BUN RIEU

I had a bowl of this fabulous tomato based soup noodle in San Jose last weekend. But I live in SF. Where can I find a bowl of this without hopping into my car for a roadtrip? Thanks!!!

[DezzerSF]

I had Bun Rieu today at Cam Huong @ 725 International Blvd in Oakland. I think it's becoming my place to experiment with new Vietnamese dishes. Funny how my coworkers repeatedly order Banh mis while they sit there watching me eat a big bowl of something new.

Anyhow, it came with all the necessary ingredients, even pork blood and shrimp paste. Though I have nothing to compare it to since it was my first time trying the dish. I thought it was interesting, but maybe not something I would rush to order here again.

Is there another place in Oakland that serves Bun Rieu?

[shortexact]

The Single Guy Chef blog visited Kim Huong recently. Here is the post:

http://singleguychef.blogspot.com/200...

In the comments section I asked him if the menu included bun rieu, as well as bun rieu oc (my favorite version of the dish, which includes the snails) and he said that both dishes were on the menu. I haven't made it to this restaurant myself yet, so I couldn't vouch for how good the bun rieu is, but I would be very interested to hear how it compares!

I like the Bun Rieu at Hung Ky, but prefer the version at Ngoc Mai (Hyde, btwn Geary and O'Farrell) They don't offer escargot, but I find the broth and crab roe superior than Hung Ky's version. I'll be comparing next week.

David

I'm sorry that I don't know bun rieu in SF (although Hung Ky sounds good), but where in SJ did you enjoy it? Anything else of interest there? Thanks!

Chef Jeanty is known for his tomato soup with a puff pastry dome. That's Jeanty at Jack's on Sacto Street.

Yum-city!

GAW

Wow,that is a completely different dish....

I love the tomato soup at Jeanty at Jack's too. The puff pastry crust on top of the bowl complements the creamy soup perfectly.

As delicious as it is, tomato puff pastry soup at Jeanty's is nothing like the bun rieu Vietnamese soup for which the OP asked.

Tomato puff pastry soup: creamy, thick, mildly flavored hearty tomato soup topped with a puff pastry. Escargot available as an accompanying appetizer.

Bun Rieu: thin, fairly acidic, spiced broth with oodles of noodles in it and a distinctly Asian flavor. And an option of adding escargot directly into the soup.

like this

Link: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/...

Hung Ky, Jones near Eddy.

Watch out...you'll see other 'hounds there for sure. I know I have every time I've been in the past two weeks (intentionally or not!).

It's the red bowl, so you can compare with what you had before.

Link: http://www.chezpei.com/2006/02/hung-ky-redux.html

Image: http://www.chezpei.com/uploaded_image...

and, you'll meet the nicest people - 'hounds are friendly, so don't be shy...
BTW, the bahn cuon and the chao ga are delicious, too.

Nice to have met you, Cynthia! In addition to, now famous bahn cuon, we tried pho with rare steak and brisket. Brisket had lots of tasty connective tissue. Broth was well balanced, noodles were nicely resilient and non-clumpy.

So tell me the secret of telling Hounds from other folks. Or do you just announce in a loud voice (standing up, of course) "Any Chowhounders here tonight?"

We were talking about food in excited manner, I think.

Well, from the way she was oohing and aahing about the food to the waiter, I suspected Cynthia was a 'hound--or, at least, should be one. But, not wanting to risk sounding like a total freakazoid, I kept my mouth shut.

Then, as nora and I were excitedly talking about food, I think we let the word "Chowhound" slip and were immediately outed by Cynthia.

But seriously, I think Hung Ky is crawling with 'hounds these days. 'Fess up, everyone! It's fun to meet others with the same fanatical appreciation for food.

excessive food yap/ multiple public foodgasms

interrogating staff

insistence on trying/sharing everything on the table

wine, LOTS of wine

taking pictures. of the food, of course.

bringing in exotic desserts

these are the telltale chow tracks.

And the tattoo across my forehead that says "Food Freak"