When as esteemed a judge as Anthony Bourdain labelled it ‘a symphony in a sandwich’ the humble banh mi suddenly rose to the consciousness of food lovers around the world.
So much so that this magnificent collision of Vietnamese and French gastronomy – whilst already popular in Sydney – really took off.
Now a firm favourite for many people in the Emerald City, there are several fantastic purveyors of this delicious staple in operation across New South Wales’s capital and beyond.
In this article, we’ll highlight 14 spots for the best banh mi in Sydney. Head to any of these next time the hunger pangs kick in and you should quickly and easily satisfy your stomach.
About Banh Mi
Before we do that, for those who aren’t sure, here is a quick rundown of what a Banh mi is.
Originating from Saigon in the late 1950s, a banh mi is a light baguette that typically features some kind of protein like Asian-style pate, chicken or pork. It is usually paired with mayo, coriander, chillies, thick slices of cucumber, carrot and sour pickled daikon and is known for its fluffy middle and crunchy outer texture.
Born from a strong French colonial influence, it was a huge game changer for Vietnam’s culinary scene. Indeed it took off so much that new industries were created, in particular, in the south of the country, as it became the on-the-go choice of millions of people.
When Saigon fell, it spread into Sydney and other countries around the world on the back of fleeing refugees.
1. Yellow Fever
Located in Redfern, Yellow Fever is a slick cafe that boasts exceptional coffee, lots of natural light and a wall that features hundreds of Vietnamese related news clippings.
Although it charges premium prices for its delicious offerings many locals are happy to pay them for the chance to enjoy their legendary five spice pork or pork belly options.
The key to their success is they marinate the meat for 24 hours. They also put a lot of love into their mouthwatering creations, which they present with outstanding speed and customer service.
Known for: pork belly banh mi and five spice pork banh mi
Address: 133 Regent St, Redfern NSW 2016
Phone: +61 0410 577 266
Trading Hours: Mon – Sat 6 am – 3 pm
2. Obunmee
Prominently situated on the Harris Street strip in Pyrmont, Obunmee is renowned for dishing up banh mi so fresh, you can be forgiven for thinking they’ve come straight from Ho Chi Minh City.
Taking the classic flavours of Vietnam and giving them a contemporary lift, this place is always busy. So don’t be surprised if there is a queue when you get there.
Their pork roll and chicken schnitzel are very popular amongst meat lovers, while veggies will love the Vegetarian Delight version.
Known for: vegetarian delight, pork roll
Address: 115 Harris St, Pyrmont NSW 2009
Phone: +61 02 8959 2056
Trading Hours: Mon – Fri 9.30 am – 3.30 pm
3. Banh Mi Bay Ngo
The fact that Banh Mi Bay Ngo has been in operation in Bankstown for more than 30 years should tell you how good it is.
One of the oldest swingers in town, this family run venture presents traditional banh mi in a bustling space at the main city plaza.
What sets their fluffy baguettes apart from others is the fabulous balance they strike between being crispy and crunchy. They also use very fresh vegetables and come with a nice hit of chilli.
If you really want to pimp up your banh mi, ask for it to come with a fried egg. It’s delicious!
Known for: bbq pork, chicken banh mi
Address: 49 Bankstown City Plaza, Bankstown NSW 2200
Phone: +61 02 9709 8106
Trading Hours: Mon – Sun 6.30 am – 6 pm
4. Viet Hoa Hot Bread
Next time you find yourself scouring the streets of Sydney in the wee small hours of the morning trying to find some food, then consider Viet Hoa Hot Bread.
Rated by many foodies as the best place to buy banh mi in the city, this place is open 24 hours a day. So you can indulge your love of this scrumptious snack any time of the night and day.
You’ll find it on John Street – the intoxicating smell will guide you there. Once you arrive you’ll be presented with an excellent range of options that are served in arguably the best baguettes you will find anywhere.
Try the pork roll banh mi and treat your taste buds to something very special.
Known for: pork roll, crispy bread, pate
Address: 107 John St, Cabramatta NSW 2166
Phone: +61 02 9728 2518
Trading Hours: 24 hours
5. Marrickville Pork Roll
Another place that is always busy is Marrickville Pork Roll.
Popular amongst some of the most noted food bloggers, this hole in the wall is easily recognised by its bright red and white signage.
Attracting city visitors and locals alike, it is not a place you will leave hungry due to the generous serving size which borders on ‘over-stuffed’.
Their pricing is outrageous too. But in a very good way. At the time of writing, you can snap up a banh mi for only $4, which considering their exceptional quality, is massively under-priced. (Shhhhh! Don’t tell them!)
Try the pork crackling version and be prepared to be blown away.
Known for: pate, pork crackling Banh mi
Address: 236a Illawarra Road, Sydney NSW 2204
Phone: +61 0420 966 368
Trading Hours: Mon – Sun 6.45 am – 5.30 pm
6. Alina’s Bakery
Set within Pennant Hills Market Place you’ll find the delightful Alina’s Bakery.
Although they offer a range of pies, fresh loaves of bread and delicious cakes, they are perhaps best known for their extraordinary banh mi.
Run by the Quach family, their classic pork roll is the ultimate comfort food. Cleverly, all their banh mi comes wrapped in cling film. So this makes it easier to keep everything together whilst you eat it.
Known for: classic pork roll, fresh bread rolls
Address: 4-10 Hillcrest Road, Pennant Hills NSW 2120
Phone: +61 02 9484 2809
Trading Hours: Wed – Sun 11 – 3 pm 5 – 10 pm Tue 5 – 10 pm
7. Top Ryde Baker’s House
With a superb selection of pies, sausage rolls, cakes and fresh bread on offer patrons are spoilt for choice at Top Ryde Baker’s House. This also applies to their Vietnamese banh mi which ranks among the best in Sydney.
