At Num Pang, no modifications of their sandwiches are allowed, probably for two reasons:  it slows down turn-around time and their sandwiches are built to balanced perfection.

After ordering at the walk-up window, you can watch the couple employees in the open kitchen feverishly keep up with the demand.

Many people seem to grab their sandwich to-go (if it's a nice day I presume eating in Union Square would be a nice idea), but I typically ascend up this spiral staircase to the 2nd floor dining space.

There is probably room for about 20 people up here, with both a countertop with stools as well as a standing-only countertop.  Facing 12th Street (which you can't see in this photo), is a super low-to-the-ground countertop with little tiny stools... ones that once you sit your knees are higher than your waist.  I sat there once out of curiosity, but then smacked my head really good on the overhanging ceiling.  Not making that mistake again.

Grab a seat and load up on some napkins, and feel free to make judicious use of the several bottles of Sriracha sauce gracing the countertops.

On this particular day, Asheley ordered our favorite Classic Sandwich: Pulled Duroc Pork with Spiced Honey (left), while I tried a Seasonal Special Sandwich: Ginger Barbecue Brisket with Pickled Red Cabbage (right).

One thing I really love about Num Pang is that they pay attention to detail.  The ingredients are high-quality:  sustainable and obtained by local markets when available.  The mini baguettes, which are baked by Parisi Bakery (the same bakery that supplies the hero rolls for the very popular Parm), are always super fresh, have great crust and flavor, and are perfectly toasted.

Here is a close-up of the Pulled Duroc Pork with Spiced Honey Sandwich.  The sandwich is incredibly well-balanced, with the sweetness of the honey counterbalanced by the spicy mayo.  The crazy moist, tender, fatty richness of the pork is the perfect yin to the acidic pickled carrots and fresh cucumber and cilantro yang.  It's just a beautiful, beautiful sandwich!

I usually get the Pulled Duroc Pork sandwich because it is that good, but when I saw the words "Ginger Barbecue Brisket" on the seasonal menu, I knew I had to try it.  And yup, as expected, it was ridiculously amazing.  The generous amount of brisket was fall-apart tender and super moist, with just an underlying ginger flavor.

I ate this sandwich with feverish intensity, and within minutes, it was gone.

Want to see a very sad sight?  Brace yourself, this is a disturbing image...

I seriously considered getting a second sandwich.  Seriously.

So next time you are in the Union Square area, make sure to check out Num Pang.  And if you are around during the weekend, also check out some of the food trucks that hang out around Union Square, including two of my favorites: Coolhaus Ice Cream Sandwiches and Kimchi Taco Truck.

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