Num Pang to the Rescue

Sandwiches may save my marriage this summer. And me. When the dreaded question–What are we going to eat?– pops up, when it's hot and sticky and when cooking in our tiny apartment kitchen might cause Peter and I to melt into a puddle on the floor the answer is a sandwich. Especially from Num Pang.*

It's 1) just around the corner, 2) happily priced in the guilt-free range and 3) insanely good. The sandwiches are a riff on Cambodian cooking (num pang translates to sandwich in that language), with some traditional elements like cilantro and pork, but most are much more ambitious. I had the Coconut tiger shrimp sandwich with toasted coconut flakes the last time I was there (pictured above). Sweet coconut-flecked mayo, the grassy essence of cilantro and succulent pieces of shrimp made for a soul-satisfying dinner. Peter had the Pulled Duroc pork sandwich with spicy honey, which looked equally gratifying (I was too enamored of my own to sneak a bite of his).
 

Another thing I love about the place is the tiny second floor with the knee-height counter against the windows. Looking out on the city traffic below, you feel like you're in a treehouse– a special club where the price of admittance is $7 and in return you get a summer supper that transports you to a place where the tropical heat feels like heaven, not hell.

Things I haven't tried but can't wait to:
Ginger barbecue brisket with picked red cabbage
Grilled corn on the cob with chili mayo, coconut flakes and chili powder
Tropical fruit salad with pineapple, papaya, mango, young coconut, lychee, watermelon and lemongrass-mint dressing

Num Pang Sandwich Shop
21 East 12th Street (between University Place & 5th Avenue)
New York, NY  10003
(212) 255-3271


*By the way, thanks Mike, for suggesting this place!