Jump on the Banh Mi Bandwagon

Hungry? Got 5 bucks? Curious how a baguette can taste even better than it already does? Then you need to head to New York’s Chinatown. For a Vietnamese sandwich. Banh Mi is simply a toasted baguette (yes, an entire baguette!) sliced and filled with crunchy pickled “coleslaw” and your choice of meat (grilled pork is especially good). And it is delicious.

Signaling the significance of this snack, everyone from hip Manhattan restaurants to diners in New Jersey are jumping on the Banh Mi bandwagon— even noodle shop standby Republic in Union Square usurped their overflow bar seating and created a Banh Mi sandwich counter.

But for the real deal, I spend my money – all 2 dollars and 75 cents – on the Veggie Banh Mi from Viet-Nam Banh Mi So 1 at 369 Broome Street. It’s a hole-in-the-wall to be sure, but don’t be fooled by the lack of seating and linoleum tile— this is the best Banh Mi in NYC. The menu offers 17 savory sandwiches, including vegetarian and vegan options, all less than 5 dollars. And if you don’t manage to nab one of the 3 chairs on the sidewalk outside, walk your Banh Mi and salty plum soda to the park on Chrystie Street where the neighborhood kids learn to ride their bikes and all the beat cops speak Chinese— the perfect spot to enjoy a taste of Vietnam on the edge of Chinatown.

Viet-Nam Banh Mi So 1
369 Broome Street
New York, NY 10013 USA
+1.212.219.8341