Wonderfully crunchy and crispy, they are packed with exquisitely prepared meats, vibrant vegetables and sensational sauces. Their lemongrass beef is especially good and will leave you licking your lips with delight.
Known for: crispy pork, lemongrass beef
Address: 109 Blaxland Rd, Ryde NSW 2112
Phone: +61 02 9807 8989
Trading Hours: Mon – Sun 7 am – 7 pm
8. Sydney Pork Rolls
For over a decade now Sydney Pork Rolls has been delighting city workers and shoppers in Haymarket with their terrific offerings.
Always extremely popular, this takeout-only venue operates a no-nonsense approach to serving its customers. This means you will get your freshly prepared food quicker than you can say banh mi with chicken gravy sauce (which is something you should order if you really want something hearty).
Bustling and unpretentious, this authentic eatery is another establishment that will provide you with change from a $5 note.
Known for: chicken gravy sauce, crunchy bread
Address: 627 – 627a George Street, Haymarket NSW 2000
Phone: +61 0420 620 688
Trading Hours: Mon – Fri 8 am – 7 pm, Sat – Sun 8.30 am – 6.30 pm
9. Hong Ha Bakery
There is something poetic about the Hong Ha bakery being tucked in between a luggage retailer and a greengrocer. It seems to symbolise a coming together of international food and fresh Australian ingredients.
Situated in Mascot, this place is renowned for its top quality banh mi which features fresh ingredients and signature crispiness.
As the queues can be quite long, especially at lunchtime, you might need to exercise some patience to get your food. However, once you’ve taken a bite out of their chicken lemongrass roll, you’ll think you have died and gone to heaven.
Known for: crispy symbolic rolls, chicken lemongrass rolls
Address: 1151 Botany Rd, Mascot NSW 2020
Phone: +61 02 9360 2523
Trading Hours: Mon – Sun 5.30 am – 4.30 pm
10. Alex ‘N’ Rolls
Alex ‘n’ Rolls is the place to go if you are very hangry.
Located in Marrickville, this understated hole in the wall offers hunger busting Vietnamese baguettes that are freshly baked and bursting with sumptuous meats and spicy flavour.
You’ll love the baguettes which have a crispy exterior and doughy middle, while the succulent, in-house prepared meats are offered in generous proportions.
A significant proportion of their business comes from regular customers which demonstrates how good their banh mi are.
Known for: crispy pork belly, bbq pork
Address: 321 Illawarra Road, Marrickville NSW 2024
Phone: +61 0412 374 339
11. Great Aunty Three
Blending authenticity, tradition and creative vision, Great Aunty Three is widely acknowledged for dishing up some of Sydney’s best banh mi.
The first thing you will notice when you order them is their size is slightly bigger than at many other venues. They also come with deluxe fillings like duck, caramelised pork and seafood.
Offering some of the best Vietnamese street food in Sydney, the eatery is a relaxed and casual space that features red stools, wooden floors and outside seating. The vibe here is just as good as the food.
Known for: pork crackling banh mi, caramelised pork
Address: 115 Enmore Road, Enmore NSW 2042
Phone: +61 02 9281 8882
Trading Hours: Mon 10 am – 3 pm, Wed – Sun 10 am – 3 pm
12. Vinata’s Bakery
Who says the best Banh mi in Sydney is located within the CBD? Not those who champion Vinata’s Bakery at least.
A very popular haunt in Bonnyrigg, their gastronomic delights are as good as anyone else’s in the city. Not only are their bacon and cheese rolls exceptional, but their banh mi is also out of this world.
What elevates this joint from the competition is the incredible homemade bbq sauce, mayonnaise and pate they serve on their baguettes. In particular, the ‘secret’ sauce their owner Vu makes is extraordinarily good.
Next time you find yourself in Bonnyrigg, pop on into their friendly establishment to discover why it is rated so highly.
Known for: bacon and cheese rolls, pate
Address: 100 Bonnyrigg Ave, Bonnyrigg NSW 2177
Phone: +61 02 8750 4550
Trading Hours: Mon – Sun 9 am – 5.30 pm
13. Mr Crackles
For a more unique banh mi dining experience check out Mr Crackles on College Street within the CBD.
Their chicken katsu, which is served with wasabi mayo and Asian slaw, is one of their most popular menu items. While vegetarians can enjoy their flavoursome spice roast pumpkin variety.
Served with spinach, tahini and caramelised onions, it is just as regularly ordered by meat lovers as it is by those who adopt a plant based diet.
You can choose to have either of these with a side of loaded bogan fries! (Sounds intriguing doesn’t it?)
Known for: chicken katsu, spice roast pumpkin banh
Address: 2/4 College Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Phone: +61 02 9360 2523
Trading Hours: Wed – Sun 11 – 3 pm 5 – 10 pm Tue 5 – 10 pm
14. Kenny’s Pork Rolls
One of the coolest purveyors of Vietnamese street food in Sydney is undoubtedly Kenny’s Pork Rolls.
Located in Darlinghurst, their range of Asian fusion food is a real treat to your taste buds. Standouts on the menu include soft shell crab and their signature pork belly roll. Both of which are loved by foodies throughout the city.
Given their fantastic quality, portion size and the speed at which you are served, they are generously priced too.
For lunch, they also offer a very good range of rice bowls and salads that come with a terrific range of protein toppings.
Known for: soft shell crab, signature crispy pork belly
Address: 159 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst NSW 2010
Phone: +61 02 9360 2523
Trading Hours: Mon – Sat 10.30 am – 4 pm