Bun Cha in Toronto?

[mr_clutch31]

Does anyone know where I can get authentic Bun Cha in Toronto?

[aser]

Since nobody responded, I'll throw you a bone.

http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/...

[mr_clutch31]

wow thank you...i wasn't able to google this

[Plateaumaman]

Is Pho Phuong Hoang the only place that serves Bun Cha? I'm looking for it as well. That article is helpful.

[szw]

Bun Cha can be found in any vietnamese restaurant.

[Plateaumaman]

Are you sure? I didn't find it on the menu today at Pho Hung and didn't see anyone with masses of greens.

[1sweetpea]

The description in the article supplied by Aser is much different from the many bun dishes with grilled pork that I have had in Canada. I have 4 Vietnamese cookbooks and only one has a recipe for Bun Cha. It is sliced boneless pork shoulder that has been marinated in a standard Vietnamese marinade (shallot, sugar, black pepper, caramel sauce and fish sauce), then grilled. It is served atop rice vermicelli with the standard dipping sauce and herb and vegetable garnish plate. To be perfectly frank, I've had and seen this dish on most Vietnamese menus. Perhaps that specific restaurant has a regional preparation that is noteworthy. I have certainly been to restaurants that have their own take on a dish that most places do that blows the others' away.

[szw]

The bun cha you will get in restaurants are reincarnated to look like the following bowl:
http://http.cdnlayer.com/smoola/00/00...

There will usually be 10-15 variations depending on types of meat or toppings you choose.

[Plateaumaman]

Oh, I'm looking for the bun cha that has masses of herbs on the side, something similar to the one described in the article, also easily found in Montreal (where I am from) at Pho Tay Ho. Perhaps I should have specified the bun cha with pork meatballs, something like this:
http://www.myeggnoodles.com/bun-cha-a...

[1sweetpea]

Wow! That looks insanely good. Now I want to go back to Vietnam just to taste this dish. For now, I'll settle on Nha Trang (it says Pho Canh Buom outside), 1144 College St., 416-538-4287. In the Star article that Aser posted, this place was mentioned as having Bun Cha. We'll see how it stacks up to the image of Dac Kim in Hanoi.

[Plateaumaman]

So I went to Nha Trang/Pho Canh Buom tonight and had the Bun Cha Ha Noi (A18) and was not disappointed! Just what I wanted, pork patties with grilled pork, a plate of noodles and heaps of herbs plus the sauce was very delicate, not fishy at all. There are a lot of Vietnamese places along this strip of College Street so perhaps others have the same dish on their menu. Compares very favourably to the Bun Cha I've had in Montreal except that the restaurant was very quiet whereas Pho Tay Ho is always packed.

[acd123]

Thanks for the review. that sounds great. I'm gonna try it this week.

To change the subject a bit, have you found anywhere in town with great Cha Ca? I had it at Cha Ca La Vong in Hanoi and loved it. I also had it at Hanoi 3 Seasons and it was pretty good but nothing like Hanoi, where it is cooked at the table. I would like to try it elsewhere in TO if any place has it.

[deabot]

Ahhh I love this dish! I've only had it at Hanoi 3 Seasons but I think I remember seeing one of the Parkdale vietnamese restaurants advertising it on their menus.

[Plateaumaman]

They have Bun Cha Ca on their menu at Canh Buom which is translated as King Fish sausage with vermicelli so I am guessing that's not the same dish you are looking for. But perhaps they can point you to a place that does serve it.

Here's a blog and photo of the Bun Cha Hanoi:
http://www.pho411.ca/blog/hanoi-vermi...

[Arcadiaseeker]

Pho St Clair (on St Clair West) has bun -- I had the chicken and it was very good. They also have pork and beef.