Roasted Pig - Tai Hoa BBQ & Bangkok Thai Deli

Tai Hoa BBQ (854 W University Ave, St Paul, MN 55104, 651.298.8480) is a little hole in the wall store offering Chinese and Vietnamese foods to go, including the classic roasted duck and roasted pig.

We ordered a half pound of decadent roasted pig (heo quay). The pig is roasted until the skin is a crispy crackling shell offering a textural and taste sensation better than any potato chip. Immediately under the skin is an attached layer of fat which if it is the correct thickness magnifies the decadent experience. Too little fat means you'll be eating a leaner less satisfying piece and too much fat ruins the experience. Below the fat is the pork meat ideally with an attaching small rib bone. That about describes the perfect piece of roasted pig. Unfortunately this particular batch wasn't perfect. It wasn't cheap at almost $8 per pound but it was a real treat for the taste buds especially when dipped in that hot chili sauce.

Bangkok Thai Deli (315 University Ave, St Paul, MN, 651.224.4300) is both a sit down restaurant and a deli. Bangkok offers a different slightly different version of roasted pig, which if I heard correctly they call "Pork Li" ($5).

They take a similar cut of pig minus the rib bones, add some seasonings and deep fry it. It's surprising that despite the fat and the deep frying, it had only a slightly heavy fatty taste, which I take as a sign of being fried at the proper temperature. It was distinctly different in taste from the Chinese style roast pork and was notably saltier but nevertheless equally decadent. As you can imagine with the amount of fat present, it was incredibly tender and when down the gullet too easy. I felt my arteries were hardening with every swallow.

Roasted pig is one of life's guilty pleasures and one of the world's perfect foods. Both Tai Hoa and Bangkok Thai Deli offer versions worthy of your money. Indulge only every once in a while and hopefully you'll keep the cardiologists at bay.