Tai Hoa BBQ (854 W University Ave, St Paul, MN 55104, 651.298.8480) is a slightly more than a hole in the wall store offering Chinese and Vietnamese foods to go, including the classic roasted duck and roasted pig.The Scrooges ordered a half pound of decadent roasted pig (heo quay). The pig is roasted until the skin is a crispy crackling shell offering a textural sensation better exceeding any potato chip. Immediately under the skin is a layer of fat which if it is the correct thickness magnifies the decadent experience. Too little fat equals a wretchedly dry equivalent of cardboard and too much fat is an egregious affront. Below the fat is the meat ideally with an attached small rib bone. That describes the perfect piece of roasted pig. Unfortunately this particular batch wasn't perfect. It wasn't cheap at almost $8 per pound but it was still a treat for the taste buds especially dipped in hot chili sauce.
Bangkok Thai Deli (315 University Ave, St Paul, MN, 651.224.4300) is both a sit down restaurant and a deli. Bangkok offers a different slightly different version of roasted pig, which if Scrooge heard correctly they call "Pork Li" ($5).They take a similar cut of pig minus the rib bones, add some seasonings and deep fry it. It's surprising that despite the fat and the deep frying, it had only a slightly heavy fatty taste, which Scrooge take as a sign of being fried at the proper temperature. It is distinctly different in taste from the Chinese style roast pork and was notably saltier but nevertheless equally decadent. With the amount of fat present, it was incredibly tender and when down the gullet too easy. Scrooge felt his arteries hardening with every swallow.
Roasted pig is one of life's guilty pleasures and one of the world's perfect foods. Both Tai Hoa and Bangkok Thai Deli offer versions worthy of your money. Indulge only every once in a while to keep the cardiologists at bay.
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