My Canh - San Francisco

Set in the Russian Hill neighborhood of San Francisco, on the fringe of China Town and North Beach, is My Canh (yelp link). A little Vietnamese restaurant that is holding its own against all the other food options in the area. Their USP -- crab udon, aka Banh Canh Cua!

Yes, udon, and yes, Vietnamese!

Banh Canh noodles, unlike udon, are typically made with rice or tapioca flour (or a mixture of both) instead of wheat flour. The thickness of the noodle however is similar to its Japanese counterpart. And though it is a "noodle soup", the flavors are completely different than Pho. 

The most popular version of this dish, needless to say is Banh Canh Cua (crab), other popular versions include and Banh Canh Gio Heo (pork ham hock).

The Banh Canh Cua at My Canh comes complete with plenty of crab meat -- a treat any time of the year, but especially now, with crab in season and cooler temperatures! The broth, thickened with cornstarch, is silky, and the chopped cilantro adds a freshness to this soup. The flavors so balanced, that you really don't need to add anything to it.

My Canh
(Banh Canh Cua)

Of course their menu goes beyond just Banh Canh, but this is the go to dish at My Canh. So good, and so filling in fact, that we didn't even order an appetizer!

If you are ever in the area, do stop by, I am told they are also open really late. Midnight snack anyone?

Bottom Line:

Price - $
Ambience - Casual
Vegetarian Friendly - No

Merit Vegetarian - Sunnyvale

Vietnamese food is one of those cuisines that seems to easily adapt itself to being completely vegetarian. Sure, fish sauce is a major element in a lot of the flavor, but that is easily avoided.

Merit Vegetarian, just off Lawrence in Sunnyvale, has the entire array of Vietnamese favorites, and everything is vegan! This is our go-to place for Vietnamese food, especially when we are entertaining vegetarian guests.



Vietnamese Spring Rolls

Most things on the menu are really good, but some of our favorites are the Vietnamese Spring Rolls, served with a peanut dipping sauce. As you can see, they are filled with tofu, vegetables and greens and are extremely satisfying.


 



Spinach Tofu Soup

On this particular  occasion we got the Spinach and Tofu Soup, it was light, refreshing, perfect for the second course of our meal. We usually get the spicy noodle soup as an entree, but decided to switch it up. Another absolute must have is their House Special Rice Clay Pot, the dish is cooked and served in a clay pot, the flavors are comforting, and the crispy crust at the bottom of the bowl is a reason to keep eating until it is all gone!

 



 

  

Banh Xeo




In my opinion, one of the all time superstars of Vietnamese cuisine is Bahn Xeo. This simple rice flour based crepe is both comforting and satisfying. Filled with a mix of tofy, bean sprouts and other vegetables, and served with a medley of herbs and other greens, this can be a filling dish. The traditional way to eat Bahn Xeo is to take one of the larger lettuce leaves, add a piece of the Bahn Xeo to it, top with herbs, and desired condiments, wrap, and enjoy!

Now how can something that is so hands on as an experience not be fun?

Oh, and if you saved room for dessert, be sure to try their vegan flan, it is very, very good!

If you are ever in the neighborhood, shopping at Sports Basement, or making a stop at Fry's, be sure to check this place out. I think you will enjoy it.

Bottom Line:
Price - $
Ambience - Casual

Vegetarian Friendly - Yes



Cocola - San Jose

Love dessert? Think chocolate should be its own food group?

The folks at Cocola are with you. Thankfully, so do bazillion other people! No matter what time of day, or day of the week, Cocola always seems to be crowded. Who knew sugar, butter, flour and some flavoring agents could be this addicitive!

For someone that doesn't really have a sweet tooth, I still seem to find myself here more often than is reasonable. It is especially fun to walk over here after a meal at one of the other restaurants, and get some coffee and dessert.

Cocola
Cakes, Cookies, Sandwiches,
Soups, Coffee and so much more

The mosaic bistro tables are placed optimally to maximize people watching, so whether you are sipping on a cup of jo, grabbing a quick lunch, or gorging yourself on the sweet treats, this is a fun place to meet friends, get your sugar fix, or just a quick bite to eat. Some of my personal favorites include the Rouge (Strawberry Cake), and the 3-Color Chocolate Mousse. 

If you have not already been here, go try it, and tell us what you think!

Bottom Line:
Price - $$
Ambience - Casual

Vegetarian Friendly - Yes