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The right bread can either make or ruin a meal. Sandwich bread doesn't have enough gluten? It's going to fall apart. Crust too crisp? You're going to destroy your mouth. Crumb too, uh, crumby? But that's supposed to be the best part! You guys get the idea.
That's why, when you trutly find the perfect specimen of bread for a specific application, it's just magical.
Well guys, I think I've found the perfect Vietnamese baguette, and you can get it from Saigon Bakery.
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See also:
First a primer. Vietnamese baguettes are different from their European counterparts these ways: The crust should be lighter and crisper so you get a nice crunch without having too much chewiness. The crumb should by pillowy and airy, with a texture much more uniform and light than French baguettes. Think of it as bread for a people who grew up eating rice. You want your crumb as much like rice as possible.
Now, the reason why Saigon bakery's brand of Vietnamese baguette is so good is because its simplicity is so perfect. When bought fresh from the oven ($1 a piece, and just slightly too hot to hold immediately), it's crust crackles and biting into it is like biting into a pillow. Perfect for just snaking. And when it's left to lay around for a little bit, like if you're making banh mi, well, it's perfect for that too. The crust gets softer, the crumb toughens up, and it's a perfect little blanket for your cured meats of choice. It's strong enough to keep everything together, but yielding enough where you don't accidentally pull out the contents of your entire sandwich while you're eating.
And you will be eating, whether the bread's plain, with butter and paté, or a full sandwich, because who knew water, flour, and yeast alone could be just so delicious.
The List:
22. Wagyu Loco Moco Skillet from Urban Seoul 2.0
23. Orange Blossom Honey from Massey Honey Co
24. Duck and Pork Cassoulet from Pinot Provence
25. Hash brown cake at Zov's
26. Poke at Bear Flag Fish Company
27. Avocado Ice Cream at à la minute
28. Icre at Dunarea
29. Milky Bun at Afters Ice Cream
31. Chamorro al Guajillo at Sabroso!
32. Garbanzos at the North Left
33. Burger at Riders Club Cafe
34. Wraps at Kech Cafe
35. Pupusas de Frijol con Queso at Las Casuelas
36. Chicken Marsala at Aioli
37. Phnom Penh Noodle & Cha-Kwai at Little La Lune
38. Fried Chicken at Disneyland's Plaza Inn
39. Cookie Monster Ice Cream from B. Candy
40. Bento Box from California Gogi Korean Grill
41. Jasmine Milk Tea Ice Cream at Afters Ice Cream
42. 79 Special at Hapi Sushi
43. Chicken Nuggets at The North Left
44. Spicy Lemon Garlic Chicken at Chicken Maison
45. Surround Sound Burrito at the Secret Spot
46. Cheesecake Beignets At Scott's Restaurant
47. Spam and Egg Banh Mi From Tan Hoang Huong
48. Marianne's 10-20 Ice Cream At Ruby's Diner
49. Chile Relleno Pretzel Cheeseburger at OC Fair
50. Lunch at Big Thunder Ranch at Disneyland
51. Pescado A Lo Macho at Muelle Peruvian Cantina
52. Cemita de Milanesa at La Cemita Poblana
53. Meatballs and Polenta at 320 Main
54. Shellfish (Ốc) at Hien Vuong Da Kao
55. Basic Bol at Boldo Bol
56. Bang Bang Shrimp at Bonefish Grill
57. 10-Item Plate at Thuan Kieu Noodle & Grill
58. Leche Frita at Cafe Sevilla
59. Happy Hour Sushi at Ginzaya
60. Red Beans and Rice at Disneyland's French Market
61. Consommé from Tacos y Birria El Güero
62. Fried Chicken Biscuit Sandwich at Little Sparrow
63. Breakfast Taco at Sapphire Laguna
64. Husky Burger at Husky Boy Burgers
65. Love Bagel from Koffee Klatch
66. Kouign Amann From The Crema Cafe & Bakery
67. Chili Lime Popcorn From Green Tomato Grill
68. PB & J At Hopscotch
69. Takuwan Sushi from AnQi by Crustacean
70. Ube Ensaymadas from The Ensaymada Project
71. Pork Bánh Mì at the OC Poultry and Rotisserie Market
72. Tacos Gobernador from Mariscos Los Corales
73. Dutch Baby at the Original Pancake House
74. Doughnuts from Sidecar
75. Lengua Tacos at La Chonita
76. Oysters from Carlsbad Aquafarm at the Orange Homegrown Farmers Market
77. Lemon Miso Crab Melt at Umami Burger in Laguna Beach
78. Pani Puri from Adya
79. The Pocket at the Pocket Burger
80. Gyro Sandwich from Paul's Place
81. Slice of Heaven at Pie-Not
82. Taquitos at El Toro Bravo
83. Peanut Butter and Jelly Donut at the Donuttery
84. Dan Dan Mian at Wei-Shian Noodle
85. Beef Burger at Rider's Club Café
86. Smoked Trout at Provenance
87. Small Plates at A&J Restaurant
88. Corn Cheese at Zoomak Asian Bistro
89. Pumpkin Curry at Bhan Baitong
90. Poke at Costco Tustin II
91. Pambazo at Tacos Radioactivos
92. Beef Pho at Pho Crystal Noodle House
93. Breakfast Burrito from Cafe Calacas
94. Koobideh Plate from Grill Cafe
95. Tacos de Cecina from Alebrije's
97. Breakfast Sausage from Da-Le Ranch
98. Any Special Dinner by Old Vine Cafe's Mark McDonald
99. Tres Amigos Burrito from Piaggio on Wheels
100. Bacon-Wrapped Dates from Lola Gaspar
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You can also follow Charles Lam on Twitter @charlesnlam. He's less sardonic there, we swear.
