Essential Eats: The Works Bún Bowl at Newly Opened Shank & Bone in North Park
With the recent opening of Shank & Bone, North Park continues to build its reputation as the go-to neighborhood for affordable eats in eclectic spaces. The sun-dappled venue with a view of the iconic neighborhood sign is decked out with a Shepard Fairey mural, vintage motorbikes, and colorful chairs in primary tones.
Food-wise, the offerings are similarly fun and creative, with both classic items, like pho, bánh mì, and bún bowls, as well as contemporary dishes you won’t find at other Vietnamese restaurants, such as bone marrow and bánh mì crostinis and oysters on the half-shell.
If you love the simplicity of grilled meat, bouncy rice noodles, and crunchy veggies, the bún bowls are a must-order. The wisest choice, if you’re looking to get the most bang for your buck, is “The Works”.
This bowl comes fully loaded with grilled pork, chicken, and shrimp, with a crispy egg roll tossed in for good measure. Fresh mint, fried shallots, and crushed peanuts give the dish extra flavor and dimension, as does the bowl of nuoc cham on the side. Pour this sweet, sour, salty sauce all over the noodles, doctor to your liking with sriracha, and dig in!
An iced Vietnamese coffee or craft brew might be the logical choice to sip alongside a bowl of noodles and grilled meat, but if you’re open to something on the sweeter side, go for the Che 3 Mau—a tri-colored beverage made with red beans, mung beans, pandan jelly, crushed ice, and sweetened coconut cream. The creamy, crunchy, chewy concoction is technically a dessert item, but the slightly salty beans make it balanced enough pair with a savory dish—especially if you happen to go a bit overboard with the hot sauce.
2930 University Avenue, North Park, San Diego
