Overview
There is not a lot that can beat a truly great sandwich and banh mi is right up there with the best of them. A French-influenced, Vietnamese creation, the banh mi is a delicious cultural fusion — a baguette spread with pate, butter/mayo piled with meats (preferably pork), batons of lightly pickled carrot and daikon, ribbons of cucumber, whole sprigs of coriander and maybe even a little sliced fresh chilli. Fresh and flavoursome, it is an ideal workday lunch.
Though the below list of the best banh mi in Brisbane is ordered, we understand that sandwiches are a highly personal matter, so take it as a guide, not a decree.
Minh Tan Bakery
If you’re not lucky enough to live nearby to the Minh Tan Bakery it may be quite a trek to get there, but it is at this suburban bakery that you will find probably the best banh mi in Brisbane. On the fringes of the Inala Plaza food court, a banh mi with pork, pork mince, pork loaf or chicken will set you back $4. The bread is exceptional – crisp on the outside, soft on the inside and the fillings are top notch. It is all these factors, plus their generosity with the pate, that takes Minh Tan to the top of this list.
156 Inala Ave, Inala Plza, Inala
Scotts Rd Deli
In truth, it’s difficult to separate Scotts Rd Deli from Minh Tan in terms of quality. Scotts Rd Deli is a little takeaway shop in Darra, and they only offer one banh mi – a classic banh mi thit. So confident are they of their chosen speciality that its name takes up prime position on their sign ‘banh mi Thit – Pork Roll’. The bread is wonderfully flaky (first and second place on this list is bestowed primarily for the superior baguettes), the pork slow cooked and tender. At a measly $3.50, you simply can’t invent a reason to complain. Service is delightful and they sell Vietnamese iced coffee in plastic sealed cups – the perfect thing to wash down your pork roll.
146 Scotts Road, Darra
Mrs Luu’s
Moving closer to the CBD, prices inevitably rise and at Mr’s Luu’s the banh mi is $7. You are, however, paying in part for the privilege of eating your meal in the sunny alcove that is their shop. The three little piggies (with Viet porchetta, Viet ham and BBQ pork) is an easy favourite, but they also do grilled marinated flank steak, sweet glazed chicken fillet, soy and shallot grilled pork-chop and omelette with caramelised onions. Drinks include homemade lemonade, coconut juice, orange juice and excellent (very strong and very sweet) Vietnamese coffee.
25 Railway Terrace, Milton
Cafe O-Mai
At Annerley breakfast hotspot Cafe O-Mai, variety is the name of the game. The options (ranging in price from $5 to $9) abound: bacon and egg, classic pork roll, pork meatball and quail eggs, tamarind chicken, house-made crackling pork, lemongrass beef, BBQ pork, salad and tofu. With baguettes from Patisseries Bakery and De Francs in Sunnybank Hills, any choice would be a good one.
15 Cracknell Rd, Annerley
Kim Thanh Hot Bread
West End stalwart Kim Thanh has long held the affections of locals for their fresh bread and sweet baked goods. They do good banh mi too, particularly suited to those who prefer their baguette with a nice bit of bite and chew. banh mi thit ($4.50) is the only kind on offer, but this lack of variety is not a problem; best to do one thing well.
81 Vulture St, West End
The Rice Hut
A favourite amongst patrons of Jan Power’s Farmers Market, The Rice Hut’s banh mi is the priciest on this list, coming in at $8. However, the stall owners are very friendly and they drizzle their banh mi with a zesty dressing that adds a bit of punch. It’s an ideal bit of street food to munch on as you meander around the market, and the ginger beer makes for a nice accompaniment.
Jan Power's Farmers Markets
Rice Paper Scissors
You may be inclined to pity Rice Paper Scissors for having to compete with fellow Miltonite, Mrs Luu’s. An unfortunate position on the face of it perhaps, but they do appear to hold their own. Banh mi are $7 and they season their meats and sandwiches with some atypical condiments and sauces. Fillings include ‘the classic’ (with three types of pork), ‘the brown cow’ (lemongrass beef), ‘the vegetarian’ and ‘the belly bun’ (roast pork belly). A roll here will definitely fuel you for the afternoon, and they have seating too, unlike the majority of places on this list.
Shop 13, 1 Park Road, Milton
The Roll Shop
Not everyone can make their way out to Darra or Inala on a weekday for a sandwich, so for inner-city workers The Roll Shop is the next best thing. Banh mi are priced at $6, and they offer a wider than average variety of meats — BBQ pork, black pepper beef, lemongrass chicken, roast crackling pork and sweet glazed grilled pork. Chances are that it’s the roast crackling pork that really grabbed you, but be warned, it only becomes available after around 9.30 in the morning.
Shop 2, 88 Creek Street(in Gresham Laneway), Brisbane CBD