Vietnam-azing: Best of the Banh Mi Craze
Updated: April 29, 2009
The banh mi sandwich has taken New York by storm, and it's not hard to see why. These Vietnamese treats are made with French bread, smothered in pate, pickled veggies and spicy sauces, and topped with a stalk or two of cilantro for added flavor. Want more? They're not only delicious and filling, they're also recession-friendly. So next time you simply can't bring yourself to order yet another "$5 footlong," get your banh mi sandwich on at one of these five top spots. – – (Photo: Nicky's Vietnamese Sandwiches)
Saigon Sandwiches
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Ba Xuyen Inc
Read Reviews4222 8th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11232 (map)
Sunset Park isn't exactly in the center of Gotham, but everybody knows the best "superheros" always have a secret hideout. Fresh bread and savory meat coupled with homemade pickles and just the right amount of cilantro make this banh mi sandwich truly invincible.
Nicky's Vietnamese Sandwiches
Read Reviews150 E 2nd St, New York, NY 10009 (map)
Tasty and affordable ethnic food has been a recipe for success in the East Village for decades, and Nicky's is a testament to that. This bastion of bahn mi is a neighborhood institution, thanks to tasty sandwiches served with healthy slices of carrots and cucumber, complemented with gluttonous gobs of pate and mayo.
Paris Sandwich Corp
Read Reviews113 Mott St, New York, NY 10013 (map)
Parisians take their bread very seriously, and so does this Vietnamese sandwich shop in Chinatown. Here, the fillings and sauces play second fiddle to the homemade baguettes, which are soft and airy on the inside and crispy on the outside thanks to convection ovens that toast each sandwich to perfection.
Saigon Bakery
Read Reviews138 Mott St, New York, NY 10013 (map)
The Saigon sandwiches served here are a huge hit in this Szechuan neighborhood. The dignitary of this Vietnamese sandwich embassy is the slow roasted barbecued pork sandwich. Keep in mind that the store may be hard to find: This glittering shrine to swine shares a space with a jewelry store.
Sau Voi Corp
Read Reviews101 Lafayette St , New York, NY 10013 (map)
Behind the signs for lottery tickets and cigarettes you'll find the longest running bahn mi maker in New York. The self-described "granddaddy of them all," this shop has been around since 1987, and it has all the character you'd expect. Ask for the Bahn Mi Dac Biet: pork roll, turkey and ham served with pate and vegetables on a toasted baguette. While you're waiting for your sandwich, peruse Sau Voi's amazing selection of Vietnamese music and DVDs.
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