London's best bánh mì
Bánh mì, a delicious Franco-Viet baguette, is a big part of Vietnam's street food culture. Now, they're becoming ever more ubiquitous in London – popping up not only in market stalls, but in Vietnamese cafés and restaurants, too
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© Rob Greig
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Bánh Mì Bay
4-6 Theobald's Rd, WC1X 8PN (7831 4079). Farringdon tube/rail or bus 19, 38
The new central London branch of Café Bay (see below). The bánh mì can be made with brown, white or Vietnamese baguettes and are baked in-house. Fillings range from caramel pork to grilled tiger prawns, tofu and chicken satay. Read more
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Bánhmì11
Broadway Market (Regent’s Canal end) E2 (www.banhmi11.com). Sat 11am-5pm. Bethnal Green tube or Cambridge Heath rail
Bánh mì arrived in east London in July 2009 via this enterprising set-up by three girls (and one of their mothers) from Hanoi. Their own-made pâté in particular stands out, and bread is made fresh in the morning by The Spence, a local baker. Variations on filling include ‘Imperial BBQ’ pork (based on a marinade from Hue, Vietnam’s old imperial city) and sirloin steak (the ‘Op La Di’). Read more
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Café Bay
75 Denmark Hill, SE5 8RS (7703 2531/www.cafebay.co.uk). Denmark Hill rail
One of the original purveyors of bánh mì, long before it became a London trend. This quiet, functional Camberwell café makes sandwiches to order, bánh mì and otherwise. Though to be frank, we can’t imagine why anyone would choose tuna mayo when there are options such as caramel pork and chicken satay ready to be layered with crisp pickles, cucumber, coriander and chilli. Read more
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Caphe House
114 Bermondsey St, SE1 3TX (7403 3754/ www.caphehouse.com). London Bridge tube/rail
A chilled-out café and art gallery that offers a modest selection of bánh mì, freshly toasted and made to order. The ‘special’ is our favourite, comprising roast pork, pork pâte, Vietnamese ham along with the other traditional accompaniments. Read more
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City Caphe
17 Ironmonger Lane, London, EC2V 8EY
City Càphê's the best of the batch of bánh mì places to have opened in recent months. It's in the heart of the City, so attracts more sharp suits than east London flâneurs. Read more
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Panda Panda
8 Deptford Broadway, SE8 4PA (8616 6922/www.panda-panda.co.uk). Deptford Bridge DLR, Deptford rail or bus 177, 453
This cheerful Deptford takeaway and café is owned by people who are related to the Baguette + More stall (see above). A little more pâté in the baguette and it could give its Greenwich cousin a run for its money. The crushed peanuts in their versions is a great touch. Read more
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