If you’re a fan of sandwiches that pack a flavourful punch, then you’re in for a treat. We’re about to explore the best places in London for Bánh mì – the Vietnamese sandwich sensation.
We’re talking about crispy baguettes filled with an array of delights, from savoury slices of chả lụa (sausage) to rich pâté spreads and even slices of giò thủ (the mysteriously delicious head cheese).
Drooling yet? Then let’s get started!
Keu
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Location: 9 Poland St, London W1F 8PY, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 7439 8188
Pricing: ££
Opening hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Sunday – 10:00 AM to 8:30 PM
At Keu, they’ve turned Banh Mi into an art form with no less than 13 renditions, ensuring there’s a Banh Mi to suit every taste and preference.
The Keu Original, a masterpiece of crumbled pork sausage and indulgent spiced pork belly, is a symphony of textures and flavours that dance on your taste buds.
For those craving a vegetarian delight, the fragrant Tofu Coconut Curry takes centre stage, featuring organic tofu, creamy coconut milk, and a yellow curry that’s pure bliss.
Ant House
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Location: 97 Kingsland Rd, London E2 8AG, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 3340 7091
Pricing: ££
Opening hours:
- Tuesday to Sunday – 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Ant House flips the script on Banh Mi bread. Airy, with a whisper-thin crust, a departure from your run-of-the-mill baguette.
The pièce de résistance, the Ant House special, is a pork lover’s paradise. It’s a flavour explosion featuring not one, not two, but five types of pork magic – char siu, pork belly, mortadella, ham hock, and the pièce de résistance, pork floss.
There are vegetarian options too, by the way. The tofu and mushroom Banh Mi is a veggie option that doesn’t compromise on taste.
Viet Eat
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Location: 48 Kingsway, London WC2B 6EP, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 3343 5050
Pricing: ££
Opening hours:
- Wednesday to Friday – 10:00 AM to 10:30 PM
- Saturday – 11:30 AM to 10:30 PM
Behind every delicious Banh Mi at Viet Eat is the culinary wizardry of Chef Binh. Variety is the spice of life for Chef Binh, and Viet Eat’s Banh Mi options reflect this philosophy.
Try as many of the options here as you can, we recommend. While exploring, you might encounter the rich flavours of roast duck, the savoury indulgence of pork belly, the vegetarian bliss of aubergine and tofu, or perhaps fall in love with BBQ pork, a favourite among regulars.
Banh Mi Bay
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Location: 21 Rathbone St, London W1T 1LA, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 3609 4830
Pricing: £
Opening hours:
- Monday to Friday – 11:00 PM to 3:00 PM
While Banh Mi here does take centre stage, the culinary saga at Banh Mi Bay extends beyond sandwiches.
Here, you can explore the expansive realm of rice boxes and vermicelli noodle salads. The menu, akin to a treasure map, invites you to navigate its diverse offerings. It’s a great place to go if you’re hankering for other Vietnamese food along with Banh Mi.
Hai Cafe
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Location: 120b Lower Clapton Rd, Lower Clapton, London E5 0QR, United Kingdom
Contact: [email protected]
Pricing: £
Opening hours:
- Thursday to Friday – 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Hai Cafe is synonymous with Banh Mi brilliance, and the secret lies in their artful composition. Picture this: 6″ baguettes cradling a medley of flavours – house-pickled carrots, crispy shallots, cool cucumber, and a sprinkle of black sesame.
Once you’re here, make sure to try their best seller – The Lemongrass Chicken Banh Mi, it’s a dance of fragrant herbs and tender chicken and takes centre stage.
Banh Mi Hoi-An
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Location: 242 Graham Rd, London E8 1BP, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 8985 6634
Pricing: £
Opening hours:
- Monday to Friday – 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM
In the world of Banh Mi Hoi-An, patience is a virtue, and the lunchtime queue is the ultimate testament to the delectable treasures awaiting eager patrons. Brace yourself for a potential 30-minute wait, but don’t worry – good things come to those who wait.
And while Banh Mi Hoi-An is more than a one-hit wonder. It’s an eclectic culinary canvas, offering an array of Vietnamese delights that extend beyond the realm of sandwiches.
Whether you’re craving the refreshing crunch of summer rolls or the soul-soothing warmth of pho, this culinary haven has you covered.
Banh Mi Aha!
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Location: 39 Lamb’s Conduit St, London WC1N 3NG, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 3835 9999
Pricing: £
Opening hours:
- Wednesday to Saturday – 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Banh Mi Aha! goes beyond the basics, offering a banh mi selection that reads like a culinary anthology. From the exotic allure of chicken curry to the decadence of duck – a baguette masterpiece adorned with crispy pork belly, cheese, ham, crumbled sausage, and chicken pâté.
We also recommend their beautiful Vietnamese iced coffees. Whether it’s a morning pick-me-up or an afternoon interlude, these caffeinated creations are a sip of indulgence.
Banh Mi Town
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Location: 29 Hanson St, London W1W 6TS, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 7580 8880
Pricing: £
Opening hours:
- Friday – 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM
If you’re craving one of the best places to eat lunch in London, then this is the place to be. Banh Mi Town unleashes Banh Mi brilliance in unexpected forms, like the Banh Mi Burger. It’s the fusion of Vietnamese flair and burger boldness.
Vegetarian? Fear not, because the vegetarian options aren’t just afterthoughts: they’re spectacular creations that prove banh mi brilliance extends beyond the realms of meat.
Nam Nam
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Location: 138 Lower Rd, London SE16 2UG, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 7231 2847
Pricing: £
Opening hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 12:00 PM to 10:20 PM
Nam Nam’s kerbside pick-up style is a fun option for those who want it fast and to-go. The banh mi here are like flavour-packed passports, they take you on a journey whether you’re enjoying them curbside, in a nearby park, or at the office desk.
While every banh mi at Nam Nam is great, there’s a star that steals the show – the grilled beef option. It’s succulent beef kissed by flames, nestled in a crispy baguette. No way to go wrong with that!
Banh Mi & Son
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Location: 61 Clifton St, London EC2A 2EA, United Kingdom
Pricing: £
Opening hours:
- Monday to Friday – 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM
Banh Mi & Son isn’t content with just serving: they invite you to be the maestro of your banh mi symphony. The DIY banh mi station allows you to customise your sandwich to your heart’s content.
If you do go, try their Grilled Portobello with Vietnamese guacamole, by the way. It’s a crowd-pleaser that keeps patrons coming back for more.
