#num pang

01/06/17

Of course some white guy would open up a Vietnamese sandwich shop and then say, “I’ll put my bánh mì up against any Vietnamese person or Cambodian person.“

1. Okay first of all whitey, you can’t make Vietnamese sandwiches better than actual Vietnamese people who have been making them for years.

2. Cultural foods are part of people’s culture. They don’t exist so other people (especially white people) can make competitions out of them and see who can make the "best” version of them.

3. I don’t know why he mentions Cambodian people because Cambodian sandwiches (num pang), while similar to bánh mì, is different in preparation. Not to mention that the meat and bread are different. Not all Asian people, cultures, or food are interchangeable. Thanks.

I think I’m headed back to New York soon, so I was looking up what’s new in the neighborhood where we’re staying, and I just found out that the last of the Num Pang locations closed in March, per Eater NY. This picture is from the original location on E 12th Street that closed and moved a few blocks away in 2014. 

Cambodian-owned, Gamboge is a newish casual eatery in a non-gentrified area of Lincoln Heights. The lack of signage (it says Gamboge on the glass door) and outdoor patio in the back give it a hidden gem feel. They’re currently taking orders from the window (you can’t step inside).

The menu includes numpang (Khmer sandwiches, a cousin of banh mi made with pate, Maggi mayo, chili sauce, cucumbers, scallion oil, toasted shallots, papaya slaw, cilantro), snacks, rice bowls, chicken salad, braised sardines, chicken porridge, and drinks (wine, coffee, beer, soju, sparkling water, soda). The porridge is available on Saturdays only. They’ll call your name when your order is ready.

Spicy pork bowl ($13): Grilled spicy pork over warm jasmine rice, cucumbers, ground peanuts, toasted shallots, Maggi, papaya slaw, scallion oil, chili oil. A good portion and very tasty because of the different flavors and textures – reminded me of a Vietnamese broken rice plate but more flavorful because the shallots, chilis, peanuts. It also had the freshness and crunch from the tangy green papaya slaw and raw cucumber slices. The pork was in thin strips and firm – not the most tender but super flavorful. It wasn’t that spicy though – would have loved some hot sauce.

Service was very friendly. The food didn’t take too long. It’s probably already cooked and then assembled to order. Parking in the area is hard to find.

4 out of 5 stars

Num Pang… le sandwich à la sauce cambodgienne

« Num Pang » signifie “Pain”, ici employé pour définir le sandwich, il peut se manger chaud ou froid.  De nombreuses personnes pensent que les Num Pang sont identiques aux Bánh Mì. Quelles sont les différences? Les ingrédients et particularités des Num Pangsont la baguette grillée, les carottes marinées ou le daikon, la coriandre, la sauce chili. Bien…

sardine met up with bella the beautiful for num pang sandwiches on the highline.

Some Num Pang after a long flight