Noodle soup: Banh canh Que Anh & Que Em
Quite possibly the cheesiest name of a store I’ve ever seen: Bánh Canh Quê Anh & Quê Em – “bánh canh [from] your hometown and my hometown” (it doesn’t sound cheesy translated into English, but trust me, it’s like Twilight’s Edward Cullen in noodle soup form). Which is actually fitting, since banh canh is commoner’s grub, not a bourgeois lunch. You won’t find a classy madame dressing up just to go out for banh canh. The poor thing will never be elevated to the level of pho. I love it.
I grew up eating it before I was born (literally). Backstory can be told in person, but despite eating so many bowls, I never knew that there was so many types of banh canh. Que Anh & Que Em offered 30 types (see menu at the bottom), 14 of which are no more traditional than the Spider Roll, but the other 16 are attached to geographical regions in Vietnam, and thus, in this case, more meritable.
Banh canh is a thick, chewy, slippery rice noodle (with tapioca starch). It’s similar enough to udon in appearance and texture (as the shop aptly translates it to “Vietnamese udon”), but also entirely different (udon is made from wheat).
Close-up of my order: banh canh Tra Vinh – pork, pig trotter, quail eggs, pig blood in a clear, light broth. The classic when people think of banh canh. I can do without pig blood, which I transferred to Dad’s bowl, and the quail eggs (fresh quail eggs are great, but these taste like the canned version). In fact, the noodle and the broth alone are sufficient.
From left: Dad’s and Mom’s orders: banh canh 3 mien (“banh canh of all three regions”) and banh canh hoang gia (“royal banh canh”). Both names are only meant to illicit interest, the same way “Pho Dac Biet” is really not all that special. The broth of both bowls is thickened, yellow (with turmeric?) and taste richly of seafood, as both are loaded with crab meat and shrimps.
Desserts, of course. che long nhan hat sen – longan and lotus seed che… (I got the same thing at Danh’s Garden too, it’s gently sweet, fruity, and hard to get tired of.)
… and che khuc bach – lychee, some chewy tapioca thing, some chewy milky jello thing, and some nuts. A popular che in Vietnam these days. Here’s a video to make che khuc bach, which the author loosely calls “almond panna cotta lychee dessert”.
I miss Vietnamese food. It’s been only three days since I left for the mountain on another observing run. Every time I’m in the mountain I’m reminded of what a privileged life I have. I miss being a stone’s throw away from darling nigiri, banh mi, mordin, etc. There’s no Asian restaurant in Big Pine, the nearest congregation of human from the observatory. Then again, it’s already a huge privilege to stay at CARMA, with a private bedroom and bathroom, eating juicy fresh apples and having nutritious meals hot and ready twice a day…
Address: Banh Canh Que Anh & Que Em
11210 Bellaire Blvd, Ste 133
Houston, TX 77072
(281) 416-5316
Does your site have a contact page? I’m having trouble locating it but, I’d like to send you an email. I’ve got some recommendations for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great blog and I look forward to seeing it expand over time.
1I like what you guys are up also. Such intelligent work and reporting! Keep up the excellent works guys I have incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it’ll improve the value of my site 🙂
2Hi, i think that i saw you visited my site thus i came to “return the favor”.I’m trying to find things to improve my site!I suppose its ok to use some of your ideas!!
3I’ve recently started a site, the info you provide on this website has helped me greatly. Thank you for all of your time & work. “Never trust anybody who says ‘trust me.’ Except just this once, of course. – from Steel Beach” by John Varley.
4I do not even know how I finished up right here, however I believed this put up was good. I do not recognise who you’re but certainly you are going to a well-known blogger if you happen to aren’t already 😉 Cheers!
5I’ve recently started a site, the information you offer on this web site has helped me greatly. Thanks for all of your time & work.
6Currently it appears like BlogEngine is the best blogging platform out there right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you’re using on your blog?
