The Koreans make good pho
Every time I ride the bus on Telegraph, Kang Nam Pho stands out to me like a supernova. (There are these “sorta” cosmologically important exploded stars that have been on my mind for quite some time now, which is an excuse for the sparse blogging of late.) I’ve seen Chinese-owned pho places, but they never have a Chinese name. Pin Toh on Shattuck, which used to be Phở Hòa, has pho cooked by Chinese chefs, but it’s a Thai diner (talk about incognito). In my American pho encounters, Kang Nam Pho is the first instance of a Korean-owned Vietnamese diner with a Korean name. They even put the whole “Phở” with accents on their white-on-red sign, next to “강남 윌남국수” (Kang Nam Wilnam guksu, i.e., Kang Nam Vietnamese Noodle). I like this place already.
Their menu is also all in Vietnamese, again, with complete accents albeit some misspellings; there is English description under each name and very little Korean. I vaguely remember bibimbap and bulgogi at some bottom corner of a page, but Kang Nam has things that even a common pho joint wouldn’t always have, such as hủ tíu Nam Vang (kuy teav Phnom Penh) and mì bò kho (noodle with beef stew). The tables are even equipped with green chopsticks, hard-to-eat spoons and sauce bottles. If only the customers didn’t flock every table that day and keep the ladies moving like shuttles in a loom, I would have asked what inspired them to make the place even more Vietnamese than a Vietnamese would, for better and for worse (the spoons…).
After ordering the inevitables, gỏi cuốn to start and phở chín nạm gầu gân sách (brisket, tendon, tripe) to fill, I followed the usual practice of a lone diner: pull out a book and pretend to read while eavesdropping on my neighbors. However, just barely 3 minutes into opening the book, the summer rolls arrived. Casting aside my literate facade, I started rearranging the roll halves for a good pic when the noodle soup swiftly got placed in the way. They did it fast. That’s how pho should be: you got a pot o’ broth, cooked meat, and blanched noodle ready, an order comes, they all go into a bowl. It shouldn’t take more than one minute. The problem is with me: too little time for a good picture and unable to decide what to eat first. The pho won. The rolls wouldn’t get soggy waiting.
This is one of the best pho I’ve ever had (mom-made pho not included). Deep and subtly sweet broth, chewy noodles, lots of tripe and tendon. A clean aftertaste and a warm broth until the last morsel. Little Mom, a frequent pho craver albeit a picky patron, would like this pho. Why didn’t they struct their business a little closer to campus so that I could come here for lunch? Would they serve blanched beansprout or pickle onion if I ask for it? Next time…
Whenever I ride the bus on Telegraph, I contemplate pulling a stop request for a bowl. Perhaps I’ll go tonight in the name of celebrating Little Mom’s birthday. 😀 We’re Vietnamese, but just to go along with this post’s blending spirit: 생일축하해, 엄마! 🙂
Address: Kang Nam Pho House
4419 Telegraph Ave
Oakland, CA 94609
(510) 985-0900
UPDATE: A 5-second roaming on the ‘net reveals that the Koreans like pho (I’m not surprised, they have plenty of beef based noodle soups) enough to make Korean pho restaurants, and generally Korean pho broths are described as more bland (if disliked) or more clean and fresh (if liked) than Vietnamese pho. For Kang Nam, I side with the latter. Which reinforces the consistency of my pho style. Those who have eaten pho with me often shake their heads at my indifference toward the sauces and the herbs: I don’t put veggies into my pho (not a single leaf), and I don’t adulterate my broth with Sriracha or the black bean sauce. I like my pho pure: beef and noodle. More Korean pho samplings are necessary before I can confirm the difference. When the supernovae start making more sense, the new quest will start. But is this quest possible in the Bay Area?
This post is submitted to Delicious Vietnam #16, August edition, hosted by Chi Anh from Door to My Kitchen.
Thankyou for all your efforts that you have put in this. very interesting info .
1Its like you read my mind! You seem to know so much about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could do with a few pics to drive the message home a bit, but other than that, this is excellent blog. A fantastic read. I will definitely be back.
2You have noted very interesting points! ps nice web site.
3That is very interesting, You are a very professional blogger. I have joined your feed and stay up for looking for extra of your great post. Additionally, I have shared your website in my social networks!
4I have to express thanks to this writer for bailing me out of this dilemma. Because of checking through the world-wide-web and obtaining principles which were not productive, I assumed my entire life was gone. Being alive without the approaches to the issues you’ve fixed all through your website is a critical case, as well as those that might have in a negative way damaged my career if I had not come across your blog post. Your personal knowledge and kindness in touching all areas was vital. I am not sure what I would’ve done if I hadn’t come upon such a thing like this. I can also at this time relish my future. Thanks for your time very much for the specialized and result oriented guide. I won’t think twice to recommend the sites to anyone who needs guidelines about this subject matter.
5Awesome blog! Do you have any tips for aspiring writers? I’m planning to start my own site soon but I’m a little lost on everything. Would you suggest starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many options out there that I’m totally overwhelmed .. Any suggestions? Thank you!
6This really answered my problem, thank you!
7Whoa! This blog looks exactly like my old one! It’s on a entirely different subject but it has pretty much the same page layout and design. Excellent choice of colors!
8Fantastic web site. Plenty of helpful information here. I am sending it to a few pals ans additionally sharing in delicious. And naturally, thanks on your sweat!
9Just wanna comment on few general things, The website design is perfect, the content is rattling wonderful. “All movements go too far.” by Bertrand Russell.
10Thank you for sharing excellent informations. Your web-site is very cool. I am impressed by the details that you have on this web site. It reveals how nicely you perceive this subject. Bookmarked this web page, will come back for more articles. You, my pal, ROCK! I found just the information I already searched everywhere and just couldn’t come across. What a great web-site.
11Great beat ! I wish to apprentice whilst you amend your web site, how can i subscribe for a blog site? The account helped me a applicable deal. I have been a little bit familiar of this your broadcast offered bright clear concept
12Hello there, I found your site by means of Google even as searching for a comparable topic, your site came up, it appears to be like good. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
13Very nice pattern and great content, very little else we require :D.
14I have been absent for some time, but now I remember why I used to love this web site. Thanks, I’ll try and check back more often. How frequently you update your site?
15I’m curious to find out what blog platform you happen to be working with? I’m experiencing some minor security problems with my latest website and I would like to find something more safeguarded. Do you have any recommendations?
16I like this site so much, bookmarked.
17Very nice design and style and fantastic content, absolutely nothing else we need :D.
18Good website! I truly love how it is easy on my eyes and the data are well written. I’m wondering how I could be notified when a new post has been made. I’ve subscribed to your RSS which must do the trick! Have a nice day!
19I’m not sure where you’re getting your info, however great topic. I needs to spend a while learning more or working out more. Thank you for fantastic information I used to be on the lookout for this information for my mission.
20Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is an extremely well written article. I will make sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of your useful info. Thanks for the post. I’ll certainly comeback.
21I am extremely inspired with your writing abilities as neatly as with the format on your weblog. Is this a paid subject or did you customize it your self? Anyway keep up the excellent high quality writing, it’s uncommon to peer a nice weblog like this one today..
22I’m now not certain where you’re getting your information, however good topic. I needs to spend a while finding out much more or figuring out more. Thanks for wonderful info I used to be looking for this info for my mission.
23You can certainly see your enthusiasm in the work you write. The world hopes for more passionate writers like you who aren’t afraid to say how they believe. Always follow your heart.
24I see something truly special in this internet site.
25Spot on with this write-up, I actually suppose this web site needs much more consideration. I’ll most likely be again to learn way more, thanks for that info.
26Whats Taking place i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve discovered It positively useful and it has helped me out loads. I’m hoping to give a contribution & help different customers like its helped me. Great job.
27I am often to blogging and i really appreciate your content. The article has really peaks my interest. I am going to bookmark your site and keep checking for new information.
28Some really terrific work on behalf of the owner of this site, dead great written content.
29Very interesting subject, appreciate it for putting up.
30I think other site proprietors should take this site as an model, very clean and fantastic user genial style and design, let alone the content. You’re an expert in this topic!
31I believe other website proprietors should take this web site as an model, very clean and fantastic user friendly layout.
32Undeniably believe that which you said. Your favourite reason appeared to be at the net the simplest thing to be mindful of. I say to you, I definitely get irked whilst folks think about concerns that they plainly do not understand about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top as neatly as outlined out the whole thing with no need side-effects , folks could take a signal. Will likely be back to get more. Thanks
33Greetings! Very helpful advice on this article! It is the little changes that make the biggest changes. Thanks a lot for sharing!
34so much wonderful info on here, :D.
35Hello are using WordPress for your site platform? I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and set up my own. Do you need any coding knowledge to make your own blog? Any help would be really appreciated!
36There are some interesting cut-off dates on this article but I don’t know if I see all of them center to heart. There is some validity but I’ll take hold opinion until I look into it further. Good article , thanks and we would like extra! Added to FeedBurner as effectively
37I’m still learning from you, while I’m improving myself. I certainly liked reading everything that is written on your website.Keep the aarticles coming. I liked it!
38Hi, Neat post. There is a problem with your site in internet explorer, would test this… IE still is the market leader and a huge portion of people will miss your fantastic writing because of this problem.
39Can I just say what a relief to find someone who actually knows what theyre talking about on the internet. You definitely know how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More people need to read this and understand this side of the story. I cant believe youre not more popular because you definitely have the gift.
40Hi! I’ve been following your site for some time now and finally got the bravery to go ahead and give you a shout out from Dallas Tx! Just wanted to mention keep up the excellent work!
41I like this blog so much, bookmarked. “To hold a pen is to be at war.” by Francois Marie Arouet Voltaire.
42I enjoy the efforts you have put in this, thanks for all the great content.
43I like this post, enjoyed this one appreciate it for posting. “To affect the quality of the day that is the art of life.” by Henry David Thoreau.
44