Craving a taste of Vietnam? Banh mi, the iconic Vietnamese sandwich, is a must-try during your trip. Packed with flavorful fillings and available in both meat and veggie options, it’s a quick and affordable street food option. When we visited Vietnam for 26 days, our first quest was finding the top banh mi spots. We tasted them all to bring you a mouthwatering list of the best banh mi spots in Vietnam! Hungry yet? 😉
1. Bami Bread, Hanoi
Our top pick for banh mi in Hanoi is undoubtedly Bami Bread, also known as Banh Mi Hoi An. Kelvin tried every banh mi available, and they were all yummy. He especially liked the BBQ chicken, it was packed with flavor and so juicy! Not many places have chicken options, so it was a nice change. The special banh mi (with char siu pork) came a close second, but nothing beats the chicken one! Thysia had their veggie option with fried egg at least five times, and it was always perfect.
Price range: 20,000 – 40,000 VND
2. Vegan Banh Mi, Hanoi
When we heard about a banh mi spot specializing in vegan options, Thysia was intrigued! Usually, she just ordered a “regular” banh mi and asked for the meat to be left off, but that meant that they sometimes still added pate. To eat at a restaurant that was 100% veggie was a refreshing change. And we’re glad we checked it out because the banh mi there was fantastic! We tried the falafel banh mi and the shumai-tofu ball banh mi, and the shumai-tofu ball one was our favorite. So flavorful! They also have free filtered water refills, just don’t forget to bring your own water bottle.
Price range: 30,000 – 45,000 VND
3. Banh Mi 25, Hanoi
This famous spot probably doesn’t need an introduction, but we still wanted to mention it. It’s one of the most popular spots in Hanoi to get a banh mi. It’s always busy (even around 7 AM opening time), but they’re quick which means you won’t have to wait long. They have lots of choices: pork, chicken, and some veggie options. If you’re not into banh mi, try their banh mi chao. It’s an alternative to the banh mi, with fillings in a pan and bread on the side. They’re one of the few spots that serve avocado as a topping, and we were totally hooked! Also, Kelvin really liked the beef and cheese here, as well as the honey chicken. Pick your poison!
Price range: 35,000 – 45,000 VND
4. Banh My Mama, Hanoi
Banh My Mama is another popular spot in Hanoi. There’s always a queue, and you might wait a while (we waited about 30 minutes). But trust us, the wait is worth it! Their banh mi is tasty and budget-friendly. Once they start preparing your order, you’ll need to choose your vegetables and sauces. What really surprised us was the presence of mayonnaise, it’s not typically Vietnamese we think. Kelvin tried the sausage, pork, egg, and pate banh mi, and it was delicious and full of flavor! Thysia went for the egg and cheese, which was also really tasty. Banh My Mama is a great option if you’re looking for great quality at affordable prices.
Price range: 12,000 – 30,000 VND
5. Banh Mi Hoi An 1991, Cat Ba Island
If you’re on Cat Ba Island, make sure to try the banh mi at Banh Mi Hoi An 1991! It was so good that we went back like 4 or 5 times. We suggest trying the chicken or vegetarian option. What’s great is that they grill and press the sandwich, which adds a special touch and some extra crispiness. The menu is in Vietnamese, but they do have some sort of translation on their packing paper that you can use as guidance. There are a few seats inside if you want to dine in for lunch or dinner, and food arrives very fast.
Price range: 25,000 – 40,000 VND (depending on the size)
6. Banh Mi Phuong, Hoi An
According to Anthony Bourdain (an American chef, author, and television personality), the best banh mi in Hoi An is found at Banh Mi Phuong. Curious as we are, we had to try it out! Kelvin absolutely loved the BBQ pork banh mi, it was a real hit. Thysia tried their veggie option with omelet but found it just decent, nothing exceptional compared to others she’s had. If you’re thinking about going to Banh Mi Phuong, we’d definitely recommend trying the BBQ pork version!
Price range: 20,000 – 35,000 VND
7. Madam Khanh – The Banh Mi Queen, Hoi An
Another popular banh mi spot in Hoi An is Madam Khanh, known as the banh mi queen for good reason. Surprisingly, we liked this place even more than Banh Mi Phuong! It’s definitely one of the best banh mi spots in Vietnam, if you ask us. They offer 6 different types of banh mi. What we really appreciate is that for the veggie option, you can choose between egg and/or tofu. Thysia prefers eggs, so having that choice is great! If you’re seeking a recommendation, go for the BBQ banh mi with BBQ pork and pate. It’s delicious!
Price range: 25,000 – 30,000 VND
8. Phi Banh Mi, Hoi An
We’ve mentioned the top banh mi spots in Hoi An, but we also stumbled upon a hidden gem: Phi Banh Mi. It’s not as well-known (yet), which we love because there’s never a wait! They offer 11 types of banh mi, so you’ll surely find one you love. Thysia went for the egg and cheese, while Kelvin tried the chicken one. Both were absolutely delicious! One last tip: don’t forget to mention your spice preference when ordering.
Price range: 15,000 – 45,000 VND
9. Le Hoi Banh Mi Chay, Hoi An
One of the most basic yet tasty banh mi spots is Le Hoi Banh Mi Chay. “Chay” means vegetarian, so you know they focus on veggie options. Actually, they only have one type of banh mi here, but you can ask for certain ingredients to be left out. It’s one of the simplest banh mi’s we tried, but it was surprisingly delicious! Plus, it was the most affordable banh mi we had during our Vietnam trip. Even meat lovers should visit this place at least once, we’re sure they’ll be back for more!
Price range: 15,000 VND
10. Naunau, Ho Chi Minh City
We visited Naunau, a vegan restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City, and decided to try their banh mi. It’s packed with mushroom pate, soya mayo, tofu sausage, and veggies. And let us tell you, it was bursting with flavor! One of the best veggie banh mi we’ve had, no doubt. Kelvin isn’t usually a fan of pate, but the mushroom pate was a delightful surprise. So tasty! It’s definitely worth a try, even if you’re not craving banh mi or usually prefer the ones with meat. We can only imagine how delicious their other dishes must be, too bad we’ve already left Ho Chi Minh City!
Price range: 45,000 VND (35,000 VND for takeaway)
11. Delicious Banh Mi Ngon, Ho Chi Minh City
During our final day in Ho Chi Minh City, we stumbled upon Delicious Banh Mi Ngon. The name piqued our curiosity, so we couldn’t resist trying it out. Unlike typical banh mi stalls, this was an actual restaurant, so the prices were a bit higher. But let us tell you, it was worth every penny (or should we say Vietnamese dong 😉). The banh mi we had here easily made it into our top 3 favorites!
Kelvin opted for the Special Charm with baked pork and veggies, while Thysia went for the vegetarian version with cheddar cheese and olives — a unique twist we hadn’t seen before. They were both delicious! We’d even go as far as saying that we liked this place over all the others in the list. On top of that, the owner is really friendly too. He even gifted us a lucky charm bracelet at checkout, which was such a nice touch! If you’re in Ho Chi Minh City, this place is a must-try.
Price range: 70,000 – 90,000 VND
Looking for more Vietnam inspiration?
12 unique things to do in Hanoi
One day in Ho Chi Minh City itinerary
9 great things to do in Hoi An
The best banh mi spots in Vietnam
