I returned to 99 Ranch for lunch today, hoping to eat at Shann Xi Magic Kitchen (yes, it’s spelled with two "n"s here), but although there was a group clustered around the cash register, alas, still not open. Their menu was up, though; a relatively small subset of what they offer at their restaurant on Convoy, but it includes dumplings, soups, and noodles.
Turns out that the Krispy Krunchy Chicken place also has non-franchise based “local favorites”, which include ramen, poke, and several Japanese small plates. I’ll try those eventually.
So I ate at Saigon 5 again (which I’ve heard is an offshoot of Saigon on Fifth). This time I tried their pho tai, a baseline soup for any pho place. Well, let’s just say it was tasty but different. The broth was light and sweet-tasting, with very little if any anise. The sprouts and basil were already in the bowl, as opposed to being served on the side, so you can’t choose to put in as much or little as you wish. Also, the meat, while very good, was much more like the lean brisket you get in pho chin. I like pho chin, but the meat in pho tai is very thin-sliced and raw, usually about 3" in size. If this sounds like a bowl you’d enjoy then go for it, but it’s not “your mama’s” pho tai, as they say.
There are actually only four restaurants in the little food court on the east side of the market. The fourth is “Mr. A Café”.