Temple Club is my kind of Vietnamese restaurant, in contrast to the highly regarded more refined Slanted Door which has never wowed me despite multiple visits and high expectations.
At Temple Club the food wows me. I love the bold flavors, contrast of textures and ingredients, use of fresh herbs, lack of heaviness from too much fat and MSG. The food here tastes vibrant and more like food I had while visiting Vietnam.
Here is what we ate on our third visit Friday night:
Goi Sua- an absolutely addictive salad of jellyfish, chicken, green papaya, fish sauce. A riot of textures and flavors.
Saigon Banh Xeo- a rice flour crepe with shrimp. Served with lettuce for wrapping and fresh herbs (basil, mint and rau ram) and a dipping sauce with carrots and daikon. A super tasty version with delicious crunchy shrimp.
Mi Quang Phu Chiem- a noodle dish with pork, little shrimp, annato oil, crushed peanuts and fresh herbs. Lots of different layers of flavor and textures. Excellent.
