interior of Banh Mi Bay
Not too long ago, I’d have to go to Paris to satisfy my craving for banh mi.
What a difference twelve months can make! While I wouldn’t say London has a huge banh mi scene now, there are at least half a dozen places to find those porky-savory-sweet-spicy sandwiches I love. Most recently, I tried out Banh Mi Bay in Holborn, which is just a ten-minute cycle ride from my house thanks to those snazzy Boris bikes. Score. (If anyone from TFL is reading this, by the way, we’re dying for docking stations around Islington Green.)
I’ve actually visited Banh Mi Bay twice over the last month. Not because it was that amazing, but only because the first time I showed up, it was dinnertime, and when I tried to order banh mi, the restaurant told me they’d “run out” of banh mi during the afternoon. I was pretty crushed. I mean, the restaurant’s named Banh Mi Bay, and they ran out of banh mi?
I regret not having asked why the restaurant couldn’t make more banh mi during the intervening hours between lunchtime and dinnertime.
cha gio (£4) and summer rolls (£3.50)
So, involuntarily, I’ve had more than just the banh mi at Banh Mi Bay. Cha gio and summer rolls were good, but I still felt like I’d been cheated somehow.
shredded caramel pork com dia (£6.50)
char-grilled pork bun (£6)
Jon and I ordered basic rice vermicelli (bun) and rice (com dia) dishes. Pluses: plenty of chilis on the side to liven up the otherwise-bland nuoc cham; good non-clumpy texture to the rice vermicelli noodles. Minuses: much of the grilled pork had been burnt to a crisp. I wouldn’t return to Banh Mi Bay for these.
chargrilled pork banh mi (£3.50)
Learning from the mistake I made during that first visit, I showed up for lunch the second time around. To maximize the odds that Banh Mi Bay would be serving banh mi, of course.
And you know what? It was good. The bread, too often the downfall of banh mi, had a light, crackly crust, and a soft, pillowy interior. Plenty of chili kick and a good amount of sweet-crunchy pickled veg. Worth the second trip.
"meatballs" (£5)
Not satisfied with just banh mi, Jon couldn’t resist seeing what the “meatballs” listed on the menu were. And these were pretty good – a DIY deal. You assembled your own rolls using pre-softened rice paper wrap.
Vietnamese coffee (£2)
Ending our banh mi lunch with some sticky-sweet Vietnamese coffee (who knew condensed milk could be good?), we left happy and full and only £15 lighter in wallet for the two of us. The cafe is pretty, the prices low, and the service attentive. I’ll be back, though only for the banh mi.
Banh Mi Bay, 4-6 Theobald’s Road, WC1X8PN; 0207 831 4079; closest Tube stations: practically a tie among Holborn, Farringdon and Russell Square.
For other posts about banh mi in London:
- Caphe House, London Bridge (23 August 2009)
- Banhmi 11, Broadway Market (11 July 2009)
- Banzi Vietnamese, Surrey Quays (1 June 2009)
I am now even more thankful I am so close to the awesome Panda Panda in Deptford; £2.95 for a banh mi which was far more packed out that Banh Mi Bay’s looked.
Shame about the pork bun being burnt though.
Definitely would love to check out Panda Panda – I love banh mi that’s overstuffed with pickled veg.
I’ve been past this place since returning from India et al. I was knda tempted but now I know the banh mi is good I may have ot stop.
Plus the added bonus of drip coffee with condensed milk I have to go. Although drinking too much coffee with that devilish milk can have bad effects to your waist size, but it tastes sooo good.
It’s a shame Banh Mi Bay wasn’t open when I used to work in the area. I hope it does well, as I’m convinced this site is cursed; none of the eateries located here lasted too long!
@ Dave – I think the condensed milk is, sadly, the least of my worries, calorie-wise.
@ Mr. Noodles – I remember your saying that when someone else blogged about this place. I reckon there are lots of spots in London that seem to be cursed . . . the restaurant biz is more often characterized by failures than success, sadly.
Last time I went past in a bus, I peered down into the kitchen excitedly but the meat on the grill looked awful. Admittedly, not a close inspection(!), but it put me off making a special trip. Sounds like it might be worth a visit for the banh mi and Vietnamese coffee, however!
Great news – a decent Banh mi place in London. Nice interior shot of the restaurant as well!
Have been wanting to try this for a while as I always see it from the window of the bus!
Have you tried their ‘standard’ banh mi? Do you know whether they use the proper pork pate etc?
@Greedy Diva – That about sums it up (to drop in for the banh mi and Vietnamese coffee).
@Gourmet Chick – Thanks, lol.
@Buzzarfood – Yes, in fact, we did try the “special,” and I remember the pate being good (or at least, not gross, like it can sometimes be).
I’ve grabbed a bahn mi for takeout here a couple times – while more satisfying than a Pret sandwich, I felt they were a bit stingy with the fillings. Sounds like they were nicer to you though – I’m giving them another chance!
I’ve been itching to try this place. Thanks for the favorable review ’cause now I know it’s worth the trip out to that middle of nowhere area between Bloomsbury and Clerkenwell. Clerkenbury? Bloomswell?
I’m Vietnamese and I’ve tried every single banh mi place in London. In my eyes, there is only one restaurant that beats them all and that is Panda Panda! I no longer need to go to Paris to get my fix.
@Diane – good to know, and I have meant to visit Panda Panda for a while, but it is a little out of the way for me. Still, good banh mi is destination worthy, lol.