The Ultimate Vietnamese Food Tour in San Diego, California 🍜

beef shank

🥗Healthier: lean beef

💰Cheaper: brisket

lean beef reduces fat while maintaining flavor.

fish sauce

🥗Healthier: soy sauce

💰Cheaper: salt

soy sauce is lower in sodium and suitable for vegetarians.

pork hocks

🥗Healthier: chicken thighs

💰Cheaper: pork shoulder

chicken thighs are leaner and more affordable.

chili oil

🥗Healthier: sriracha

💰Cheaper: red pepper flakes

sriracha offers similar heat with less oil.

Welcome to City Heights San Diego for a Vietnamese food adventure.

Introduce friend Tran, who is knowledgeable about Vietnamese food.

Visit Bakaya, a staple in the City Heights community.

Show the spread of dishes: pho, spring rolls, broken rice, and vermicelli noodles with egg rolls and shrimp.

Cook the meat in the pho broth until tender, eat it medium rare or rare.

Add vinegar onions and Sriracha to the pho, mix or eat on the side.

Describe a special off-menu item: a poached egg in pho broth, rich and flavorful.

Add nuke bale (green onions) to pho for extra flavor.

Taste the spring rolls filled with pork belly, shrimp, and herbs, served with peanut sauce.

Describe the Vietnamese meatloaf made of egg and pork, topped with fish sauce and scallions.

Explain the concept of broken rice, its history, and why it's popular today.

Check the broth of the pho before adding more Sriracha and hoisin sauce, ensuring it's sweet and salty.

Taste the tripe in the pho, noting its tenderness and the flavor of the chili oil.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary