HOME CENTRAL TAIWAN DINING

COMPASS MAGAZINE December 2007
　

Vietnamese Delicacies--Quan Pho Viet, Pho Viet Nam, Quan Thanh Thuy, Thanh Mai Quan An Viet Nam Have you been looking for that perfectly seasoned Vietnamese Rice Noodle Soup (Pho), that succulent Salad Roll or that satisfyingly crunchy French Bread Sandwich? You don't have to buy a plane ticket to enjoy these foods, as there are several friendly, clean, very authentic and extremely reasonably-priced Vietnamese-operated restaurants right here in Taichung. Doubling as small, Vietnamese grocery stores, there good places to stock up on instant rice noodles (no trans fat), fish sauce (very stinky, yet superb), 333 beer (known as Ba Ba Ba), and lots of pickled goodies.
	Quan Pho Viet 506, BeiTun Rd (north of SongZhu Rd, by the train tracks); 0937-718-427 Hours: 10 am-10 pm Credit cards not accepted. The first treasure chest of a shop I discovered was Quan Pho Viet, which serves many culinary delights. The Salad Rolls, made with rice noodles, mint, lettuce, shrimp and pork slivers wrapped in thin rice paper, are NT$60. The fluffy, French Bread Sandwich consists of veggies, meat and various condiments (NT$60). They also have Beef Rice Noodle Soup (NT$60), which is served in a fragrant, rich beef broth, and Seafood Rice Noodle Soup (NT$60), which is always a treat. They have several other traditional dishes like delightful, fried Spring Rolls (NT$50); pate-like Vietnamese Ham and sliced Pork Chop on wide rice noodles (NT$60); one of my very favorites, the refreshing and healthy Cabbage-Chicken Salad (dark meat, with bones, NT$60); and many other perfectly cooked seafood, meat and vegetable dishes (NT$40-100). --By Daniel C. Luthi, Nutrition Educator & Chinese Herbalist, translated by Ann Lee
	Pho Viet Nam 243, LiXing Rd (across from Shuang Shi Junior High School) (04) 2225-2657 Hours: 11 am-8:30 pm (closed Mondays) Credit cards not accepted. This wonderful shop near the Confucius Temple features a most delectable plate of Lemon Grass-Curry Frog (NT$100, available Thu. and Sat.), and Seafood Rice Noodle Soup (NT$70) that is topped generously with shrimp, clams, oysters, squid, pork liver and mushrooms. Of course, they also serve an excellent Beef Rice Noodle Soup (NT$60), and other tasty dishes like Bitter Melon with Salted Egg (Ku Gua Xian Dan, NT$50) and mouthwatering Salad Rolls (NT$50). Also available (and prepared expertly) are several quickly-sauteed rice noodle dishes (NT$60) as well as an array of seafood dishes like clams with basil, prawns with ginger, and whole fried fish (NT$100-200). Don't forget to order the nutrition-rich and decidedly yummy 18-Day Duck Embryo that's quick-boiled and served with salt, lime, chili pepper and herbs (NT$25). --By Daniel C. Luthi, Nutrition Educator & Chinese Herbalist, translated by Ann Lee
	Quan Thanh Thuy 8, QingHua N Rd (west of Bei Tun Elementary School); 0936-210-797 Hours: 10 am-9 pm (closed Mondays) Credit cards not accepted. A lesser-known (read: less-crowded) restaurant, Quan Thanh Thuy, is a well-run place offering delicious Vietnamese dishes. Besides Seafood Rice Noodle Soup (NT$70), which comes with sliced Vietnamese ham and roast pork, and the Beef Rice Noodle Soup (NT$70), which is well-balanced and flavorful, they also serve fresh Salad Rolls (NT$60), fried Spring Rolls (NT$60) and several kinds of whole fried fish (NT$50-100). Other popular dishes include some ginger/pepper/lemon grass marinated fish selections (NT$35), a nice Cabbage-Chicken Salad (shredded, boneless, white meat, NT$60), and an assortment of sauteed rice noodles with toppings of your choice (NT$70). --By Daniel C. Luthi, Nutrition Educator & Chinese Herbalist, translated by Ann Lee
	Thanh Mai Quan An Viet Nam 306-18, TaiZhongGang Rd, Sec 3 (04) 2359-8349 / 0923-689-178 Hours: 10:30 am-10 pm Credit cards not accepted. Thanh Mai, the Vietnamese owner of Thanh Mai Quan restaurant, is originally from Ho Chi Minh City. At the young age of 19, she opened up her own restaurant in the heart of that bustling metropolis. After getting married and moving to Taiwan, Thanh Mai still serves of authentic Vietnamese cuisine to her eager customers in Taichung. She insists on using fine ingredients and spices imported from Vietnam; unlike many other Vietnamese restaurants in Taiwan, her creations are not fusion. On the menu, you will see beef/seafood Vermicelli Rolls, BBQ Rice Noodles and other rice dishes--all for NT$60. You can really taste the hint of pork and radish in the broth that accompanies the Vermicelli Rolls. The Thinly-Sliced Moon Cake (NT$80) has a crispy crust and a mild coconut flavor; it is stuffed with shrimp, pork, bean sprouts, carrots, and leeks. This moon cake is decorated with lettuce, cucumber and basil, and they recommend that you dip it into their fish-based sauce for a different flavor. Her juicy and crunchy vegetables dishes are appetizing and will keep you reaching for more. --By Uvia Chang, translated by Ann Lee