Yan W.
Yelp
Word on the Vietnamese street is that the Vietnamese owner traveled back to Vietnam in order to obtain authentic recipes for these traditional "carryout" Vietnamese foods.
The key to this "to-go" shop is that even though they have a very small selection, everything they make is THE BEST. Located right next to the Banh Mi So 1 (which really isn't #1 in my book), I don't even think they have a store sign. However, they've been doing brisk business from the local Vietnamese community for a very long time.
My usual favorites include, but are not limited to the:
Banh Goi - A Vietnamese portable food that has minced pork and wood ear mushrooms inside, covered by a steamed a steamed rice concoction, and wrapped in banana leaves.
Banh Bao - similar to the Chinese steamed bun, but with minced pork, a steamed egg, shitake mushrooms, and don't ask me why, a couple of peas...
Goi Tu - yup, I said it, - pork head cheese. No one does it better than the Vietnamese!
Flan - I've been to Paris and have not had flan this good.
It's namesake, the Cha Lua - the Vietnamese version of ham, but much.... much tastier. They sometimes have beef versions as well.
Most importantly, nothing ever sits out at this place. In a room smaller than some people's closets, they manage to sell about 10 different items a day, all of which were made a few minutes ago. Sometimes, I ask for something, and they will tell me to come back in 20 minutes so they finish making the next batch.... so good....
Important note, you can basically buy one of each item of their entire stock (~$1-7/each item) with a benjamin, but make sure you bring cash.... Like all other Vietnamese stores in Eden Center, it's mostly cash only.