#71 – PULLED DUROC PORK SANDWICH at NUM PANG

For the third year in a row, I’m going to attempt to eat every single item on Time Out New York’s annual 100 Best Dishes list. In no particular order, here’s my take on their Top 100. Let the gluttony continue…

For those that think the sandwich phenomenon is exclusively a Western idea, think again! Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches, Chinese sesame pancake sandwiches, and Middle Eastern pita sandwiches have shown their delicious faces in NY for at a few decades now. But Cambodian style sandwiches is a relatively new thing for us.

In fact before Num Pang opened in 2009, Cambodian food itself was rather unrepresented in NY. The only other place I could think of (aside from an unusual food truck) was Kampuchea Noodle Bar, which closed quite a few years ago. The chef and owner from that venture has made a name for himself with two locations of Num Pang (meaning “sandwich” in Cambodian).

I hit up the original hole-in-the-wall on 12th Street just off of Union Square to try their pulled pork sandwich. This is probably their most popular option, but every time I go I try something more exotic like Tiger Shrimp or Peaches with Bacon.

All the sandwiches I’ve had here have been mighty tasty and the pulled pork was no exception. It is served (like everything else) on a toasted, buttery baguette (think Banh Mi) with pickled carrots, cilantro, cucumbers, and a helping of spicy chili mayo.

The shredded pork had a nice level of sweetness and was far from dry (even though there was no additional sauce). Peppery and smoky, the pork fell apart rather easily.  While this sandwich is not as unique and surprising as others I’ve tried here, it’s a perfect introduction to the bold flavors and tasty sandwiches that I’ve come to expect from Num Pang’s Cambodian-inspired creations.

Would Num Pang’s Pulled Duroc Pork Sandwich make my Top 100 of the year? I love what they do and while this tasty guy might be their most accessible, I prefer the more unusual and complex options. Still, an 8 out of 10.