Baja California

Pequeño Saigon, the Pho pioneer in Tijuana

Ideal for this chilly weather

TIJUANA. - The pleasure of eating Vietnamese cuisine started in San Diego a few years back. Because of its novelty, many in Baja California looked to cross the border and also taste all its wonderful flavors.

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From its increasing demand, the idea of taking the concept to Tijuana was born. There, in a little corner of La Plaza Fiesta in Zona Rio, was established the first restaurant in the city that offers a variety of delicacies from Vietnam.

Perhaps many have already heard of it, others not at all, so let me introduce to you Pequeño Saigon (Little Saigon), that opened its doors in April 2013; close to the border and even closer to the people of Tijuana so we can devour a plate of hot Pho soup or any other of their options.

Pho soup. Image: Alain Gonzalez
Pho soup. Image: Alain Gonzalez

Generally, in Vietnamese cuisine we are able to find five main flavors: salty, sweet, sour, spicy and tangy, and although they sometimes clash, they are great on our tastebuds. An exotic, yet strangely familiar combination is what we will find as a constant in every dish.

The main characteristic of their recipes is that they use fresh ingredients, given that in this type of cuisine, it is almost mandatory to cook with fresh vegetables and herbs such as: mint, basil, soy sprouts and spring onions.

Some examples are their spring rolls, their "Pho" soups with rice based noodles, salads and tofu as well as "Vietnamese style" tacos which are really, a house creation, inspired by traditional Vietnamese sandwiches, Banh mi.

Pequeño Saigon's diner favorite choice is, by far, Pho soup; however, the dish has its variations that adapt to the each client's liking. Some dishes are cooked with beef and a generous portion of vegetables, or meatballs if you like. Or if you're vegan, there is an option for you too.

Image: Alain Gonzalez
Image: Alain Gonzalez

When it comes to beverages, one of its most attractive features is its recent inclusion of craft beer, which at the moment carries only Cerveceria Insurgente's Brown beer and their wheat beer, Tiniebla.

Then, there're Vietnamese tacos. A fusion of a traditional Mexican dish, tacos, with juicy pork meat blended with a very spicy peanut sauce. The result: an oriental sample seasoned with a Northern touch of Mexico, taking into consideration that the tacos are served in flour tortillas.

[img srcThumb="http://edgecast.sdr-files.buscafs.com/uploads/news/photos/news_photo_59592_1418869326_630.jpg" srcLink="http://edgecast.sdr-files.buscafs.com/uploads/news/photos/news_photo_59592_1418869326.jpg" size="medium"]Bahn mi Tacos.

Image: Alain Gonzalez[/img]

"Saigon's " success, pioneer of the culinary offer in the region, has resulted in new local players in the market of selling

Vietnamese food or Pho . Even so, none of their employees fear the competition and replacement, given that they trust in selling a complete package when its comes to serving a dish: Kindness in their service+quality product+affordable prices that vary between $45 ($3.08 dlls) to $90 ($6.17dlls) pesos as its most expensive dish. Did I mention that craft beer is only at $50 pesos ($3.42 dlls)?

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Pequeño Saigon is open daily from

Monday-Thursday

12 pm to 10 pm

Friday-Saturday 12pm-12am

Sunday 2pm-10pm

At the moment the don't do deliveries, but its manager, Emilio Mendoza, tell us that you can call to make and order so when you go and pick it up it will be ready. For more information visit their Facebook page at Pequeño Saigon.

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elizabeth.rosales@sandiegored.com

zyanya.figueroa@sandiegored.com

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