Bánh Mì 25 @ Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

Bánh mì and phở gotta be the two most popular dishes exported out of Vietnam. I’ve tried bánh mì several times in Malaysia and loved ’em every time. I figured this is one Vietnamese food that’s hard to mess up. Right?

What’s bánh mì? Bánh means baked/steamed/fried/boiled food items like bread, bun and cake while mì is wheat. In this case, it refers to wheat bread. In a complete food term, it’s a Vietnamese sandwich bread which consists of crispy and soft Vietnamese baguette (French-inspired) filled with meat, pâté, pickled vegetables, fresh vegetables and condiment.

Bánh mì thập cẩm (mixed bánh mì) at Bánh Mì 25.

Seriously, what’s not to love about bánh mì? Well, except when it’s more of a tourist trap? While researching for the best place to have bánh mì in Hanoi, Bánh Mì 25 kept popping up. So, I made it a point to visit it even though I knew this place caters more to tourist rather than locals. Plus, it’s strategically located = at the heart of Old Quarter where we’ll be exploring on day 3.

Despite not feeling hungry yet, it was only 2 hours after our fabulous brunch at Bún Chả Hàng Quạt you see, we decided to crash at Bánh Mì 25 to shelter from the rain. Not feeling hungry meant we ordered only one bánh mì. The drink came first while the sandwich took a very long time to arrive.

Passion fruit juice @ 25,000 VND (~RM4.60). Yummy! We considered ordering coffee but fruit juice won with two votes because we’re very thirsty and fruit juice is hydrating while coffee is dehydrating.

I love how they serve the bánh mì. Traditional and yet sophisticated. We requested them to slice the bánh mì in half.

Bánh mì thập cẩm or mixed bánh mì @ 35,000 VND (~RM6.45). It contains pâté, BBQ pork, jambon (ham), sausage, pickled and fresh vegetables and chili sauce. While snapping this photo, I was already imagining a first big bite that’s comforting and heavenly but in reality, the sandwich was underwhelmed. My sis felt the same.

I’m not sure if it was because we visited on their ‘off days‘ or because the rain has some sort of an influence on the bánh mì (haha) or because this place is really overrated, what I know is I would be sampling more bánh mì places when I visit Hanoi next time.

We dined at their cafe, while their stall @ kitchen is at a shop opposite (not directly opposite). They also have another cafe not far from here.

Address:
Bánh Mì 25 (Stall)
25 Hàng Cá, P,
Hoàn Kiếm,
Hà Nội, Vietnam

Tel: +84 977 668 895
Opening time:
7.00am-9.00pm for Monday-Saturday
7.00am-7.00pm for Sunday

Or

Bánh Mì 25 (Cafe & sitting area)
30 Hàng Cá, P,
Hoàn Kiếm,
Hà Nội, Vietnam

Map: