Showing posts with label Los Angeles. Show all posts

Sunday, 12 February 2012

beef noodle soup, cheap, Hollywood, Los Angeles, Thai, Thai Town

Thai Boat Noodles at Sanamluang

I made sure to indulge in some of my favorite foods during my vacation back in California for the holidays. But I also made an effort to try out some things that I've heard so much about on the Twittersphere but don't have access to out in New York. Among those things are good fish tacos. Yet, the hands down best thing I ate was a bowl of Thai boat noodles. I had heard so much about boat noodles, and the lack of authentic boat noodles in New York made the experience in Los Angeles that much more special.

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Although most people flock to the two heavyweights of the Thai boat noodle community in North Hollywood's Thai Town, Pa Ord and Sapp, I had my noodles at Sanamluang Cafe. It was only days after the New Year and many places were closed for the holidays. Sanamluang, with its 4 am daily closing time, was perfect for meeting up some of my familiar food friends @olivejina, @djjewelz, @limer35 @kungfoodpanda, and @ravenouscouple. The restaurant is in a small shopping center with a parking lot that easily gets overwhelmed.

While it's not difficult to find a bowl of beef noodle soup at Thai restaurants all over the country, it's tough to find one made with all the offal that truly makes a great bowl of boat noodles. Thai food in America is so generic and the flavors are simplified to the point of easy replication at any pan-Asian fusion eatery. The name comes from the common serving style in Thailand, when vendors sell noodles directly out of their boats. The secret to a great bowl is the abundant use of pork blood, liver, and other cuts of beef. Though it's listed as spicy beef noodles on the menu at Sanamluang, you can also order it as boat noodles. They'll know what you're talking about.

I've commonly heard of Thai boat noodles as pho on crack. It is the most flavorful bowl of noodles I've ever come across. Savory and sour are the main components, but a healthy amount of spice gives it a kick. Cinnamon and star anise are the key elements. However, the most memorable aspect of the noodles is the outstanding mouthfeel of the soup.

If anyone knows where I can get a great bowl of Thai boat noodles in New York, please let me know!

Sanamluang Cafe
sanamluangcafe.menutoeat.com
5176 Hollywood Blvd
North Hollywood, CA 90027
(323) 660-8006
$5.95 for a bowl of "Spicy Beef Noodles"

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Monday, 30 January 2012

cheap, Ensenada, fish tacos, Los Angeles, Mexican, taco

Ensenada Too Far? Try Ricky's Fish Tacos

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Originating from sunny Ensenada, fish tacos are a common sight in California. On my visit back to Los Angeles, I finally got the chance to see what the fuss was all about. Ricky's Fish Tacos, a stand that would be perfectly for a futbol tailgate, had been on my list for a long time. Since my previous experiences with fish tacos were at Rubios or Wahoo's, I needed some convincing that fish tacos were more than just overbattered and greasy messes.

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Since I had trouble finding Ricky's, I will devote time to explaining how to find it. Luckily, Christine, the older sister who I never wanted, was an expert and guided me in the whole process. First, check Ricky's Twitter @rickysfishtacos to see if he's open that day. For the most part, he is open Wednesday through Sunday afternoons. However, since he also caters private events, check the Twitter feed for more accurate information.

Second, as I mentioned above, Ricky's is not a traditional restaurant. As you can tell from the picture, it is an outdoor stand of not more than a few tables, a frying vat, and some coolers with fresh seafood underneath a canopy. That said, he's in a small yard at the corner of North Virgil Avenue and De Longpre Avenue, across from the Vons parking lot.

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Once you arrive, go up to Ricky or his assistant and place your order. He has fish or shrimp tacos. If you're lucky, he will also be serving lobster tacos. They are fried in front of you in a golden vat. If you stand too close for too long, you too will smell delicious.

I ordered one shrimp and one fish. I was not lucky that day. A person of normal appetite will probably be okay with two or three. I can report that Ricky avoids the main problem with battered and fried fish, the batter does not dominate the flavor. Also, it felt surprisingly light; you don't get the uncomfortable feeling that usually accompanies a meal of fried fare. The pico de gallo and cabbage give some textual variety while the crema and salsas added flavor dimensions. None of the accompaniments overpowered the centerpiece seafood though. If you do feel like throwing the flavors out of balance, additional sauces are available for self-dispense.

That day, Ricky was also serving cucumber and spinach agua fresca. This was an odd combination for me, but perfect for the unseasonably warm January day.

Ricky's Fish Tacos
@rickysfishtacos
1400 N. Virgil Ave.
Los Feliz/Hollywood/Silverlake, CA 90027
$2.50 for the fish, more for the shrimp and lobster.

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