Tank (Pho Xe Tang): Goat Hot Pot [Pictures]

LTH,

Had a pre T-Day LTHForum PM from the multifaceted Erik M. asking if I’d be interested in joining him and a couple of others at Tank for Hot Pot. Took me about 2-milliseconds to respond yes, thanks, absolutely. Hot Pot, in this instance Goat, is not a regular menu item at Tank and Erik, who is as conversant with Vietnamese food as he is Thai, set the menu up in advance.

We started lunch with Tank’s well executed, and delicious, version of Bo Tai Chanh which Erik considerately preordered as it’s one of my favorites.

Bo Tai Chanh


Followed by Banh Cuon Tay Ho, steamed rice flour, deep fried shrimp cake, sliced Vietnamese pork roll, and grilled beef.

Banh Cuon Tay Ho


Banh Xeo, crisp Vietnamese ‘pancake’ rounded out our starters, with Tank’s version being particularly light, crisp and flavorful that Monday afternoon.

Banh Xeo


The star of the afternoon made its appearance in stages, first a propane burner and platter of Choy Sum to add, at our discretion, to the hot pot.


Along with tender, yet toothsome, noodles.


Hot Pot announced it’s presence before being set on the table, scents of rich, herbal simmering meat heralding its arrival.

Goat Hot Pot


If limited to one descriptor it would be earthy, burdock root, dried dates, herbs/spices playing off rich full flavored goat flesh, soul satisfying, elemental, putting me in mind of sitting at my grandmother’s table sighing with satisfaction as I spooned mushroom barley soup with flanken.*

Burdock Root


Not sure what this was, dried, impossible to chew with a distinct inner and outer section, almost like a cross section of wood with bark.



With the addition of Choy Sum


A condiment, the main ingredient being fermented tofu, provided a fermented funky point counter point to the hot pot.




Lunch was terrific, with the company of Erik, Pigmon and ReneG making it even more so.

Great lunch, thanks Erik.


Enjoy,
Gary

*Short ribs

Pho Xe Tang - Tank Restaurant
4953 N. Broadway
Chicago, IL
773-878-2253

Great report, Gary. This goes down as one of the highlights of my chow year, and your photos conjure up the hotpot's haunting, ghostly vapours/flavours for me, as if it all took place today.

Now, for those that might be interested in trying this dish out, here are your options as I see them:

1) At least two days in advance, and in person, ask one of the hosts (preferably the owner) if they will make lau thit de, or "hotpot of goat," for you. If they are willing to accomodate your request, you have something to consider: do you want a small hotpot (3-4 persons) or a large hotpot (5-6 presons)? IIRC, the hotpot shown above was "small," and it set us back $40-42 before tax. Oh, and in case you were wondering, the price didn't include any of the appetizers shown above. Those were a la carte.*

2) Contact me via p.m. with your details, and if I am around/available, I will gladly make the necessary arrangements.

3) Contact me via p.m. with your details, and ask me to join you. If I am around/available, I will gladly make the necessary arrangements.

Regards,
E.M.

* When attempting to secure a reservation, feel free to mention my name. It will likely help.

HI,

I make a bet many would like option 3, are you prepared to eat that much goat hot pot!

Did they make this dish for you because you did the research and requested it? Or did they independently offer to make this dish?

BTW, where is the Tank neon sign hanging today? It was really neat to see it from the street before:



Regards,

Cathy2 wrote:HI,

I make a bet many would like option 3, are you prepared to eat that much goat hot pot!

Did they make this dish for you because you did the research and requested it? Or did they independently offer to make this dish?

BTW, where is the Tank neon sign hanging today? It was really neat to see it from the street before.

Well, right now, I feel like I could do this several more times this season.

----

By chance, I happened to see some of the staff members eating this hotpot one afternoon, last winter, and they were kind enough to offer me a taste. I then asked them if I could get it sometime, et voilà!!

But, I will say that I have had moderate success when I've requested things which I only knew from travel/research. Anyway, and as you know very well, C2, it never hurts to ask.

----

It presently resides in a reading alcove on the third floor of my new house where it continues to cast its eerie glow.

E.M.