Yes, I found a bug leg in my pho!
I swear this is an unadulterated picture, and I'm so not out to get Cong Ly. In fact, I LOVE Cong Ly. They serve the best damn pho in NYC, hands-down. It just really bugs me that I had to find this thing in my favorite pho.
After my initial wave of disgust upon finding this, this... limb in my pho, I quickly took a few snaps to document the discovery (for perhaps an upcoming exposé?!). But on closer examination something perplexed me about the whole picture... Notice the leg's whole-ness and structural integrity, i.e. little hairs? (Click on the pic to zoom in for a closer look.) Isn't it odd that it hadn't disintegrated more in the hot soup and steam? After much speculation and discussion, B and I came to the conclusion that the thing didn't come from the kitchen, but rather blew into my bowl as a result of a wintry draft. It all made sense since I was sitting next to a wall, which we noticed later on, had a pile of dead insect parts lying precariously on the paneling.
So, no, Cong Ly's kitchen is not crawling with bugs and their soup is not contaminated with dead insects. Just be careful where you sit down. Don't sit too close to the wall and preferably as far from the front door as possible to avoid a dangerous draft. Once you've found the perfect spot, you're ready for a bowl of the city's finest pho. Edit 2/8/08: After another chowhound found bug parts in their pho, I'm not sure it was a draft afterall!!!
Seriously, I'd brave the possibility of another leg in my pho to have this steaming bowl of goodness any day. What makes it so good? Look at how tendon-y the meatball is! (Btw, I'm trying to find the best beef tendon meatballs out there in asian supermarkets. Anyone has a favorite brand?) And the broth, it's perfect! Not too salty, overly fish-sauced, or over-spiced with cinnamon or star anise, and very beefy. Not the watered-down version you get at some places (ahem, look for upcoming posts about said establishments). The noodles themselves have the best texture I've had in the city. Oh, and fresh vegetables... no yucky brown spots.
Happy slurping!Cong Ly
124 Hester St,
Btwn Bowery & Christie
4 comments:
No no no. Bug adds flavor! Crunchy!
I plan on going here soon. I'm curious as to how it compares to Philly and DC pho.
Lol. I wasn't too bothered once I figured out the leg didn't come from the kitchen. Just asked for another bowl of pho and kept on slurping!
I've heard that Philly pho is supposedly better than NYC pho. I wonder if that's true?!
I'll soon be finding out!
Oh, by the way, I'm making my own pho stock as I type. I've got the marrow bones, tendon, spices, and all the proper greenery [ngo gai, hung lui, hung que]. I was impressed when I found the sawtooth leaf/culantro at the asian store 6 blocks from my house. We'll see how it turns out...
good for protein
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