
An Xuyen
#21
Posted 12 February 2011 - 08:56 AM
#22
Posted 12 February 2011 - 10:08 AM
#23
Posted 13 February 2011 - 12:01 AM
#24
Posted 09 April 2011 - 10:35 PM
Tucked away in a stripmall-ish parking lot on SE 54th and Foster, An Xuyen looks, from the outside, more utilitarian than artful (maybe it's the addition of "Inc." to the end of their name). A maroon awning overhangs two patio tables when the weather's nice, but that's the only seating to be found. Inside, the shelves are lined with cookies, Hawaiian sweet breads, and pastries. Behind a glass display case of decorated cakes and fruit tarts, there's an impressive selection of Hello Kitty ephemera. Ignore all that for now, and direct your attention to the fast-food style menu displayed behind the cash register.
There are about a dozen sandwich variations to choose from, but all follow the same basic formula: a protein, pickled carrots, daikon radish, cucumber, cilantro, and jalapeño. My favorite—and now I know how Sophie felt—is probably the lemongrass pork. The meat is succulent, and the lemongrass brings out a subtle citrus and ginger flavor that pairs nicely with the accoutrements. As far as cold options, I like the ham and pâté combination (though, when I ordered the pâté bahn mi alone, it was a little bit lacking).
The greatest service chemistry has rendered to alimentary science, is the discovery of osmazome, or rather the determination of what it was. ~Brillat-Savarin
Nick Zukin, Mi Mero Mole
Co-Author, Artisan Jewish Deli at Home
Formerly, Kenny & Zuke's
#25
Posted 15 February 2012 - 06:36 PM
Things finally settled down here after a roller coaster two weeks when I thought - "I have six weeks left in Portland, no wait I have three weeks, no I have four weeks... no now I maybe have just five days! Oh wait, okay, now..."
I have 28 days after today, things are finally figured out and set in stone. One load off my mind, so now I can get back to eating and stuff.

Had the 'combination.' Just my second banh mi ever. The first was not at all memorable (not bad either, though), from a cart downtown on a random Saturday late last summer. This one sure hit the spot, though. And for $2.50, I mean how on earth can you go wrong? I will have to try the lemongrass pork ($2.99) one very soon. Speaking again as a total n00b on these items, I enjoyed every single thing about the sandwich. The bread, the ingredients and the interplay of flavors, etc. Although it could have used more heat / spice. My only complaint, I guess. I was asked if I wanted it spicy, I said "hell yeah!" I've had water that was spicier than that sandwich, but again maybe that's just me...
Those pork buns look good, too. Must try one soon.
Since I'm no longer in possession of a TriMet pass and since the next transit pass I buy will be from SEPTA in about five weeks, whenever I do eat out this last month here it will be cheap-ish places within walking distance around the way. The taco truck up on Powell, maybe Gladstone Pizza one last time, perhaps Foster Burger. And definitely An Xuyen. Maybe three more times? I can work my way through most of the sandwich menu, I think. I'd like that.
Also. Just found out Philadelphia actually has one of the largest Vietnamese populations in the US, and although per capita it's a little bit smaller than Portland's, its Vietnamese restaurant scene is apparently pretty decent, particularly along Washington Avenue around 12th in South Philly; and there's also a rather generic but pretty well thought-of pho joint near where I'll be living in Kensington. So I will get to build on my pho and banh mi experience back there, after all. Whoo!
#26
Posted 15 February 2012 - 07:42 PM
Jay, I think you'll be set in Philly. I have never been, but I follow a popular political blogger who lives in Philly who posts about Vietnamese food on occasion and went to college back in the early nineties (I am old!) with a girl from Philly that even back then talked about the great Vietnamese food back in her old home town.
#27
Posted 15 February 2012 - 07:48 PM
...The bread, the ingredients and the interplay of flavors, etc. Although it could have used more heat / spice. My only complaint, I guess. I was asked if I wanted it spicy, I said "hell yeah!" I've had water that was spicier than that sandwich, but again maybe that's just me...
Hola,
I'm a fan of An Xuyen as well. I like their food, I like that family, and I like that scene. As to their level of spicy lately, though, I have to agree with you. I think there are two factors at play:
1. They have a new (or sort of new) guy making the sandwiches. I noticed him about a month or so ago. The woman that used to make them has been there for the last few years, but every time I've been in recently it's a younger guy making them.
2. I haven't had a truly spicy hot jalapeño in Portland for some time. I think it's just this time of year. We're about as far from the summer pepper harvest as we can get right now. Has anyone had some fresh, hot jalapeños in town lately? Once summer rolls back around I suspect there will be some blisteringly, satisfyingly spicy bahn mi locally. That won't do you much good, since you'll be gone by then...but will be appreciated locally none the less.
¡Bienvendios a la chifladura!
#28
Posted 15 February 2012 - 08:48 PM
For the price, a sandwich at this place is the best money you'll spend dollar for dollar for food anywhere in Portland, I would have to say. They are actually larger and filled more generously than Binh Minh (but I'd rather have a sandwich -- or two -- from there).
Jay, I think you'll be set in Philly. I have never been, but I follow a popular political blogger who lives in Philly who posts about Vietnamese food on occasion and went to college back in the early nineties (I am old!) with a girl from Philly that even back then talked about the great Vietnamese food back in her old home town.
Yeah, the prices... I just have to say wow. That one sandwich filled me for lunch, and I can eat a lot. Heh. No complaints at all about the size or value per dollar, in fact I have to admit I was stunned. I went there expecting a snack, and found a full lunch in one sandwich instead. Although I can sure fit in a pork bun, or three halves of three sandwiches, to make it an even fuller lunch next time, I believe.
The nineties were so long ago, weren't they? Damn! You're not too old, though. I'm from the mid-to-late-90's college mini-generation, myself.

