Get a taste of Vietnam at these 8 delicious and authentic banh mi stores

In the mood for some crunchy pickled vegetables, juicy meat and creamy pâté crammed into a crispy baguette roll? Get your fill at these top banh mi purveyors in Singapore.

Everyone loves slurping on a fragrant bowl of pho when those cravings for Vietnamese food hit. But there are times when it’s too sweltering to tuck into a hot serving of noodle soup, or when you need a dish that’s more portable and can be enjoyed while on the go. 

Enter banh mi. The much-loved sandwich – which originated in Ho Chi Minh City and combines Vietnamese and French culinary influences – is a tasty, affordable delight that won’t send you into a food coma, which makes it particularly great for lunch. And with a plethora of different vendors in Singapore offering their take on the sandwich, you won’t have to look too far to nab one for yourself.

Banh Mi Thit

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Ask any Vietnamese person for their banh mi recommendations, and chances are that they’ll send you straight to Banh Mi Thit. The no-frills spot near Aljunied MRT only serves banh mi, and you’ll find a few options on the menu: Chicken, beef, pork ham, stir-fried pork and egg.

The sandwiches are dressed with a secret house-made sauce, fresh vegetables, pickles, chilli and coriander, and all the ingredients are tucked into a buttered, freshly baked baguette. Even if you don’t live in the area, this is well worth the trip.

543 Geylang Road, Singapore 389498, +65 6909 8340

233 Banh Mi

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At 233 Banh Mi, you’ll discover fully loaded sandwiches stuffed with moreish ingredients. For starters, there’s the chicken option, which is filled with shredded grilled chicken, pâté, pickled carrots, cucumber and coriander, plus a house-made sauce.

It’s a flavour bomb, with the different ingredients combining to deliver a well-balanced bite. Also worth trying is the beef sandwich that comes with tender, well-marinated sirloin. Don’t forget to order some sweet, creamy Vietnamese iced coffee to accompany your food.

216 Joo Chiat Road, #01-07, Singapore 427483, +65 9457 9351

Sandwich Saigon

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Sandwich Saigon has been delivering quality Vietnamese cuisine for almost two decades, and is a go-to spot for Katong residents looking to get their banh mi fix. Crispy, crackly baguettes are paired with traditional and modern fillings.

You can get everything from the Saigon Special with pork belly and ham; to the Spicy Tuna Sandwich; to the novel Chicken Cheese Sausage Sandwich. We like the Pork Meatball Sandwich, which is crammed with juicy, saucy meatballs (be sure to grab a few napkins). The pho here is also delicious.

93 East Coast Road, Singapore 428792, +65 6345 3849

Bami Express

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This unassuming, hole-in-the-wall store boasts some of the top banh mi in the city-state, and draws long queues – be it office workers or weekend warriors – during the busy lunch period.

The draw? Freshly baked, oh-so crispy baguettes that are stuffed to the gills with all manner of fresh and flavourful ingredients. Go straight for the signature Bami Saigon. It comes with pork liver pâté, pork ham, stewed pork and chicken floss. There’s also the solid Bami Vegetarian for veggie lovers, which has fried tofu and an addictive bean sauce.

1 Tanjong Pagar Plaza, #02-02, Singapore 082001, +65 6443 3079

ALSO READ: Story of the banh mi: Vietnam's super sandwich that took on the world

Moc Quan

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The baguettes here are made in-house using a specially imported oven and flour – so you know they’re serious about the authenticity of their banh mi. You can take your pick from a few different options, with ingredients ranging from Vietnamese sausage and pork pâté to minced beef wrapped in betel leaf and herby lemongrass tofu.

The bread is super-crispy and fluffy, and the ingredients are fresh. We particularly like the zesty pickled vegetables – they use carrots, daikon and cucumber here – for the crunch they add to the sandwich.

81 Clemenceau Avenue, #01-23, Singapore 239917, +65 6736 0123

Co Chung

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Doing some shopping at Plaza Singapura and need to grab a bite? Make your way to the lower basement level for some delicious Vietnamese nosh at Co Chung (they also have another outlet in the CBD).

Although their sandwiches are a tad on the smaller side, they’re packed with umami and are ideal for a light meal or a hearty snack. The Traditional Vietnamese Sandwich includes unctuous homemade pâté, pork belly, cold cuts and various vegetables and herbs, all tucked between a crispy baguette that’s been swiped with mayo.

68 Orchard Road, #B2-20, Singapore 238839, +65 8876 8137

5 Lorong Telok, Singapore 049018, +65 8876 8137

Banh Mi Be Bi

Located in a coffee shop in Geylang, this small, under-the-radar stall dishes out stellar banh mi. The family operation is run by a mother-daughter duo, and their sandwiches are made with bread that’s baked from scratch each day.

We suggest ordering the specialty Grilled Pork Baguette, which features chunky slices of pork topped with crunchy vegetables, chilli slices and a smattering of coriander. If you’re here on a cold and rainy day, there’s the Beef Stew Baguette, which is served with a warming bowl of beef stew.

375 Upper Aljunied Road, Singapore 367860, +65 9054 3939

 La Saigon

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For a novel take on traditional banh mi, make your way to La Saigon. The café primarily specialises in Vietnamese coffee, and offers a range of drinks made with beans imported directly from Vietnam and roasted in Singapore.

As for the sandwiches, they’re made using sourdough baguettes, which makes them stand out from the crowd. The dough has a light tang that adds a whole other dimension to the tasty sandwich. Fillings include egg omelette, fried tofu, grilled chicken, smoked duck and roasted pork.

321 Alexandra Road, #02-26, Singapore 159971, +65 6250 7120

ALSO READ: Delicious things I'm eating: Tamagoyaki, banh mi and more

This article was first published in The Singapore Women's Weekly.