Commendation for Excellence in Cambodian Sandwiches: THE PORK BELLY SANDWICH from NUM PANG SANDWICH SHOP

Five spice glazed pork belly and pickled asian pear with the traditional toppings – cucumber, pickled carrots, cilantro – and the most addictive chili mayo on French bread. If you’ve never had a good banh mi (Vietnamese) or num pang (Cambodian) sandwich before, this is the perfect introduction. It’s just the right size, the pork belly is soft and delicious, the chili mayo gives it a strong but enjoyable kick, and you can taste every single ingredient in every single bite. Yum.

NUM PANG SANDWICH SHOP: Union Square/21 E. 12th St/ 212.255.3271
and Midtown East/140 E. 41st St/212.867.8889. numpangnyc.com. $7-9

Endnotes: There are lots of good vegetarian sandwich options here, but next time, I’m ordering the Spanish mackerel with leeks and Thai basil-infused olive oil. The Union Square location is as much of a hole-in-the-wall place as I’ve ever seen, but up the spiral staircase is a seating area where  you can sit on a tall stool and enjoy your sandwich and  spy on the neighboring parking garage like the cool person you are.