Guide to Banh Mi in NYC
Vietnamese sandwiches (banh mi) have been around New York for a while, and for those who know where to find them, they’re a secret source for one of the cheapest and most delicious foods in the city!

if you don’t know what Banh Mi are, they’re these amazing, one of a kind sandwiches, that are huge, made with all kinds of tasty fresh ingredients (French bread, shredded carrots, radish, slices of cucumber, lunch meat, bbq pork and a variety of sauces/seasoning) and are super cheap! usually around $3 for a massive sandwich that can feed 2.

our all time favorite is Saigon Banh Mi. high quality ingrediants and great care go into making each of their incredibly tasty sandwiches. opened over 15 years ago by Nina and her mother, Nina’s mother has retired and she now runs it with her husband Kevin (the nicest people you could ever meet). they toast each beautiful loaf of bread to order, and load on the fresh vegetables, meats and sauces. there are only 2 items on the menu! delicious, strong and sweet iced coffee and one kind of bahn mi/sandwich (the traditional version) but they will happily make an all Veggie version (or all pork) if you ask. their BBQ pork is so tasty and nicely crispy, hands down the best around. another reason they edge out the rest.

part of the fun of Saigon Banh Mi is it’s almost secret location in a forgotten part of Manhattan, on the outside of the E. Broadway Mall where Forsythe, Division and East Broadway meet (stall #108 on the Forsythe St side, right behind the strip of lined up buses). Saigon Banh Mi is open Tuesday-Sunday. They open early in the morn and close late afternoon or when they run out of the days bread (which happens often so best to go before noon.) another tip – if you stroll down Market St you’ll find some nice ball fields with bleachers where you can eat your sandwich and watch some local ball on the weekend.

there are many other banh mi shops around NYC. Chowhound and Epinions are great sources of info. another favorite of ours is Banh Mi So. 1 on Broome near Mott. they’re a little easier to get to, and have a good selection of funky little sweet and savory Vietnamese side dishes to try (and are also very nice people)

and a cool new addition! Lesevil spotted a Banh Mi shop, Nicky’s Vietnamese Sandwiches opening on 105 E 2nd St, just off Ave A. and there’s a post today on Chowhound that they’ve opened and have good stuff. We’re there!

more great info on banh mi can be found here and here. and for an authentic lowdown, check out the excellent Vietnamese food blog – Noodle Pie