First Bite: Bánh Nǎm

I love how Manila is turning into a melting pot of various cuisines. The city that used to be dominated by American fast food joints and Filipino eateries is now a thing of the past. Fast forward to present, we have all kinds of dishes from different countries with some we still could not even pronounce correctly. One of my favorites lately is this delightful sandwich popular in Vietnam. Yes, I’m talking about banh mi. And recently, I discovered this shop that sells really good ones. 

Hello, Bánh Nǎm.

This Vietnamese shop offers two of the yummiest things Vietnam has to offer and it is serious in providing the best kind.  

It took Bánh Nǎm several months before its president, who is Filipino-Vietnamese, was able to find the perfect supplier to make its baguette. And for banh mi, the crunchiness of the bread is very (very) important. 

Limiting its offerings to four kinds of banh mi and a handful of drinks allowed Bánh Nǎm to focus on what it makes best. As a result, each banh mi-- Bánh Mí Thit Cha (PHP110), Bánh Mí Ga Nuong (PHP125), Bánh Mí Heo Nuong (PHP130), Bánh Mí Que (PHP60)-- is bound to satisfy every person’s craving for this famous Vietnamese sandwich. And to complete the banh mi experience, Bánh Nǎm also offers Ca Phe Sua Nong (PHP65), Ca Phe Sua Da (PHP65) and Wintermelon Juice (PHP60).

I’ve sampled the bestseller Bánh Mí Heo Nuong or Roast Pork and Bánh Mí Ga Nuong or Grilled Chicken and both were really good.

I loved that despite its affordable price, Bánh Nǎm does not cheat you with mediocre and thin fillings. I enjoyed munching on thick slices of sweet roast pork and juicy grilled chicken. And the bread was definitely on point. This is why even the Bánh Mí Que or Stick Liver Pāté was a hit too despite it being just bread and liver pāté.  

As for the drinks, I sampled Ca Phe Sua Da or Iced Vietnamese Coffee and I liked it a lot. The coffee taste was strong yet not too intense to the point of your eyes popping out due to bitterness and acidity. The amount of condensed milk was perfect as it was enough to sweeten the drink but not overpower the coffee. The Wintermelon drink was a crowd favorite too for those who are not fond of coffee.

Trivia: Did you know that the Bánh Nǎm team frequents Vietnam to get most of its ingredients? This brand’s passion to provide authentic banh mi and Vietnamese coffee is really impressive!

Bánh Nǎm is located at 5th Floor, Podium Mall, Ortigas Center, Pasig City. Bánh Nǎm is also located in Alabang Town Center, SM Southmall, Venice Grand Canal and Paseo Center, Makati.