#29
Posted 15 February 2012 - 09:05 PM
Hola,
I'm a fan of An Xuyen as well. I like their food, I like that family, and I like that scene. As to their level of spicy lately, though, I have to agree with you. I think there are two factors at play:
1. They have a new (or sort of new) guy making the sandwiches. I noticed him about a month or so ago. The woman that used to make them has been there for the last few years, but every time I've been in recently it's a younger guy making them.
2. I haven't had a truly spicy hot jalapeño in Portland for some time. I think it's just this time of year. We're about as far from the summer pepper harvest as we can get right now. Has anyone had some fresh, hot jalapeños in town lately? Once summer rolls back around I suspect there will be some blisteringly, satisfyingly spicy bahn mi locally. That won't do you much good, since you'll be gone by then...but will be appreciated locally none the less.
¡Bienvendios a la chifladura!
Ah, very good point. I should have thought of that...
That won't do you much good, since you'll be gone by then...
Yeah, make me all sad and whatnot why don'tcha?!?!


I'm gonna build an awesome Philly thread for youze all soon though, btw!
#30
Posted 15 February 2012 - 09:48 PM
The greatest service chemistry has rendered to alimentary science, is the discovery of osmazome, or rather the determination of what it was. ~Brillat-Savarin
Nick Zukin, Mi Mero Mole
Co-Author, Artisan Jewish Deli at Home
Formerly, Kenny & Zuke's
#31
Posted 15 February 2012 - 11:15 PM
#32
Posted 16 February 2012 - 09:09 AM
I like that I can get extra meat on my sandwich at Binh Minh and usually do. The pate chaud at both An Xuyen and Binh MInh are worth trying - yum!
#33
Posted 25 May 2012 - 11:44 AM
You cannot legislate compassion into your fellow man (or woman, as the case may be), but we should at least attempt to create a society in which each individual has the opportunity to realize his or her potential. If we meet our citizens' needs for Health Care and Education, everything else will take care of itself. --Me
#34
Posted 25 May 2012 - 12:43 PM
The greatest service chemistry has rendered to alimentary science, is the discovery of osmazome, or rather the determination of what it was. ~Brillat-Savarin
Nick Zukin, Mi Mero Mole
Co-Author, Artisan Jewish Deli at Home
Formerly, Kenny & Zuke's
#35
Posted 25 May 2012 - 07:09 PM
with apologies to Jack Prelutsky's "Bleezer's Ice Cream Store"
I am Eva Marianna
I run COOL MOON ICE CREAM STORE,
there are flavors in my freezer you have never seen before,
twenty-eight divine creations too delicious to resist,
why not do yourself a favor, try the flavors on my list...
#36
Posted 27 November 2012 - 12:23 PM
#37
Posted 10 February 2017 - 10:10 AM
I got lucky enough to have a cold An Xuyen meatball bánh mì yesterday. Soooooo good! That bread is so crunchy and messy - oh!
The pickled veg includes cucumbers. I don't know if that's traditional, but I liked it.