Dear Food Diary (part deux):

Ha, I just realized that I use food to chronicle my life ... I really wanted to blog about my ma's awesome attempt at recreating a signature Hanoian dish she sampled while in Vietnam: Cha Ca La Vong, or Sizzling Fish with Dill and Vermicelli Noodles. But I forgot my digicam that day and I'm waiting on my kid bro to send me pics from his cam. Which could take forever, depending on when he decides to take a break from WOWing or whatever. Nerd. Not that I'm one to talk (see corny pic above, my ode to Old Vine's magical meatball) ...

So while I wait on those pics from the sibling ... here are some snaps of favorite foods I've devoured recently:

Crispy fish noodle bowl at Xanh in Fountain Valley. The nuoc mam or nuoc cham dipping sauce there tastes just like mom makes: Garlicky and citrusy.

Sigh. I always get this at Old Vine Cafe -- handmade fettucine pomodoro ... nothing fancy, and that's what I love about it.

Negi-toro roll at Murasaki in Santa Ana: Ruby toro with green onions. Yum.

Another Old Vine mention: Beef Stroganoff. Satisfying but somehow still light.

Another Xanh favorite: Goi xoai or green mango and green papaya salad with the most perfectly grilled shrimp!
Uh, instant ramen: Nong Shim Spicy Shin Bowl. Don't judge!

Ohhhhh. I'm drooling just remembering this: Kona Kampachi with Delta Asparagus Panna Cotta and Radish Salad, drizzled with a bright splash of tangerine vinaigrette. This was from Disneyland's California Food & Wine Festival and the dish came courtesy of none other than Chef Andrew Sutton of Napa Rose. The Kona Kampachi was luscious and rich and the radish was a unique complement and that touch of acid was just perfect.

I also really enjoyed the kanpachi or Hawaiian yellowtail sushi at San Shi Go in Laguna Beach, of all places. The fish was firm and slightly sweet, but the clincher was the dab of yuzu and tiny specks of Hawaiian sea salt atop the sushi.

Aw yeah, hello you amazing thing. Cafe Hiro's interpretation of Panna Cotta. It's a lighter version, more of an airy and milky pudding than dense custard.

The girl in me finds the sliders at Bouchees Bistro in Long Beach irresistibly cute, especially the mini- crab cake sandwich.

This was another fusion offering at the delightful Cafe Hiro: The Peking Pork, a cute play off of the Chinese Peking Duck served with sweet buns. Here it's served with a tangy duo of sauces.

Another winner from Cafe Hiro: Seared tuna paired with buffalo mozzarella! Whodathunk? Refreshing.
While I wasn't blown away by the ramen at OC's Daikokuya, I did love the fresh and fluffy gyoza.