”Should be Top 3 Banh Mi in Singapore…”, my friend quipped.
I have tried many raved-about Banh Mi in Singapore, from those in Joo Chiat, Geylang, Beach Road, to River Valley and town.
While I may not be bold enough to claim I have tried the best Banh Mi (of course this word is always subjective), Banh Mi Saigon’s version clearly earns a spot among the favourites available on this island.
Banh Mi Saigon is situated in an interesting location, at the corner of Blk 505 of Ang Mo Kio Ave 8, sharing space with a Vietnamese minimart which looks like it is stocked quite extensively.
There were many customers who took the time waiting to do some snack, sauces and instant noodle shopping. With the Viet pop songs blasting in the back, it almost felt I was back in Ho Chi Minh City.
Apparently, the owner’s family owns a Banh Mi shop in Vietnam, and therefore the baguettes and several of the ingredients are made in-house.
”So which one nice?”
The person at the cashier pointed No 1, No 4, No 5, No 6… and then everything else.
There are 13 types of Banh Mi on the menu currently, filled with shumai, special fish rolls, roasted pork, BBQ pork, grilled meat, shredded chicken, mixed pork skin, egg, to even innards and ear. EAR!
The Roasted Pork is popular for an obvious reason, just look at the crunchy looking sio bak.
This is a purely takeaway shop, so do inform the cashier if you want the Banh Mi to be cut into half for easier taking.
I had the “special great” Banh Mi Thit ($6.90) filled with three different types of house-made Vietnamese hams, and that made a whole-lot of difference.
As I took the first bite, the first thing that left an impression was the mouthfeel – so much going on, such soft ham, so creamy pate, and all the refreshing crunchiness coming from the vegetables.
There was also some floss providing some sweetness, and margarine/mayonnaise somewhere within. They didn’t overdo on the sauces as well, there was a touch of spiciness but you would still savour the flavours of the ham.
It made another familiar cold-cuts sandwich feel much more boring in comparison.
Oh, the baguette. It was crusty on the outside and soft on the inside. Sometimes, the baguettes get too hard that it feels like it is ‘cutting’, but this had a light texture.
It is recommended to have this Banh Mi within 15 minutes to best experience the flavours, warm and crispy texture, and I concur.
If you stay too far away, find somewhere near the roadside and eat lor.
The shop also serves Vietnamese style Coffee and Tea with variations of Iced Dark ($4.50), Iced Milk ($4.50), and Coconut Coffee ($5.00). I asked for a siu dai aka less sugar, though the drink felt like it was going to max my sugar intake for the day.
Added more ice back home and it tasted just nice.
Banh Mi Saigon
505 Ang Mo Kio Ave 8, Singapore 560505
Opening Hours: 9am – 9pm (Mon – Sun)
Other Related Entries
So Pho (VivoCity)
Mrs Pho House (Takashimaya)
Lucky Saigon Café (Tanglin)
Mrs Pho (Bussorah Street)
Co Chung (Plaza Singapura)
* Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.
