingly layered spices mentioned above. Never mind the fact that it's so piping hot and aromatic when it comes to you that it cooks raw meat in your presence. Never mind all of these things. It's clearly delicious. 

 

Below is the magical Banh Mi sandwich with pork. That's Banh Mi Thit Nuong, if you're nasty. The pork is a lemongrass marinated pork that tastes like no other pork that I've ever tasted. There is also the option of this delicious pate and jalapenos. There is also pickled carrot and daikon which also defies deliciousness. The pickled veggies are a sweet pickling and not sour like you might think. There is also a nice helping of garlic butter mayo and cilantro on this french baguette. I tell you - I had a dream about this sandwich. It may be the most delicious sandwich that I've had in my entire life.




This is going to be my new Wednesday or Thursday lunch spot since they're open late those days. MMMMmmmagical banh mi sandwich. I just so happened to receive a Vietnamese cookbook for my birthday. Hopefully I can venture into the wonderful world of these delicious recipes soon. I know a ravenous pho fiend that will test it for me.