Special Vietnamese Dish - where else in Calgary?

[Planet2]

Hi everyone,

I used to be a regular at Shawnessy Vietnamese for years. But after an episode of terrible service (despite being longtime faithful customers) I stopped going there. While it is not a problem to find a place for decent pho elsewhere in Calgary, I am having difficulties finding a restaurant that would serve what SV called 'special dish' (or hotpot dish) in their 'special dishes' menu section. This is essentially a hot pot with a bunch of stir-fried veggies in it and, depending what one chooses, seafood or pork or beef.

I've gone to many other restaurants, and so far could not find an equivalent of this dish. If you could help me with suggesting a restaurant or maybe a recipe, or even the proper name for it, I'd appreciate it very much!

Thanks in advance!

[bluther2]

Bagolac has at least a chicken hot pot and it is very good.

[fmed]

It could be a Vietnamese "clay pot" dish. Can you describe the sauce (if any)? The ones I have had use a common Vietnamese caramelized brown sauce that is very sweet and salty. My particular favourite of this type of dish is Porc au Caramel....a rarity in menus these days.

(Can't help you regarding sources in Calgary as I am an interloper who lives in Vancouver.)

[felix the hound]

My favourite Vietnamese "hot pot" is fish made with the pungent sweet and salty caramel sauce you describe , specially if made with sea bass or black cod, which are becoming rare. Any recommendations for Edmonton, Vancouver or Calgary for this dish are appreciated.
The Chinese Hot Pots, on the other hand, usually seem to be flavoured with oyster, soy or black bean based sauces.

[Scary Bill]

Noodle World in Calgary has Kho To, both pork and fish. Didn't have it.

Did have the fat noodle seafood soup, probably the best seafood soup I've ever had in a Viet resto. Excellent broth, real crab claw (also fake clab), (squid a bit tough) and only $8.25 with free tea, a real bargain. I had never seen the type of noodle before, and I believe they must make it on site. Foolishly I never asked.

Mrs Scary had Bun with just about everything possible in it, again as good as she's had anywhere$11.25.

[Planet2]

I can't recall the sauce specifically - it's more like the one that typically comes with Chinese stir-fry veggies ... And it's different from various hot pots I tried in other Vietnamese restaurants, which are usually one type of meat in rich dark sauce.

[felix the hound]

Many "chinese" restaurants have "House Special " hot pots that sound similar.

[Planet2]

It does remind the stir-fried Chinese veggies plus meat. Next time we go out, I'll check this menu section out. Thanks for your suggestion!

[John Manzo]

This doesn't even sound Vietnamese.

[Planet2]

It may not be the classic Vietnamese dish, but it sure tasted good ...

[John Manzo]

They do have "hot pot" things on the menu at Pho VK but I don't know if they still do- I live less than a block from it but it's terrible. No idea about the hot pots tho.