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Restaurant Guide
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Vietnamese
Deidre Schipani
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
The foods of Vietnam bear the culinary imprint of France and other cultures. Sandwiches are served on baguettes, condensed milk is added to coffee, and pates are lunch fare. The spice trade with India can be seen in the curry dishes of South Vietnam, and the Chinese influence is found in simple stir-fries and rice dishes.
New Asia Restaurant874 Orleans Road, Summerall Square, West Ashley 556-7212 $-$$ New Asia restaurant has a culinary split personality: A portion of the menu is classic Chinese dishes and the other is Vietnamese. The food here never tastes rushed. The broths and stocks are gently simmered, coaxing all the flavor from the judicious use of meat and bones. Banh Xeo Tom Thit is a delightful crepelike pancake made with coconut milk and rice flour. Filled with shrimp and pork, you place pieces in a lettuce wrap, and add mint, cilantro, cucumber and fish sauce to taste. Sweet, tart, salty and crunchy with the refreshing finish of mint, this is a wonderful dish. New Asia gets high marks for its Bo and Bun, two traditional dishes of Vietnam, one a soup and the other a "salad" based on rice vermicelli noodles, grilled meats and assorted condiments. There is a real sense of authenticity, with toasted rice powder used as a binder, along with Asian basil, nuoc mam, fried garlic bits and the crispest mung beans seen in a long time adding to the enjoyment of the dishes. And with a nod to its Lowcountry location, there is even sweet tea!
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Comments
Posted by whitekayak on June 21, 2008 at 10:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The food was excellent! We've been waiting for good Vietnamese food in Charleston, and this is it. Our party of 4 ordered 4 different dishes, one not on the menu (goi ga, or a salad of chicken and fresh greens). Thai basil and mint, often skipped, added their special flavors. The spring rolls, cha gio, were crisp, without a greasy taste, and the filling was excellent. And the bun (salad with noodles and various fresh vegetables plus chargrilled chicken, shrimp, or spring rolls) was as good as any we've had in Houston. All of us were pleased with our food and the prices. The owners are very friendly, the service was excellent, and we wish there had been more customers to enjoy the food.
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