7I was very happy to find this internet-site.I needed to thanks to your time for this excellent learn!! I definitely enjoying every little little bit of it and I’ve you bookmarked to check out new stuff you weblog post.
8Some genuinely nice and useful info on this web site, too I believe the layout contains fantastic features.
9Hi , I do believe this is an excellent blog. I stumbled upon it on Yahoo , i will come back once again. Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be rich and help other people.
10Thank you, I have just been searching for information about this subject for ages and yours is the greatest I’ve discovered so far. However, what in regards to the bottom line? Are you sure concerning the supply?
11Very interesting details you have noted, thankyou for putting up.
12I just like the helpful info you provide to your articles. I will bookmark your weblog and test again right here frequently. I am slightly certain I will be informed many new stuff right right here! Good luck for the next!
13I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your site. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more pleasant for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a designer to create your theme? Outstanding work!
14My spouse and i ended up being now lucky when Edward could do his reports because of the precious recommendations he got from your very own weblog. It is now and again perplexing to just find yourself releasing secrets and techniques that many some other people may have been trying to sell. We know we’ve got the writer to appreciate because of that. The most important illustrations you’ve made, the easy blog navigation, the friendships you can aid to promote – it’s got everything exceptional, and it is assisting our son in addition to us believe that that concept is entertaining, and that’s very serious. Thanks for everything!
15Hello! I’ve been reading your web site for a long time now and finally got the courage to go ahead and give you a shout out from Atascocita Texas! Just wanted to tell you keep up the excellent job!
16I love reading through and I believe this website got some genuinely useful stuff on it! .
17Hello, Neat post. There is a problem along with your website in internet explorer, may test thisK IE still is the market chief and a large part of folks will miss your fantastic writing because of this problem.
18A person necessarily help to make severely posts I might state. That is the very first time I frequented your web page and up to now? I surprised with the analysis you made to create this actual submit incredible. Fantastic process!
19I really like your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you make this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you? Plz reply as I’m looking to construct my own blog and would like to find out where u got this from. appreciate it
20I enjoy looking through and I believe this website got some really useful stuff on it! .
21Hi, i feel that i noticed you visited my blog so i came to “return the favor”.I am attempting to in finding things to improve my website!I suppose its ok to make use of a few of your ideas!!
22You should take part in a contest for one of the best blogs on the web. I will recommend this site!
23It’s really a great and useful piece of info. I am happy that you simply shared this helpful info with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
24naturally like your web-site but you have to check the spelling on several of your posts. Many of them are rife with spelling issues and I in finding it very bothersome to inform the truth however I’ll certainly come again again.
25I like this web blog very much so much wonderful info .
26Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is a really well written article. I’ll make sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful info. Thanks for the post. I will certainly return.
27It’s really a great and useful piece of information. I’m happy that you shared this helpful information with us. Please stay us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.
28very nice post, i actually love this web site, carry on it
29Just what I was searching for, regards for posting.
30Hi there, i read your blog from time to time and i own a similar one and i was just curious if you get a lot of spam feedback? If so how do you stop it, any plugin or anything you can suggest? I get so much lately it’s driving me insane so any help is very much appreciated.
31Some genuinely wonderful info , Glad I noticed this. “Life is divided into the horrible and the miserable.” by Woody Allen.
32Some genuinely fantastic posts on this site, appreciate it for contribution.
33I’ve been absent for some time, but now I remember why I used to love this website. Thanks , I will try and check back more often. How frequently you update your web site?
34You could definitely see your expertise in the work you write. The arena hopes for even more passionate writers like you who aren’t afraid to mention how they believe. Always follow your heart. “No man should marry until he has studied anatomy and dissected at least one woman.” by Honore’ de Balzac.
35Nice weblog here! Additionally your website a lot up fast! What host are you the usage of? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I want my site loaded up as fast as yours lol
36I always was concerned in this topic and still am, thanks for posting.
37I’d have to examine with you here. Which is not one thing I usually do! I take pleasure in reading a post that may make folks think. Additionally, thanks for permitting me to comment!
38